The Siege of La Casita: The war at Whittier Elementary School is far from over, but at least the most recent battle has been won. The siege of la casita, the field house which sits in Whittier ’s playground, has been lifted. Since Wednesday parents and community activists have occupied the facility to prevent its demolition by Chicago Public Schools (CPS). They want the field house protected and used, at least temporarily, as a library, a resource the school has been left without for years. They currently use the field house as a community center and a place for various activities for the children. They question CPS’s desire to spend over $300,000 on demolishing the structure rather than spend that money ensuring that the school has the resources its needs. The struggle at Whittier is nothing new. For much of the past decade, parents and community allies have had to fight to keep the school open and than fight yet again to make the smallest of improvements in what is
I would like to see another type of "*11" line started in Chicago. One that allows kids of gang-banger parents to free counsel to help them get out of their houses and live in supportive transitional housing if they have parents who are drug-dealers or gang bangers. Some kids grow up in this chain of "banging". The chain from generation to generation needs to stop. I'd like to see the City of Chicago take a leadership role for our nation in how to successfully help teens out of gangs at young ages, i.e., middle school, jr. high, high school and even through their middle twenties. Unfortunately, some kids grow up with really poor role models. Kids need to understand that joining a gang is NOT A CHOICE if they want to live long and have a good life! Good for Pilsen and all the people in 60608 for Marching for Peace! Pilsen, especially Loomis Street, has been a gang blood bath all spring and summer. The chain of violence needs to end!
ReplyDelete