Community Area 16

Ana Krook
Ana Krook
Sep 5, 2018 · 4 min read

I was born in a hospital, in Lincoln Park, in the city of Chicago. I was then strapped into a carseat and taken 7- oddly my lucky number and golden birthday- miles north west of the loop to Community Area 16. I grew up in a two-flat in Irving Park, a neighborhood just south east of Albany Park. Once a friend who grew up about a mile north east of me, in Ravenswood Manor, an especially green pocket of Ravenswood along the north-branch of the river, came to my house for the first time and commented on what a random neighborhood it was in.

Until recently where I live technically didn’t have a name- sitting oddly between older more established neighborhoods like Old Irving to the west, Albany Park to the north, and Ravenswood in the north east, and separated from the affulent neighborhoods by the river- packed with white families from the suburbs with young children- like North Center and Roscoe Village. For many years my block was a no man’s land, and that was part of the reason we were able to move in. Twenty-eight years ago when my parents were looking for a house in Chicago the only place they could find property that they could afford was Community Area 16- because it had no name. The property value was low, the area undesirable. Today if you look on maps my block sits under the hovering name “Irving Park East”, which must have been added within the last year or so because it seemed to just appear one day and my mother still does not accept it.

I chose to stay in Chicago for college because I believe every child in this city deserves to feel that they live in a neighboorhood that is important to the fabric of this place. There are 77 neighborhoods in Chicago and most local people I know could probably name less than ten. The concentration of resources is ridiculous, immense amounts of wealth pouring into the same areas every day while countless neighborhoods remain unthought of. Chicago’s segregation sickness allows for children to grow up within yet without. The city puts all of it’s effort into the desirable locations. The loop looms over Cabrini-Green like a sparkling reminder of the wealth and prosperity that is being enjoyed in small pockets in all directions except for where you’re standing. The south side sprawls from the Planetarium almost all the way to Indiana- like a silent Siberia- except for when the news is turned on. Hyde Park and the location of an Airbnb my high school’s prom after-party was held at remain the only places on the south side I’ve been to.

Chicago is the most segregated city in the country and it shows. Growing up I thought of the south side as a separate city, and that was once I was even aware of it. As a north side kid my world was the north side of the city, everything worthwhile was up north, so why would I even want to venture out? I went to elementary and middle school in Lincoln Park and applied to selective enrollment highschools downtown and near my house. I ended up attending the selective enrollment high school a ten-minute bike ride south east of my house, Lane Tech, which takes up an entire city-block and boarders North Center and Roscoe Village. My time in high school would be spent on the north and west side, and a bit downtown, but I rarely ever traveled south.

Walking Chicago has re-inspired me and reminded me of the potential I believe this city has. I have met some of the most amazing people in Chicago- so many passionate, creative, talented people. Although I can never help but think of their advantages in getting to where they are, and grieve for the children on the west and south side and in every isolated pocket that will never be afforded those same oppertunities and be able to reach their full potential. I have a dream for this place, and I plan on staying here until it’s realized.

walking chicago: a windy city atlas

By studying and practicing the art of walking, we will use the material of everyday life - the rhythms and experiences of the streets of Chicago, its people, places, and things - as construction material for our compositions.

Ana Krook

Written by

Ana Krook

walking chicago: a windy city atlas

By studying and practicing the art of walking, we will use the material of everyday life - the rhythms and experiences of the streets of Chicago, its people, places, and things - as construction material for our compositions.

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