Tuesday, September 30, 2008

True Chicagoans Use Double-Negatives


Any study in linguistics will argue that there is no such thing as improper english. In that light of this, I present to you the following True Chicago double negatives:

I'm not gunna do dat no, not now, not ever.

Ain't nobody gunna tell me not to do dat.

I don't want nothin to do wit you.


... And the most famous double negative in Chicago history.... "Chicago ain't no sissy town" by "Hinky Dink" Kenna, the 1st Ward alderman ( 1897-1923) and "Lord of the Levee district".

Monday, September 22, 2008

A 4th Option


In Chicago, you only have three options for living.
1. Gentrified or gentrifying neighborhoods.( Lincoln Park, West Town, Humboldt Park, Pilsen)
2. Poor, deteriorating, isolated neighborhoods. ( Englewood, North Lawndale)
3. Safe, family friendlyneighborhoods , but defensive against neighborhood change( Dunning, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, Mt. Greenwood).

I would prefer a 4Th option. Can Chicago have neighborhoods that are mixed economically, socially, and racially, but not on the brink of gentrification? Can Chicago have a neighborhood that is defensive of change because it's heterogeneity is at stake?

I think it would take a generation of many small groups of young people, of all classes and races, that are committed to putting down roots. I'm talking about intentionally seeking out space in Chicago, not in an upcoming or trendy neighborhood, but in the most isolated, poor, and seemingly unliveable and abandoned places, to live, get involved, raise kids, marry your kids there, grow old, and die in the same house or apartment. This is not utopia, but a call to the challege of status quo of neighborhood segregation in Chicago and the greatest protest against the American Dream or any pressures of climbing the social ladder.

Some people call it gentrification with justice, I call it living intentionally. There are so many definitions of gentrification and without hard data in your hands to prove it, gentrification can only rely on symbols as a definition ( Starbucks, rich people, white people, new condos, too much change too fast). So early on, no matter what, there is going to be judgement about change in a neighborhood, but recognize that time builds trust, time builds community, time and purposeful living can build a 4th option for living in Chicago.

Getting it Wrong

Last Thursday we had a block club meeting and I mentioned that I wanted to elect new officers for the upcoming year. One of my neighbors asked " Bill, you don't want to be President no more?". I told here that i did , but would like to see other regulars at the meetings get involved. She said, " You know if you guys leave that's the end of the block club."



And there it was right in my face, the realization that I had failed Community Organizing 101,

"Always work to develop indigenous leadership".

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Fwd- "The Logan Square Blogger"


My name's Jill, and I'm really passionate about supporting local businesses. Last night, I rode my bicycle and met up with my friends Emily,Erica, and Katie at Logan Bar and Grill. We talked about our disdain for Sarah Palin and how she is an insult to those of us that supported Hillary. But the focus was on the state of Logan Square and how gentrification has been forcing out longtime businesses. For those of you unaware of what is going on in our neighborhood, newer residents are moving in and forcing longtime residents out. Businesses that have been here for generations are being replaced by Starbucks or some other multi-national chains to meet the consumer demands of those new residents. The effects of globalization have especially hit the Latino residents of our
community the hardest. That's why all of us at the table made a pact to spend our money locally and that's why I want to recommend everyone to try Logan Bar and Grill, it's been in the community for a long time, its not a chain, and its is true to the neighborhood, it even has the word Logan in its name. If I were to choose between two local grills, such as Johnny's Grill and the Logan, I would definetely choose the Logan.


And....... don't forget to get your groceries at Adli on Milwaukee either, you always want to support and protect our local grocery stores and keep the money from flowing out of our community.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Northwest Side: What makes these neighborhoods so safe?


Portage Park, Jefferson Park, O'Hare, Edison Park, Norwood Park, Dunning, Sauganash, and Forest Glen reported no shooting deaths or injuries this summer, while other neighborhoods reported a combined total of 125 people shot and an estimated 247 wounded this summer. What makes these neighborhoods consistently the safest neighborhoods in the city?