Is Chicago truly friendly?? (Lincoln, Standard: buy, college, maintenance)

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by probablyimnotsure

You know more than I do, I've never lived in Chicago. I got my information off this message board and posts talking about how the African American culture in Chicago in particular is conducive to criminal activity and statistics people have posted. I can see what you are saying about how a majority of gangs are African American and they commit most of the crimes. I am glad I am learning more from your viewpoint.

I don't know if the majority of gangs are African American. I don't even know if the majority of the crime is committed by African Americans in Chicago. The majority of the murders are committed by African American gangs that is a small segment of the African American community and is not a representation of our culture.

[probablyimnotsure]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I don't know if the majority of gangs are African American. I don't even know if the majority of the crime is committed by African Americans in Chicago. The majority of the murders are committed by African American gangs that is a small segment of the African American community and is not a representation of our culture.

Well then, the Southside doesn't sound like a bad place to visit. Next time I visit Chicago I'd like to explore the area.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by probablyimnotsure

Well then the Southside should be thriving then. I would like to visit there next time I go to Chicago.

When you go to Chicago be sure to check out the Hyde Park fest, the jazz fest and the Caribbean festival. Plan your trip around that and you can hit the museums and don't forget to chill on the lake front. Some of the best views in the city.

You will definitely see a lot of African American south side culture. You may even identify some of the friendliness that been written about.

[probablyimnotsure]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

When you go to Chicago be sure to check out the Hyde Park fest, the jazz fest and the Caribbean festival. Plan your trip around that and you can hit the museums and don't forget to chill on the lake front. Some of the best views in the city.

You will definitely see a lot of African American south side culture. You may even identify some of the friendliness that been written about.

Cool, thanks. Yeah one of my black friends said that Chicago has the best jazz record store in the country.

[probablyimnotsure]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

When you go to Chicago be sure to check out the Hyde Park fest, the jazz fest and the Caribbean festival. Plan your trip around that and you can hit the museums and don't forget to chill on the lake front. Some of the best views in the city.

You will definitely see a lot of African American south side culture. You may even identify some of the friendliness that been written about.

If you didn't have to be near your family, would you have stayed in Hyde Park?

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by probablyimnotsure

If you didn't have to be near your family, would you have stayed in Hyde Park?

I don't think I would have stayed in Chicago. Possibly moved out west to Seattle. But clearly Hyde Park was my personal favorite.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

This is true on the north side. I think it was funny when people think they are better than xyz because of the city they live in. When some found out I had experience living in the south the first thing comes out of their mouth is racism and different types of prejudices. When I tell them that Chicago is more segregated than Memphis and Charlotte, they look like I have a problem and how dare talk bad about progressive Obama voting Chicago. Lol.

I actually like Omaha and Detroit. Actually there are many cities that I enjoy that are not in Chicago league.

Yep, experienced this attitude countless times.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by probablyimnotsure

Yeah I grew up in Southern California where African Americans are more integrated in society than what I've read about Chicago. So I don't automatically think a black person is associated with crime because of the diverse, integrated culture I grew up in.

I grew up in a family where my black relatives were doctors, lawyers, and scientists. I always assumed that white and black people were equal, and I wasn't really familiar with the stereotypes of the ghetto until hip hop came along in the 80's, along with the 90's movies like Boyz-in-da-Hood and Do The Right Thing. Yet I'm white myself, from a smaller city in the midwest, upper middle class, and have lived around a lot of white people at certain times in my life, so I'm probably just a jerk. I even lived along the Brown Line once. Or as I like to call it, the "@sshole train". God those people in Lincoln Square! Man they're mean!

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by probablyimnotsure

Cool, thanks. Yeah one of my black friends said that Chicago has the best jazz record store in the country.

Jazz Record Mart Web Store

Love this store, the size and selection is unbelievable, but it's not on the south side, it's in the touristy part of the city, near Michigan avenue, near Trump Tower, too.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by marothisu

This is true - but people need to remember that Chicago is not just full of people from the Midwest. There's people from all around the country and world here. You can't just pick out 20 random people if you're in a popular area and just assume most of them are from the midwest originally.

Yes you can.


Outside of areas with a heavy tourist appeal (whole Near north side) or areas centered around universities (ie: Hyde Park), popular areas, I would very much expect that over half of a random sample of people to be from the midwest originally. And yes, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, etc. are the top popular areas (again outside the tourist heavy greater downtown (including near north side) which is obviously more international.

I have no idea why you are so resistant to this. Everyone knows Chicago has people from all over the country and all over the country and all over the world. So do major midwest research university college towns. Just because Ann Arbor attracts people from all over the world, doesn't mean its obviously a midwestern university town. But I still think of Ann Arbor as being unapologetically cosmopolitan.