Very weak housing market in Highland Park

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by dcisive

Geez I was only adding some historical information relating to what was vs. is. No need to get our undies in a bunch. I live out West now so Illinois is just a faint memory. I prefer to keep it a GOOD memory as it WAS, NOT as it now is. To each their own I guess. Hard to argue with a time and place that allowed children to roam on their bicycles at all hours day or night without a possible care of harm. Not worrying about being accosted at school or dealing with gang warfare and driveby's. Taking a CTA bus whenever you chose without a care for safety. Imagine a world like that? Well guess what. I was able to LIVE it......so you can't take THAT away from me. As I say it's just a memory for those like myself that grew up there at THAT time when it was inhabitable. Now not so much

It's the comment that "Mexicans have taken over" that's inappropriate and inaccurate. Your impression of Illinois is rather different from the vast vast majority of those still living here. Your posts read like you must be 80 years old.

[Di3s3l_Pow3r]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

It's the comment that "Mexicans have taken over" that's inappropriate and inaccurate. Your impression of Illinois is rather different from the vast vast majority of those still living here. Your posts read like you must be 80 years old.

But did the "Mexicans have taken over" is true? then what differences does it make?

I drove / stop by many times in Highwood, and I see majority Hispanics, and I was surprised being enclaved in high end suburbs.
Good or bad, is up to you.

[olive03]

I was just in HP today.

I've always thought it was a lovely suburb and would have no problem recommending it. That being said, I do have a good friend who is from HP and she has shared with me that though she really enjoyed growing up there (30+ years ago), she wouldn't move back as it's not what it once was, especially from a school perspective (her words, not mine!).

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by Di3s3l_Pow3r

But did the "Mexicans have taken over" is true? then what differences does it make?

I drove / stop by many times in Highwood, and I see majority Hispanics, and I was surprised being enclaved in high end suburbs.
Good or bad, is up to you.

Hispanic/Latino does not equal Mexican. Let's get that out of the way. "Taken over" makes it sound hostile, and taken over what? There is not a single member of the city council that has a Spanish surname. While it may be a predominately Hispanic community, they haven't "taken over." White people and others are very much welcome to live there.

[Master Jay]

I do have to agree with Hiruko. "Mexicans have taken over" just has a bit of a bad sound to it. I'm not sure it was MEANT to come out that way, so I need to give the benefit of the doubt... But we can use this opportunity to hopefully find an understanding. For example, Hiruko is correct that a more fitting term would be Hispanic/Latino (and same are using the term Latinx, with an "x" at the end). The reason being, it is not 100% certain if the residents that are being described are, in fact, of Mexican descent. In other words, residents could include Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American heritage... Now, let's say EVERYONE in Highwood coincidentally WAS of Mexican descent; I agree that the term "taking over" sounds like an aggressive move OR there is a negative tone since there are now Mexicans/Hispanics/Latinos residing in that community in high numbers. So the question would be: Even so, WHY is that a BAD thing?...We have to remember, when people of Italian heritage began to locate in Highwood, THEY very well may not have been accepted by current residents, since many considered Italians of a lower class... Well, certainly Italians brought their culture, food, and strong work ethic and eventually were more accepted. So NOW instead of Italians there is a DIFFERENT group in point. Sincerely, Master Jay in Milwaukee

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by dcisive

Geez I was only adding some historical information relating to what was vs. is. No need to get our undies in a bunch. I live out West now so Illinois is just a faint memory. I prefer to keep it a GOOD memory as it WAS, NOT as it now is. To each their own I guess. Hard to argue with a time and place that allowed children to roam on their bicycles at all hours day or night without a possible care of harm. Not worrying about being accosted at school or dealing with gang warfare and driveby's. Taking a CTA bus whenever you chose without a care for safety. Imagine a world like that? Well guess what. I was able to LIVE it......so you can't take THAT away from me. As I say it's just a memory for those like myself that grew up there at THAT time when it was inhabitable. Now not so much

its self evident to anyone with a clue precisely whats derogatory (and racist) about saying the "mexicans have taken over" as a way of implying things are somehow now "worse".

life may have been good for you at that particular time in your particular bubble. congratulations? it was not universally a perfect idealized time frozen in amber for plenty of others (in fact it was a downright awful era for minorities in this country), and it may be helpful to do some self reflection about how your exclusionary mindset contributed (and continues to contribute) to that disparity

[Master Jay]

I'm of Mexican descent. I sure hope that wouldnt make anyone feel suspicious or uncomfortable if you saw me driving through their neighborhood, walking through their local shopping area, or speaking Spanish with my children! Before one assumes a person/persons could lead to a bad situation in an area that you're accustomed to, did you TRY to get to know that person/persons, before passing judgment? Master Jay in Milwaukee