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Hilarious tips on how not to rankle locals if you originally hail from outside the Windy City.
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Fantastic! Welcome to Chicago; now leave....
Ha! Great find, Anna. I like this spunky blogger, Raven Moore -
I followed a link to this related post in her archives -
Lived in Chicago for 33 years.
Diehard Sox fan.
However, the south side DOES suck.
Wow. Can you elaborate Tony? Why does it suck and what part of the south side are you referring to specifically?
I like her too :-) It's really an unfortunate Chicago reality. And the prejudice isn't confined to the south side. I remember once telling an apartment search service on the phone that I didn't want to go past 1500 W (Ashland) and even with that I was going further than many people my age.
The uncomfortable question: is there really anything that can (or should) be done here? Is people's natural inclination to live amongst "their own kind" something awful that should be stamped out?
This is very true...
Oh good sweet Lord - this is one of the attitudes that annoys me to no end (and I should've included native Chicagoans on that point as well - sorry transplants!).
Also, your opinion only proves my point (as well as expands on it). Unless you have lived there, what really makes the southern half of the Windy City suck?
Granted, like I said, it's not a paradise, but it has it's gems...unfortunately developers don't think so.
P.S. I hope you aren't using your Sox allegiance as some sort of indicator that you support all things "South"
Amen.
"what really makes the southern half of the Windy City suck?"
Let's see.. how about all the trash blowing around in the road...closed buildings...slums, bums, and things that are not "political correct" to say...other than that, the south side is just fantastic!!!
@Madcap
Actually, I don't think you said anything politically "incorrect," per se. Your observation, however, points to a larger issue. And, let's get to the heart of the real problems behind what you mentioned: a "poorer" demographic of people and/or minorities.
I'm not suggesting that Chicago's southside is a trash blowing, slum ridden bum fest BECAUSE we have minorities (or a poorer demographic). Yet, I think these factors are aggravated (and exaggerated) because they are more prevalent.
Generally, I believe it's an unfortunate combination of poor aldermanic leadership, demographic prejudice and lack of a highly engaged, politicized constituency.
That's a WHOLE other issue for WHOLE other post (that you've, perhaps, inspired).
Can I see trash blowing around, closed buildings, slums and bums Northside?
You betcha.
Will there be noticeably less of it in that area?
You betcha.
Even though, I'm convinced now that the bums take summer vacation in Grant Park.
I enjoyed responding to your comment.
I think it has more to do with "culture" than it does income. It's one thing to be poor, it's another thing to be a pig. Seriously, I'm not trying to start trouble, but I often ask myself, "why do black people throw their trash in the road?"
I don't see this in other "poor" neighborhoods. Why?
P.S. No, I'm not a racist just because I happen to notice things...and say them...
By the way Raven, love your blog and style. I added you to my blogroll...
I have notice a recent trend in our society to have more dialogue on race relations. I agree, but also notice that when a white person says what they truly think, often they are "branded" as a racist. I hope this pattern does not repeat here.
In order to have true dialogue, one has to feel at liberty to express themselves.
Peace, Madcap
@Madcap
Thanks for adding me to your blogroll (that's awesome)- I love meeting other bloggers!
I don't think you're saying anything racist - it's an observation (about race). Another person, perhaps, would be "offended" - but I think you are pointing out an unfortunate trend in predominantly poor black neighborhoods (honestly, I don't see this in middle class,upper middle class black neighborhoods).
So, perhaps as a slight correction, "Why do the poor Blacks throw trash around in their neighborhoods?"
Culturally (as a whole) Blacks don't dirty up their neighborhoods...
Trust me, this doesn't go unnoticed by other people who live in such areas (like me)
Nonetheless, I have absolutely no answer for why it happens. I don't know why there's such an obvious disrespect for where one lives and it's so obvious in the poorer Black neighborhoods. The only answer I can come up with is blatant ignorance - but that doesn't really solve the problem, does it?
Thanks for your thoughts!
"honestly, I don't see this in middle class,upper middle class black neighborhoods"
I agree 100%. I see many southside neighborhoods going through a revitalization. I myself rent a room in an ethnically diverse neighborhood on the south side. Working class neighborhoods of any and all colors are just fine with me.But, there are MANY places that one is well advised to stay out of;ALL on the southside. I was feeling this vibe that thinking this way is somehow totally unwarented. I can't think of one northside neighborhood that I have not, nor would not go into. Can't say that about the south.
Have you ever read any Shelby Steel?
Interesting comment.
Granted, there are areas of Chicago that folks won't be comfortable going to - but safe is subjective. I disagree that MANY of the advised "unsafe" neighborhoods are South.
And, frankly what does it matter if you don't know of any dangerous/unsafe North side areas? That's not the point here.
There's a difference between safe and crime free - which I hope you're not implying to be the North.
What I find particularly frustrating is the the demographic prejudice Chicago's south (and west) sides must negotiate. Like I said before, the poorer demographics, bad leadership and lack of a politicized body contribute to all the factors you mention (trash, crime, slums, bums, etc.).
The "uncivilized" folk I mentioned before are a really small part of a much larger problem.
P.S.
Shelby Steel the poet. I've read some of his work. Why?
This is (almost) all about social class, very little to do with race. When you're pushed down and made to feel powerless about damn near everything, it feels really freeing to throw trash on the ground, jaywalk, and have your pants hang down. Little rebellions.
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