Mayor Richie says we (Chicagoans, Yea!!) will benefit greatly if the 2016 Olympic Games are held in this fair city. Well, I like Richie, and I'm adding my two cents right here and now.
This is a great city. Consider: It's Sunday morning, before the noon hour, and as I'm walking to my "writing site" I get to hear some very avant-garde, underground musical outpouring at the dazzling Pritzker Bandshell in Grant Park.
The girl singing was beltin’ out words and music in the fashion of the late Ms. Janice Joplin, while absentmindedly covering and uncovering her face with her long blond wind-blown locks. She called herself “Innocent". She said the band was called The Curious. To her left was a motley bearded fellow playing electric violin that looked more like a cello, but he played it under his chin. With a rather undistinguished lead player to the right, a tireless drummer in the rear the foursome was completed by a very authentic, albeit young belly dancer who you might imagine added a new and exciting dimension. I stayed awhile and listened to the notes from underground.
Then, traveling South, past "The Bean” (a bean shaped chromium sculpture which every visitor should visit) I encountered the Crown Fountain, where two 50-foot high glass block towers at either end of a shallow reflection pool present video visages of ordinary people. The Genre. Nothing special. You may study these colossal faces for a few moments. You may notice a blink; then appearing, the suggestion of a smile. They are motionless, except to the perceptive watcher. The children of visitors and the families of Chicago's highly fashionable residents play in the cool water. Children don't go to their hands and knees; rather they cavort spider-like on hands and feet, oblivious to everything but the sun and the water. Now I'm watching the children, keeping an eye on the monolith, and after what seems to be the longest time, the giant figure draws open smiling lips to produce an outpouring of water that washes over the delighted babies beneath. Then, a new giant figure appears, and the suspense begins again.
I mentioned Mayor Richie earlier. It was just this time of year, late summer, following the September 11 attacks, that Richard M. Daley, with courage and conviction, took it upon himself (late at night, while the city slept) to bulldoze the runways of Meigs Field. Until then it was a small downtown airport used by state officials to fly to and from the state capitol in Springfield. The razing of the airport, which Daley felt might be utilized by terrorists as a launching point for further attacks, shocked the city — citizens and politicians alike. We citizens will always praise his courage, wisdom, and determination to protect this fine city
Article comments
1 - Cindy
Very enjoyable, John. Magical at the part I loved most--the part about the children and the fountain and the people. :-)
[but, the lady with the er...unusual build was elusive ;-)]
2 - John Lake
Cindy -
Don't tell them. They'll banish us, you know.
3 - Edel Schmuck
Why to Chicago? Oh, I have seen the pictures, that could be a true reason why.
4 - John Lake
Ms (Mr?) Schmuck -
Why to Chicago? Here's a thought. Re-read the article, then if you still have questions, post below.
What kind of a name is "Schmuck"???
or maybe you meant it good...
5 - Cindy D
They'll banish us, you know.
You promise? Let me go pack then!
(p.s. Edel Schmuck (German) roughly translates to High-quality Jewelry.)
6 - anna
As a native Chicagoan, I love my city. But there are many things about it that I do not like...and that includes the Daley dynasties.
While the first Mayor Daley did indeed do a lot to enhance the Loop, he did so at the expense of powerless Chicagoans, and controlled the city at his will. Many of his policies, especially as it related to housing, were inherently racist. I would argue that he is to blame for the isolation of our city's ghettoes in the South and West sides...areas that continue to suffer from a lack of development and investment to this day.
The second Daley is not much better in terms of helping areas of the city that are home to low-income minorities. He has continued to push them out while focusing his attention on the middle and upper class, white communities in the city. And his closing of Miegs Field was far from being honorable or courageous. It was carried out in a very underhanded way, as are many of his policies. Like his father, he favors certain populations and disregards entire communities.
Instead of pushing for the Olympics, he should worry about improving living conditions and beautifying parts of the city that are home to his Black, Latino, and other minority constituencies. But I guess that's not necessary when one falsely believes that our city is colorblind. Please. Chicago is unbelievably racist and segregated...moreso than any other American city. Segregation is a result of the racism that is, sadly, very deeply entrenched in our city. Perhaps you should take off your rose-colored glasses and spend some time talking to residents of the South, Southwest, and West sides of the city...anyone can tell you that your view of Chicago is a very, very limited, unrealistic one.
7 - Sho
Nice article. Makes me want to visit Chicago. But you must understand that the rest of the world does not view America in anything like this kind of positive light. Most foreigners would consider America and Americans to be ignorant, fearful, aggressive and totally disrespectful towards every other country.
That's fine, we're all used to America being like that. But don't then act all friendly when you want the Olympics, you can't have it both ways. Either the USA is part of the global community or it's not.
8 - John Lake
Just off the top of my head, in sending the Olympics to "other than Chicago" they may have considered the high rate of arrest and conviction of the last three Illinois Governors. Three out of three is NOT a good score. And Chicago has a bad reputation for organized crime which many who don't live here might actually believe. In fact Chicago is a wonderful city, and that rep comes from the long ago days of Al Capone and his moonshine business.
As we know there was strong sentiment for a South American hosting of the 2016 games.
We are disappointed and sad, but who knows, maybe it's for the best.
9 - John Lake
Susanne --
Chicago is a wonderful city and we don't distain those from around the world. If you spend a few days or longer here, you won't be disappointed!