Author: Lee Matz

Every year on March 1, Koreans pause to remember the wave of patriotic fervor that swept their country more than a century ago. Known as the March First Movement or the Samil Movement, the historic uprising on March 1, 1919, is widely recognized as a catalyst in Korea’s quest for independence from Japanese colonial rule. Over time, the 3-1 Festival Day (삼일절 Samiljeol) has become a powerful symbol of national pride and self-determination. Though the March First Movement began on the Korean Peninsula, its meaning echoes with the Korean diaspora around the globe. From solemn ceremonies in Seoul to...

It is not every day that a high-level elected official quietly attends classes, writes research papers, and sits side-by-side with traditional undergraduates while holding one of the most influential positions in local government. Yet Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who has recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Community Engagement and Education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), managed to do exactly that. Over the course of finishing his degree, Crowley balanced the hefty responsibilities of his public office and the demands of his personal life, all while aiming to set an example for his children and the community. In...

“We must undo the superstition of chronology (‘progressivism’) in order to find eternity.” – Simone Weil, philosopher During this turbulent moment for American democracy, Simone Weil’s words remind us that progress is not always linear, and that true values may lie beyond any notion of political advance or retreat. When Donald Trump was overwhelmingly re-elected on November 6, many Americans saw it as a regression, a painful step backward from the ideals they felt were beginning to take root in American society. For those who supported the messages of empathy, unity, and progressive reform promoted by Vice President Kamala...