True Social Justice & Racial Equity Is Hard Work
By ShaRhonda Knott Dawson I love my community. I live in an incredibly diverse cluster of suburbs in West Suburban Cook County (Chicago.) By far, the most popular suburb of my local suburban cluster is Oak Park. It is a beautiful village, full of stunning architectural homes by famed architect, […]
In Chicago, we don’t have political parties; everyone is a Democrat. However, we do have Chicago political tribes. I will give a detailed overview of our political tribes, we don’t have political parties; there are not enough Republicans in the city to even really discuss them. Chicago political parties Chicago is […]
It is cold as Ann Coulter’s heart in Chicago. Which means, many homeless people, will be utilizing public spaces, to keep warm. The most vulnerable homeless population is that of double diagnosis: substance abuse and mental illness. These are the folks who are unable to stay in a shelter, housing, […]
As the Black mother of two Black girls, I am always acutely aware of how Black girls are harmed in this society. However, there are some moments in America, when it is amplified that me and my girls, are truly at the bottom of the totem pole of those deemed […]
by ShaRhonda Knott-Dawson Are you planning to use GoCPS to apply for your child’s elementary school for next year? Well, buckle up, because it’s not easy. The process of choosing schools, applying, and enrolling your child in the Chicago Public Schools is daunting for even the most seasoned of parents. As […]
Recently, there has been an uptick in racism in my community. While I have been keenly aware of the dangerous racial rhetoric in our nation that came from the election of President Trump and writing and fighting to stop it, I didn’t think it the direct racism, of MAGA crew, […]
“I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do.” – James Baldwin Our West suburban community has been captivated by the Starz docu-series, “America to Me.” In the series, Oak Park parent and documentary filmmaker Steve James highlights some of the racial issues that continue to plague […]
*This post was written by my friend, Juanta Bennett Griffin, who grew up in Oak Park and is currently residing with her family in Oak Park. I am so grateful she shared her story and experiences with Oak Park schools. This piece is rich in experience that is rarely talked […]
Uptown Girl: Musings on the trauma and gift that is a Chicago Childhood. Uptown is a fascinating neighborhood full of history, diversity, and stories of survival. I visit my childhood neighborhood often. However, the Uptown I visit presently isn’t like the Uptown I remember from my childhood. There are streets close […]
January 14, 2016 Dear Chicago: Sometimes it is important to let the people that you love, know that you love them. It is with that spirit that I write this love letter to one of my true loves, Chicago. I like, Illinois. Central and Southern Illinois, heh, they are alright. But […]