For the eighth week since a Lakeview stabbing heightened safety concerns in the neighborhood in June, residents, service providers and young people continued to search for solutions to both violence and racial tension in the neighborhood.
Discussions on race
Longtime LGBT activists convened at Chicago News and Letters, a Marxist-Humanist organization, Aug. 8 to talk about racism in Lakeview.
The panel discussion was composed of Benjamin Perry, a youth organizer with Gender JUST; Ed Negron, of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago; Darrell Gordon, longtime LGBT activist and historian; and Betty Akins, a former Center on Halsted service provider.
Largely, the panel was critical of "Take Back Boystown," the Facebook page created this summer to discuss a perceived increase in crime in Lakeview.
Panelists argued that many discussions on that page were racist.
"We can see in writing what people are truly feeling about young people of color," said Negron. "Thanks to the internet, this is not going to go away."
Negron said that the discussions on Facebook presented opportunities to address racial tensions within the LGBT community.
Akins expressed concern that fears about crime in Lakeview would distract attention and needed resources from other communities where violence is more pervasive. Akins also said that she worries that if youth feel targeted by anti-crime efforts, tensions between young people and residents will escalate to a breaking point.
Gordon argued that racism in Lakeview was an old problem, and cited complaints throughout the decades that gay bars were discriminating against patrons of color. He advocated for addressing racism in Lakeview and addressing homophobia in other parts of the city to make Chicago safer for young people.
An audience of about 15 people largely expressed agreement with panelists' concerns. Those actively supporting efforts on the "Take Back Boystown" page did not appear to be present to rebut the criticism.
Surveying resident concerns
Responding to resident concerns, the Lake View Citizens Council issued a survey the week of Aug. 8 polling residents and visitors on their experiences with crime in the neighborhood. The 12-question survey tackles issues ranging from crime rates to a proposed weekend night parking ban.
The survey, which can be taken by Lakeview and non-Lakeview residents alike, is available online at http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e4kfk0nggr687lui/a01cpgraqb2p1/questions.
Center on Halsted launches task force
The Center on Halsted, which has weathered recent criticism from some who say the Lakeview-based organization is attracting trouble to the neighborhood, officially launched its new task force in response to crime and tensions between young people and residents.
The task force had been announced weeks ago, but an official list of participants was made public on Aug. 12 in a press release from the organization. Members include Lakeview service providers, youth, religious leaders, residents and business owners.
According to the news statement, the Lakeview Safety & Inclusion Coalition (LSIC) will address both violence and discrimination in the neighborhood.
"Though we have diverse perspectives and differing life experiences we all share one common vision: to make our community safer and more inclusive for all," LSIC members wrote in an open letter to the community.
More information on the coalition can be found at http://www.centeronhalsted.org/LSIC.
Guardian Angels holding information session
Volunteer crime-fighting organization The Guardian Angels announced an upcoming information session for Lakeview community members who want to join. The Angels, who typically patrol the entire city, will be training new members specifically for a new Lakeview chapter.
The organization is open to people of all genders.
The information session will be held Wed., Sept. 14, 7-9 p.m. at the Center on Halsted. For more information, email boystownguardianangels@gmail.com .
