“People didn’t love Rome because Rome was great. Rome was great because people loved her!”
After this week I realized that the magnificence of the great city of Chicago does not lie in its skyscrapers, its architectural wonders, its famed Chicago mixed popcorn, deep dish pizza, or prized hot dogs. The authentic richness of one of America’s greatest urban centers, resides among its proud inhabitants. Just as Rome would have existed as a land plot of little consequence, if its citizens hadn’t adored her, so too would Chicago have disappeared in the early days of land speculation had some not taken heed and invested. Still it takes more than just capital for a city to achieve greatness. Everyday I was reminded of how proud residence of Chicago were to be from Chicago. People in Chicago are invested in there communities. Even where the outside world may grimace at the impoverished and neglected peripheries of Chicago, those who live their find beauty in the cracked side walks of the their community and the struggles of their neighbors. Leaving Chicago the image of the city’s greatness that is etched in my mind are the faces of those who labor to enrich the greatness of Chicago, through their actions, advocacy, and creative expressions, together their collective greatness shadows the city’s tallest buildings.
As I have come to realize, people have not and do not love Chicago, because it is intrinsically a great city, rather Chicago was born, raised, and continues to be cherished because so many of its people love her!
Michaela Brown
Junior
History Major