Watching the federal government terrorize my hometown is as infuriating as it is heartbreaking. So I wanted to shed a little light on what it's really like living in this "crime-infested war zone."
In all the many times I have read this wonderful and heartbreaking story, the end of this line and the way you write it hits the hardest:
"... rounding up the residents (including children), placing them in zip ties, and separating them by race before detaining them." It is just the truth, but so unfathomably horrific.
Claudio! I’ve never lived in Chicago but I’ve eaten a lot of his tamales at The Hideout. And I’m familiar with Morris! I’ve gotten lost there. And I briefly dated a guy from Dwight. And! Gene’s gets name-checked in my Woody Guthrie manuscript.
I live in Belleville, IL, just across the river from St. Louis. Chicago has been like a second home for years. I’ve posted my thoughts about this invasion on my Substack a few times already, but I’ll repeat the short version here: I am beyond livid, heartbroken, and terrified because of what’s being done to the people of Chicago. One of my favorite Chicago friends is the daughter of Mexican immigrants with two school-age kids and some undocumented relatives. I keep checking on her because I don’t know what else to do.
I do know this: ICE and the National Guard will not stop me from seeing Patti Smith at the Chicago Theater next month. Or stop me from reading at The Green Mill’s poetry slam. Not gonna stop me from coming back in December for Andrew Bird at Fourth Presbyterian Church and Golden Smog at the Vic. I always stay in a garden apartment in North Center, and the owner and I have joked that I need to bring my own bricks to throw at these clowns.
I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and saw no sign of the NG and ICE, which seemed surreal. I don’t know what to expect from my Chicago trips. It just feels really important to be there now.
That, she is! And she’s at her best in dire times. I saw her in L.A. a week before lockdown started. Her words that night stayed with me and were a comfort.
I’m also very cranky and it shows. I appreciate this piece so much. (Making mischief to fight boredom— can relate.) This is such a sincere, honest look at what’s happening and it’s gut wrenching and awful. The author’s love for their city comes through, and so many of us stand with him, even if we are far away. 💙
Thank you so much. I agree with all of that. Charlie is on a plane right now and I am sure will be so happy to see this when he does.
Also, I am glad you're openly cranky too. We can justify each other's actions because I'm sure you are correct and justified in every mean response, just as I am.
Thank you so much! This was one of those things where I kind of needed to stay away from thinking about it after writing it, so sorry for the late comment. Chicago will survive this, it always does, and as much as it hurts to watch, the solidarity I've found keeps us all going.
What a vivid and richly textured description of a beloved city. I've been following the news on this, knowing that NYC could be in the crosshairs next.
My mom is near DC so I had heard her accounts from there first and now hearing about Chicago from both Corynne (who lives there now) and Charlie here, it really is frightening to think about our NY or any other place having that happen too.
And I just saw that an appeals court has now reversed the decision on barring military deployment in Portland. Hopefully there's another appeal to be made?
Doesn't matter. Trump has made it very clear that he doesn't give a rat's ass what the courts say. Besides, he's the one with the military and he knows that the courts can't stop him.
I tend to agree so far as the National Guard goes. I think it remains to be seen whether military brass will obey an illegal order; legal/illegal may carry more weight there.
I also live in Chicago at the moment and ICE did a raid on my building two weeks ago and took a man who is a legal citizen. We haven’t heard anything back since. What upsets me is that I had visions of all of these things happening and when I would talk to my friends about it because they found it too upsetting they didn’t wanna listen to me and they told me it wasn’t going to happen. But I am a professional psychic. It’s frustrating because outside of my therapist I’ve had no one to really discuss this with because it seems to be too traumatic for most people. BUT ITS HAPPENING.
Bee! I'm so sorry this happened right there in your building. I am what they call psychic intuitive so much less likely to tap into those visions as regularly as you, but I relate to you and can only imagine the burden of knowing these things beforehand, but not being able to stop them or even communicate them to people who won't listen. It's heart wrenching.
Thank you. I think many women have disability, especially mothers. We are taught to fight against our own intuition! My therapist and I always talk about this being the Cassandra Complex. :(
I realize my own privilege in these times as POC are much higher at risk for these events. But, still scary nonetheless.
I totally agree that many women have this ability. And many children I think have it too, but we are taught not to listen to those voices so we stop believing them or even hearing them. It's too bad.
Me too! And God I appreciate this group we have here. Regarding Cassandra complex what people always say to me is that I'm the canary in the coal mine. Which I guess means that my friends are listening to me? Or at least they pretend really well.
Thanks for shedding your own light on this, Charlie! It has been both heartbreaking and terrifying to see this all happen first hand. The school has formed a group so we can patrol to keep kids and families safe. We’re wearing whistles and we know our rights. I’ve never been scared to live here until now and I struggle with how to put it all in words. Fortunately, our community has shown up and stood up to all of this garbage. Chicago is a sanctuary city and we plan on keeping it that way!
Good. Your community is so wonderful, something Kim and I could easily tell dropping in on one school pickup. It's fucking impossible for me to read the news today without crying or screaming (sometimes both). Stay safe and, most importantly, keep your neighbors safe.
Everyone who went to the University of Iowa knows someone from every small town in Illinois, including Morris. Morris is where the Libby’s punkin factory is I think……
Growing up in the Iowa quad cities, I was jealous you in Illinois get Polaski Day off school.
Chicagoans are not to be fucked with. Nice writing.
Thank you! I think the Libby's factory is in Morton if I recall correctly. Morris is most known for a) The Dresden Nuclear Power Plant (the reason I ended up there), b) that one dude from the band Train who lived there at one point, probably and c) the truckstop on I 80. I've made that drive from Morris to Iowa City more than a few times to see friends.
O shiiiiiit I am getting old. Mixing up Morris and Morton. Is Morris where they used to have a Hardee’s? Serious question. That’s where u stop between IA and Chicago if u aren’t going through DeKalb I think.
Seriously though. If u are picking a fight with the bluest city you are trying to start something serious. I really appreciate reading anything from Chicagoans on this matter
Well, even though I'm from the Milwaukee area, I still feel your pain. After all, Milwaukee is the City of Festivals, where we have various and sundry ethic celebrations on the lakefront all summer long.
Unfortunately, there's basically nothing we can do about any of this. When you're dealing with someone devoid of reality who has no hesitation about using the military against our own country, the only real respite we can expect is when this piece of shit finally dies.
You too, sweet Beatrice! I knew you would be in there next!
Thanks to Ibrahim for liking and restacking this piece in the time it took me to press send. You are so loyal and we Scorpios value loyalty!
In all the many times I have read this wonderful and heartbreaking story, the end of this line and the way you write it hits the hardest:
"... rounding up the residents (including children), placing them in zip ties, and separating them by race before detaining them." It is just the truth, but so unfathomably horrific.
Claudio! I’ve never lived in Chicago but I’ve eaten a lot of his tamales at The Hideout. And I’m familiar with Morris! I’ve gotten lost there. And I briefly dated a guy from Dwight. And! Gene’s gets name-checked in my Woody Guthrie manuscript.
I live in Belleville, IL, just across the river from St. Louis. Chicago has been like a second home for years. I’ve posted my thoughts about this invasion on my Substack a few times already, but I’ll repeat the short version here: I am beyond livid, heartbroken, and terrified because of what’s being done to the people of Chicago. One of my favorite Chicago friends is the daughter of Mexican immigrants with two school-age kids and some undocumented relatives. I keep checking on her because I don’t know what else to do.
I do know this: ICE and the National Guard will not stop me from seeing Patti Smith at the Chicago Theater next month. Or stop me from reading at The Green Mill’s poetry slam. Not gonna stop me from coming back in December for Andrew Bird at Fourth Presbyterian Church and Golden Smog at the Vic. I always stay in a garden apartment in North Center, and the owner and I have joked that I need to bring my own bricks to throw at these clowns.
I was in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and saw no sign of the NG and ICE, which seemed surreal. I don’t know what to expect from my Chicago trips. It just feels really important to be there now.
Chicago should have a Colossus of Rhodes-style statue of Claudio with his red cooler at the end of Navy Pier. <3
I would contribute money to make this happen.
I'm so impressed with Chicago right now, and Pritzger. And hell, their Mayor, too. Enjoy Patti Smith, she's a true national treasure.
That, she is! And she’s at her best in dire times. I saw her in L.A. a week before lockdown started. Her words that night stayed with me and were a comfort.
It's almost impossible to believe that this is the same country I grew up in. I hope things change for the better, sooner rather than later. 🫂💞
I’m also very cranky and it shows. I appreciate this piece so much. (Making mischief to fight boredom— can relate.) This is such a sincere, honest look at what’s happening and it’s gut wrenching and awful. The author’s love for their city comes through, and so many of us stand with him, even if we are far away. 💙
Thank you so much. I agree with all of that. Charlie is on a plane right now and I am sure will be so happy to see this when he does.
Also, I am glad you're openly cranky too. We can justify each other's actions because I'm sure you are correct and justified in every mean response, just as I am.
Thank you so much! This was one of those things where I kind of needed to stay away from thinking about it after writing it, so sorry for the late comment. Chicago will survive this, it always does, and as much as it hurts to watch, the solidarity I've found keeps us all going.
So many punchables in Logan Square.
Haha
What a vivid and richly textured description of a beloved city. I've been following the news on this, knowing that NYC could be in the crosshairs next.
Thank you so much!
My mom is near DC so I had heard her accounts from there first and now hearing about Chicago from both Corynne (who lives there now) and Charlie here, it really is frightening to think about our NY or any other place having that happen too.
And I just saw that an appeals court has now reversed the decision on barring military deployment in Portland. Hopefully there's another appeal to be made?
Oh shit, hope so.
Doesn't matter. Trump has made it very clear that he doesn't give a rat's ass what the courts say. Besides, he's the one with the military and he knows that the courts can't stop him.
I tend to agree so far as the National Guard goes. I think it remains to be seen whether military brass will obey an illegal order; legal/illegal may carry more weight there.
I also live in Chicago at the moment and ICE did a raid on my building two weeks ago and took a man who is a legal citizen. We haven’t heard anything back since. What upsets me is that I had visions of all of these things happening and when I would talk to my friends about it because they found it too upsetting they didn’t wanna listen to me and they told me it wasn’t going to happen. But I am a professional psychic. It’s frustrating because outside of my therapist I’ve had no one to really discuss this with because it seems to be too traumatic for most people. BUT ITS HAPPENING.
Bee! I'm so sorry this happened right there in your building. I am what they call psychic intuitive so much less likely to tap into those visions as regularly as you, but I relate to you and can only imagine the burden of knowing these things beforehand, but not being able to stop them or even communicate them to people who won't listen. It's heart wrenching.
Thank you. I think many women have disability, especially mothers. We are taught to fight against our own intuition! My therapist and I always talk about this being the Cassandra Complex. :(
I realize my own privilege in these times as POC are much higher at risk for these events. But, still scary nonetheless.
Appreciated this article!
I totally agree that many women have this ability. And many children I think have it too, but we are taught not to listen to those voices so we stop believing them or even hearing them. It's too bad.
100%!
Fudge yes, mentioning Cassandra syndrome! Feeling less alone…
Me too! And God I appreciate this group we have here. Regarding Cassandra complex what people always say to me is that I'm the canary in the coal mine. Which I guess means that my friends are listening to me? Or at least they pretend really well.
Thanks for shedding your own light on this, Charlie! It has been both heartbreaking and terrifying to see this all happen first hand. The school has formed a group so we can patrol to keep kids and families safe. We’re wearing whistles and we know our rights. I’ve never been scared to live here until now and I struggle with how to put it all in words. Fortunately, our community has shown up and stood up to all of this garbage. Chicago is a sanctuary city and we plan on keeping it that way!
Good. Your community is so wonderful, something Kim and I could easily tell dropping in on one school pickup. It's fucking impossible for me to read the news today without crying or screaming (sometimes both). Stay safe and, most importantly, keep your neighbors safe.
Everyone who went to the University of Iowa knows someone from every small town in Illinois, including Morris. Morris is where the Libby’s punkin factory is I think……
Growing up in the Iowa quad cities, I was jealous you in Illinois get Polaski Day off school.
Chicagoans are not to be fucked with. Nice writing.
Thank you! I think the Libby's factory is in Morton if I recall correctly. Morris is most known for a) The Dresden Nuclear Power Plant (the reason I ended up there), b) that one dude from the band Train who lived there at one point, probably and c) the truckstop on I 80. I've made that drive from Morris to Iowa City more than a few times to see friends.
O shiiiiiit I am getting old. Mixing up Morris and Morton. Is Morris where they used to have a Hardee’s? Serious question. That’s where u stop between IA and Chicago if u aren’t going through DeKalb I think.
Seriously though. If u are picking a fight with the bluest city you are trying to start something serious. I really appreciate reading anything from Chicagoans on this matter
Thanks, AJoy - for this sweet comment and for speaking this language that I do not.
Well, even though I'm from the Milwaukee area, I still feel your pain. After all, Milwaukee is the City of Festivals, where we have various and sundry ethic celebrations on the lakefront all summer long.
Unfortunately, there's basically nothing we can do about any of this. When you're dealing with someone devoid of reality who has no hesitation about using the military against our own country, the only real respite we can expect is when this piece of shit finally dies.
Ah Milwaukee, my favorite suburb!
Preach, Charlie. Chicago forever. Down with fascism. <3