‘Commentary’ Archives
Ilhan and Neegonnweedun
By Peter Molenaar Was it fifteen years ago that a Somali man named Jaylani suffered a psychotic breakdown at the Chicago Crossing parking lot off Franklin Avenue? He would be executed by the police before that day was done. Had he been white, people believed another outcome would have occurred. So then, Neegonnwayweedun ”“ The Thunder before the Storm ”“ yes, Clyde Bellecourt led a long column of Somali people and their supporters. Protesters marched from Lake Street down Chicago Avenue to the County Government Center. Clyde said to the Somali people “Don”'t let them send you back!” Note: This summer, at the Phillips Community Center, I witnessed a beautiful cultural exchange between Native and Somali youth. November 4, 2016”¦ We gathered at the American Indian Center to purchase copies of The Thunder before the Storm ”“ the autobiography of Clyde Bellecourt. In one passage of the book, in the spirit of forgiveness, [...]
Phillips Neighborhood is a Treasure Stay strong; Stay together; Speak for justice; We are a family here. Â
BY JANA METGE The Election has caused me to reflect; Each and Every day. I wake up thankful for this Community, for the different cultures represented, for the Sharing - for Caring - for Standing together. The history of Activism in this Neighborhood has changed the way the city and county do their businesses. Policy has been changed in areas of development, environment, criminal justice, and economics just to name a few. We have a world view in our little Phillips Neighborhoods because of all our residents, businesses, and organizations which are here building community every day. I have no doubt we will all stick together, stand up for each other, and look out for each other. Now and moving forward. The Phillips Neighborhood is a Treasure. Thank you to everyone - Every effort from greeting a neighbor, to running fabulous youth programs, to new housing, to outreach which help folks caught in prostitution turn their lives around, to Fabulous [...]
Country”'s greatness is to live and work side by side. Connect to the commonness, the beauty, and the potential in one another with compassion
BY The Ingebretsen Family As many of you know, our family is very closely connected to our own immigrant story, and because of that, we feel strongly about the importance of making a statement of support for the immigrants currently helping to shape our community. 95 years ago, our market was opened to serve the specific culinary needs of the vibrant Scandinavian immigrant community that surrounded us, much like the bodegas and halal groceries that surround us today. Our relatives began their lives here with limited to no ability to speak English, with few resources, fiercely dependent on each other”'s support for survival and sense of family and community, holding tight to the traditions that helped them feel connected to their distant homes. They dedicated themselves to learning, to growing, and to participating in the health and prosperity of our neighborhood and our democracy, a sacred tradition that extends today through the 4th generation of Ingebretsens. Today, while the [...]
