Based on emerging science and new genetic understanding, a black man from Jamaica can be more closely linked to a white Englishman than to a black Nigerian. That’s because skin color is not a determining biological human factor any more…
Author Archive for Clare Howard
Clare Howard is the editor of the Community Word. She can be reached at communityword@yahoo.com
Farmers markets — use them or lose them
by Clare Howard • • 1 Comment
Henry Brockman sees a downturn in sales at the farmers market in Evanston. Jimmy Buckley sees a downturn in Peoria. Lyndon Hartz has seen the downturn. He has pulled out of the Downtown Bloomington Market and focused on Peoria. These…
College Campuses “Ground Zero” for Racist Recruitment
by Clare Howard • • 2 Comments
White nationalist organizations are targeting college campuses recruiting students to their racist ideologies. The groups often obscure their real purpose in pseudo-intellectual rhetoric and demand protection under the First Amendment freedom of speech. “College campuses are ground zero for recruitment,”…
Silica sand – in the air, water, lungs and frac drills
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
Thomas and Diane Skomski moved to Wedron in rural LaSalle County in 2003 to recuperate close to nature after Thomas suffered a massive stroke. They purchased a beautiful 23-acre property bordered by Indian Creek with sheer limestone cliffs and bluffs…
Undoing Racism
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
Racism is a learned behavior and undoing racism is a learned behavior. One of the country’s leading scholars on undoing racism will be speaking in Peoria Jan. 22 at Bradley University. David Billings will talk about his new book, “Deep…
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
Nationwide “Shootout” with Concealed Carry Guns The gun debate in America became more phantasmagorical with a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives in December approving the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (HR 38). This legislation is jaw-droppingly horrifying.…
Following decade of no pay raises journalists see tiny salary boost
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
After nearly a decade with no pay raises and constant increases in their share of health insurance premiums, employees at Peoria’s only daily newspaper may see a small increase in pay and a commitment to freeze their share of health…
Medicaid expansion helps more women
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
For those who consider access to safe, legal abortion a basic human right, there was a sense of justice when Gov. Bruce Rauner defied many in his base and signed House Bill 40 into law. The legislation, effective Jan. 1,…
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
Racism is measurable, quantifiable, toxic Poverty, discrimination and injustice are the planned, intended consequences of racism, a system of beliefs sustained by fake assertions. Joe Madison, host of the Sirius talk radio show “The Black Eagle,” spoke at the Peoria…
Food nutrients going up in smoke
by Clare Howard • • 0 Comments
BY CLARE HOWARD Yet another sign of global climate change is no further away than your morning bowl of cereal. As the world continues to burn fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, scientists are linking increasing levels…