WBEZ: The city’s middle class, once the backbone of Chicago, is declining so swiftly that it’s almost gone

Back to one of the subjects this blog had hoped to cover, the middle class. Chicago's middle class is shrinking according to this article from WBEZ. Increasingly Chicago is becoming home to not only higher income people, also lower income people as well.

The city’s middle class, once the backbone of Chicago, is declining so swiftly that it’s almost gone https://t.co/re8FwcZnT9 pic.twitter.com/1NB5kt8n6z

— WBEZ (@WBEZ) February 19, 2019

Chicago has long been defined by its stubborn racial segregation, but income segregation is “more extreme now” than in the past, Smith said.

Many of the neighborhoods that were middle income in 1970 are now lower income.

“But what's been more striking is a significant increase in high-income people moving into the city,” Smith said.

Just 8 percent of Chicago's census tracts were considered high or very high income in 1970. Today, more than one-fifth of the city’s census tracts are higher income.

 

Crain's: Why so many young Chicago men pull the trigger

Go Falcons!

One attempt to get a handle on the issue of gun violence in Chicago's crime ridden neighborhoods. At one point in time this blog strived to avoid issues of crime even though I recognize it as a reality in our fair city.

Regardless the fact that a shooting and the volume of them is news not just locally but nationally also is problematic. We all hope for a solution to save our young people. No easy answers, but something has to be done about the violence.

Also for this, there will be three parts to this series. I hope to be able to share the other ones as they're published.

#JRW Player's Plight Opens Door For More To Get Help

After such a joyous week in sports, we learned of an unfortunate story. Jaheim Benton, a young man who went all the way to the Little League World Series as a member of the Chicago-based Jackie Robinson West team turned out to be homeless.

Thankfully, Spencer Leak, Jr. -- a local mortician-- sent the young man and his family some help.

I'm not big on utilizing religious imagery but I'm truly glad this young man and his family is getting the help he needs. It's certainly good that he gets this attention because he's part of a champion little league baseball team.

We must remember that he isn't the only child who may be part of a family who's homeless. Hopefully these other young people and their families will also get the help they need.
Crossposted to Zack's TV!

Pressure continues on Black legislators on gay marriage

Back in April, I did a post asking if anyone believes that Black religious leaders are chasing the wrong issue as far as gay marriage. Two months later we see that gay marriage is still an issue to consider for Black state legislators. Before the recent legislative session ended in May, legislation that would've allowed for gay marriage failed to come up for a vote.

A group of Black religious leaders led by former state Senator James Meeks - who also just so happen to be the Pastor at Salem Baptist Church located in the Pullman neighborhood - has been targeting Black state legislators on this issue. Reportedly Rev. Meeks himself provides the voice to the new round of robocalls produced by Family Pac that are opposed to gay marriage.

After these robocalls started again, a south side state legislator - state Rep. Monique Davis - who appeared to be leaning towards the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act has now come out as a no vote on this legislation. She claimed that the calls to her office on this issue has been 15-1 in opposition.

Two of our local state Representatives - Andre Thapedi & Elgie Sims - are being targeted by these opposition robocalls. I'm curious as to how much opposition or support they're running into on this issue at least from their constituents.

In the meanwhile, check out this robocall you can hear over at the Capitol Fax airing on "Black-oriented" radio stations that feature President & First Lady Obama that is in support of gay marriage. The President has already come out in favor, although, it apparently hasn't moved the pending legislation past either chamber of the General Assembly as of yet.

Are Black ministers chasing after the wrong issue?

As of late gay marriage is the debate of the moment. It has heated up even though we already have in this state civil unions for everybody. Still right now in spite of the many issues that are truly affecting this state such as its finances, crime, economy, etc. gay marriage seems to have the attention of our state's leadership.

I found this comment interesting this morning from a Tribune article found via Capitol Fax last Thursday. The underlying issue is gay marriage, however, there is a wrinkle in this as many of this state's Black legislators aren't yet on board:

"To be honest with you, it's a little disheartening," said Democratic Rep. Will Davis of Homewood, a black caucus member who has not made up his mind as he works out whether gay marriage is a moral or public policy issue.

"There are so many large-scale issues important to the black community, but you've never heard from them," Davis said of the churches opposed to gay marriage. "This doesn't create jobs. It doesn't create opportunities and, for the most part, they are silent on helping African-Americans getting job opportunities in this state. They are silent on the increasing prison population."

The second paragraph is worth some discussion. It could beg the question if you believe that Black churches should be taking a bigger role in helping Blacks get job opportunities or having a role with regards to the prison population such as keeping people out of jail.

On the other hand I'm sure many of you might disagree with Rep. Davis' statement above. Hopefully someone has something to say. I will open up comments for this one, no moderation for this posting just stay within the moderating rules.