This is what Happens When I Get Bored at Work....

Of course we know that Chicago is a very segregated city. (China-town, Greek-town, Jew-town, etc.) The exact reason why remains unknown to me. Maybe because when racism in America was a bit more blunt, people felt it was necessary to have segregated neighborhoods. Also, different races probably felt more comfortable around their "own kind", so they sort of migrated towards the same place...maybe they were forced. Minorities might have felt living in a neighborhood with people like them, they would be accepted and wouldn't have to worry about the prejudice minds of other races; they could just be themselves. I feel that it is good that people of the same race could at least have each other in an indecent time, but at the same time, it is really sad that a variety of different races couldn't live together without having problems. It's like you buying a mini-shark to live amongst your goldfish or something...some one is going to get eaten.

Today, in my eyes, I see these segregated communities in Chicago as a cultural get away. It is so much fun to go to each community and experience something new, whether it's the food, or just different activities to participate in. Personally, my favorite my favorite community in Chicago to visit is Boystown(Lakeview), (Even though there's not much of a difference in culture) simply because the people there are the most exciting. Boystown is the liveliest neighborhood I have ever visited. In Boystown, there are awesome vintage stores, hookah bars, sex toy shops, tattoo parlors and clubs...like what's more fun than that?? If I want a taste of something different food wise, I could go to Little Italy, Pilsen, or Chinatown. (Italian, Mexican, and Chinese restaurants) It's great because when I actually travel to these different neighborhoods for food, I get a certain sense of authenticity more than I would if I were getting the same type of food from an "Americanized" restaurant; i.e. Chipotle vs. Los Comales.

Even though these different "tastes" of cultures I get from segregated communities in Chicago are amazing, I wonder if it is harming the people that live in them to never experience something different themselves? Of course, they have the freedom to travel to other communities, like everyone else, but could that freedom alone make up for the fact that they have been living among people who are all the same race as them their whole lives, or at least most of it? What message does having all of these segregated neighborhoods in Chicago send? That people in Chicago have always been a bunch of racist bastards?...maybe. However, I do believe it's awesome that everyone can have a choice of where to visit. It's just one of the many perks...or flaws of living in Chicago.