Our second episode of The B-Side features a story from Pueblo Managing Editor Richie Requena. Published in May of 2019, "Paying Out of Pocket" details the experiences of three undocumented college students as they struggle to afford the cost of tuition amid discriminatory laws preventing them from receiving financial aid.  

In this piece, Requena describes how local undocumented students are finding ways to pay their way through school and explains the efforts by leaders to change the law to make higher education more accessible to all.

Produced and written by Richie Requena
Recorded by Claire Malon
Art by Bridget Killian

The B-Side: Paying Out Of Pocket

Our third episode of The B-Side features a cultural commentary from former Associate Editor Malik Pitchford. In this piece, titled, “Beware of the White Gaze,” Pitchford discusses the critical impact of the white gaze, a concept popularized by acclaimed author Toni Morrison. 

Using the examples of Toni Morrison and rappers Noname and Kendrick Lamar, Pitchford examines the lack of power and sovereignty Black creators have over their art, music and cultural productions due to ethnocentrism and white supremacy. 

Story by Malik Pitchford
Recorded by Aneesah Shealey
Produced by Claire Malon

The B-Side: Beware Of The White Gaze

As we head into the season of love, local businesses remain hopeful that even with some COVID-related difficulties, Valentine's Day will still provide them a much-needed boost in sales.

Another Pandemic Valentine's Day: How Local Businesses Are Faring During the Season of Love

Our fourth episode of The B-Side features the untold history of DePaul’s football team, and the attempt to bring the sport to the university since its dissolution in 1938. In “The Un-Undefeated Gridders of Lincoln Park,” complete with photography straight from DePaul’s archives, Managing Editor Cam Rodriguez details the start, end and importance of DePaul’s forgotten team in this homage to the gridders of Lincoln Park. 

Story by Cam Rodriguez
Recorded by Cam Rodriguez
Produced by Grace Del Vecchio
Art by Bridget Killian

The B-Side: The Un-Undefeated Gridders Of Lincoln Park

The summer Tokyo Olympics in 2021 reported a cost of 15.4 billion dollars. The world watches as hundreds of competitors from around the world compete against each other. These games are a reflection of the importance that we place on sports. After watching the games all month, I wanted to see why sports have made such a huge social, mental and political impact on society.  

Jen Devona, a soccer player at DePaul, talks about the lessons being a student athlete has taught her, and the opportunity it gives her to speak on important issues. 

Karly Brooks, a freshman at DePaul, talks about growing up in sports and what being on a team meant to her. 

Hayden Welch and Jude Adams, freshmen at DePaul and best friends, discuss how rooting for a team can create a community and the benefits of harmless rivalries. 

Michael Gary Jr., the manager of the DePaul women's basketball team, told me about how he has found a sense of belonging through his teammates and competition.

Finding Yourself In The Game: A Look Into Sports And Their Impact

This week’s episode of The B-Side is a story from Pueblo co-founder and former Creative Editor Julián Martinez. “How Do You Say ‘Country Pop’ in Spanish” is a narrative essay on Martinez’s family and their assimilation into a new country through musical compromise.

Martinez shares his childhood influences on country music and what they mean to him now. He writes, “Country music scenes are notoriously, historically white. Country music, a withstanding stereotype of whiteness, is so deeply indebted to, among others, Mexican culture.”


Story by Julián Martinez
Recorded by Richie Requena
Produced by Richie Requena

Episode #5 - How Do You Say Country Pop In Spanish

The start of the COVID-19 pandemic called into question certain aspects of our lifestyles that we weren’t forced to address before and this certainly was the case of former 14 East Editor-In-Chief Francesca Mathewes. In the personal essay first performed at 14 East’s live storytelling event, 14 East Live, “A Softer Look in the Mirror” looks inward at Mathewes’s personal and professional development throughout the first year of the pandemic and the process of learning to give herself grace while adapting to the ever-changing world around her. 

Written and recorded by Francesca Mathewes
Produced by Grace Del Vecchio

The B-Side: A Softer Look in the Mirror

Published in 2019, “Why My Mom Carries Cash” dives into the harmful nature of stigma regarding homelessness. Featuring a collection of interviews from those experiencing homelessness, housing organizers and advocates and community members, Editor-In-Chief Grace Del Vecchio writes about culture around homelessness in Chicago and how stigma plays a direct hand in stopping those experiencing it from getting the help and resources they need.

Story by Grace Del Vecchio
Recorded by Claire Malon
Produced by Grace Del Vecchio

The B-Side: Why My Mom Carries Cash

Our eighth episode of The B-Side features an investigative story from a team of DePaul reporters and 14 East contributors. Originally published in May 2021, “Who Wants General Iron?” discusses in-depth how the metal recycling company came to choose the Southeast Side for its new location and the years of organizing that followed. 

In this piece — one in an award-winning series of 14 East stories — residents, activists and community members examine the negative impacts of historic industrialization, pollution and the future of their neighborhood.

Story by Elly Boes, Lara Diaz, Adriana Talavera, Citalli Velez
Recorded by Claire Malon
Produced by Elly Boes

The B-Side: Who Wants General Iron?

The first installment of the B-Side this academic year features Engagement Editor Citlali Perez looking back on the memories of their childhood including many stories they heard from their family. The story, Lessons on Convivencia Through Memory, was performed at 14 East Live, our annual live storytelling show, last May.

The B-Side: Paying Out Of Pocket

14EastMagazine

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