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Express Yourself: A Northern Star project
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Kahlil Kambui

Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor

Kahlil Kambui is a sophomore English major and the assistant lifestyle editor for the Northern Star. He joined the Northern Star as an opinion columnist in the fall of 2023. Outside of the Northern Star, some activities he likes to participate in are playing chess, watching movies and skateboarding.

All content by Kahlil Kambui
Ashley Johnson, SGA's chief of staff, stands behind a podium and addresses the crowd during the state of the SGA address held at noon Wednesday in the Sandburg Auditorium located in the Holmes Student Center. During the event, Johnson introduced each speaker before they gave their addresses. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

SGA holds annual State of the SGA Address

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
December 5, 2024
The Ellwood House Museum, located at 420 Linden Place, sits on a Tuesday afternoon. The Ellwood House is opening Ellcourt during the holiday season, with self-guided tours occurring Wednesday through Sunday along with Monday through Dec. 15. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Ellwood House Museum celebrates the holidays with decor

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
December 3, 2024
Speaker Manny Corpuz and Clerk Cameron Sawyer sit at a table while Corpuz bangs the gavel on the table during the Student Government Association meeting Friday. Senator Matt Robinson was reinstated as senator at the meeting on Friday. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Matt Robinson reinstated to SGA

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 28, 2024
NIU falls short of buying 30% of goods from minority-owned businesses

NIU falls short of buying 30% of goods from minority-owned businesses

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 22, 2024
A table of the Punk Rock Club sits at the Oasis area on Thursday during the Discover Your Pack event hosted by the Student Government Association. The Discover Your Pack event promotes organizations recently approved from SGA to try and get students involved in their organizations. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

SGA holds first Discover Your Pack event

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 21, 2024
Speaker Manny Corpuz and Clerk Cameron Sawyer sit at a table while Speaker Corpuz bangs the gavel on the table. Senator Matt Robinson was dismissed from the SGA Senate Friday due to accumulating too many absences. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Matt Robinson dismissed from SGA senate

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 17, 2024
Members of the NIU Orchestra rehearse in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall on Wednesday. Silas Huff is the director of the NIU Philharmonic and Opera Orchestras and has been at NIU since Fall 2023. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Silas Huff: Orchestral director

By Gray Edelstein and Kahlil Kambui
November 13, 2024
Senators Kevin Klister and Caitlin Field sit at a table and listen to Speaker Manny Corpuz talk at the SGA meeting Friday. SGA passed resolution SR56014, which confirmed that senators will receive a stipend amount of $250 for the spring semester. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

Cooper Vaske dismissed from SGA senate

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 10, 2024
Lindsay Harris, educational psychology co-director, speaks in front of the board of trustees about her study regarding word learning in children with visual disabilities. Other topics discussed at the Board of Trustees meeting were approval for Matthew Deitch tenure of associate professor in the Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment and approval for the termination of Lorado Taft Building (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

Board of Trustees approves university’s request for $118 million for FY26

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 8, 2024
Senators Onyenum Udoh (from left), Eddie Guerrero, Paul Samsonek and Clerk Cameron Sawyer sit at a table during the SGA meeting Friday. In a vote of 9-0-2, SGA passed Bill SB56008 which allows senators to speak to the press. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

SGA passes bill to allow senators to speak to press

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 3, 2024
Speaker Manny Corpuz and Clerk Cameron Sawyer sit at a table while Speaker Corpuz bangs the gavel on the table. SGA proposed a bill to allow senators to speak to the press, which will be voted on at the next meeting. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

SGA proposes bill to allow senators to speak to press

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 27, 2024
Leaves are scattered on the ground nearby Greek Row on Monday afternoon. DeKalb's annual Loose-Leaf Leaf Collection will start Monday and go through Dec. 6, weather permitting. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

DeKalb to begin annual Loose-Leaf Leaf collection Monday

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 21, 2024
Ivory Rucker, former Student Government Association chairperson, holds the microphone and addresses the other senators during her speech. In a vote of 11-0-1, Rucker was confirmed as the SGA director of Public Affairs. (Ethan Rodriguez | Northern Star)

SGA confirms new director of Public Affairs

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 20, 2024
The clarinet section of the NIU Marching Band plays to the time marked by the drum major in front of their section at the Homecoming Block Party event Thursday. The marching band provided music for the entire parade and pep rally. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU hosts annual Homecoming Block Party in downtown DeKalb

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 17, 2024
Andria Revolorio, a first-year psychology major, and Ellie Andries, a sophomore jazz studies major, pick up trash alongside the East Lagoon at the clean-up event Wednesday. The event was hosted from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Clean Our Campus event hosted Wednesday at East Lagoon

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 16, 2024
Aidan O'Brien, student trustee for the Student Government Association, stands behind a podium and talks. O'Brien provided an update about the new energy savings agreement the NIU Board of Trustees passed. (Sam Dion | Northern Star)

SGA approves new director of DEI

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 13, 2024
Sarita Buck (left), a clinical mental health counseling graduate student, and Trevon Smith (right), a higher education student affairs graduate student, give a presentation on Tuesday as to how Gen Z people can affect legislation and have their voices heard. The seminar event occurred at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the University Suites room of the Holmes Student Center. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU’s Social Justice Education club holds seminar on Tuesday

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 8, 2024
The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety, located at 395 Wirtz Drive, sits on a Monday afternoon. After a shooting on Sept. 29, at Illinois State University’s homecoming weekend which left one person killed and another critically wounded, NIU police have measures in place to keep NIU’s homecoming events safe. (Emily Beebe | Northern Star)

NIU Police will have increased presence at Homecoming

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 7, 2024
The Student Government Association president Ja'kobe Jones stands behind a podium and talks to the crowd at the SGA meeting on Friday. Jones talked about student engagement events that have happened so far throughout the semester. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

Student Government Association appoints new Chief of Staff

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 6, 2024
A trailer reads "Prairie Research Institute, The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Traveling Science Center." NIU held its 15th annual STEM Fest event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Holmes Student Center. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

NIU hosts 15th annual STEM Fest event

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 29, 2024
Student Government Association speaker Manny Corpuz swears in Eddie Guerrero as a new SGA senator. Guerrero was sworn in as SGA senator with a 12-2-0 vote. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

Student Government Association elects new senator

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 29, 2024
First-year student Nia Syrai' Harris, a computer science major, engages in conversation with sophomore May Swe Oo, an education major at the Study Abroad Fair. The Study Abroad Fair provided students the opportunity to learn information about how to study abroad. (Zahra Yousif | Northern Star)

NIU hosts annual Study Abroad Fair

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 25, 2024
A person is filling out a visa application that is attached to a clipboard. Indian graduate student enrollment has decreased due to visa delays. (Getty Images)

Visa delays cause decrease in Indian graduate student enrollment

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 24, 2024
Catherine Squires, CEO and president of the NIU Foundation, gives an update at the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday. Squires talked about their fundraising goals for the building of the Greek Life Center. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

NIU philanthropic achievements surpass $30 million

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 19, 2024
Members of the DeKalb Firefighters Color Guard stand in a line at the 9/11 event hosted on Wednesday. The 9/11 Patriot Day ceremony honored the memories and sacrifices from those who died on 9/11. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

DeKalb Fire Station #1 hosts 9/11 ceremony

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 11, 2024
A group of students gather at the kickoff of Food Truck Wednesdays hosted at the MLK Commons on Wednesday. Each Wednesday there will be up to 12 food trucks for students to go to. (Zahra Yousif | Northern Star)

Food Truck Wednesdays return to MLK Commons

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
August 28, 2024
Chris English, president of NIU’s Mars Rover club, spoke to a group of students during a Rover club meeting. The NIU Mars Rover Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays in the Engineering building, Room 254. (Courtesy of Chris English)

Rover Club tinkers for a tussle

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
April 29, 2024
Students crowd around a campfire at the East Lagoon. On Tuesday, the Recreation Center hosted an outdoor celebration for students which included kayaking, canoeing and s’mores. ( Zahra Yousif | Northern Star)

Full moon brings games and snacks

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
April 24, 2024
People gather at the start line for Walk A Mile in the Convocation Center. Saturday Safe Passage hosted their annual Walk A Mile event. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

A mile walked in honor of sexual assault survivors

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
April 22, 2024
The entrance of the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway sits empty. At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Safe Passage will host their annual Walk a Mile event for Sexual Assault Awareness month. (Northern Star file photo)

Walk A Mile to happen Saturday

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
April 19, 2024
A group of people practice Kung Fu moves on each other during a Kung Fu club meeting. The Chinese Kung Fu club meets from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Anderson Hall Room 135. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

Kung Fu Club aims to teach self-discipline

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
April 16, 2024
A pug looks up sadly beside the words “this man cannot breathe, society has wronged him.” As pet-owners, it’s our responsibility to adopt ethically. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Adopt dogs responsibly

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
April 9, 2024
Laurie Elish-Piper stands smiling. Elish-Piper has taken on the role of Executive Vice President and Provost at NIU. (Courtesy of Mia Hannon)

Laurie Elish-Piper aims for student success

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
April 1, 2024
Luna Lloyd, a first-year kinesiology major, responds to a street interview prompt. What is the best sign of spring? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Signs of spring

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
March 28, 2024
Courtney Hughes, associate professor and faculty athletics representative, stands and smiles in front of a tree. Hughes won the 2024 Mid-American Conference Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success. (Courtesy of Courtney Hughes)

Courtney Hughes wins MAC faculty award

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
March 28, 2024
The DeKalb Public Library sign sits outside at night with lights shining on it. At 6 p.m. on April 22, City Council will hold a public hearing for the 2024 Second Draft Annual Action Plan. (Northern Star file photo)

City Council to hold a public hearing

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
March 26, 2024
A figure in a pink shirt that reads “Love U 4 Ever” begs from their knees for another figure, who wears a green sweater that reads “Move On,” to take them back. Don’t take back cheaters; they aren’t worth it. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Don’t take cheaters back

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
March 26, 2024
The Stevenson Retail Dining Center stands with its doors open. Stevenson’s dining needs an upgrade. (Kahlil Kambui | Northern Star)

Make Stevenson dining buffet style

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
March 18, 2024
Colorful music notes and a painted handprint rest under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Separating art from the artist. As consumers of art, should we separate art from the artist? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Separating art from the artist

By Kahlil Kambui and Camilla Dziadosz
March 4, 2024
A sketched figured whistles and tunes their guitar. Country music is often hated on, but the classic genre deserves your support. (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Give country music a chance

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
March 4, 2024
A person stares in horror and humiliation at something on their screen, whispering: "No, that can't be me." Deepfake pornography must be outlawed at a federal level to protect citizens from emotional trauma. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

Outlaw deepfake pornography

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
February 27, 2024
A gray cup pours water into a sink. DeKalb should not have won the award for 'Best Tasting Water' on Jan 26. (Olivia Zapf| Northern Star)

DeKalb’s water isn’t best tasting

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
February 20, 2024
Paris Martin, sophomore political science major, responds to a street interviews prompt. What is the best Girl Scout Cookie? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Girl Scout Cookies

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
February 16, 2024
Two figures discuss transracial adoption at a desk, clarifying the needs of children will differ by race. Parents adopting children of different races must educate themselves on the unique challenges their child will face. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Transracial adoption requires education

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
February 12, 2024
A silhouette of the grim reaper stands between a needle and two pills beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Euthanasia. Should euthanasia be legal? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Euthanasia

By Kahlil Kambui and Emily Beebe
February 5, 2024
A figure wearing a shirt with a peach icon sneers at the figure next to them, who hums happily and plays with their phone. IPhone users, stop discriminating against Android phone users. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

Stop Android discrimination

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
February 4, 2024
A Black woman accepts an Academy Award in front of a microphone. Underrepresentation has long been a major issue at the Academy Awards. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Academy Awards lack diversity

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
January 31, 2024
Gilbert Hall (top) and Neptune West stand under an overcast sky. Gilbert Hall is a residence hall for upperclassmen, while Neptune is a common housing choice for freshmen. Which year in college is best? (Northern Star Graphic)

Poll: What’s the best year in college?

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
January 30, 2024
The Springfield Capitol Building stands under a partly cloudy sky. A multi-party system could improve representation of the American public. (Anna Scanlan | Northern Star)

America needs a multi-party system

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
January 23, 2024
Members of the Faculty Senate sit in banquet style seating at the Jan. 25 meeting at Altgeld Hall in the second floor auditorium. NIU's Faculty Senate discussed which scholarships will be affected by the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action. (Northern Star File Photo)

Removing affirmative action threatens scholarships

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
December 4, 2023
A hummingbird, two bees and a bees’ nest hanging from a tree branch emerge from a television screen. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes sex in movies and TV shows is overrated. (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Dial down sex on TV

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
December 4, 2023
An illustrated hand types on a smartphone as social media likes, comments and other alerts emerge from the screen. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes people should avoid oversharing online. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Don’t overshare online

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 29, 2023
A microphone and a set of headphones hang among recording equipment in the Northern Star’s recording studio. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes shorter albums are more meaningful. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

Long albums ruin music

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 20, 2023
A purple-colored person obsesses over a famous person depicted on either side of a veiny heart. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes parasocial relationships can become dangerous and creepy. (Jesus Blanco | Northern Star)

Parasocial relationships can be dangerous

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 12, 2023
A family sits around a table at a Thanksgiving meal. Americans should be aware of the dark past Thanksgiving has. (Getty Images)

The dark past of Thanksgiving

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 11, 2023
Neptune bathroom stalls stand against a blue-green wall. NIU student needs to take better care of their bathrooms. (Sarah Rose | Northern Star)

Keep our bathrooms clean

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 6, 2023
A woman plugs a charger into an electric car. Buying an electric car can be beneficial to the environment and your wallet. (Getty Images)

Save your world and wallet, buy an electric vehicle

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
November 3, 2023

Narcan distribution is lifesaving

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 31, 2023
A girl sleeps in her dorm room. Getting good sleep in college is important. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Getting good sleep in college

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 24, 2023
A student experiences an educational epiphany while receiving math tutoring. NIU students shouldn’t be anxious to get tutoring. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Don’t shy away from tutoring

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 12, 2023
A robot composed of brightly colored wiring sings into a microphone. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes AI generated music is unethical and shouldn’t be considered for Grammys. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

AI is not the new wave of music

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 9, 2023
A judge holds a gavel in a courtroom. Opinion Columnist Kahlil Kambui believes the death penalty is wrong and should be abolished. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Death to the death penalty

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
October 6, 2023
California Gov. Gavin Newsom talks to fast food workers. Newsom is in the process of selecting a replacement for Sen. Dianne Feinstein. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Newson must pick the right Senate replacement

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 29, 2023
A tattered and worn shoe sits on the ground. Fast fashion is produced quick and cheap, and it is not meant to last. (Robin Gamboa | Northern Star)

Fight back against fast fashion

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 26, 2023
A window sill with spikes to discourage homeless individuals from using the space to rest. Homeless architecture might seem like it is easy to spot but can be difficult to find, and these strange designs might be there for inhumane reasons. (Maddie Rock | Northern Star)

Anti-homeless architecture is inhumane

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 25, 2023
A poster that says "Shoplifters will be handed to the Police" is taped to a wall. Shoplifting can be a way for poor people to access necessities that they couldn't get otherwise. (Katangais | CCA 2.5)

People shoplift to attain basic needs

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 18, 2023
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appears to be freeze while speaking on May 24. McConnell and other elderly congress members' abilities to do their jobs are coming into question. (Drew Angerer | CC BY-SA 4.0)

Age limits for politicians necessary for representation

By Kahlil Kambui, Assistant Lifestyle Editor
September 8, 2023
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