Voting season is here, and the decision for a new Alderman in the 24th ward is at hand.
As a youth who lived in North Lawndale for 18 years, there is a drastic change in the community. So now to see the community now, it’s almost disappointing.
No, it is disappointing. Seeing the community rot, its food sources, housing, and so much more taken away, only to be used as a backyard for those who go to summer bash for some, and called battlefield by others.
North Lawndale: Broken Promises
North Lawndale, for better or for worse, has not changed since 2016. It is either the same amount of sadness or more, which is some many electors have promised to uplift us from.
For more or less, there were “some” changes in Chicago and North Lawndale, but the changes were not in the favor of the community like in other neighborhoods. The best North Lawndale is the Greenhouse off Central Park and Ogden, The MLK building, and the beautiful murals around the neighborhood.
But it isn’t enough for the community, especially compared to other neighborhoods.
The Alderman Race: Citizens Who Stepped Up
Many stay away from politics for the pressure that comes with being the voice of many. It would be like asking a Pro-athlete to make a 5-star meal, they know of the creation, but not the creation process. Luckily, some want to be the creators of the process for the fruition of the injured neighborhood in the form of the Alderman race. These Brave souls include:
- Current Ald. Monique Scott.
- Vetress Boyce.
- Creative Scott.
- Traci “Treasure” Johnson.
- Drewone Goldsmith.
- Edward Ward.
- Luther Woodruff.
Praying for peace
Going into the Forum, there was hope that the outcome would differ from the Mayoral forum. Held at Collins high school, some youth would probably get involved. Most of the candidates have done work in North Lawndale, and all of them are African Americans. But there was something to keep in mind.
A week ago, Forum for the Mayoral Race was held. The candidates were able to answer the questions within the few seconds they were given, but the tension is in the air. Plenty of shots were thrown, some were to challenge others, and some to poke jokes at their expense.
The hope is for some professionalism from the candidates, and that they would speak for the community instead of themselves.
The Alderman’s Forum Positives
There were some positives highlighted during the forums. The candidates did hit the mark on the major challenges in North Lawndale.
These issues include access to information, economics, and community involvement. Former alderman Michael Scott Jr., from his role, created a rift between aldermen and citizens at a time when North Lawndale needed someone in the office the most.
The current alderman reassures the audience that she is a call away and works for everyone. Boyce plans to use vacant schools in North Lawndale and make shelter homes. Creative Scott, Ward, and Johnson were heavy on community engagement, Scott saying he knows “how to bring people out.” All of these moments got the audience in tune with their words and engaged with praises and claps.
The Alderman’s Forum Negatives aka the ‘Alderman’s Roast’
“It was messy,” said one of The News School’s youth employees. “I never thought it would be like this.”
For most of the forum, the audience was pretty disrespectful toward the runners and each other. Calling the candidates out their names, and making jokes when they made speaking mistakes.
When questions came to the floor, runners either preached a word or criticized another candidate. In both instances, it was a lot of talking and not enough answering.
One of the questions on the floor said “Out of all the Runners, what puts you in a better position to be elected and why?” That’s like a teacher telling a class: ” Out of the students, why should you pass and not them.”
Still Hopeful For The Race?
Should the forum change its mind about the alderman race? The forum put a sour taste in many’s mouths about politics, but not every apple from the tree is sweet.
The hope is still for each candidate to do their best as future leaders of North Lawndale. But for a generation that says ” the youth is our future,” remember the role models of the present. They must set that example because the community is on its last legs.
Written By Daylontie Jasper
Sources:
Austin Weekly News: 24th Ward candidates lay out agendas at the forum; by Shanel Romain
Image Courtesy of TNS
