Enemy at the Door: Irpin couple hides for days from Russian armored column just outside their apartment
Kyiv-based volunteer Antonina Dembytska has interviewed Ukrainians who have found their lives engulfed in war. Her mission has been to preserve the voices of witnesses for the history, and the future war crime tribunal against Russia. She recently had a conversation...
The “Fortress Russia” Myth: Why a once self-proclaimed island of Christianity sees itself as a constant victim
By Gregory Carleton, Professor of Russian Studies, Tufts University The range of anti-Russian measures taken by countries around the world since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is virtually unprecedented and hearkens back to the darkest days of the Cold War....
Five days of violence: Local Irpin reporter details Russia’s devastating attack on Milwaukee’s sister city
Irpin, a commuter town on the northwest edge of Kyiv, was once famous for its peace and quiet in comparison with the buzz of the Ukrainian capital. But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, the town has become synonymous with shelling and indiscriminate...
Zoreslav Zamoisky: Body of Ukrainian journalist from Irpin identified at Russian massacre site in Bucha
The Irpin City Council reported on April 12 that the body of a local resident was found on the street in nearby bucha, one of the hundreds of victims massacred by Russian forces. Zoreslav Zamoisky was a 44-year-old freelance journalist from Irpin. His last social...
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urges world leaders to prepare for Putin using nuclear weapons in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on April 15 warned that the world should prepare for Russia to use nuclear weapons as part of its ongoing assault. When asked if he was worried that Russian President Vladimir Putin might use a so-called tactical nuclear weapon...
Saving lives in Irpin: Three volunteers share their stories of rescuing people and pets while under attack
Three volunteers in Ukraine talk about putting their lives at risk to rescue abandoned dogs, cats, and pet birds in the early days of the Russian invasion when Milwaukee’s sister city Irpin was under attack. “What matters is that you’re alive,” my...
Negotiating an End to War: Understanding why a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine could remain elusive
By Andrew Blum, Executive Director and Professor of Practice at Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Kroc School, University of San Diego Ukraine and Russia have held intermittent peace talks since the end of February 2022, just days after Russia first...
Festival of Baisakhi: Understanding the spiritual significance behind the widely celebrated Sikh holiday
By Simranjit Khalsa, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Memphis Sikhs all over the world celebrated the festival of Baisakhi, a holiday with a special religious significance, observed each year on April 13 or 14. In 2022, Baisakhi fell on April 14. As a...
Roots of the Easter Bunny: How a mythical figure with Pagan origins became a religious symbol in America
By Name Here, Academic title and school goes in this space in italic The Easter Bunny is a much celebrated character in American Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter Bunny might...
Opportunity and Apprehension: Mixed feelings in Milwaukee about potential for city to host 2024 RNC
In 2024, the city of Milwaukee could get a second chance to host a national political convention and to reap the economic benefits that almost always come along with such events. Nearly two years ago the city’s convention dreams were dashed when, after Milwaukee won...
A Propaganda Mill: Allegations surface about Facebook using GOP firm for dirty tricks campaign
The new revelation that Facebook hired one of the largest Republican consulting firms in the United States to carry out a public attack campaign against rival platform TikTok was seen as further evidence of the social media behemoth’s growing alliance with the...
Perpetuating Disparities: When public policy groups ask for input from communities then refuse to listen
By Alpha Abebe, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University; and Rhonda C. George, Researcher, Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University It is time for us to accept that policy failure and lack of community engagement in policy decision-making go...
