A music festival in the 2nd most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago. Inaugural Englewood Music Fest is Saturday. Organizers’ goal is to celebrate the community and help change the narrative..
Englewood is one of the 77 neighborhoods in Chicago. It is approximately 3 square miles with a population of about 30,000 people. HeyJackass! currently lists it as the 2nd most dangerous neighborhood in the city, behind Garfield Park, though the numbers are close so that could change at any time.
As of September 14th, there were 44 murders in Englewood in 2021, with an additional 245 people shot-and-wounded.
So of course, the city is holding a music festival there.
After going to other community festivals such as the Hyde Park Summer Fest and the Westside Music Festival, [Chicago Ald. Stephanie] Coleman, who described herself as “born (and) bred Englewood,” thought why not do something similar in her neighborhood.
“I said, ‘Wow, I’m going to all these other communities, and my community should experience this type of unity, this type of fun,’” said Coleman, who represents the 16th Ward.
Hyde Park, by way of comparison, is where the University of Chicago is located. The Obama family purchased a $1 million-plus home there before he was elected to the Senate. It isn't perfect, but it isn't Englewood.
You will, of course, have to have a vaccine passport to enter, or take a rapid test. It is Chicago after all.
I wish them all the best in their effort to prove that Englewood, is more than the violence that happens there, but even if the festival goes off perfectly, what will people really know about the neighborhood?
I like their style. Hand out tickets to gangbangers, refuse to use metal detectors and let them settle things in a stadium. Just need remote cameras and a stream.
ReplyDeleteHope all whole bunch of woke Antifa types decide to show their solidarity with the BLM types. I love it when the Obama types display their love and tolerance.
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