when you say chicago

Rachel Kim, our former education editor, and Ashvini Kartik-Narayan, one of our current education editors, collaborated to hold South Side Weekly’s second student essay contest this summer. The theme for the contest was inspired by Chicago native Nate Marshall’s poem, “When I Say Chicago.” We asked students: What do you mean when you say Chicago? We wanted to hear how students “find, define, build, and maintain a sense of community in Chicago”: their answers, penned during a pandemic and a summer of immense racial injustice against Black people, were especially poignant. BY CHELSEA IKE gas station eating jollof rice and meat pie served my family We received over fifteen submissions from all over the South Side. We are extremely grateful for all of these submissions and for the time, energy, and care students put into writing them during a time of unbelievable stress, pain, and uncertainty. There were so many incredible, thoughtful essays, each offering a different view of what makes Chicago so beautiful and so special. In the end, we

When I say Chicago I mean the city I was raised in I mean the neighborhood people I grew up with I mean the 50 cent chips you can buy at the I mean the city filled with many African Americans, Hispanics and more. I mean the pizza plaza famous for its deep dish pizza I mean the busy crowded roads downtown & my sister & my brother & my nephew & my aunt & my uncle

When I say Chicago I mean the elementary school around the corner I mean the buses going to 95th/Dan Ryan and back I mean the high school that accepted my application I mean the IHOP on Blvd, Hammond that I mean the Longhorn Steakhouse I went to on my graduation I mean the city that caused pain for my neighbor & that man & that woman & that mother & that father & that sibling & that family

When I say Chicago I mean the time when I walked home from school almost everyday I mean the stray cats wandering around my neighborhood I mean the 4th of July bbq, drinking soft drinks and eating grilled meat. I mean watching the men and women jog as my dad drives past. I mean going to Nigerian gatherings and chose three essays to print. ¬

I mean going to the beach with my brother, playing with my siblings & that girl & that boy & that kid & that sand bucket & that water gun & that ball

When I say chicago I mean when my brother comes over and brings us fried chicken with fries and oreos I mean when on hot days my mom goes to the store and brings back ice cream. I mean when the weather’s warm, my sisters and I go for warm walks with our dog I mean when my dad came home with a big fluffy goldendoodle, that leaped everytime it are feeling

saw us. I mean the cold winters when I was forced to wear heavy coats and clothing I mean the warm days when I got fast food with my senior friend & this guy & that girl & that group & this friend & that friend & this kid

When I say Chicago I mean the nice people greeting one another on the sidewalks I mean people selling CDs at park or gas station I mean people sitting down and chatting at restaurants I mean people on business calls, rushing to get to work I mean people giving out donations of foods, clothing, and hygiene products I mean people donating money to the poor & to charity & to programs & to clothing brands & to makeup brands & to shoe brands

When I say Chicago I think about my family and my closest friends I think about my past and my regrets I think about my broken bonds and tied ones I think about the happy and exciting moments I think about the depressing and anxious moments I think about the pain my people of color & to small businesses

& how they’re feeling & how she’s feeling & how he’s feeling & how Hispanics are feeling & how Asians are feeling & how Native Americans and Muslims are feeling & how Blacks are feeling.

Chelsea Ike is a student at the Richard T. Crane Medical Prep High School. She is one of three winners of the South Side Weekly 2020 Student Essay Contest. This is her first contribution to the Weekly.

BY ANGELA WILLIAMS

When I say Chicago, I mean its violence. The chaos that crowds our broken, discombobulated streets and sidewalks every day. Riots that cry and wail for justice, flames that clog the throats of our activists. Torn up neighborhoods and families, hiding from the wars that yet again lead to dismay. Fear of a contagious disease, the world enslaved in hell with the walls closing in on them. Innocent people murdered for their color, massacred for their strength.

Sometimes, being here is disappointing. What people have done to “justify” other cruel actions. To steal from those who need what they have is not making anything right. You’re just as much of a criminal.

When I say Chicago, I mean its beauty. Leaders engaging with their community to help lead a land for the free. Our people are together to bring life during these trying times. Angels give a helping hand to people in need. Despite the despair and pure loss of hope, we pursue our passions that blow millions away! Perhaps that's why we call ourselves the “Windy City.” The cool breeze of color paints our world, and it's gorgeous inside and out.

When I say Chicago, I mean its reliability. Workers come in day after day to provide for their city. Professionals push themselves to guarantee the security of this city's citizens. Policymakers write the rules to restrict downfall. Organizations help contribute to the villages of low-income. Several of the gifted voluntarily open their wings. Commanders are cautious of their actions that affect their residents.

When I say Chicago, I mean its connection to me. Due to being here my whole life, this city is a part of me. Most of my family stay near or around me. The artistic societies I wish to take part in motivated me to be who I am today. Even though I grew up here and have seen practically nowhere else, I still ache for change. The gunshots that go off in the night. Cries of more victims, making it hard to keep friends. Reaching out for help and being rejected. Feeling this horrid, pitiful feeling for the ones I've lost. Chicago has shown me a lot. Of course, some are dreadful and some sweet. But, this is the

I’M FROM CHICAGO

BY MORGAN NEW Where it’s shoot or get shot. You’re not beautiful you’re hot. Bullets fly and bodies drop. Where you are his side chick not his wife. Some girls don’t go anywhere without a knife, and you can be 16 in a cell doing life.

I’m from Chicago where mommas bury their sons while their daughters are on the run. Some twelve-year-olds can't go anywhere without a gun. I’m from Chicago, where making it to twenty-one is a blessing, and walking down the streets leaves you stressing.

I’m from Chicago, where people have nowhere to stay and girls tell some of the only real men out here to stay safe because they could die the next day.

Listen I'm from Chicago, where mommas crying, children dying, police place where I got to decide who I wanted to be. And I'm so very appreciative of that.

When I say Chicago, I mean its people. Groups that assist the poor, and the poor that are beneficial to the rich. Those that choose to lead to the light or pull followers into their darkness they emit. A separation between the races that aren’t fully intentional. An absent sense of order as stores come to a close from the fear of their people. Patients clinging to their lives, fighting for the ones they love. Our people are strong but easily misled. Which brings me to the conclusions I’ve made over the years. The people of this city are a complex blend, and that’s one of the many reasons that I still have some love left. Everything here is diverse and different. All communities support one another and live together in an attempt to harmonize. When I think of Chicago, I think of the sacrifices many have made. And I just want to say, thank you. Without you, many would be lost. So please, keep going. What you’re doing is making life so much easier to deal with right now. I appreciate you all in all you do. So, thank you. Continue to lying, gangs riding, people still trying to have hope. But I’m from Chicago and I won’t ever hide it.

I’m from Chicago, but don’t forget, our skyline is the best there’s ever been and Navy Pier never fails to make you feel like a kid again.

I’m from Chicago, so you know I like that deep dish and other places wish they had pizza as good as this.

I’m from Chicago, and though our winters are rough, it makes Chicagoans tough enough to face whatever life throws at us. So stop coming for Chicago because your city probably has issues on it’s own. We might have different problems but you still should focus on the place you call home.

And if you’re ever driving late at night make sure to drive by the beautiful Lake Shore Drive. Also don’t forget about the

BY ANGELA WILLIAMS

stay safe. You’re doing great! Remember that many love you all for what you do. I couldn’t feel more blessed. We could have better, but that’s something we’ll earn. Stay strong Chicago, and stand tall.

Angela Williams is a student at Richard T. Crane Medical Prep High School. She is a 16-year-old aspiring visual artist whose passion comes from the stars above. She can be found on Twitter at @starcanbe, and on Instagram at @starcanreallybe. She runs an online t-shirt store at stararts20.myshopify. com. She is one of three winners of the South Side Weekly 2020 Student Essay Contest. This is her first contribution to the Weekly, and she is hoping to grow more with the Weekly in

BY ANTHONY NGUYEN

I’m from Chicago.

the future. original water tower which was the only thing that didn’t burn, in a fire started by a lantern kicked down by Mrs. O’Leary’s cow. Don’t know if that’s the real story but that’s what I learned.

And if you’re ever on vacation, wherever you go... just know Chicago will always be here to welcome you home. So now you know the reason why I’m from Chicago, and I won’t EVER hide it.

Morgan New is an actress, model, and dancer, born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. She is currently a sophomore at The Chicago High School for the Arts with a 4.3 GPA. Morgan has received numerous awards for her writing and academic achievements. She is one of three winners of the South Side Weekly 2020 Student Essay Contest. This is her first contribution to the Weekly.