Chicago, IL

Chicago comedian reflects on Filipino background, challenges stereotypes on stage

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2022

Chicago comedian reflects on Filipino background, challenges stereotypes on stage

CHICAGO (WLS) — On stage, comic Leah Eva Smith makes use of her background as a Filipino immigrant to make individuals snigger and to problem stereotypes..

“I would like individuals to know that Asian girls are humorous. And we’re not simply your typical submissive individuals as a result of when you’ve ever met my mom, she’s positively not submissive,” she mentioned.

Smith was simply 7-years-old when she set her eyes on turning into a comic, impressed by watching a Filipino comic on televison.

“As quickly I obtained on stage, I used to be hook,” she mentioned.

Smith moved to U.S. when she was 12. The household settled in California. Whereas in her 20s, Smith recollects maintaining quiet about her comedy gigs within the Bay Space, afraid of disappointing her dad and mom.

“Having Asian dad and mom, they need you to go to high school, be a physician, lawyer, accountant, a enterprise proprietor, however by no means within the creative world, particularly a comic,” she mentioned.

Smith determined to maneuver to Chicago to proceed pursuing her goals. She took lessons at Second Metropolis.

When Smith was breaking into comedy, she noticed few faces like hers. She mentioned there are actually extra Asian feminine comedians, however nonetheless not sufficient. Smith is working to alter that.

“I produce an Asian American comedy competition in Chicago as a result of I used to be like there’s a couple of of us right here, why do not we do a present,” she mentioned.

She met her husband Ramon Smith by way of her work on the comedy circuit. They usually share the stage collectively as Mr. and Mrs. Smith Comedy.

“If she would not have adopted her dream and pushed throughout America to return to Chicago, we might have most likely by no means met and Mr. and Mrs. Smith Comedy would by no means exist. I’m glad it does,” he mentioned.

Her dream that went towards the norm has paid off in additional methods than one. Smith’s dad and mom are actually amongst her largest followers they usually’re pushing her to go so far as she will with comedy.

“Now my mother is telling me to go open up for Jo Koy. Why do not you go carry out with Jo Koy? Why do not you be performing with Dave Chapelle? She is at all times like why aren’t you doing this. I’m like oh my god it isn’t that simple mother,” she mentioned.

Yow will discover extra details about Mr. and Mrs. Smith Comedy at www.mrandmrssmithcomedy.com/

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.