Chi-Urban Excursion

I often take for granted that I am the offspring of former “illegal aliens”. Thirty years ago, my parents journeyed to America from third-world countries in order to find better economic opportunities. Today, after the struggles of deportation and trying to attain citizenship, my parents are able to take a proud glance back at the past and say that they’ve successfully obtained their small slice of the American dream. That is why I sincerely appreciated today. On Day 3 of the Chi-Urban Excursion, we encountered themes centered on immigration and the social implications they have on members of the greater Chicago area—namely, Chicago’s Pilsen Neighborhood, which is home to the highest population of Mexicans in the city.

We began the day with a lesson taught by Reverend Eardly at the Chicago Center for Urban Education. More than 20 years ago, Rev. Eardly immigrated from Sri-Lanka to America with his wife and two children. His story, along with his encouragement to view immigration from a Christian perspective aided our understanding of how distorted the typical American view towards immigration is. He reminded us that deportation can tear families apart as it keeps loved ones from seeing each other and leave strangers to raise the children of deported parents. During the lesson, we also learned that EVERY person has rights, even the undocumented immigrant. This part of the lesson aided my recollection of a time I overheard a couple of students at GU praising restrictive immigration policies. One student even said “Illegal children should pay for public school education or just not use our school systems at all!” This struck tender chord with me not only because the struggles my parents faced, but because my education at Gonzaga has taught me about the extreme importance of human dignity and the human being’s inherent worth as a creation of God.

Following Rev. Eardly’s lesson, we visited Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood where we first ate some amazing authentic Mexican food for only $6 a person (soo delicious)! We were then led on a tour the neighborhood by local artist, Jose Guererro. The Pilsen neighborhood is home to the some of the most beautiful murals painted by Mexican artists. These murals utilize a surrealist style of art and as Jose mentioned, are not “art for art’s sake”, rather, they encompass sociopolitical themes. Being that the Pilsen neighborhood is home to the highest population of Mexicans in the city, Jose often commented on themes similar to those brought up by Rev. Eardley. In America, we hyper-inflate the issue of immigration and this ironically seems to happen during times of economic distress. The Murals of Pilsen protest this unjust inconsistency while celebrating Mexican culture and heritage.

            Again, I appreciated today. On Day 3 of the Chi-Urban excursion, I was reminded that issues regarding immigration are very important to me and serve as a great platform to speak on certain social injustices humans face everyday. Chicago and its Pilsen neighborhood is such an amazing place! I don’t want to leave!

Myra

Gentrification.  What is it?  The definition, as I have learned today, has many layers.  This term describes how minority populations are often pushed out of their native neighborhoods and forced to surrender their home to the majority population.  Even more disturbing, it describes how the majority systematically diminishes the minority’s culture as if it never existed.  Buildings are renovated, stores and restaurants are converted into chain businesses, and all other trace of the community’s culture is erased.

I think what struck me most today during our Puerto Rican excursion was the fact that this community literally had to “mark their territory” in 1995 with two 30-ton steel and cement flag poles.  Our tour guide, Eduardo, explained that the structure of the flagpoles was very deliberate and intentional to signal to others that they were there to stay.  Both the flagpole and flag were built to each weigh ten tons and extend to over 5o feet.  To support such a large structure, there are ten tons of cement and steel support underground.  Think about that.  Thirty TONS.  Is that what is takes to stop majority populations from invading the minority’s space?  While the flag structures serve as proud reminders of their history and culture it is frustrating to think that they literally had to “mark their territory.”

Gentrification.  What can we do about it?  As Eduardo proposed, we can begin by working from the inside out.  In order to preserve the Puerto Rican culture it is important to work within the community and serve as a continuous inspiration to the next generation and to inspire them to do the same.  Hopefully with Eduardo’s effort and the efforts from others within the community the Puerto Rican community can be preserved for decades to come.

Meg Smith

Seeing one, 30 ton flags, on one end of the block, going down six blocks, and seeing another 30 ton flag was really life changing. I mean, the flags are massive. But, they are not just for looks; they mean so much more. The neighborhood between these flags represents the Puerto Rican neighborhood; their culture, their family, their territory… And they want to keep it that way.

First hearing the story about how the Puerto Rican neighborhood wanting to stay within their area, mainly because of not wanted to be gentrified, I did not understand. With times somewhat changing and people becoming more opened to different cultures, I believed they should be willing to want to be one with everyone else. Then, hearing about the Puerto Rican situation first hand from someone who has had to deal with his neighborhood being relocated within Chicago, Edwardo, I changed my views. Chicago has already took over one Puerto Rican neighborhood, Lincoln Park, and made it so upscale that not only can Puerto Rican’s not afford it but, no one would ever know it was a Puerto Ricans area unless they were told. They highly fear that they are going to loss their culture and have to be relocated; of course they do not want this to happen. So, they have fought to stay together within a six block radius in order to prosper within.
Hearing stories about my ancestor and seeing how my hometown has been torn down and rebuilt to the point that it is unaffordable to the people that were their first, I hope that the Puerto Ricans can maintain their area and their culture.

BB

After a long day of travel yesterday we made it to Chicago!! We were greeted by 60 degree weather and a light breeze… very nice for Chicago! We checked into our hostel (which is very trendy and modern) and then went to Devon Street, a large Pakistani and Indian commercial area.  We did some shopping and ate an amazing authentic Indian dinner.  We were exhausted and enjoyed the time to eat and take in the culture.  The weather forcast says it will be nice all week, it is supposed to be in the low 70s! I think it is a sign for a great week ahead!

LT