overwhelmed by issues

Cabrini Green Legal Aid: one of the best ideas for Chicago. It is not just about the legal, it is about the transformation. As a former social work major, I love the idea that it is not just about handling the crisis. I would be really curious to see what would happen if they had more funding and manpower: I guess that would be the constant issue for service oriented organizations thought.

Museum of Modern Art: challenge on the wall. I have to say that my favorite exhibit was the one promoting social change, or rather expressing injustice: William Kentridge. He is a South African and this particular exhibit was about the issues of apartheid. The art shows apartheid as a sickness is a man's body. The different images are x-rays, doctors working on him, and images of pain. Another social issue to contemplate.

El Norte: the Guatemalan struggle to the U.S. The movie shows a beautiful homeplace where the natives are forced out. Rosa and Enrique make it to LA despite the rats and start over there. They are making it, but barely. Enrique loses his job when Immigration comes to get him, and Rosa gets sick from the rats. It is this terribly tragic story of what it means to come here. And after watching it, I have to wonder if being here is worth it. I mean, we discriminate against them, treat them terribly, and don't pay them enough. Sometimes, we send them back. Another vicious cycle. Why is it that we cannot figure out these issues?

division

Friday is for Islam what Sunday is for Christianity: the world stops for about an hour for worship. Today was the first time that I had ever set foot in a mosque: I was so curious. As a woman, I was fully anticipating sitting behind a curtain for the entire service. Instead, our group was aloud to sit in the back of the main area. I had the chance to watch everything. When we first arrived, attendance seemed very low. By the time everything ended, it was SRO. I was surprised to see many of the men in traditional dress, and even more surprised to see that some of them had their children with them. One in particular was struggling to pay attention. As the service went on, and his dad was knelt down in prayer, the little boy jumped onto his father piggy-back style. I was fully expecting a sharp reprimand, or punishment of some sort. Instead, the dad lovingly embraced his son and then continued to pray. Good dad.

After the service, we joined a group of high-schoolers for an "informational session." Oh my. It started off rather well with Mary Ali giving us as much info as we could possibly take in. And then the questions started. How frustrating. The other group was Christian as well, but their intentions were not so good. The questions became very offensive quickly. Sitting in the back row, it seemed hopeless. No matter how many good questions were asked, they drowned in the sea of attacks. People do no convert in arguments. I dare say that Jesus is not honored when we try to shove Christianity down someone's throat. I am not saying that I agree with the Islamic faith. I am just saying that fighting hurts so much more than it helps. No wonder the division is so strong.

the ingrained system

After watching The Namesake this morning, I thought that I was ready for this afternoon's appointment at the Indo-American Heritage Center. The movie was well made and a beautiful portrayal of what it is to be an Indian. . . Well, an 'advantaged' Indian that is. During our meeting, the 28 year old Indian woman who now lives on Lakeshore Drive was saying that one of the hardest parts of immigration was having to do everything for yourself. We all kind of looked at each other as she went on to say that in India, maids clean the house. And one maids job can be on a better level than another: for example washing clothing over scrubbing toilets. She attributed it to cheaper labor, but she also said that our parents had fooled us into thinking that we had to do everything. Though it was funny, it also made me think. She is here right now, along with her friend, because their husband's jobs allow them to be in America, at least for a short while. But this is not a "we were in oppression and are struggling to make our way in the world" story. She spoke of the fact that Indians who come to the US are not trying to escape, but rather gaining status. This all sounds well and good. . . Until you realize how well the caste system is engraved in their minds. I doubt that we would hear the same story from her maids who are still living in India. Thus it all sounds good, until I realize that this woman is someone from my generation and is advocating the idea that some people are better than others.

lawndale

This morning I woke up with last night on my mind. I hate that the color of my skin commands attention. I hate that it makes a difference.

Arriving at Lawndale, I once again realized that I was in the minority. But it was different. This morning, I was welcome. Everyone was welcome. Energy was in the air: it was a time to be refreshed. A time for God's people to join together and embrace what church should be. Lavaughn was a grad student at Moody who spoke about self-denial for Christ. I think that I am just amazed by the grace with which life is handled. By the way their church operates, I would never have guessed how difficult their lives are. They were authentically beautiful people. They understand what hardship is; it does not scare them. Maybe it is the struggles of their lives that have taught them that love is worth the fight.

wrong color

The Unity festival was very interesting: much more African that I had imagined. And I mean African in the sense that many of the booths were selling items from Africa. The school marching band was present. . . and everything else was just getting started. Denice from the alderman's office was thrilled to see us, which really made the experience.

Between festivals, we ate hot dogs. . . on the street! Yes, a true Chicago experience down by Maxwell St.

Fiesta del Sol was a complete surprise: it is the city version of the county fair. The rides were the ones that I had grown up loving. That rickety, nauseating style to be followed by great fair food.

However, it was going to The House that really made the day. We thought we were going to a hip-hop service in Lawndale; instead we saw the community from the inside-out. Andrea and I accompanied Tiffany to the corner of 16th and Ridgeway to ask the community what they thought of the church and Jesus. It was meant to be a time for honesty and excellent listening opportunities. Surprisingly, people like the church. They think that it is a good place and they love Jesus. The only negative comment was that the church is filled with fake people (which is true). However, it was the interaction with the Chicago Police that left the biggest impression. Two cops pulled over and hopped out of their car to talk to us. One hit on Andrea, and the other said that Jesus was a rabbi. After thoroughly checking out what was happening, they asked how long we would be staying. Tiffany told them not long, and they said "say it to the camera" speaking of the security camera hanging from the lamp post across the street. After they got in the car , they looked at Tiffany and said "you take care of those girls." To which she replied, "who is gonna take care of me?" You see, Tiffany is black. Andrea and I are white. And it made a difference tonight. White people do not belong on 16th St. After the cops rolled away, Tiffany went on to explain that the color of our skin was the reason they had stopped in the first place. We talked about injustice. We talked about not belonging (every person from the area that we talked to told us to be safe). Tonight, we were the wrong color.