Several issues were discussed during the recent West Side Youth Empowerment Forum. The forum was held at Saint Agatha’s Church in North Lawndale, and featured several influential panelists. The panelists made several valid statements for the youth of the community. Regarding community issues, many panelists spoke about what steps to take, and how they will try to solve the issues.
Each of the panelists took turns responding and providing possible solutions. The west-side community is currently struggling with housing, education, mental health, and a food desertification. Not to mention, local entrepreneurship and economics are significantly decreasing.
Housing Struggles
The struggle with housing on the west side is increased rent versus decreased income. How will the youth of the community be our future if they have to worry about food prices? Over the past few years, cities in the Northwest and West Coast have implemented rent restrictions. Chicago has yet to see restrictions like these, and is not yet ranked in the bottom 10 U.S. cities for housing affordability.
But if that’s really the case, why are there citizens camping in tents on the streets? Well, that mostly depends on monthly income, and most places require proof of credit scores. For example, there were residents in Little Village who were recently evicted due to their rent being unexpectedly raised. With nowhere to live, they had no choice but to move back with their relatives. Some neighborhoods have been becoming less and less affordable as time goes by.
Some of the panelists stated that the rent is high due to demand, and inflation is driving up operating costs. Communities have seen a slew of gentrification and rent increases. As a result, the people of these communities are being forced out.
Food Deserts
On the west side, affordable and healthy food is limited. This means that these citizens have a higher risk for obesity. That can lead to all kinds of other health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and many other health conditions.
One of the most influential panelists, Representative Lakesia Collins, made a statement addressing food deserts during the Youth Empowerment Event. She said fast food restaurants are very popular with residents of the west side, due to easier accessibility, and lower prices. If they want healthier options such as fruits, vegetables, or organic foods, these citizens would have to travel outside of their community.
It’s very important to address the issues of food deserts and food insecurity. Obesity is a growing problem amongst ethnic minorities and low-income populations in America. Communities lacking grocery stores in their area can have their health negatively affected long term.
Denita Robinson, a candidate for local Alderwoman, is another one of the panelists who brought up a valid point. She said malnutrition is the main cause of many children who are dying under the age of five years old. It is also one of the primary causes of many chronic diseases in adults. The government and us as citizens have to take action to increase the availability of essential nutrients. Malnutrition is a large contributing factor to many other societal problems.
Lack of Education
One of the main issues with education is an inability to focus, due to several choices of unhealthy foods. Many of the elementary and high schools on the west side are some of the lowest performing schools in the state.
Compared to their peers they are way behind. These public schools have to improve how the students are being taught if they are going to strive for success. Many of these students don’t have basic competence in reading, math, or science.
More than half of students from different areas on the west side have failed to meet standards on state exams. This means, for example, they would have a difficult time identifying the main idea in a persuasive essay.
Politicians need to come up with a plan for these students to be able to take advantage of more education options. This might allow them to become better learners and increase their performance in school.
Written by Tiffany Fleming
Beacon: Food Deserts In Chicago by Jordan Quinones and Kiran Prakriya
Illinois Policy: TRAPPED IN CHICAGO’S WORST SCHOOLS: EDUCATION OUTCOMES IN CHICAGO’S LOWEST-PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Metro Politics: Contemporary Housing Struggles: Crises, Activism, and Critical Research by Joshua Akers
RPBG: The Housing Affordability Problem in Chicago by Steve Cain
SC Monitor: Entrepreneurship and economics: An awkward relationship by Peter G. Klein
Images Courtesy of Tiffany Fleming
