Just Relations

When Chicago is described as a “war zone” or “total disaster,” we must resist the temptation to leave or compartmentalize the city and its residents.

By Metropolitan Nathanael Symeonides | For the Sun-Times

Just Relations

Gay flag burning: ‘Terrible, hateful event, but that’s not who most of us are’

“If there are 300 religious institutions in Chicago, one of them did this. Two hundred ninety-nine are saying, ‘We will never do this.”

By Rabbi Seth Limmer

Just Relations

Addressing sexual misconduct in our communities is complex but essential

It is our job to advocate for broken souls and guide our constituents, especially if our own colleagues caused the wounds.

By Omer M. Mozaffar | For the Sun-Times

Just Relations

All Chicagoans, including Jason Van Dyke, are entering into a time of judgment

One jury will decide on justice for Laquan McDonald’s murder. But it rests on all of us to chart a course to a different tomorrow.

By Seth Limmer | For the Sun-Times

Just Relations

Eid al-Adha, a time for reflection and sacrifice

Just Relations: The headlines here and overseas just made me think as I stood before the crowd at Eid al-Adha a few weeks ago.

By Omer M. Mozaffar | For the Sun-Times

Just Relations

Immigrants’ rights take more hits, threatening our safety in the process

New challenges to immigration rights are disheartening because immigrants and the undocumented are the most vulnerable members of society.

By Seth Limmer | For the Sun-Times

Commentary

A year after white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, what have we learned?

Some say we haven’t learned much since the ugly demonstrations. But Theresa Dear finds three things we have — or should have — gained since then.

By Theresa A. Dear | For the Sun-Times

Just Relations

Before Colin Kaepernick, the NBA’s Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf took a stand on anthem

JUST RELATIONS: Colin Kaepernick isn’t the first pro athlete to refuse to stand for anthem. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf did it, and views on him have changed.

By Omer M. Mozaffar | For the Sun-Times

News

Harith Augustus’ shooting distressing but pushed community to demand action

Upon learning of Augustus’ shooting, crowds took to the streets. Through texts and tweets, people began mobilizing quickly and demanded to see video.

By Theresa A. Dear | For the Sun-Times

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Just Relations

A socially conscious young generation seeks outlets for its activism

JUST RELATIONS: The world we’ve given those born since 2000 tests them in ways it did not test us, writes Omer M. Mozaffar, Loyola’s Muslim chaplain.

By Omer M. Mozaffar | For the Sun-Times

Just Relations

Recent events show how people continue to work to create ‘a more perfect union’

JUST RELATIONS: People continue to work hard to make America “a more perfect union.” Witness the events of just the past two weekends.

By Seth Limmer | For the Sun-Times

Just Relations

From Israel’s ‘Never again’ to Chicago’s ‘Here we go again’

JUST RELATIONS: I felt far safer in a region known for war and terror than I do in Chicago, my own city, Pastor Christopher Harris Sr. writes.

By Christopher Harris Sr.

Just Relations

This Ramadan, mental illness and suicide are on Loyola Muslim chaplain’s mind

JUST RELATIONS: This Ramadan, I have had to think much about suicide, Loyola University’s Muslim chaplain Omer Mozaffar writes. Such is our world.

By Omer M. Mozaffar | For the Sun-Times

Commentary

Coming Sunday: ‘Just Relations,’ a new column series dedicated to social justice

Meet our guest columnists who use faith to uplift neighborhoods and guide us in ways that bring us together. The “Just Relations” series run Sundays.

By Sun-Times staff

Chicago

Communities support schools, and schools the community, S. Side pastor writes

Just Relations: For everyone who fought for Dyett High School for the Arts, the struggle was worth it, South Side pastor writes.

By Christopher Harris | For the Sun-Times

News

Just Relations: Wakanda forever and the power of ‘Black Panther’

Beneath the surface of “Black Panther” is a tale of Afro-futurism, responsibility to the vulnerable, questions of liberation and the role of women.

By Otis Moss III

Commentary

Let sacred traditions guide our fight against injustice: Just Relations

We must lock arms to lock horns against power. And the lessons we’ve learned from our faith traditions make for an ideal guide.

By Omer M. Mozaffar

News

Just Relations: A friendly face at church to ease the pain of the homeless

At Fourth Presbyterian Church, “Tabitha” treats guests with kindness, dignity, compassion — and reminds all of us to do the same, pastor writes.

By Rev. Shannon Johnson Kershner | Pastor and Fourth Presbyterian Church

Commentary

Just Relations: #MeToo silence-breakers are setting fire to the rain

Some women are loathed to tell their stories of sexual harassment or assault, Theresa Dear writes, for fear they’ll hear: Why did she wait so long?

By Theresa Dear

Commentary

Just Relations: There are still too many Emmett Tills, pastor writes

Just as ministers and their congregations united in cities across the nation to fight racial injustice after Emmett Till’s murder, they do so today.

By Pastor Christopher Harris Sr.