Contemplating Community in Chicago: Do I Belong?
A week in Chicago…
A week meeting family members for the first time, excessively riding the Red line, and walking 11 miles one day (What happened to lazy Tayzau?!).
Visiting Chicago was exactly the kind of trip that I had promised myself in the beginning of 2018… with the goal to discover, connect, and unwind.
Every day I spent in Chicago I wondered, Could I live here?
Chicago felt like a blend of NYC and DC — Diverse, multi-faceted, complicated, and proud….
Except that it was smaller, calmer, and more approachable than the big East coast cities.
Maybe this is why the rumble of the subway felt so familiar and daydreaming on a park bench felt so comforting?
Do I belong?
At some point in between riding the Blue Line back to the Chicago O’Hare airport and buying a bag of Garrett’s Popcorn at the airport, my heart told me, Not right now.
Maybe in the future, I mused. But not at this time.
What feelings did you feel that sparked a sense of belonging in Chicago?
1. Independence: Public Transportation allowed me to visit part of my family for the first time.
Within an hour of landing at O’Hare, I bought a 7-day unlimited train/bus Ventra pass for $33, downloaded the Ventra app, and boarded a Pacebus. As a visitor/tourist/outsider, I appreciated the freedom of being able to travel an hour outside of Chicago, without having to depend on private, more expensive methods of transportation. Throughout the week, I found many parts of Chicago to be fairly accessible by bus, train, or foot.
2. Surprise: Chicago’s suburbs were diverse, complex, and familiar.
For $2, I saw the bust of an old Irish Elk, learned about glaciers that once covered northern Illinois, and was introduced to the diverse cultural and ethnic composition at a local museum.
I also met a museum volunteer with a big heart. Somewhere in between talking about giant sloths and what it’s like to live in the suburbs, we discovered that we were both adopted! Despite our different physical features, backgrounds/cultures, and geographical location, we found common ground about politics, religion, racial inequality, civil rights, advocacy for marginalized groups, climate change, the US, our backgrounds, Native American rights (especially for those in Illinois), diversity and inclusion, and the museum we were standing in. Phew!
It was one of the best conversations with a stranger I’ve ever had. I’m so glad we mutually decided to be a little vulnerable on this Saturday afternoon. Plus, we both exchanged so many good book recommendations.
Thank you.
3. Comfort: Discovered a delicious spicy chai latte spot in the suburbs.
I would totally make this my journaling spot if I lived here. Yum!
4. Understanding: Before visiting the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute Museum, I always thought the term “Oriental” was an old-fashioned, outdated term used to describe and stereotype Asia through a colonial lense.
In contrast, the museum used the term “Oriental” to describe the origin of many of their artifacts, which were from several ancient Middle Eastern civilizations (10,000 BC – AD 650), including Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syro-Anatolia, Israel, Iran, and Nubia.
This museum totally solidified my desire to visit one day soon.
5. Insight: Before visiting Chicago, I did not realize that Cloudgate = “The Bean”.
Oops! Now I know.
6. Soul: Listening to the blues at Kingston Mines jazz club was touching.
The performers were older, soulful, grounded, and black. The audience was mostly younger and white. I wondered how the community and audience had evolved over the decades? Was the audience made up of mostly tourists like myself? What brought these people here on a Thursday night?
7. Engaged: The National Museum of Mexican-American Art was free, public transportation accessible (Pink Line), and captivating!
Before visiting this museum, I did not realize Chicago possessed one of the largest Hispanic populations in the U.S. I learned about feminist artists within the Mexican-American community, how gentrification is spreading throughout Chicago (especially in Pilsen), and the deadly Tlatlelolco Massacre that occurred 10 days before the 1968 Summer Olympics. Because the Tlatelolco Massacre was covered up for over 3 decades, it reminded me of the fervent denials regarding the Nanjing Massacre in China. Drawing a connection between both of these deadly events left me feeling both angry and sad.
Overall, this museum is a must-see.
8. Familiarity: Do you know what was kind of cool? Visiting a Chicago public library branch in Chinatown, and realizing that this library was very much tailored towards the Chinese community.
Almost everyone in the library appeared to be Chinese or broadly of East Asian descent? There were elderly Asian musicians playing Asian instruments. There were children reading Chinese books. There was Asian art hung up on the walls. Signs were printed in both English and Chinese.
At the same time, not everyone appeared to be Asian. I asked a library volunteer for recommendations on a good place to eat in Chinatown, and she deferred to the Asian woman sitting next to her because she was not from the area (She was also not Asian).
9. Honesty: The comedy in Chicago was infectious.
I went to a performance at iO Theatre that featured an all-female identifying cast of comedians… because representation, perspective, and diversity is always nice to embrace and support. Another night, I sat in the front row of an improv show at the infamous Second City. Both evenings were filled with laughter.
Chicago’s comedy definitely left an imprint on my soul.
10. Calm: The weather in Chicago wasn’t too bad and that was totally OK with me.
One afternoon, I sat by the lake, baking in the sun, wondering, Where is the “wind” in the Windy City? I also took my jacket off because I was overheating in the sun.
Is this typical January weather in Chicago? Because it was absolutely lovely.
11. Whelmed: The architecture of the North American Baha’i House of Worship was intricate and learning about the Baha’i faith was… interesting.
If you ride the Purple Line uptown to the last stop and walk a few blocks on the cobblestone road, you’ll find an immaculate Baha’i temple, a Welcome Center that feels like a realtor’s open house, and the opportunity to explore the Baha’i faith. You can also attend a prayer service! Part of me wondered, Why is it located in such an affluent part of town (right next to million dollar houses and a golf course)? Why is everyone white? Who is able to access and attend these mid-day prayer services?
12. Exhilaration: Watched RuPaul’s Drag Race in Boystown with porn stars, drag queens, and new friends.
This was such a fun night. Thank you for inviting us.
13. Cozy: Sat in First Sip Cafe in Uptown, while enjoying a fragrant drink amongst leafy plants and tea cups.
I loved eating delicious takeout from Ghareeb Nawaz with my friend’s friends at First Sip Cafe. It felt like a small, genuine community in the larger city.
Sitting in the back of the cafe, I wondered, Where do I fit in?
Have you ever traveled to Chicago?
If so, what were your favorite parts?