So good to be home and out of the heat. All those excess people reminded I'm alone as I explored the busy Chicago streets.
So good to be mild and not full of heat. All those old buildings reminded I'm only a child as I explored the ancient Chicago streets.
So good to be recognized and not sweating in the heat. All those dollars spent reminded me of the love I'm still denied. as I explored the poor Chicago streets.
So good to be back from running away and back from the heavy, humid heat. All of the luggage and vacations reminded me problems come to stay. as I left, for a long time, those Chicago streets.
As many Americans feel - the Katrina situation was a complete embarassment! I was shocked to see how ill prepared the system was, and quite frankly it was frightening. That is not what one would expect from the United States.
As far as the racial element...I'm not sure I completely support that. I think it was more an issue of economics. People who could afford to do so, left the area. The Cantwell family mentioned in the article, who were white, were denied entrance to the neiboring parish, and had a gun pulled on them.
I believe that in their attempts to quell the chaotic atmosphere, law enforcement used poor judgement.
Fortunately, I have some personal experience with this..While I am from Chicago, I lived in a suburb of Detroit for the last 4 years. It was quite the adjustment.
I moved from Wrigleyville to a suburb called Novi, and realized I am a "city girl", I feel a member of the Creative Class! I hated being in such a segregated, limited environment. I remember asking someone.." Where are all the gay people"? Where are the homeless"? I love the way that my experience in Chicago has been so diverse. I especially liked how sociologist Terry Clark described the way that Chicago integrated the environment.
Several friends of mine who are gay, moved here from other cities, so they could be "themselves".
I'm not sure I support that all gay, rock band members etc., are of the creative class. But certainy as a whole, you will find a group of people that tend to think outside of the box. Therefore, implementing change.
Progressive, upward mobility for a people, or environmnet, can only be seen as a positive.
Chicago is renowned for corrupt politics, and modern times are doing nothing to change that fact. Recently, Christopher Kelly, a top advisor for R. Blogovich, was found dead in a lumber yard on the cities southside, it is believed he committed suicide.
'The Chicago Sun-Times reports that in the last three decades, at least 79 local elected officials have been convicted of a crime, including three governors, one mayor, and a whopping 27 aldermen from the Windy City. What makes Chicago so corrupt?'
While Chicago is by no means the only city riddled with this problem, big city - state government seems to be a breeding ground for such behaviors.
Sadly, individual greed is a common factor. While efforts from city government commonly appear to be making decisions based on the good of the people, all too often, their intentions are fueled by personal interest.
Sadly, in more urban arenas, the residents tend to not be as involved in the political process, as members of a suburb.
I feel that the lack of individual participation in the political process, makes urban areas more susceptible to abuse.
I couldn't get revealingchicago.org to open? Picturing Chicago was amazing. It's pretty remarkable how he travelled all over taking these pics. I wonder why the pics of Chicago are b/w, and the world pics are in color?
I didn't fine the tigger.uic site to be as interesting....I never take pics, and just recently have a camera phone, which I don't know yet how to use. If I were to take pics of Chicago, while the architecture of the city is remarkable, I would focus on the people.
Review of census tract... I found that my address in Albany Park has a marked difference in households with individuals under 18, 34.9% in Chicago to 51% from my area. There is also a big difference in the householder living alone category...with 32% in Chicago and only 17% in my area. These numbers, although from 2000, support the general demographic in this area of mostly coupled families raising young children.
I checked out the link on Millennium Park. Since I haven't visited yet, it was quite interesting! What a place! One of the events currently being held is "A conversation with Chicago: Contemporary sculpture from China. This exhibit displays how Chinese art has emerged as one of the fastest growing and most dynamic components of the international art scene.
The rooftop terrace is spectacular!
At the Jay Pritzker Pavillion, there is a theatre production named "Bread and Salt". Bread and Salt is a poignant and humorous tribute celebrating the bold spirit of the laborers who built Chicago 100 years ago.
There is a music venue where you can catch shows featuring Jazz & Classical music, along with other genres.
There are even fitness classes at the McCormick Tribune Plaza in Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, dance aerobics and more.
A classical example of the cultural promise Chicagoans appreciate!
Harvesting hope A Chicago homeless shelter's greenhouses are transforming soil and souls -- and not necessarily in that order -- thanks to an urban plant expert, a former heroin addict and a million or so worms.
"But you've got to get interested in the people. I asked one of the volunteers to leave because she wasn't so into the folks here. You're here because the people are here. There just happen to be plants (as well)."
When Chicago architect Stanley Tigerman bestowed the massive indoor growing spaces on the 132-year-old Christian rescue mission's new facility, completed in 2007, he was making an intuitive leap. The mission wanted to be environmentally friendly, a 150,000-square-foot "green" house for the homeless. Why not give it a literal greenhouse?
A really great story of homeless shelters in the city and FOR ONCE the positive attributes that are helping to change peoples lives!
2. Why did the categories on the forms change over time, and what do those changes tell us about the specific times that each of the forms came from?
The forms change to reflect the changing dynamic of the population, and continue to do so. The earlier form shows that the only differentiation noted was for black or white people. As the American profile changed, the newer forms were updated to incorporate all of the different races that resided here.
4. What is your overall sense about the likelihood of achieving accuracy on these forms for counting and gathering data about the population?
I don't feel they can be completely accurate. While they can give a general sense of the population, there are many circumstances where individuals do not participate or provide inaccurate information.
I watched a fantastic movie called "Trouble the Water" about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Filmed by 2 prior drug dealers who lived in the 9th ward, it was definitely a view of the situation from someone on the inside. It won a documentary award at the Sundance Film Festival....with all the coverage of Hurricane Katrina, this was definitely the most "real" and "poignant"!
Check out this link to view the trailer and read more..... http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/
Granted..I can see my bias. I am single without children, so I welcome an environment that inhabits people like me. I have agreed with Florida's assertion...but, as this article points out, the research simply doesn't support it. I guess my next question is, why can't cities overall support both the "creative class" and the traditional family? If places like Boston and San Francisco thrive as they do, how can it be said that the theory isn't true? Contrary to statements made, many individuals that were successful during the dot.com era, went on to succeed in other fields after the bust. Lastly, I'm under the impression that the "creative class" is a "strong middle class" if not "upper" (in dollars). To quote the article "These cities have become the most divided by class", I'm sure if the same research were done in Naperville you would find the same discrepancy. The only difference in volume with the numbers would be because in a so called "stong middle class", it's a one profile environment.
Impressive. It isn't often that people are inspired to be concerned about their surroundings for unselfish reasons. Inevitably, this is how change is implemented, citizens being concerned and involved in their environment.
Luckily these endeavors by some are still being initiated.
Meet Dr. Patrick Finn. Dr. Finn, who received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Chicago, is also an urban activist. Patrick Finn came from a family of plumbers on the south side of Chicago, he became a school teacher instead. He taught middle school in Chicago for six years, worked at Scott Foresman as an editor of reading and literature books, and taught English at the Chicago Community College.
He co-chaired the SUNY/Buffalo Coalition for Urban Education, co-created and facilitated Parent Empowerment Workshops at Buffalo Public School 4, facilitated Alternatives to Violence Project workshops, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Action Information Center (a Buffalo inner-city community organization). He has served as team leader for the education task force, VOICE Buffalo (A Gamaliel Foundation Affiliate). Dr. Finn is a facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project (Prison and Community Conflict Resolution Workshops). He has also served on the Board of Trustees, and as clerk for the Peace and Social Justice Committee of his Quaker meeting in Buffalo.
He spoke at Adelphi University in 2008 to show cause for his efforts....this demonstrates that YOU can make a difference, if so inspired.
I viewed Abrahams blog and viewed the film "Poverty in Chicago" which was nothing short of spectacular. The documentary depicted the homelessness and drup addiction that is rampant in the city. The film interviewed homeless people,drug addicts leaders of the community, educators and sociologist to provide a thorough insight into the despair that is right on the surface of the streets in Chicago. The blight evidenced on the south and west sides,unemployment, and the sheer lack of opportunity was frightening. As the film maker demonstrated, there is a very large underclass community in this city that has been literally abandoned by society.
In Feb of 2008, the Lawndale community on the west side became victim to this practice.
The Chicago Community Development Commission approved the Ogden-Pulaski tax increment financing district. The TIF comes with a $100 million budget and the power to use eminent domain for economic development. There are currently 41 properties that would qualify to be condemned by the city.
The TIF streches across 876 acres of the Lawndale neighborhood on the city’s west side. It’s a tight-knit community in a poor, predominantly elderly African-American community.
A citizens group was organized, called the Lawndale Alliance, The Chi Town Daily News reported this from a press conference:
“North Lawndale is under seige,” said Valerie Leonard, founder of the Alliance. She noted that the neighborhood, with a median income of $18,000, had experienced 141 mortgage foreclosures between January and November 2007 and that many residents had seen their property tax bills double in the past year.
“There are no systems in place to ensure that local residents, not newcomers and developers, actually benefit from this plan….” said Leonard. “Unfortunately, wealthy individuals, nonprofits and foundations have a greater voice in our community’s development than the people within the TIF boundaries.”
Mark Gerard in article 16 of the text stated that in 2005 there was a Private Property Rights Protection Act that had passed the House and was awaiting a vote from the Senate to combat abuses of eminent domain. I predict that this "abuse" will be very difficult to prove, and situations such as the one in Lawndale will continue.
The sprinkler cities profiled in this report have been dubbed the new suburbia. Packed with new development these areas promise the chance of a fresh start. The profile of suburbia is not what many suspect (majority of asian americans, half of hispanics, and 40% of blacks live in suburbs)and contain more non-family homes, young singles and elderly. Still an old tale. People keep trying to escape the perils of inner city life, but eventually it always catches up to them. No-one ever cares about the plight of the inner city until it is in their own backyard, where it always ends up, and then they pick up and move again.
So good to be home
ReplyDeleteand out of the heat.
All those excess people reminded I'm alone
as I explored the busy Chicago streets.
So good to be mild
and not full of heat.
All those old buildings reminded I'm only a child
as I explored the ancient Chicago streets.
So good to be recognized
and not sweating in the heat.
All those dollars spent reminded me of the love I'm still denied.
as I explored the poor Chicago streets.
So good to be back from running away
and back from the heavy, humid heat.
All of the luggage and vacations reminded me problems come to stay.
as I left, for a long time, those Chicago streets.
Response to Article 5.....
ReplyDeleteAs many Americans feel - the Katrina situation was a complete embarassment! I was shocked to see how ill prepared the system was, and quite frankly it was frightening. That is not what one would expect from the United States.
As far as the racial element...I'm not sure I completely support that. I think it was more an issue of economics. People who could afford to do so, left the area. The Cantwell family mentioned in the article, who were white, were denied entrance to the neiboring parish, and had a gun pulled on them.
I believe that in their attempts to quell the chaotic atmosphere, law enforcement used poor judgement.
Response to Article 9......
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Mr. Florida's assertion.
Fortunately, I have some personal experience with this..While I am from Chicago, I lived in a suburb of Detroit for the last 4 years. It was quite the adjustment.
I moved from Wrigleyville to a suburb called Novi, and realized I am a "city girl", I feel a member of the Creative Class! I hated being in such a segregated, limited environment. I remember asking someone.."
Where are all the gay people"? Where are the homeless"? I love the way that my experience in Chicago has been so diverse. I especially liked how sociologist Terry Clark described the way that Chicago integrated the environment.
Several friends of mine who are gay, moved here from other cities, so they could be "themselves".
I'm not sure I support that all gay, rock band members etc., are of the creative class. But certainy as a whole, you will find a group of people that tend to think outside of the box. Therefore, implementing change.
Progressive, upward mobility for a people, or environmnet, can only be seen as a positive.
Interesing point of my choosing....
ReplyDeleteChicago is renowned for corrupt politics, and modern times are doing nothing to change that fact. Recently, Christopher Kelly, a top advisor for R. Blogovich, was found dead in a lumber yard on the cities southside, it is believed he committed suicide.
Dated Sept. 6th...this article
http://www.slate.com/id/2149240/ states..
'The Chicago Sun-Times reports that in the last three decades, at least 79 local elected officials have been convicted of a crime, including three governors, one mayor, and a whopping 27 aldermen from the Windy City. What makes Chicago so corrupt?'
While Chicago is by no means the only city riddled with this problem, big city - state government seems to be a breeding ground for such behaviors.
Sadly, individual greed is a common factor. While efforts from city government commonly appear to be making decisions based on the good of the people, all too often, their intentions are fueled by personal interest.
Sadly, in more urban arenas, the residents tend to not be as involved in the political process, as members of a suburb.
I feel that the lack of individual participation in the political process, makes urban areas more susceptible to abuse.
Classmate blog review...
ReplyDeleteI checked out Shawntanya's blog which I found excellent. She has an opening poem which I found political, heartfelt, and accurate. Loved it!
Review of websites...
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get revealingchicago.org to open?
Picturing Chicago was amazing. It's pretty remarkable how he travelled all over taking these pics. I wonder why the pics of Chicago are b/w, and the world pics are in color?
I didn't fine the tigger.uic site to be as interesting....I never take pics, and just recently have a camera phone, which I don't know yet how to use. If I were to take pics of Chicago, while the architecture of the city is remarkable, I would focus on the people.
Review of census tract...
ReplyDeleteI found that my address in Albany Park has a marked difference in households with individuals under 18, 34.9% in Chicago to 51% from my area. There is also a big difference in the householder living alone category...with 32% in Chicago and only 17% in my area. These numbers, although from 2000, support the general demographic in this area of mostly coupled families raising young children.
I would never have associated this with census tracking.....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32991672/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
Review of link from Sept. 19th -
ReplyDeleteI checked out the link on Millennium Park. Since I haven't visited yet, it was quite interesting! What a place! One of the events currently being held is "A conversation with Chicago: Contemporary sculpture from China. This exhibit displays how Chinese art has emerged as one of the fastest growing and most dynamic components of the international art scene.
The rooftop terrace is spectacular!
At the Jay Pritzker Pavillion, there is a theatre production named "Bread and Salt". Bread and Salt is a poignant and humorous tribute celebrating the bold spirit of the laborers who built Chicago 100 years ago.
There is a music venue where you can catch shows featuring Jazz & Classical music, along with other genres.
There are even fitness classes at the McCormick Tribune Plaza in Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, dance aerobics and more.
A classical example of the cultural promise Chicagoans appreciate!
Interesting point of my choosing:
ReplyDeleteHarvesting hope
A Chicago homeless shelter's greenhouses are transforming soil and souls -- and not necessarily in that order -- thanks to an urban plant expert, a former heroin addict and a million or so worms.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0927-greenhouse-coversep27,0,703974.story
"But you've got to get interested in the people. I asked one of the volunteers to leave because she wasn't so into the folks here. You're here because the people are here. There just happen to be plants (as well)."
When Chicago architect Stanley Tigerman bestowed the massive indoor growing spaces on the 132-year-old Christian rescue mission's new facility, completed in 2007, he was making an intuitive leap. The mission wanted to be environmentally friendly, a 150,000-square-foot "green" house for the homeless. Why not give it a literal greenhouse?
A really great story of homeless shelters in the city and FOR ONCE the positive attributes that are helping to change peoples lives!
Answers to census forms and questions....
ReplyDelete2. Why did the categories on the forms change over time, and what do those changes tell us about the specific times that each of the forms came from?
The forms change to reflect the changing dynamic of the population, and continue to do so. The earlier form shows that the only differentiation noted was for black or white people. As the American profile changed, the newer forms were updated to incorporate all of the different races that resided here.
4. What is your overall sense about the likelihood of achieving accuracy on these forms for counting and gathering data about the population?
I don't feel they can be completely accurate. While they can give a general sense of the population, there are many circumstances where individuals do not participate or provide inaccurate information.
Note: The 2 entries on the 13th were made on different days. A discrepancy with the time posted.
ReplyDeleteText entry of my choosing....
ReplyDeleteI watched a fantastic movie called "Trouble the Water" about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Filmed by 2 prior drug dealers who lived in the 9th ward, it was definitely a view of the situation from someone on the inside. It won a documentary award at the Sundance Film Festival....with all the coverage of Hurricane Katrina, this was definitely the most "real" and "poignant"!
Check out this link to view the trailer and read more.....
http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/
My response to "uncool cities"....
ReplyDeleteGranted..I can see my bias. I am single without children, so I welcome an environment that inhabits people like me. I have agreed with Florida's assertion...but, as this article points out, the research simply doesn't support it. I guess my next question is, why can't cities overall support both the "creative class" and the traditional family? If places like Boston and San Francisco thrive as they do, how can it be said that the theory isn't true? Contrary to statements made, many individuals that were successful during the dot.com era, went on to succeed in other fields after the bust. Lastly, I'm under the impression that the "creative class" is a "strong middle class" if not "upper" (in dollars). To quote the article "These cities have become the most divided by class", I'm sure if the same research were done in Naperville you would find the same discrepancy. The only difference in volume with the numbers would be because in a so called "stong middle class", it's a one profile environment.
Response to Jane Jacobs and article 18....
ReplyDeleteImpressive. It isn't often that people are inspired to be concerned about their surroundings for unselfish reasons. Inevitably, this is how change is implemented, citizens being concerned and involved in their environment.
Luckily these endeavors by some are still being initiated.
Meet Dr. Patrick Finn. Dr. Finn, who received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Chicago, is also an urban activist. Patrick Finn came from a family of plumbers on the south side of Chicago, he became a school teacher instead. He taught middle school in Chicago for six years, worked at Scott Foresman as an editor of reading and literature books, and taught English at the Chicago Community College.
He co-chaired the SUNY/Buffalo Coalition for Urban Education, co-created and facilitated Parent Empowerment Workshops at Buffalo Public School 4, facilitated Alternatives to Violence Project workshops, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Action Information Center (a Buffalo inner-city community organization). He has served as team leader for the education task force, VOICE Buffalo (A Gamaliel Foundation Affiliate). Dr. Finn is a facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project (Prison and Community Conflict Resolution Workshops). He has also served on the Board of Trustees, and as clerk for the Peace and Social Justice Committee of his Quaker meeting in Buffalo.
He spoke at Adelphi University in 2008 to show cause for his efforts....this demonstrates that YOU can make a difference, if so inspired.
Discussion of classmates blog....
ReplyDeleteI viewed Abrahams blog and viewed the film "Poverty in Chicago" which was nothing short of spectacular. The documentary depicted the homelessness and drup addiction that is rampant in the city. The film interviewed homeless people,drug addicts leaders of the community, educators and sociologist to provide a thorough insight into the despair that is right on the surface of the streets in Chicago. The blight evidenced on the south and west sides,unemployment, and the sheer lack of opportunity was frightening. As the film maker demonstrated, there is a very large underclass community in this city that has been literally abandoned by society.
Eminent Domain....
ReplyDeleteIn Feb of 2008, the Lawndale community on the west side became victim to this practice.
The Chicago Community Development Commission approved the Ogden-Pulaski tax increment financing district. The TIF comes with a $100 million budget and the power to use eminent domain for economic development. There are currently 41 properties that would qualify to be condemned by the city.
The TIF streches across 876 acres of the Lawndale neighborhood on the city’s west side. It’s a tight-knit community in a poor, predominantly elderly African-American community.
A citizens group was organized, called the Lawndale Alliance, The Chi Town Daily News reported this from a press conference:
“North Lawndale is under seige,” said Valerie Leonard, founder of the Alliance. She noted that the neighborhood, with a median income of $18,000, had experienced 141 mortgage foreclosures between January and November 2007 and that many residents had seen their property tax bills double in the past year.
“There are no systems in place to ensure that local residents, not newcomers and developers, actually benefit from this plan….” said Leonard. “Unfortunately, wealthy individuals, nonprofits and foundations have a greater voice in our community’s development than the people within the TIF boundaries.”
Mark Gerard in article 16 of the text stated that in 2005 there was a Private Property Rights Protection Act that had passed the House and was awaiting a vote from the Senate to combat abuses of eminent domain. I predict that this "abuse" will be very difficult to prove, and situations such as the one in Lawndale will continue.
Article 31......
ReplyDeleteThe sprinkler cities profiled in this report have been dubbed the new suburbia. Packed with new development these areas promise the chance of a fresh start. The profile of suburbia is not what many suspect (majority of asian americans, half of hispanics, and 40% of blacks live in suburbs)and contain more non-family homes, young singles and elderly. Still an old tale. People keep trying to escape the perils of inner city life, but eventually it always catches up to them. No-one ever cares about the plight of the inner city until it is in their own backyard, where it always ends up, and then they pick up and move again.