Til Death Do Us Part....

I wanted to write a more detailed analysis but I am going to shorten this in order to quickly get out my thoughts....Why do you think that something as sorrowful as death brings forth more division than unity? For example, when a family member passes away particularly in the black family, turmoil is the first to follow...Instead of banding together to ensure our loved ones rest in power peacefully, there is usually petty arguments, scavenger relatives who ransack through the deceased belongings and of course the financial woes about how to pay for the funeral or who will get the insurance settlement....Such a sad reality that many of us are familiar with....

Unfortunately, this seems to be a similar situation within our communities....Now, my blog readers know me, I am always smiling and spreading that #GreatinEnglewood news to help shift the negative perception of my neighborhood, but this post is different because we as a community recently lost two elected officials....

In February, Englewood lost the 16th Ward Alderwoman/Committeeman, Joanne Thompson and a week ago many of us were in attendance at the funeral of the 6th District State Rep, Esther Golar....Both of these strong and courageous women played a large role in the political landscape of Englewood...And although one served on the city level and the other served on the state level, they pretty much served the same constituents....The Residents of the Englewood Community....

Now one would think that this would be a time that the community would band together and work in unity to move forward some of the initiatives they had on their plate to ensure that their work was not in vain....But nooooo....Just like many black families, turmoil has been the first to follow....Folks talk all the time about the division in Englewood but with these two untimely deaths of our public officials, the division is more apparent than ever...

On one side we have #TeamJoanne #TeamEsther who wants to ensure that their legacies live on, and on the other side we have folks that feel this is the perfect opportunity to shake some things up in Englewood....Not that any of these approaches are wrong but it just highlights our division and some of the political dysfunction of Englewood....

With the recent lost of our state rep, the lens is back on the 16th Ward again....Why you may ask? Because when there is a vacancy in the house the ward committeeman of that said party is tasked with appointing someone for that seat....And guess who had the most votes in the 6th District....Yep you guessed it...The 16th Ward...And guess who is the current committeeman for the 16th ward?  No one - because unfortunately the democratic committeeman (Joanne Thompson) is no longer with us and no one has been appointed since May...Crazy right? So just like that black family who loses a love one, we as a community are running around like those crazy relatives....

There are about 10 people announcing that they are running for the 6th District Seat about a handful looking to be appointed, and although the 16th Ward plays an important role in this appointment, no one from this ward will be able to have a say in this decision....This is a mess, a complete mess!  Now this is the time for us to put aside all of our agendas, personal gripes in order to unite and figure out the best way to move forward. I would think that with something so drastic as not 1 but 2 deaths that we as a community would pull it together, take some time to reflect, then work to identify the best people to serve in these vacant roles...

But no instead we are already throwing out hashtags of #Teamthis vs. #Teamthat...And frankly in my opinion it's so many teams trying to play in the game that no one is winning and ultimately our community is losing...I would suggest in dire situations like these, that a "family" meeting is called....We look at all the pieces to the puzzle then decide how we should move as one....However, the problem in most black communities is that everyone wants to be "THE ONE" vs. "WORKING AS ONE"....This situation just further confirms that even when faced with a death - our elected officials, community, faith based, and business leaders refuse to get on ONE page for the betterment of our community...Then we wonder why Englewood is in the condition it is in today....Til Death Do Us Part...Yeah right...

I will end this post by simply saying Rest in Power Ald. Joanne Thompson and State Rep, Esther Golar, we know your spirits will continue to watch over the beloved community of Englewood...I pray and will remain hopeful that we will eventually get it right....Til Death Do Us Part....

We are Stars - Let the Rest of the Chicagoans be the Extras in ChiRaq!

As I sit on my porch here in Englewood, I cannot help but to reflect on the challenges my community faces day in and day out....I am not watching a movie & waiting for a hero to come save us or sitting here fearful of some big bad villain....This is my life, my block, my porch, my neighborhood....As much as I love my "mini" estate here on Union, I can't help but notice that the rest of the block could be coined a mini Detroit, Baltimore or another urban area in America....

Vacant lots, trash, abandoned buildings & semi burnt up homes that are barely standing is in my sneak preview. It's the perfect backdrop for a "Boyz-N-The Hood" type of movie or even a "gangsta" rap video. However, what's not in the backdrop is the reflection of the numerous failed policies of the City of Chicago and America….

Yes, I choose to be "cast" in this film, I mean my life & live alongside peacefully with the forgotten misfits; the bloody soldiers of "Chiraq"; the outcast of society; or whatever label you want to call the people who live in areas of concentrated poverty...But at the end of the day it's still home for me and so many other citizens like myself who work diligently to change this current reality.....

As I watch the trash fly through the block, the young people playing with sticks and dirt as a means to childhood fun, I continue my work with pride in order to sprinkle doses of hope wherever I go! I don't do this to brag or to be some extra in a movie...I do this work because I know Englewood is on the rise and I choose to be a part of the POSITIVE change happening here that so many others wish to ignore. 

Even after hearing that one of my favorite filmmakers, Spike Lee, is making a movie about my community and the title of the film would be...You Guessed It...."ChiRaq" - a name that is supposed to be a combination of Chicago & Iraq - due to the high number of shooting victims in Chicago, makes sense right? All, I can ask myself is - really Spike Lee?  Is this the best you can do? It's funny to me because this blog used to be titled -  Englewood the "Brooklyn of Chicago", because of my admiration of the culture & resilience of the residents in the BK....However, after further reflection a few years ago, I decided to change it because Englewood doesn't need to be the new Brooklyn, Harlem or anything else but - ANEW Englewood....

ANew Englewood that has experienced challenges and still rising from this current slump of systematic depression.....As I looked at the national news focused on Baltimore, I couldn't help but to think about Englewood....We have similar characteristics - 

• Crime
• Large population of people living below the poverty level
• A mass of foreclosures or "vacants" as they say in BMore
• Double-digit unemployment rates
• Failing Schools - etc., etc.

But in my opinion, instead of glorifying these stats or just using these communities as a backdrop for a film….Let's make a film about real solutions to the problems in urban areas....Let's make a film about the young people who thrives against the odds....Let's make a film about the working parents who are putting in overtime in order to send their children to college, or how about a film that focuses on the single dads who are raising their children alone....What are their stories?  Who will hear their voices? 

Now I would be interested in that type of film, because the story line of the young black male who decided to live a life of crime and mayhem is getting a bit tired, don't you think? There are countless reality shows, TV series, YouTube clips, documentaries, who tells this story....Honestly, how many times will these people get a starring role?

Anyway, let me step down off my soapbox and end this blog on a lighter note….I am forever grateful that the ones who get a starring role in my film aka life are Englewood residents -(i.e.) people who actually LIVE in this community and are progressively navigating through a failed system that was designed to keep us in a slump....Contrary to the outsiders who have chimed in stating that we are all walking around like zombies in a hopeless cloud and that Chiraq is a GREAT name for a film about Englewood.....There are many of us who are the complete opposite of this stereotype & are working around the clock towards long term strategies to improve Englewood! I guess a movie about these residents would be too boring to watch or wouldn't be a box office hit...I digress...

So let the casting calls begin!! You can sit back & watch the gory details of a small number of people in Englewood, but I refuse to own it, condone it or embrace it!! I have no desire to be an "EXTRA" in anyone's film because I know REAL Englewood Residents are TRUE STARS - shining bright through the clouds of crime, poverty & failed policies and there is no film that will capture that TRUTH!! Since the majority of Chicago and folks who do not sleep in Englewood think we live in a war zone, allow me to put my guns aside, unfasten my bullet proof vest and take my laptop off this porch because according to them, residents like myself are lined up to be the next casualty….Give me a break!

I said it before & will say it again....Englewood is on the RISE, but if the same people are being “typecast” you will only see this one-sided story again & again....

Just wait until the extras clear the set and once the lights and cameras are gone....Then and only then will the TRUE STARS OF ENGLEWOOD be revealed...Until next time...Stay Peaceful! 

Aysha Butler aka Mrs. Englewood

School is Out and Good in Englewood is In!!

Hello Hello Hello....Hope you missed me on my little hiatus from my blog!!  I am proud to announce that I am back to blogging since the bell has rang and school is out! For the readers who were not aware, I have been on a 24-month learning journey earning my Masters in Inner City Studies at Northeastern University at the Jacob Carruthers Center....

Don't know what I was thinking when I decided to return to school.....But I did it and enjoyed every moment of the experience.  From the small classrooms, the intense debates rooted in black culture, to the incredible faculty, and most of all an eager cohort of dynamic people all working towards the same goal - Graduation - December 2014!! Peep the cap and gown below! I did that!!!

I know what you are thinking..."What is a Masters in Inner City Studies? And with a name like "Mrs. Englewood" hasn't she already "mastered" the inner city...." Well it's more to it then that and although, I have a reputation of doing FANTASTIC things in Englewood...There is no way I can master the ever changing "inner city"...The inner city - aka urban areas aka ghettos or whatever you want to label marginalized black communities - is far too complex to master in a lifetime. The culture, politics, people and challenges will always be learning lessons for anyone working in this capacity.....So if you are working for change, prep yourself to be a life long learner!

This learning journey explored in great detail how many black communities with the same challenges as Englewood are systematically structured to fail. I know, depressing right?? But if you know me I am optimistic being and will always see the light at the end of the tunnel. We also delved deeper in Ancient African Civilization, examined the history of Chicago Public Schools, Curriculum for black students and much more...I am grateful that I was able to deepen my understanding of my community, education, economics and even examine my own personal purpose and work in Englewood.

Now when I started this blog back in 2009 I wanted to use this as a tool to give you a glimpse to my life as I work as a change agent and highlight the Good in Englewood - you can view some of my previous posts from 2010 here.

I did this because most new stories only reflect the negative activities here...The Good in Englewood concept has since flourished and if I am not reporting the Good in Englewood, so many individuals, organizations, and even main stream media outlets are now contributing to this movement!! 

As you can see from my previous blog posts, I mainly shared what organizations and individuals were doing...But this time the #GoodinEnglewood is me..Yes, ME - Aysha Butler aka Mrs. Englewood! 

Living in a community, where most people consider residents like myself, poor & uneducated....I am here to tell to you we are not!! I am proud mother of an exceptional student at Lindblom, a loving wife, a real estate investor, a community strategist and a PROUD Co-Founder/President of one of the most recognized groups in Englewood...R.A.G.E.!! I am here to tell you LOUD & CLEAR that we are far from LOSERS in Englewood!! This is the place where many trail blazers like myself are born and raised!!

See people from Englewood have to fight a little harder than an average Chicagoans, because we are always working to prove to others that TRUE GREATNESS resides in the 60621 or 60636 zip codes! 

2014 was a year of greatness and not only did I shine bright, but my community was shining even brighter!  From being the first community to pioneer the Large Lot Program that has now expanded to other communities in Chicago, to hosting our very own film festival, a 5K and just basically being the most talked about neighborhood in Chicago....This is not even half of the Good in Englewood that happened last year....Just search twitter for #GoodinEnglewood or check out my storify for a few of the stories...

So I would close by saying, in case you think Englewood is just a magnet for horrible news....I am a LIVING example of a #GOODINENGLEWOOD story!! So stay tuned for more living examples of #GoodinEnglewood in 2015!!! 

Until next time...TAKE ACTION to CREATE the life you truly desire!!!