With all of the turmoil going on in the world today on a global and national scale, it's sometimes hard to see the changes that are going on right at your own front door. I live in a very diverse community on the far north side of Chicago. In fact, this community has been dubbed the most diverse in the country. It's called Roger's Park and is home to about as many different kinds of people as they are. In any three block radius you can find about five different kinds of churches, restaurants, stores, and community centers. It's a rare experience and the people have worked hard to keep it stable.
Of course, it isn't idyllic. We have our squabbles amongst our neighbors. There are some gangs here and about. And, because of the diversity both in race and in economic levels, the wealthy and the poor often live right in the same block. Unfortunately, I think the instability in our world is having reverberations right here in my community. Recently, I've noticed increased gang activity right on my own corner. The tenets of my building suddenly have to deal with imposing youths camped out on our doorsteps. The noise levels of screaming kids has increased throughout the day and into the evenings. Vandalism has been blanketing our neighborhood, my building, and our cars that we park near our homes. Honestly, I've always accepted that these things happen but I've never done much to try to change it. However, the times have not only focused my energies on a national and global scale, but have also focused them on a community scale. I've made visits to my Alderman's office and the local CAPS office to find out what I can do, what other community members are doing, to keep our communities safe for all.
On the national scale, we exercise our right to vote and protest. Here, in the community, we must work together. Although, isn't working together what we have to do on any scale if we want better and safer lives? We all have to "step up" at some point or resign ourselves fatally to whatever situation we may be in. I choose to step up.
