DAILY PROGRESSIVE UPDATE: Sun., Jan. 17, 2021

Key News Links

Using clues like signs, clothing, slogans and more, researchers have determined that at least 12 extremist groups participated in the Capitol insurrection Jan 6, reports Voice of America. (Image by Blinke O’fanay, Flickr)

For victims of sexual exploitation, the expungement of criminal records can be a matter of survival, writes The Gender Policy Report. Read more about how this change can affect a survivor’s life. (Image by Voices of the Broken, Flickr)

Don’t be fooled, warns Mother Jones, about the dozen-plus corporations suddenly turning against Donald Trump after enabling him for years. Buyer beware. (Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay )

Find more national news links on the Feeds page.

Events: Best Bets

Partake of “Immigration Stories from the Heartland” this afternoon, as a group of authors discuss the question of “What does it mean to be American today?”

Author Andrea Davis Pinkney helps kick off a week of MLK Day celebrations tomorrow (Monday) at noon, when she joins in an effort to bring tooks to children nationwide, with her noon reading. Learn more here.

See the Calendar page for all upcoming events

Christine Hawes
“Basic ethical principle that is equally good for everyone” is focus of two-parter
Please partake of the information in this two-part attempt to close out The Real MainStream‘s commentary and analysis on the topics covered below! It’s been a tough conversation, but one focused (as the “Careless Whispers” blog states) on “a basic ethical principle that is equally good for everyone, including you.” Links provided: “Iowa City, Put Down Those Pitchforks:” Original Jan. 9 editorial Also, for broader context about The Real MainStream, here are links to other +
“Kindness Queers,” “queerantine kits” brighten LGBTQIA youths’ lives during pandemic
CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — When Anna Peters and her business partner at the Art Coop began to think about how the pandemic might affect LGBTQIA children, +
Social justice pioneer Kesho Scott resumes outreach to small Iowa communities
CEDAR RAPIDS — It’s been eight months since George Floyd’s death triggered nationwide historic protests against racial injustice and police brutality. But the work of +

Commentary & Analysis

Christine Hawes
EDITORIAL: Iowa City, let go of your witch hunt ways
I love how the universe works. Just the other day, over the holidays, I took the time to watch “Richard Jewell.” It’s a movie about the over-zealous, low-self-esteem, naive 30-ish guy whose unusual personal views left him the perfect target to be accused of the 1996 Olympic Park bombing from which he actually saved scores of people. Jewell was manipulated by law enforcement and mistreated by the media; the very cops he idolized and cared +
Poignant live performance from ’90s dream pop Fishmans re-emerges
In spite of such a difficult COVID-consumed year for all of us, the universe gave us unexpected gifts along the way. Some are bright and +
“I am not special:” a healthy 20-something Iowan’s tale of fighting COVID-19 (COLUMN)
ANKENY, IA — I am not special. Actually, I’m like a lot of people today: a healthy 20- to 30-something with no significant past medical +

Lighter Fare

Becca Hathaway
Pet Wellness and patient health go hand in hand at The Project of the Quad Cities
QUAD CITIES — The pandemic has reminded us that having a pet can be important for one’s mental and physical health. It has also revealed that the financial burden of pet ownership is harder for many. The Project of the Quad Cities is tackling this challenge with a fundraising campaign for its Pet Wellness Program. This nonprofit organization, which advocates for health equity and provides health services to people living with HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases, +
Author and comic artist Huda Fahmy confronts Islamophobia with humor, wit
Life in America can be challenging when you wear a hijab. Huda Fahmy shares her experiences as an obviously Muslim woman in America with humor +
Fairfield artist strives to honor all creative efforts
FAIRFIELD, IA — “Art is the first brush stroke on a blank canvas.” This all-encompassing nod to the value of all creativity is a key +