Dear Editor,
As a native West Sider, I am deeply saddened by the murder of Donta Gooden. Even though I didn't know her personally, it is an assault on our community of color. It is okay that there are social services addressing the issue of transgender self-determination matters on the West Side. However, what few there are is not enough.
Last year there was a lot of hoopla as a result of the incident on North Halsted Street, which resulted in "Take Back Boystown." I think on one level it's important to challenge racism and classism in Lakeview. But it's equally important to fight heterosexism, homophobia and transphobia within the West and South sides. We should seriously talk about creating free places for people to be themselves, socially and politicallyplaces only for the young as well as the middle-aged and seniors in those parts of Chicago.
This kind of violence will continue until people organize and challenge this problem. We can't depend on officials to do it for us.
Darrell Gordon
Chicago