Attempting Social Consciousness Through Simulations
The Highland Park suburb was attempting to become more aware through a poverty simulation. The simulation was to be a two-and-a-half to three-hour event set for Saturday the 9th where they aimed as a community to learn more about how poverty can affect someone’s life through role-playing. On Tuesday the fifth they announced their partnerships with multiple civically engaged organizations to do this. Such as the Alliance for Human Services, Family Focus, and Highland Park Community Foundation. However, due to community backlash, this event was canceled
The immersive event was going to be held at the Highland Park Country Club. The Chicago suburb’s post stated, “The outcome is increased awareness of the need for resources to support those living in poverty to create a more resilient health, human, and education sector in our local area.”
The Poverty Plan Controversy
However, people online reprobated the North Shore suburbs idea. While they had good intentions to make people aware of how lack of resources and support can easily affect lives, those under their post saw it as tone-death. One commenter stated, “Wow. The privilege here is just beyond words. What a slap in the face to all of those who are struggling, especially in today’s economy.”
Another critic expressed their disdain as well for the simulation. They posted that the group just wanted to make themselves feel better as well as calling out the circumstances around the event; “It’s not even a fundraiser? A food drive? Something that would give anything back to the people whose experiences you’re pretending to care about?”.
Municipal Leader of the city, Ghida Neukirch, originally spoke in favor of the very polarizing event. She defended how it was brought together conclusively with social workers. Neukirch also stated how the city of Highland Park worked with social service professionals from Her city as well as Lake County. She contended that they worked on programs to better inform of the need for support and resources for those struggling to stay above the poverty line. However many felt it to be gauche of such an affluent area to simulate poverty to try to experience it.
Highland Park’s Wealth
The Northshore suburb of Highland Park is very well-to-do, not just in Illinois but also in the US. In 2021 the city’s median household salary was $153,226, while the Nation’s median household salary was $69,021. Highland Park’s median household average is more than double the US average, making the suburb the 50th highest salary in the year 2021. The city also in 2021 had a larger amount of those with college degrees as small as bachelors or higher. A percentage well above the nationwide percentage of adults.
They have amazing living aspects within their community. This is a large factor as to why many looked down at Highland Park to go through with this. Yet, a lot of people feel it isn’t the place of such an affluent Chicago suburb to speak in place of other marginalized communities. Especially when these places aren’t helping serve underprivileged places. Such as West Side Chicago’s North Lawndale area.
North Lawndale Comparison
North Lawndale sadly deals with a large disparity of violence, crime, and poverty in comparison to Highland Park. It e is an unprivileged predominantly black and brown neighborhood. The west side city had a population of 80% African American, 12% Hispanic or Latino, 5% White, 1% other, and less than 1% Asian. Although the city also had a population of 34,794, only 12838 households were recorded. Implying many civilians are more than likely doubling up.
Furthermore, when it came to education in North Lawndale only 30% of its residents had a high school or equivalent education, 19% had less than high school, and less than 10% with either an associate, bachelor, or higher.
With examples such as North Lawndale being an underserved city of Chicago, Highland Park’s attempt at inclusivity and support pales in comparison. Underprivileged areas need support through, financial aid, programs to help families and youth, funding for schools, more well-staffed and cared-for shelters, and rehab help for drug abuse. Hopefully, through support and outreach, these communities can begin to thrive.
Written By AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
24/7WallSt– Highland Park, IL Is One of the Richest Cities in the Country
NBC5– Highland Park responds after criticism over ‘poverty simulation’ event
US Census– “QuickFacts” Highland Park City, Illinois
CBS NEWS– Highland Park cancels “poverty simulation” amid criticism
CMAP– North Lawndale Community Data Snapshot
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Peter Clark’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Mike Steele’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
