Profiles in Citizenship VI: Ariel Parrella-Aureli
It is a pleasure to bring attention to the realm of media in this blog by interviewing Ms. Ariel Parrella-Aureli! I know Ariel through her work as Editor-in-Chief of The Logan Squarist, which covers local news in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood.
Ariel is a freelance journalist, who, in the words of her website, write(s) for Windy City Times, Block Club Chicago, Sojourners and ha(s) pieces published in the Chicago Reader, Psymposia, Univision Chicago, Streetsblog Chicago, Curbed and more.
What is citizenship without being involved in one’s community? And how could one possibly be involved without news media? Legitimate, fact-checked, structural news sources truly are the gatekeepers of a healthy democracy, and journalists as a class take citizenship very seriously. Ariel personifies these values in her work every day.
In Ariel’s own words below:
Where are you from?
Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment.
What is your educational background?
I went to an arts high school and studied theatre for 10 years, more or less. Then I took a gap year and backpacked Europe — extremely educational — and then went to Columbia College Chicago for journalism.
When did you decide to get involved in newspapers?
I worked at the local paper in Santa Fe while I was in high school and that began my love for newspapers and storytelling. I got a taste of what it was like to be a journalist through that experience and then went all in during college.
What should people know about your current role?
As a freelance journalist and editor-in-chief of the hyperlocal site LoganSquarist, people should know that I always have my ear to the ground for news and listen to diverse voices to make sure all sides are represented in our local media sphere. My role is also the millennial hustle that has come to represent so many of the young people making ripples in the fabric of our communities. And although it can be exhausting, it’s impactful and rewarding.
People also know that local news matters and is very much alive in Chicago. I’m blessed to live in a community that values local news, its reporters and funnels money into funding this on-the-ground journalism work that so often sparks vital dialogue about current issues, neighborhood changes to the communities and of course, continues to hold powerful entities accountable.
What is citizenship to you?
Citizenship, in its most purest form, is freedom and with that, responsibility. No matter what color passport you have, being a citizen means you work with — and have an impact — on your community to make all the clock’s hands turn. It means having a voice at the table and listening and advocating for everyone, not just the few, and not just the ones with money or power.
On a more logical level, citizenship also represents an identity and a label we want to put on ourselves. I have dual citizenship (Italy and U.S.) and my father recently became a U.S. citizen, which is an important milestone for an immigrant contributing to this country for over 25 years!
What is your life philosophy?
If you pour out goodness, strength and positive light into the universe, it will come back around to you. Everything happens for a reason and has a chain reaction, and we have to believe the universe is an intelligent mother who knows what she’s up to.
What should readers know about being a freelance journalist?
It’s always a hustle and it’s very tough. But it’s also freeing and exciting. It gives me the creative ability to write about what I find most compelling, interesting or am passionate about and then I can spend more time on a piece than most journalists working in a fast-paced newsroom. Readers, and more specifically PR folks, should know that not every story I get will get approved. Pitching is part of the process and is almost a job in itself!
In a polarized America, how do we build bridges?
We build bridges by creating dialogue and tearing down the hate that exists on social media and in person. And creating that dialogue starts with creating relationships with local community members and reshaping the media narrative that it only works for the elite. I think it’s also a willingness to step out of comfort zones and have conversations that make us feel uncomfortable and dislodged in an effort to then connect back the pieces that we all have in common.
What message do you have for cynical/uninvolved citizens?
Stop reading social media comments and digging holes into the horrible corners of the internet… but also don’t believe everything you see. Uninvolved citizens really get under my skin. Don’t complain about what is happening if you make no changes or efforts to be involved. Do your own research and question everything before you consider it to be true. The world is at your fingertips and so is all of its information, therefore there isn’t an excuse for uneducated assumptions.
What is your dream for the future?
My dream for the future is that people will not be discriminated against for where they come from or what their life circumstances are but instead can be celebrated for their different opinions and contributions to society. I also dream of a future where people emit less food waste and for a community that is truly sustainable in every sense of the word. We are getting there but we have a long road to walk down… and a short amount of time.
Open ended comments/something you want to say on any topic/advice?
Selfless since freelancing is hard: read my work at arielparrella.com and send me dog photos.