I was reading through various blogs and there were a couple that caught my eye, but Cesar's in particular. He talked about 47th street and some of the kids around there:
"These kids just go to school to gangbang and deal drugs not even paying attention to school or caring about graduation. I think it would be best if Mayor Daley would implement some sort of program to help out these kids becuase the YMCA isn't doing a good job. Some sort of an after school program should help out the kids, something along the lines of anti-gang violence."
This caught my eye because it's something that I've been saying for the longest time. I am a strong advocate for after-school programs for kids. I was mad when they tore down the Boys & Girls Club that used to be at Taylor and Racine (it's been torn down for almost 5 years now). And then when they were doing the rehabilitation of that entire neighborhood, I was saying that they should turn the old school that's on Ada just off of Taylor, they should turn that into a new Boys & Girls Club. For the most part, though, my views really solidified when some kids from Galileo Math & Science Academy pulled a knife on myself and some friends in the park behind their school (Sheridan Park). There's nothing for them to do, so they harass other people in the neighborhood. I've watched various video documentaries and read multiple books about kids who grew up in the projects and all of them had one thing in common: their Boys & Girls Club was their escape. There was someone there was someone there who was a mentor to them and helped them keep their priorities straight. And here you have a first-hand account of someone who went to school in a neighborhood that lacked an after-school program. I have always thought that after-school programs were a necessity, but maybe that's because I grew up in my mom's after-school daycare, which was just as good as a Boys & Girls Club with our snack time and homework time. Something along those lines is what the city needs--everywhere. It's not enough to have just a few placed here and there. It really isn't. Mayor Daley does need to step in and help the situation by making more after-school programs. And that means more funding for the schools so they can afford to pay people to stay. It all comes down to funding. So, Mayor Daley, is that was these taxes are for??
Monday, November 19, 2007
Questions Questions Questions
I have entirely way too many questions that seem like they should have common sense answers. A lot of them pertain to public transportation, but they're still important to me:
Why isn't there any security on the CTA? There's always reckless kids on the cars harassing anybody and everybody. And as I've mentioned before, my mouth tends to get me in trouble. I've definitely barely avoided getting into fights with these kids, but I never start anything. I can only be provoked for so long. They need to stop instigating. Or better yet, just get off the train.
Where are all these new taxes going? What are they going towards? As far as I'm concerned, they should all go towards CPS. No more new streets where they aren't necessary and no more huge parks that aren't raking in the proposed profits.
What is it that's really attractive about Chicago? We have so many problems, I really don't see why anybody would want to move here. I mean, staying here is a whole other story--this is home. But for somebody to move here in the midst of all this? Why??
If people are so against the fare-hikes on the CTA, why don't they just boycott it? That would do something, right? I mean this is how I see it: LA gets a lot more public funding than Chicago. But that's because there's not a whole lot of people riding it, so they need to make it look appealing to get people to actually ride it. Chicago, on the other hand, we'll ride on anything. So even if they train is rundown and falling apart, they know they'll still get some business. Maybe if we show them that they really need to fix the situation by boycotting it, we'll actually see some changes.
Why is there ALWAYS some sort of construction going on? Will we never be happy with what we have?
How does such a big city with high taxes already have so many big financial problems?
At this rate, it seems like we're going to go into a big depression. Please don't tell me I'll have to move to another city! Ahhh!
Why isn't there any security on the CTA? There's always reckless kids on the cars harassing anybody and everybody. And as I've mentioned before, my mouth tends to get me in trouble. I've definitely barely avoided getting into fights with these kids, but I never start anything. I can only be provoked for so long. They need to stop instigating. Or better yet, just get off the train.
Where are all these new taxes going? What are they going towards? As far as I'm concerned, they should all go towards CPS. No more new streets where they aren't necessary and no more huge parks that aren't raking in the proposed profits.
What is it that's really attractive about Chicago? We have so many problems, I really don't see why anybody would want to move here. I mean, staying here is a whole other story--this is home. But for somebody to move here in the midst of all this? Why??
If people are so against the fare-hikes on the CTA, why don't they just boycott it? That would do something, right? I mean this is how I see it: LA gets a lot more public funding than Chicago. But that's because there's not a whole lot of people riding it, so they need to make it look appealing to get people to actually ride it. Chicago, on the other hand, we'll ride on anything. So even if they train is rundown and falling apart, they know they'll still get some business. Maybe if we show them that they really need to fix the situation by boycotting it, we'll actually see some changes.
Why is there ALWAYS some sort of construction going on? Will we never be happy with what we have?
How does such a big city with high taxes already have so many big financial problems?
At this rate, it seems like we're going to go into a big depression. Please don't tell me I'll have to move to another city! Ahhh!
CPD
Ugh. Need I say more? I'm not exactly sure what started it, but I really do not like cops. Not even just Chicago police officers, but police officers in general. I guess I'm a bit prejudiced towards them, though, so I'm kinda the bad guy in this situation. But either way, cops--Chicago cops, especially--just rub me the wrong way. Almost every time I have an encounter with one of them, I'm greeted by a HUGE attitude. And I have a big attitude of my own, so it's hard for me to not say anything. But I don't wanna get in trouble, so I have to keep my mouth shut. It's just, I feel like I can't even ask a cop a question without feeling like I'm bothering him--or her. I don't know if it's a power trip these cops get on, but they just always wanna find something wrong that you're doing.
I mean, sure, you have your fair share of nice cops. The ones who actually seem like they're out there to protect the public. There's just too many cops who seem like they just want to catch the bad guy--even if the "bad guy" isn't bad at all. You catch my drift? I'll have cops pull up next to me when I'm driving down the street and they're searching through the car trying to find something to get me for. Or they'll slow up and get behind me. And I just know they're checking my plates to see if there's anything fishy. You know what I mean? I know I'm not the only one who gets this vibe from cops.
One thing I noticed is that it is GREAT to know a Chicago police officer. One of my friend's dads is a Chicago Police officer, but he doesn't do patrol-work. No, he's higher up on the totem pole and travels a lot doing the DARE program. He holds a lot of ground within in the Chicago Police Department. I've mentioned his name before and cops have just stopped talking to me. Now, the particular cop I'm referring to was clearly a shady cop, so I'm not sure if he stopped talking to me because he knew he couldn't get me for anything (since I had that connection up top) or because he didn't wanna say anything that could potentially get himself in trouble. But either way, it got the cop off my back. Haha. It's just all very political. And it's all about who you know and who knows you. I just know that I steer clear of cops every chance I get. I just don't like having to hold my tongue, but I know that my mouth is gonna get me in trouble sooner or later. So I'd rather just avoid the situation altogether.
I mean, sure, you have your fair share of nice cops. The ones who actually seem like they're out there to protect the public. There's just too many cops who seem like they just want to catch the bad guy--even if the "bad guy" isn't bad at all. You catch my drift? I'll have cops pull up next to me when I'm driving down the street and they're searching through the car trying to find something to get me for. Or they'll slow up and get behind me. And I just know they're checking my plates to see if there's anything fishy. You know what I mean? I know I'm not the only one who gets this vibe from cops.
One thing I noticed is that it is GREAT to know a Chicago police officer. One of my friend's dads is a Chicago Police officer, but he doesn't do patrol-work. No, he's higher up on the totem pole and travels a lot doing the DARE program. He holds a lot of ground within in the Chicago Police Department. I've mentioned his name before and cops have just stopped talking to me. Now, the particular cop I'm referring to was clearly a shady cop, so I'm not sure if he stopped talking to me because he knew he couldn't get me for anything (since I had that connection up top) or because he didn't wanna say anything that could potentially get himself in trouble. But either way, it got the cop off my back. Haha. It's just all very political. And it's all about who you know and who knows you. I just know that I steer clear of cops every chance I get. I just don't like having to hold my tongue, but I know that my mouth is gonna get me in trouble sooner or later. So I'd rather just avoid the situation altogether.
Creative Class
So Richard Florida mainly talks about how companies and cities are gearing themselves to appeal to the "creative class." Why? Because rumor has it that's where all the profits come from. It's a strange idea at first, I was even a bit thrown off by his intro. Usually, it's the artsy kids who are being exiled and ignored. They're generally type-casted as being strange or weird and are even pariahs at times. But those are who make a company thrive. They are the ones who come up with brilliant ideas and help companies just flourish. I had to think about it for a minute before I fully understood what Florida was getting at, but now it almost seems like common sense.
Cities need idea-filled people, otherwise things aren't going to change. And, generally speaking, change is good, right? So how is a city gonna go anywhere if nothing changes. Well, I guess it's not. So the Creative Class is a good thing. And it's even better because a big bulk of it comes from my generation--so that makes me feel extra special. ^_^
Companies are changing themselves, too. They're making themselves seem more appealing because they want the artsy kids to choose them. They want the people with creative ideas and unique ways of thinking to be drawn in their direction. It almost seems natural. So it's a win-win situation. Companies are getting the kids with the big ideas while the kids are getting jobs in flourishing cities and rich companies. It doesn't seem like anything's wrong with that.
Cities need idea-filled people, otherwise things aren't going to change. And, generally speaking, change is good, right? So how is a city gonna go anywhere if nothing changes. Well, I guess it's not. So the Creative Class is a good thing. And it's even better because a big bulk of it comes from my generation--so that makes me feel extra special. ^_^
Companies are changing themselves, too. They're making themselves seem more appealing because they want the artsy kids to choose them. They want the people with creative ideas and unique ways of thinking to be drawn in their direction. It almost seems natural. So it's a win-win situation. Companies are getting the kids with the big ideas while the kids are getting jobs in flourishing cities and rich companies. It doesn't seem like anything's wrong with that.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Christmas in Chicago...
...is absolutely GORGEOUS. I love going by Millennium Park and seeing everyone skating outside and enjoying the lights and the holiday season. The city just looks amazing during the winter. Everything is all decorated all pretty. And then the snow (the fresh, white snow, at least) just makes everything stand out and pop. It amazes me every time I go downtown. I'm just hypnotized by the lights in the trees and the decorations along lightpoles and in store windows. It just warms my heart. Maybe because it reminds me of the movies like Miracle on 34th Street, but either way, it's still absolutely beautiful. (I've realized through writing these blogs that I love the word "absolutely.")
I've only gone ice skating downtown once--that I remember at least. It was for my friend's birthday two years ago. It was so much fun, I don't really know why I haven't gone back yet. But it was so much fun. Just being outside just a couple blocks from the lakefront in the heart of the city. I don't know, I guess you could say I felt actually a part of the city, you know?
But that's besides the point. What I had intended on getting at when I started this was the way the city can, as big as it is, make itself seem like a fun little town. The way it unifies itself during certain times makes it feel like that. Like, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all of the buildings have pink lights glowing from their rooftops. Even Navy Pier has each building along the pier lit up in pink lights. And the diamond shaped building (I don't know the name it goes by. Whoops.) will usually have a message corresponding to the lights. Like, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it says "Think Pink" I'm pretty sure. Last night, though, I noticed that it says "Pink + Blue." Now, I'm not too sure what that's for, but since I was driving down Lake Shore Drive, I was able to get a good look at all the buildings, I noticed that there was indeed a mixture of some pink lights and some blue lights. It just amazes me how a city so big can be so coordinated, you know? (So I guess Daley deserves some credit.)
But Christmas is still my favorite time to be in the city. I especially love going by the Marshall Field's building because they always have the best window displays. And actually going into the store and going up to the Walnut Lounge (you all know what I'm talking about, right?), well that big Christmas tree always gets me going. Its ornaments are ginormous and the train goes all the way around it. At least, that's how it was when I was there last--like 5 years ago. But still, that's the image I have in my head, so that's what I know. I'm just really looking forward to all the decorations for this year and I think I'm actually going to go out and soak as much of it up as I can. I have a long to-do list for this season.
I've only gone ice skating downtown once--that I remember at least. It was for my friend's birthday two years ago. It was so much fun, I don't really know why I haven't gone back yet. But it was so much fun. Just being outside just a couple blocks from the lakefront in the heart of the city. I don't know, I guess you could say I felt actually a part of the city, you know?
But that's besides the point. What I had intended on getting at when I started this was the way the city can, as big as it is, make itself seem like a fun little town. The way it unifies itself during certain times makes it feel like that. Like, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all of the buildings have pink lights glowing from their rooftops. Even Navy Pier has each building along the pier lit up in pink lights. And the diamond shaped building (I don't know the name it goes by. Whoops.) will usually have a message corresponding to the lights. Like, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it says "Think Pink" I'm pretty sure. Last night, though, I noticed that it says "Pink + Blue." Now, I'm not too sure what that's for, but since I was driving down Lake Shore Drive, I was able to get a good look at all the buildings, I noticed that there was indeed a mixture of some pink lights and some blue lights. It just amazes me how a city so big can be so coordinated, you know? (So I guess Daley deserves some credit.)
But Christmas is still my favorite time to be in the city. I especially love going by the Marshall Field's building because they always have the best window displays. And actually going into the store and going up to the Walnut Lounge (you all know what I'm talking about, right?), well that big Christmas tree always gets me going. Its ornaments are ginormous and the train goes all the way around it. At least, that's how it was when I was there last--like 5 years ago. But still, that's the image I have in my head, so that's what I know. I'm just really looking forward to all the decorations for this year and I think I'm actually going to go out and soak as much of it up as I can. I have a long to-do list for this season.
Chicago Public Schools
It seems like there has always been a problem with Chicago Public Schools. Well, in most neighborhoods at least. The funding for the schools is based off of property taxes. And since different neighborhoods have different property values, the fundings for the schools in each neighborhood is different. So, with that sytem in place, you have more money going towards schools in neighborhoods where the property costs a lot more. So you can assume that the kids who go to the better-funded schools come from families with more money, since they can afford the more expensive housing. And vice versa; the not-so-well-funded schools are attended by students who are coming from poorer families. So, the question is, is this way of funding the public schools a good one?
My response: No. I think that it segregates the city so much more. It really separates the poor from the rich. The poorer schools have less teachers and larger classes and not as many amenities. The richer schools, however, are able to pay more teachers to have smaller classes and are able to keep extracurriculars around. The poor kids are almost punished for coming from a poor family, and that's just not right. Sure, "life's not fair" but this is America--one of the most prosperous cities in America, at that--and we should be able to work out a better system that would ensure everyone gets the same education. Here's my proposal.
How about doing a blanket tax. Like, it could still be based on property taxes, but instead of focusing all of that on the school in that neighborhoods, pool it all together and distribute it equally. Yes, I know that would make the richer end of the rope angry because their tax money would be going towards funding schools in the "ghetto." But in my eyes, that's good. Because they would realize the need to help the "ghetto." It would no longer be a distant problem, one they don't have to deal with. And that might actually help the city become desegregated and more equal on an economical level.
That's just the way I see it. Maybe I'm just being an idealist in thinking that, but I believe strongly in it. I honestly think that by doing that, it'd be a wake up call to the richer people of Chicago and they'd be motivated to help the city in its entirety.
My response: No. I think that it segregates the city so much more. It really separates the poor from the rich. The poorer schools have less teachers and larger classes and not as many amenities. The richer schools, however, are able to pay more teachers to have smaller classes and are able to keep extracurriculars around. The poor kids are almost punished for coming from a poor family, and that's just not right. Sure, "life's not fair" but this is America--one of the most prosperous cities in America, at that--and we should be able to work out a better system that would ensure everyone gets the same education. Here's my proposal.
How about doing a blanket tax. Like, it could still be based on property taxes, but instead of focusing all of that on the school in that neighborhoods, pool it all together and distribute it equally. Yes, I know that would make the richer end of the rope angry because their tax money would be going towards funding schools in the "ghetto." But in my eyes, that's good. Because they would realize the need to help the "ghetto." It would no longer be a distant problem, one they don't have to deal with. And that might actually help the city become desegregated and more equal on an economical level.
That's just the way I see it. Maybe I'm just being an idealist in thinking that, but I believe strongly in it. I honestly think that by doing that, it'd be a wake up call to the richer people of Chicago and they'd be motivated to help the city in its entirety.
My 5 Favorite Places
OK, so I've been thinking about what I'm going to put for this blog ever since we received or second sheet of assignments. And I've come up with this:
1) My dormroom
2) The El
3) The lakefront--between North Ave. and Chicago Ave.
4) My friend's grandma's house in Hyde Park
5) My highschool--St. Ignatius (Roosevelt and Blue Island)
And here are my reasons:
1) I absolutely love being in my dormroom because it's my room. As a matter of fact, I just love being in the building. The view is absolutely amazing. Especially from the top floor lounge in my building. It looks straight at the skyline...it's gorgeous. Sometimes, I'll go sit and just gaze out the window for what seems like forever.
2) I love being in public spaces; I'm a people-watcher. I love taking the CTA and just thinking things over, watching the way people interact. It's interesting to me. But more than anything, it's the best way for me to work through things. I'll just sit on a train for a prolonged period of time--sometimes even hours--and just think about things, work them out in my mind. So, in a way, it's a win-win situation for me. If I'm not working things out for myself, I get to watch people interact.
3) Well, this one really only works in the summer, but I have to admit, I'll go out there in the dead of winter, too. The sound of the waves crashing, especially like they were last night, just puts me at ease. Everytime I go to the lakefront, it feels like I'm escaping in a sense.
4) First of all, my friend's grandma is like my grandma. I love her to death. And when I'm at that house, I feel like I actually have a grandma (all of my grandparents died by the time I was three). She'll start cooking up dinner and we'll all sit in the kitchen--which is so reminiscent of the 70s--and talk and tell stories and just have so much fun. And then the neighborhood itself is so calming and just so nice. I go over there every chance I get, even if my friend isn't over there.
5) Yes, I like to go back to my highschool. Preferably with friends who I graduated with, but I'll go by myself, too. There's just so many memories there, I like going back because it's easier to reminisce that way. I mean, yea, it's strange tha there's all kinds of new kids there, but I still like being at the actually school. And then it's right down the street, so it's easy to go back. A lot of people say that they don't like going back to highschool--that once they're done, they're done. And I was like that at first, too. But I can't lie--I like going back.
1) My dormroom
2) The El
3) The lakefront--between North Ave. and Chicago Ave.
4) My friend's grandma's house in Hyde Park
5) My highschool--St. Ignatius (Roosevelt and Blue Island)
And here are my reasons:
1) I absolutely love being in my dormroom because it's my room. As a matter of fact, I just love being in the building. The view is absolutely amazing. Especially from the top floor lounge in my building. It looks straight at the skyline...it's gorgeous. Sometimes, I'll go sit and just gaze out the window for what seems like forever.
2) I love being in public spaces; I'm a people-watcher. I love taking the CTA and just thinking things over, watching the way people interact. It's interesting to me. But more than anything, it's the best way for me to work through things. I'll just sit on a train for a prolonged period of time--sometimes even hours--and just think about things, work them out in my mind. So, in a way, it's a win-win situation for me. If I'm not working things out for myself, I get to watch people interact.
3) Well, this one really only works in the summer, but I have to admit, I'll go out there in the dead of winter, too. The sound of the waves crashing, especially like they were last night, just puts me at ease. Everytime I go to the lakefront, it feels like I'm escaping in a sense.
4) First of all, my friend's grandma is like my grandma. I love her to death. And when I'm at that house, I feel like I actually have a grandma (all of my grandparents died by the time I was three). She'll start cooking up dinner and we'll all sit in the kitchen--which is so reminiscent of the 70s--and talk and tell stories and just have so much fun. And then the neighborhood itself is so calming and just so nice. I go over there every chance I get, even if my friend isn't over there.
5) Yes, I like to go back to my highschool. Preferably with friends who I graduated with, but I'll go by myself, too. There's just so many memories there, I like going back because it's easier to reminisce that way. I mean, yea, it's strange tha there's all kinds of new kids there, but I still like being at the actually school. And then it's right down the street, so it's easy to go back. A lot of people say that they don't like going back to highschool--that once they're done, they're done. And I was like that at first, too. But I can't lie--I like going back.
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