http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/487/harper-high-school-part-one Great piece. I really enjoy this american life. Basically, if you go to the school you are screwed. You can't just say no. Really it sound like Chicago is Baghdad. It is like a war zone.
Chicago is a corrupt, racist **** hole. There are very wealthy and successful people here, wonderful museums and the beach..... but right below the surface is terrible injustices, income inequality, racism far beyond anything I have seen in the South and a complete desire to hide it and act as if it does not exist. There is a serious gang issue, I would argue the worst in the country. Chicago is the murder capital of the USA... the amount of drugs in Chicago is staggering, with the most powerful drug cartel in the world having set up a distribution center with 100,000 criminal associates in the Chicago area alone. The cost of living is terrible... if you are black and poor in Chicago, you are pretty much screwed. This goes WELL beyond politics. The corruption is so bad that even the African America politicians in Chicago want to keep the status quo, and the liberal mayor and city council only like to act like it doesn't exist. Chicago is a great place to visit, the museums and beach and even Wrigley are great in the summer...... but it is not a great place to live for many, many, many people. I am a democrate but it is time that the democrates be held liable for the terrible segregation and poverty. I am not saying it is all on the democrates, as the city has been a racial powder keg with segregation since the 1880's but they have not solved the issue either.
