DOES DIVERSITY IN CHICAGO EXIST!

I’ve always found it interested that Chicago is one of the most diverse cities in America but, has never truly been diverse at all. The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.  These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.  It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.  Growing up on the southeast side of Chicago I’ve found that none of these components of diversity to exist.

                The issue that is often faced in inner cities like Chicago is that the cites are often divided into sections. Those who are minorities typically are all segregated and the lower ends of the city. For example, in article “The Most Diverse Cities Are Often The Most Segregated,” you can see that by zooming out on Cable’s map and taking the 30,000-foot view of Chicago. Things start to look a little different: You notice the city’s diversity as much as its segregation. Citywide, Chicago’s population is almost evenly divided between non-Hispanic blacks (33 percent of its population), non-Hispanic whites (32 percent) and Hispanics (29 percent). So at a macro level, Chicago is quite diverse. At a neighborhood level, it isn’t.

                My major concern is how this actually effect the growth of the city of Chicago as a whole? Also how does it affect concentrated poverty levels in the city?  

The map, called "Rich Blocks, Poor Blocks," was created by Chris Persaud, an editorial research specialist. Mr. Persaud mapped out the median incomes in every census tract in every city in the U.S. (A census tract usually consists of between 2,500 and 8,000 people.)

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130108/BLOGS08/130109821/how-rich-is-your-neighborhood

The article points out that many of the poorer census tracts lie in the city of Chicago, and not surprisingly, are also areas that suffer from high crime rates. Austin, on the city's Far West Side, is one of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods, with more than 34 homicides in 2012 and 29 homicides in 2011. According to Rich Blocks, Poor Blocks, census tract 2519, in the heart of South Austin, has a median household income of $18,818, compared with a statewide median income range of $48,000 to $59,000.

By comparison, the suburb of Oak Park, just a few miles from Austin, recorded 1 homicide in 2011; census tract 8125, in northern Oak Park, has a median income of $65,313.

Which brings me to a strong point of my concern you can clearly see where neighborhoods are divided and if you pay attention to both maps the areas that have most crime & poverty filled are those with majority minority occupants. Oak Park and Austin aren’t even 10 miles distance from each other yet if you was to walk into these two neighborhoods on an average da

Which brings me to a strong point of my concern you can clearly see where neighborhoods are divided and if you pay attention to both maps the areas that have most crime & poverty filled are those with majority minority occupants. Oak Park and Austin aren’t even 10 miles distance from each other yet if you was to walk into these two neighborhoods on an average day looking form diversity you will always see exactly what reflects on the maps. Which is that diversity doesn’t truly exist in the cities. In it shows in property taxes, neighborhood employment opportunities, policing, education, and property value.