Neighborhoods: Chicago Case Study

Neighborhoods on the west side are similar to any other in Chicago. The area always seem gloomy to me, but the sun always seems to shine brightest on Sundays. Playing in the backyard of my grandmother’s house while waiting for dinner was something to look forward to. Sunday dinner were always packed with people I barely knew from the neighborhood. There were days during the week that strangers would come to my grandmother’s house to eat and hangout. The block that I grew up on was very welcoming. Everyone knew each other and the block club parties each year before school started back after summer break were always exciting. However, there were two houses on the block everyone knew was off-limits, even during to trick-or-treat on Halloween.
As a young child I always felt safe when ever I played outside with friends and relatives. Once I got older I understood why I was only allowed to play in the backyard. Although, “L Town” appeared to be filled with children playing, busy main streets, and fairly clean environment; within the shadows was anything but a friendly neighborhood. It appeared as though all the negative things about the neighborhood happened at night. Mostly, because as a child I wasn't allowed out at night or to hang around the adults. When I became older I was shell-shocked at the things I discovered about the place I felt was safe and fun to live in. Gang violence, drug distribution and other crimes became a normal part of my reality. Ideally people would say that “L-town” was a great place to raise a family, especially when compared to “K-town”. My grandmother raised her children in “K-town” and even after to moving to “L-town” the grandchildren still attended school in “K-town”. I loved my school and all the good memories I had while attending Charles Sumner Academy. The bad memories although unavoidable it was very traumatizing. During my enrollment at Sumner Academy I seen dead bodies, classroom shot at because of gang related conflicts and endless violence within the school. I lived on the west side of Chicago until I graduated from elementary school. I still would visit every chance I could. The things I experienced living on the west side of Chicago I felt didn’t impact me as much as my friends. When the violence and drugs became part of my household that’s when I completing understood that the place I once thought was safe and fun wasn’t.

L-town consist of blocks that all start with the letter L the same as M-town and K-town.
L-town and M-town are both with the Austin area of Chicago. K-town is located within the North Lawndale and West Garfield Park area. Over the years there has been many changes to the west side of Chicago. The communities have experienced both positive and negative changes. Many schools were closed down and many building structures demolished. On the brighter side of things some schools were modernized and new building are being built in profitable communities. These new changes doesn’t really benefit residences within these communities, but there is hope that the new appeal of the neighborhood would decrease the crime rate. I’ve spoken with people that suggest the new developed areas are simply spreading only to move away current residences to make way for higher working class citizens who can afford the increasing cost of living. It does seem that way, but it has filtered away unwanted people who has accepted a life of crime. From 1987-2002 the west side of Chicago was my home. Unfortunately, during this time the crime rate was also increasing. Gang activity seemed to be the new normal and drug distribution wasn’t surprising to minors. While attending elementary there were students who sold drugs and were involved in gangs. Many people thought I was cool and for a short while I did as well. Activities my classmates and I thought was cool and normal began to risk or safety and end the
life of other classmates. The first day of my eighth grade year my closet friends and I decided to change our lives, making my last year living on the west the most heartfelt time of my life.

Looking the media about the community I once called home it has been considered to be the “Chicago’s deadliest neighborhood”, according to the Whet Moser article in the Chicago Magazine. Based on the Chicago Tribune’s crime report for February 15th-March 17th Austin area (K-town) ranks 11th among the Chicago’s 77 community areas for violent crimes that include: homicide, robbery, battery, assault, and sexual assault. Austin area ranks 7th (tied) for quality of life crimes including criminal damage, narcotics, and prostitution. In addition to, North Lawndale is rank 3rd for violent crimes and 2nd for quality of life crimes. West Garfield Park ranks 2nd for violent crimes and 1st for quality of life crimes. Both North Lawndale and West Garfield Park includes K-town. Seeing the statistics isn’t surprising of how high the ranks of these neighborhoods. To people reading the daily newspaper who doesn’t live in these areas will just see a list of number, but to those still living in the area this is their reality. In recent news of these areas aren’t all bad. There are articles in the Chicago Tribune of fighting against violence, Austin’s farm 3rd season of urban gardening, YMCA opening tech center, and new violin classes begin offered. There are something worth mentioning and fighting for in any community just need the right people to care enough.

I now live on the south side of Chicago. My mother moved me to the south suburbs of Chicago after my eighth grade graduation. I felt like someone had truly stolen my heart. Leaving everything I know and loved behind to start over. My mom and I made a deal that if I starting behaving better and doing better in school that she would allow me to continue going to school with my friends. Once the day came and I learned that I wouldn’t be able to attend Lane Tech High School with the rest of my friends that I would be going to Thornton Township High School in Harvey, IL. We moved to Riverdale, IL. but the school was in my opinion the worst neighborhood. My mom and step-dad soon figured that living in Riverdale wasn’t a great idea so we moved to Country Club Hills, IL. I can admit that the neighborhood was better than what I was accustom to, but I lost a lot during the process of moving including friends and opportunities to play sports during my variety years. The area was safe and ideally a great place to raise a family, but the quality of education wasn’t what I had expected. During the years I attended school in the city both teacher and students praise the quality of education in the suburbs. In my opinion there wasn’t much difference. In the suburbs we had access to computers and books, however, the knowledge being offered was standard. Teachers in the city schools went beyond the knowledge written in our textbooks and offered help to students who was willing to learn. The teachers in the suburbs adapted an attitude of online learning in the classroom, you had to teach yourself. The community demographic didn’t change as much I still was in living in communities that were major African American (black). The only difference it seemed is that everyone worked and didn’t have a house because of housing assistance. Living in the city things were much more convenient that living in the suburb. For example, you could walk to the store or catch the bus to a friend’s house in the city. In the suburbs nothing is nearby. If you didn’t have a car you didn’t get around much because there was only one bus that only ran during rush hour from the Metra station to the surrounding communities and even the bus stops were blocks away. Living in the suburb is great place to raise a family, but I will always cherish my experiences on the west side of Chicago. I now live in the on the city south side mostly because I work on the south side, but I also wanted to be near my mom and siblings.

Living in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs I have seen and experienced many things.
Born and raised on the west side of Chicago from the late 1980’s to the early 2000’s the neighborhoods changed drastically. The crime rate increased over the years causing unbelievable amount of murders and drug distribution flooding the neighborhood had a great impact. There are people who still believe in the potential that the neighborhood has and are willing to fight for change. There are years of damage that will take more than just a few rallies to reverse. In comparison to the suburbs it’s not a safe and quality living choice. In recent years there has been new establishments designed to bring product programs and needed services to the area. Changing is not an easy thing to accept, good or bad. Eventually, if good people continue to strive for better neighborhoods “L-town” will no longer be concerned the deadliest neighborhood in
Chicago.