Current Affairs has Unionized with the Chicago News Guild
To our readers:
We, the staff of Current Affairs, are pleased to announce that we have unionized with the Chicago News Guild (Local 34071), an affiliate of the Communications Workers of America and the AFL-CIO. We received immediate voluntary recognition from our editor-in-chief, Nathan J. Robinson, and the Current Affairs board of directors, and are grateful for their support and cooperation as we take this step forward.
Membership in the News Guild will allow us to maintain the high standards in wages and working conditions we’ve experienced at Current Affairs, allowing us to do our best work and provide you with the high-quality writing, art, graphic design, and political analysis you’ve come to expect.
As a magazine of the political left, we’re also proud to be joining the wider American union movement at a pivotal time in history. Unionization will allow us to preserve the magazine’s editorial independence and continue serving our readers with integrity in the years to come.
In a time when the journalism and publishing industries are becoming increasingly dominated by corporate capital and precarious for workers, we are proud to be moving in the opposite direction.
He Was A High School Kid Struggling To Find His Identity, Today He's One Of History's Most Powerful Leaders
A Leader Who Made History: Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, stands as one of the most inspiring political figures of the 21st century. With his iconic slogan "Yes, We Can," he not only reshaped the American political landscape but also left an indelible mark on the global stage.
The Journey from Hawaii to the White House: Born in 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Barack Obama grew up in a multicultural household, raised by his Kenyan father and white American mother from Kansas. This diverse upbringing deeply shaped his open and inclusive worldview. After graduating from Columbia University and Harvard Law School — where he became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review — Obama began his career as a community organizer in Chicago before entering politics in the Illinois State Senate and later the U.S. Senate.
In 2008, he made history by defeating John McCain to become the first African American president of the United States. His victory was a powerful symbol of hope and change, breaking centuries-old racial barriers.
Domestic and Foreign Policy Achievements: During his two terms in office (2009–2017), President Obama steered the nation through the 2008 Great Recession with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. His signature domestic achievement was the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, which extended health insurance coverage to millions of low-income Americans for the first time.
On the global front, he pursued a foreign policy rooted in diplomacy and multilateralism. In 2009, he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. Under his leadership, U.S. forces successfully eliminated terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in 2011. He also normalized diplomatic relations with Cuba after over half a century of hostility, orchestrated the Iran Nuclear Deal, and signed the Paris Climate Agreement.
A Lasting Legacy: Since leaving the White House, Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have continued their public service through the Obama Foundation, focusing on inspiring and empowering the next generation of global leaders. He also remains an influential scholar and author, penning the critically acclaimed, best-selling memoir A Promised Land.
While debates over his political decisions persist, no one can deny that Barack Obama is an extraordinary orator and a visionary leader. His greatest legacy lies not just in the laws he enacted, but in the belief he instilled in millions: that no matter where you come from, you possess the power to change the world.
She Was An Unwanted Orphan Passing Through 12 Foster Homes, But Today She's A Hollywood Beauty Icon
Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most enduring cultural icons of the 20th century. Her blend of glamour, vulnerability, and talent captured the world's imagination. Even decades after her death, she continues to inspire fashion, film, and art globally.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, she had a difficult childhood spent in foster homes and orphanages. She began her career as a wartime factory worker before being discovered by a photographer. In 1946, she signed her first movie contract and adopted her famous stage name, transforming into the blonde bombshell the world would come to love.
Monroe quickly rose to stardom in the 1950s with hit comedies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Seven Year Itch. Despite being stereotyped as a "dumb blonde," she was a shrewd businesswoman. She founded her own production company to gain more control over her career and studied method acting to sharpen her craft, later winning critical acclaim for Some Like It Hot.
Behind the glamorous facade, Monroe’s personal life was filled with heartbreak, including three failed marriages and struggles with mental health. Her tragic death in 1962 at the age of 36 shocked the world and sparked numerous conspiracy theories. Today, Marilyn Monroe is remembered not just as a sex symbol, but as a complex, intelligent woman who challenged the limitations of her time.
The Fashion Pioneer:
Monroe was not just a follower of fashion; she was a trendsetter whose style redefined mid-century glamour. She mastered the art of highlighting her hourglass figure, mixing high-end Hollywood couture with casual, effortless everyday wear. Her fashion choices challenged the conservative norms of the 1950s.
The White Halter Dress : Designed by William Travilla for The Seven Year Itch (1955), this dress became the most famous piece of clothing in cinema history after it was blown upward by a subway grate.
The Pink Satin Gown : In Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), her shocking pink strapless gown paired with diamond jewelry created the definitive image of material luxury.
The "Happy Birthday" Dress: In 1962, she wore a sheer, flesh-colored dress covered in 2,500 rhinestones to sing for President JFK. It was so tight she had to be sewn into it, pioneering the "naked dress" trend.
Casual Minimalism: Off-camera, Marilyn loved high-waisted jeans, black turtlenecks, and capri pants, proving she could look stunning even without heavy makeup and gowns.
Cinematic Achievements:
While the media focused on her beauty, Monroe was a dedicated actress who broke box office records. She refused to play the passive female role, bringing wit, comic timing, and deep vulnerability to her characters. Her films grossed over $200 million (equivalent to billions today) by the time of her passing.
The Golden Globe Win: She won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role as Sugar Kane in Some Like It Hot (1959), a film widely considered one of the greatest comedies of all time.
Broke Studio Control: Fighting against low pay and poor roles, she went on strike against 20th Century Fox in 1954. She won her battle, gaining a higher salary and the right to approve her film directors.
Dramatic Versatility: Although famous for comedies, she delivered powerful dramatic performances in Bus Stop (1956) and The Misfits (1961), earning praise from legendary critics.
She Was Told She Was 'Too Innocent' For Hollywood, Today She's A Forever Legend
Early Life & Roots: Born in 1948 in Cambridge, England. Her maternal grandfather was the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born. Her family relocated to Melbourne, Australia when she was five years old.
Career Highlights:
Music: Achieved global stardom in the 1970s and 1980s. Known for her pure soprano voice, she sold over 100 million records. She won 4 Grammy Awards and dominated the charts with legendary hits like "I Honestly Love You" and "Physical".
Cinema: Starred as Sandy alongside John Travolta in the iconic musical film Grease (1978). Personal Life & Battles: She married twice and had one daughter. In 1992, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and courageously battled the disease for three decades
Later Years & Legacy: She dedicated much of her life to philanthropy and founded the Olivia Newton-John Foundation to fund plant-based cancer research. She was appointed a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for her charitable work. She passed away on August 8, 2022, in California, USA, at the age of 73.
Chart-Topping Hits
Olivia Newton-John scored 5 number-one singles on the prestigious U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart:
"I Honestly Love You" (1974): A heartfelt ballad that won her the prestigious Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
"Have You Never Been Mellow" (1975): A soft-pop track that simultaneously topped both the singles and albums charts.
"You're the One That I Want" (1978): An energetic duet with John Travolta for Grease, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.
"Magic" (1980): A dreamy pop track from the musical film Xanadu that held the number-one spot for four consecutive weeks.
"Physical" (1981): The biggest hit of her career, ruling the chart for 10 weeks and becoming the most successful song of the 1980s in the U.S.
The Making of the Classic "Grease"
The production of the iconic musical film Grease (1978) is filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories:
Olivia's Hesitation: At 29, Olivia was initially worried she was too old to play high schooler Sandy. She only accepted the role after a successful screen test with John Travolta. To accommodate her accent, Sandy’s character was rewritten as an Australian expat.
The Actors' Real Ages: Most of the "high school" cast members were well into adulthood. John Travolta was 23, Olivia was 29, and Stockard Channing (Rizzo) was 33. The cinematographer used soft-focus lighting to make them look younger.
Harsh Filming Conditions: The school dance competition scene was filmed in a gym with no air conditioning during a scorching summer heatwave. With the windows closed to block out external noise, the indoor temperature soared, causing several extras to faint.
The Legendary Wardrobe Malfunction: For the final carnival scene, Olivia wore an iconic pair of skin-tight black leather pants. The vintage trousers actually had a broken zipper, meaning the stylist had to literally sew Olivia into them every morning before filming.
Phenomenal Success: Despite the challenges, the movie became the highest-grossing film of 1978. The accompanying soundtrack album sold over 30 million copies worldwide and remains culturally significant today.
