June 11, 2008
Is This Our Moment In The Sun?
The Sox and Cubs sit atop their respective divisions, Chicago resident and Illinois Senator Barack Obama is set to be named the Democratic Presidential candidate, and Chicago made the short-list to host the 2016 Olympics. Some have suggested that the summer of '08 is Chicago's "moment", to which we say, "Really? Just now?" Yes, Chicago has seen some great success stories so far this year: Tracy Letts' August: Osage County has a Pulitzer and is expected to add a Tony while Alinea's Grant Achatz has made headlines for his fight with cancer and for being a pretty damn good chef. And with all the other things about our great city that we love, we can understand why there's a swell of civic pride. We just think expectations should be tempered a bit. The Cubs are due any day now for their annual collapse, this year's election will be one of the most hotly contested in recent history, and we have a long road to travel before we secure the 2016 games.
Besides, doesn't Chicago kick ass anyway? Sure any of these potential successes will make Chicago shine even brighter, but even if none come to fruition, we're not going anywhere. For all its (many) drawbacks, Chicago is still a world-class city in our eyes and damn if we don't love it.
What say you, readers? Are we just being Debbie Downers? Should we have the audacity to hope? Or are we just nonplussed because we've known all along that our city rocks and rolls like no other and are surprised that the rest of the world hasn't acknowledged us as the center of the universe yet?
Photo by Joe M500
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Yes, let's enjoy all the good things, but let's be realistic, too, about modern Chicago, 2008:
--City budget strained, to say the least
--Transit a mess, as noticed by international authorities in Olympics report, and no real hope of repair/funding at this point
--Streets filled with craters
--Schools still suck
--Crime apparently increasing (as in some other cities)
--Nonstop work for US Attorney and others investigating city corruption
--Highest sales tax rate among big US cities
--Ongoing war against local music--one of the city's best attractions--by city officials
--Currently, no hope for any non-Machine SOB to win any real power in Chicago
--Demoralized cops still without a reasonable contract
--Enduring segregation, among the worst of any city I've visited
--Decreasing affordability of living here
--City Council that, despite flashes of courage, remains beholden to our Dear Munchkin Leader--that is, no real democracy in Chicago
I always think that Chicago never gets any credit (especially the White Sox.) When I travel to other countries, IF the person has heard of Chicago at all, they only know Al Capone and Michael Jordan. Not even Oprah. But you know what, I like it this way. I would hate it if this city became like Manhattan or overrun by tourists like San Francisco. The city is dealing with enough gentrification already. In my hood, every other car has out of state plates. I want to continue to be able to afford an apartment in the hood I grew up in. So, not being xenophobic, I say lets keep Chicago a good little secret...
Like Natalia, I prefer we get no credit.
I like it here.
it's quiet.
No credit for us, none.
Chicago blows, everyone STAY AWAY.
Except for Johnny Depp, he can stay.
I like Chicago I hate the politicians.
Real talk.
Sure, it's a terrific city but I am puzzled by this notion. It is clear that we are NOT on a hot streak when you look at the boarded up homes on the South Side, a situation created by high local concentration of irresponsible buyers and irresponsible lenders, and when you consider the uptick in gunshot injuries and deaths and the high dropout rates in our schools. I would agree with the list severa; posts above, also.
We are also NOT on a hot streak when you consider the businesses and jobs that continue to LEAVE Cook County because of ridiculous City and County taxes, the corruption and indictments of political hacks and public employees, when you consider the pay-to-play business at the Ward, City, County, and State levels. When you consider all these things, you can only say that this is NOT Chicago's year.
Chicago will be on hot streak when we get rid of our governor and county board president. Oh, and contrary to the B.S. that is swallowed and and promoted by naive national media venues, Mayor Mumbles is NOT doing a good job. It would be nice to get rid of him also, but I am trying to be realistic about what might happen. Well, one can dream.
sigh.. as shit as things are as mentioned above, i'm tempted to say that with weather like this, all is forgiven. but then matilda will start beating on me, declaring i'm part of the problem.. which i can't deny.
@Matilda - replace the 'war against music' claim on your list with 'apocalypse' and you've got my old home New Orleans (or Detroit). Replace it with any number of other claims and you have any other big city in the nation.