It's All Good In The Neighborhood

by Nicole Ricks

Did you know the city of Chicago is made up of dozens of neighborhoods?

Each Practicum Group is given a different neighborhood to explore and experience throughout the semester. My group is learning about Lawndale - which is on the southwest side of Chicago. Our first experience was to attend a church service. A hip hop church service. On a dark and dreary Saturday night, my group made the 45 minute trek to the neighborhood. As I watched out the window of the El train, the scenery was noticeably changing. No more skyscrapers. A lot less people. A lot less white people. Lawndale is primarily an African-American neighborhood. (Chicago is extremely segregated - quite possibly the most segregated city in America to this day.)

My practicum got off the train. It's dark. It's the southwest side of Chicago notoriously known for being sketchy. A lot of us are feeling a little uneasy as we make our way to The House, a ministry of Lawndale Community Church. Our group at least quadruples the Caucasian population in the congregation. Someone's rapping onstage. People are dancing in the aisles. Our group is sitting quietly in our seats. And then one of the worship leaders calls us out as the "Caucasian Evangelicals sittin' all tight." Everyone turns to stare at us and laugh.

To be honest, most of us came away from that experience with a bad taste in our mouth for the neighborhood of Lawndale. It's segregated.  A lot of crime happens. There are quite a few vacant lots. There's no grocery store.  But a couple weeks later, we were back.

This time my practicum group was learning about the assets of the neighborhood through the staff at Lawndale Christian Development Center and Lawndale Community Church. These organizations have done so much for the city. They've built a garden. Started a health clinic that will service anyone. Opened a café that sells fresh fruits and veggies. Brought Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and got them to tithe 10% of their profits to the ministries.

At first glance, Lawndale seemed unpleasant and unwelcoming. But it is so far from that. This neighborhood has such strong community values. Everyone knows everybody and watches out for them. The Christian ministries are central to every day life. It doesn't seem like you're in Chicago let alone the southwest side.

Each neighborhood in Chicago is so unique. Want a hipster feel? Go to Wicker Park. Want a melting pot of cultures? Go to Rogers Park. Want some top-notch Greek food? Go to Greek Town. Want a small-town feel? Go to Lawndale.

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