Its sucks being a college educated BLK male in Chicago. (Lincoln: low income, attorneys)

[mjtinmemphis]

I knew there had to be more to the black middle class than what was stated. I dont think I want to live in a community anymore than 30 or 40 percent one race. I dont enjoy walking down the street and seeing everyone looking like me.

There are plenty of areas where progressive educated blacks can live and not have the culture shock of being in the getto or have the lp/lv syndrome either. Maywood also has some very nice homes but can be sctchy in some areas as well. Southshore has some nice areas as well. Not every neighborhood that has been considered as bad are all bad.

It would be nice to see the day where everyone can feel comfortable in any neighborhood in Chicago.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Probably wouldn't be a bad thing for some north siders to take a trip down there, and do a little people watching just so they know that many black people grew up just like they did.

Meh. It should be noted that many of the suburbs immediately south of the city are not very nice places. As a general rule of thumb, it's more middle class south of I-80 than north of I-80. Although there are exceptions north of I-80 and exceptions south of 1-80. South Holland and Ford Heights, for instance.

And also.. Middle class black areas in Chicagoland can have a very real gang presence sometimes. It's not the professional parents who join gangs, after all. It's different from the hood in that it's more out of sight, out of mind. I know middle-class predominately black Matteson like the boring back of my hand and this includes where a couple Gangster Disciples live (I bought bulk from them when I was a young lad). The neighborhood is safe to walk at night but yes, they're there. Last time I checked they're there, anyway.

Ten bucks says Syd is gonna be downright GIDDY about the second paragraph on this this post.

[Hello_Jill]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

It would be nice to see the day where everyone can feel comfortable in any neighborhood in Chicago.

And LA, and NYC, and Detroit etc.

[FantasyFootballGuy]

Chicago is a lot like Seattle. Anyway, throughout your life friends will come and go. Family is what really matters. Also, I wouldn't worry about all these other people. Just focus on yourself and stay busy. Focus on the positive things in life and be thankful for what you have. Sure, life can always be better but it can also always be worse. Try to look happy and wear a smile on your face and you will attract good people into your life.

Chicago is a great city. Chicago may not be perfect but no city is perfect just like no person is perfect. I am sure that you can be happy there if you really try. After all, happiness is a choice. Although, perhaps Chicago is not the best city for you. Maybe you are someone who just needs a change of scenery and a fresh start somewhere. Maybe Washington D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, New York, or Los Angeles would be a better place for you.

You are not the only person out there that is not totally happy and content with their life. I am a white guy who lives in Seattle which is a mostly white city. Hell, Seattle is even more white than Chicago is. Anyway, I am not exactly happy living where I am living either. So all we can do in the mean time is just suck it up and man-up and just make the best of things. Remember that life is a journey and a marathon not a race or a sprint. So maybe give Chicago another year and if you still are not feeling it, then get focused on moving somewhere else. Maybe somewhere with warmer winter's

[urza216]

Originally Posted by FantasyFootballGuy

Anyway, throughout your life friends will come and go. Family is what really matters.

Throughout your life, there are a small handful of people you know you can count on and you know you can trust. These people are people who matter most.

Not to be off topic or anything..

Originally Posted by FantasyFootballGuy

I am a white guy who lives in Seattle which is a mostly white city. Hell, Seattle is even more white than Chicago is.

This is an odd thing to say because it implies Chicago is white like Seattle but Seattle is even more white.

[FantasyFootballGuy]

Well Chicago as a whole may have a lot more black people than Seattle does. However, I would say that Chicago and Seattle are similar in that whenever you go to the nicer more expensive parts of town it always seems to be mostly white people.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by FantasyFootballGuy

Well Chicago as a whole may have a lt more black people than Seattle does.

And a lot more Hispanics. To sum up, Seattle is significantly less white than Chicago.

Originally Posted by FantasyFootballGuy

However, I would say that Chicago and Seattle are similar in that whenever you go to the nicer more expensive parts of town it always seems to be mostly white people.

Your same statement can hold true for wealthy areas in Manhattan.

[rhawkins74]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I knew there had to be more to the black middle class than what was stated. I dont think I want to live in a community anymore than 30 or 40 percent one race. I dont enjoy walking down the street and seeing everyone looking like me.

There are plenty of areas where progressive educated blacks can live and not have the culture shock of being in the getto or have the lp/lv syndrome either. Maywood also has some very nice homes but can be sctchy in some areas as well. Southshore has some nice areas as well. Not every neighborhood that has been considered as bad are all bad.

It would be nice to see the day where everyone can feel comfortable in any neighborhood in Chicago.

well, I feel comfortable in any neighborhood in Chicago.

[mjtinmemphis]

I dont think most people care about what city is whiter than the other. I think its all about how well the community is set for tolerance. Stereotyping and constant negative information can hurt the social climate of an area.

I have Chineese and Black friends that live in Seattle that have not had problems adjusting to that area.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by urza216

Meh. It should be noted that many of the suburbs immediately south of the city are not very nice places. As a general rule of thumb, it's more middle class south of I-80 than north of I-80. Although there are exceptions north of I-80 and exceptions south of 1-80. South Holland and Ford Heights, for instance.

And also.. Middle class black areas in Chicagoland can have a very real gang presence sometimes. It's not the professional parents who join gangs, after all. It's different from the hood in that it's more out of sight, out of mind. I know middle-class predominately black Matteson like the boring back of my hand and this includes where a couple Gangster Disciples live (I bought bulk from them when I was a young lad). The neighborhood is safe to walk at night but yes, they're there. Last time I checked they're there, anyway.

Ten bucks says Syd is gonna be downright GIDDY about the second paragraph on this this post.

well hell, there's GDs who sell "product" in Lake View and Lincoln Park as well. if there's a market, someone will bring a supply.

I truly do believe that to see Chicago's black communities heal we need to legalize drugs. Take the profit (and boy effin' howdy are we talking serious bank) margin that comes with the black market aspect out, and it could be a whole new ball game. No teens lurking around grammar schools recruiting or pushing, it would be like the way-old days where yeah, you had gangs and groups of punks, but they weren't all friggin armed to the teeth or staying in that lifestyle into their 20s and 30s and beyond.

People - mostly white people, and especially transplants - really don't get how ingrained into the social fabric the gangs and drug trade is. In Logan Sq/Avondale the folks are moving/spreading out more, but you've still got a subculture of people who have been in that lifestyle for 3 or more generations at this point.