The striking thing about looking at archived stories is that the issues that may be facing Chatham today was of concern over 20 years ago. Believe it or not!
The community has two major problems. One is the vitality of its shopping strips. A far more significant problem was summed up by the Rev. Michael J. Nallen, pastor of St. Dorothy's Church and one of the few remaining whites in Chatham.Perhaps the difference between 1986 and 2009 is that the younger people may well be more apt to move to the suburbs in addition to the more upscale parts of the city such as Hyde Park, South Loop, or even the aforementioned Lincoln Park. What can Chatham offer for college graduates or even young married couples with families?
"We just had six funerals in two weeks," he said. "And this is a small parish."
It's the community's greatest challenge: "the graying of Chatham."
Chatham's pioneers are dying off, and it's an open question who'll succeed them.
America has many dreams. And the 73-year-old [US District] Judge [George N.] Leighton suggests that one of them, integration, might now be eroding the original purpose of Chatham. He wondered aloud if blacks still need such a community.
"Something has happened," he said. "The younger people are moving out. They're moving into places like Lake Point Tower, Outer Drive East, Lincoln Park. They are quietly disappearing into the integrated community. And I have no doubt that Chatham will pay a price. But I think it's good.
"When I was active in civil rights, we were talking about an integrated America. At least, that's what I understood. I thought we were struggling for the very thing that to some extent is happening now. And I have a great deal of difficulty mustering any feeling of regret about this."
You can read the whole article here!
Its amazing that the same problems exist.That is why I get upset at some of the post that make it appear that some of the issues have just started. The hypocrisy that exist in this community is that they want young middle class citizens but the actions taken by some established residents say different.
ReplyDeleteWhat actions were taken by the community that makes young middle class people unwelcome?
ReplyDeleteThe actions taken have been shutting out business people who have and want to bring those type of amenities these families want such as casual dining restaurants, premium fast food, and family entertainment centers. If they are or were not willing to fall in line with certain key groups they have and continue to be shutout.
ReplyDelete