Chicago segregated (Addison, Lincoln, Roscoe: costs, store, safe)

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by Just1Fan

I don't think segregated neighborhoods is really that big of a deal. It's fine if for example, if most whites live over here, and most blacks live over there. Or, if the rich resides in these parts, while the unwealthy resides in those parts. There's nothing wrong with gravitating towards the people who you feel most familiar with. We all do it, whether we realize it or not. The problem I have is when one group of people refuses to except another group of people. There's no reason that a white individual, or family, should be tormented in a predominantly black neighborhood. And, a black person, or family, should never be harassed in a mainly white neighborhood either. That type of BS should not be happening anywhere on earth. The question is, are Chicago neighborhoods segregated by different tax brackets and economic backgrounds? Or, is it a result of hate and animosity between various races? If the answer is hate and animosity, I'd like to know what's being done [by police and government] to control it? What would happen if a black family moved into Lincoln Park, or Lake View? Would they be harassed or excepted? Also, what if a white family moved into Englewood, or Roseland? To me, that's what really matters. CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

Ive lived in West Lakeview for the past 5 months. I have not been harrassed, called names or have been threatened in any way. I have encountered people getting nervouse because im black and theyve been taught that we want to rob or harm them. That doesnt offend me or anything like that. It just shows where they are in life and is a form of racial prejudice.

I have noticed some messy teatment in a few of the local restaurants that whites dont generally experience. Ive heard the bar scene can be pretty racist in Wrigleyville towards blacks. The Boystown section of Lakeview is suprisingly racist towards black gays. For a community that is so marginalised they have more issues with race gender and other superficial issues than any other segment or group.

You will not find KKK parades and people yelling racialist slurrs out in the open in Lakeview/Lincoln Park, but it is noticable that there are issues and racial prejudice much more than Ive seen in Hyde Park and Oak Park or othe more progressive areas in the metro.

[kafka_on_the_shore]

Originally Posted by Just1Fan

I don't think segregated neighborhoods is really that big of a deal.

I don't know whether to take this statement seriously or simply post a MFW ... nevertheless segregation affects every single aspect of the individuals life: from quality of life to socioeconomic status. Whether you realize it or not, this segregation also affects their sociometry, which indirectly correlates to their disadvantages and advantages in life.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

Ive lived in West Lakeview for the past 5 months. I have not been harrassed, called names or have been threatened in any way. I have encountered people getting nervouse because im black and theyve been taught that we want to rob or harm them. That doesnt offend me or anything like that. It just shows where they are in life and is a form of racial prejudice.

I have noticed some messy teatment in a few of the local restaurants that whites dont generally experience. Ive heard the bar scene can be pretty racist in Wrigleyville towards blacks. The Boystown section of Lakeview is suprisingly racist towards black gays. For a community that is so marginalised they have more issues with race gender and other superficial issues than any other segment or group.

You will not find KKK parades and people yelling racialist slurrs out in the open in Lakeview/Lincoln Park, but it is noticable that there are issues and racial prejudice much more than Ive seen in Hyde Park and Oak Park or othe more progressive areas in the metro.

IMO you're describing bigotry, but that's a far cry from institutionalized racism.

It's not good & it will be a great day when we move past it, but keep in mind even Jesse Jackson once remarked he was more nervous turning around on a dark street and finding a black guy instead of a white guy walking behind him (I hope I'm not screwing up my icons here).

I think it's useful to keep bigotry and racism distinct, as one can be fixed legislatively (Jim Crow and redlining laws), but the other is going to take achieving social and economic justice across the board, which takes education, which is neither inexpensive nor easy.

[jay sparty]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

Ive lived in West Lakeview for the past 5 months. I have not been harrassed, called names or have been threatened in any way. I have encountered people getting nervouse because im black and theyve been taught that we want to rob or harm them. That doesnt offend me or anything like that. It just shows where they are in life and is a form of racial prejudice.

I have noticed some messy teatment in a few of the local restaurants that whites dont generally experience. Ive heard the bar scene can be pretty racist in Wrigleyville towards blacks. The Boystown section of Lakeview is suprisingly racist towards black gays. For a community that is so marginalised they have more issues with race gender and other superficial issues than any other segment or group.

You will not find KKK parades and people yelling racialist slurrs out in the open in Lakeview/Lincoln Park, but it is noticable that there are issues and racial prejudice much more than Ive seen in Hyde Park and Oak Park or othe more progressive areas in the metro.

This response compelled me to talk about my experience as well. I too am an African American man who lives in West Lakeview (Or North Center?) and have had similar experiences. There was onetime that a man who was walking in the same direction as I towards a liquor store (that I too happened to be going to as well) gave every indication that I was following him. He looked back at me several times, and even broke into a fast-pace walk. I should that my add that my apartment is four buildings away from the store, and he had to of seen me walk down the stoop of my home. When we both entered the liquor store, I waved to the owner who shouted "hello", because that's my weekend supplier of craft brews. We both went to the refrigerated section and when I reached out my hand to grab a case of beer, I swear to all that read this that the guy braced himself as if I was going to punch him. I mean his face winced, he turned his shoulder towards me to take brunt of the blow, and made some sort of noise like "aah" as if he was about to say something. It's a hard feeling you get in my situation, because I never know what the best course of action is. Should I ignore him, as he's the ignorant one? Or should I go out of my way to smile and seem as safe as possible to ease his silly anxiety? This is just one example of the subtle things I saw/felt since moving here.

Still, I appreciate the area for what it is, and accept it for what it isn't. Comparable to gentrifiers,blacks who live in Lakeview and Lincoln Park are "urban pioneers", and the increase in quality of life that areas like the Southport corridor brings also has costs attached to them.

[TheSunshineKid]

Originally Posted by kafka_on_the_shore

I don't know whether to take this statement seriously or simply post a MFW ... nevertheless segregation affects every single aspect of the individuals life: from quality of life to socioeconomic status. Whether you realize it or not, this segregation also affects their sociometry, which indirectly correlates to their disadvantages and advantages in life.

If it's self segregation due to culture then I don't see much of the concern.

[jay sparty]

I also agree that the silly bigotry I faced is harder to point out/deal with than larger, institutional racism, but still not fun y'all.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by jay sparty

I also agree that the silly bigotry I faced is harder to point out/deal with than larger, institutional racism, but still not fun y'all.

true.

but I can tell you what you guys are talking about pales in comparison to some of the hard stares and folks following me a bit of the way down the street I experienced walking down Diversey through the Lathrop Homes as a young white kid just trying to get to the bowling alley or to friends living west.

but the worst stereotype I ever had/violence came from some white cop who pulled over and almost threw me through his windshield (well, felt like it anyway) as he assumed I was skipping school and buying drugs. I apparently didn't react fast enough to the strange man (unmarked car, no uniform) telling to come over to his car - sounded like something a friggin pervert would say, you know?

at the end of the day, it's just kind of sad. in your situation and mine we're paying the price for actions committed by others.

all you can do is carry yourself with dignity and respect and leave those with questionable intentions/assumptions asking themselves why they feel that way- I do guarantee you anyone at a craft beer store who realized you were actually there buying craft beer felt stupid as hell after they over-reacted.

[Chi-town Native]

btw, let me help you all out here and maybe save you some $$$ - go to the Foremost Liquors on Wellington & Ashland, best prices on good beer I have *ever* seen in Chicago, I still make my way there whenever I can to stock up.

[jay sparty]

Thanks for the suggestion! I go strictly brown ale in the winter time, so I'll see what they have! I agree with you that when he saw what I was actually going for, and saw my rapport with the owner, he must've felt pretty embarrassed.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

true.

but I can tell you what you guys are talking about pales in comparison to some of the hard stares and folks following me a bit of the way down the street I experienced walking down Diversey through the Lathrop Homes as a young white kid just trying to get to the bowling alley or to friends living west.

but the worst stereotype I ever had/violence came from some white cop who pulled over and almost threw me through his windshield (well, felt like it anyway) as he assumed I was skipping school and buying drugs. I apparently didn't react fast enough to the strange man (unmarked car, no uniform) telling to come over to his car - sounded like something a friggin pervert would say, you know?

at the end of the day, it's just kind of sad. in your situation and mine we're paying the price for actions committed by others.

all you can do is carry yourself with dignity and respect and leave those with questionable intentions/assumptions asking themselves why they feel that way- I do guarantee you anyone at a craft beer store who realized you were actually there buying craft beer felt stupid as hell after they over-reacted.

Racial prejudice affects us all. When people write in support of segregation, I have a problem with that. If we could all learn to be a little more progressive and not carry the same ideals that our parents had we would not have situations today like whats been described in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park or the area you described.