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Confproposal

The document proposes a two-day conference on April 4, 2008 to discuss issues of race and space in Chicago and the crisis in North Lawndale. The conference would combine academic panels featuring researchers on gentrification with cultural events and history presentations. It would also include community planning workshops to develop a plan to resist gentrification and ensure changes benefit the community. A planning committee with representatives from local organizations would organize the event.

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Valerie F. Leonard
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48 views1 page

Confproposal

The document proposes a two-day conference on April 4, 2008 to discuss issues of race and space in Chicago and the crisis in North Lawndale. The conference would combine academic panels featuring researchers on gentrification with cultural events and history presentations. It would also include community planning workshops to develop a plan to resist gentrification and ensure changes benefit the community. A planning committee with representatives from local organizations would organize the event.

Uploaded by

Valerie F. Leonard
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A Proposal for an April 4, 2008 Conference

Race and Space in Chicago


The Crisis in North Lawndale

I propose the Lawndale Alliance, units from UIC, and other concerned organizations organize a
conference for April 4, 2008, the 40th anniversary of both the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther
King and the tragic announcement of the Conservative Vice Lord’s program to save the youth of
Lawndale. The two day conference would be held in North Lawndale and would combine
academic discussion with cultural events, historical presentations, and community planning to
resist gentrification.

The academic component would be speakers and panels on race and space in Chicago. It would
bring together some of the major researchers on gentrification, like Mary Patillo, Michelle
Boyd, Stephen Haymes and others to discuss the impact of gentrification on African American
communities. Other panels would display and discuss data that shows the actual process of
change in North Lawndale and Chicago’s west side in housing, education, policing, and health
care. Students that did research in the Chicago Area Study course would present their papers as
well. A major speaker, like bell hooks or Loic Wacquant, might keynote the conference.

Along with the academic panels, presentations on the history of African American North
Lawndale would take place over the two days. Lawndale residents would be invited to present
oral histories of their lives in North Lawndale for an archive sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis.
Displays of the 1960s Conservative Vice Lords, the Contract Buyers League, and the impact of
Cobra Records and the west side sound blues traditions would be joined by and other examples
of the community’s African American heritage. A panel would examine the “white flight” of the
1950s and subsequent flight of business and capital after the violent North Lawndale reaction to
Dr King’s assassination.

On Friday night, a “Rap Against Gentrification” would take place with local hip hop performers
lending their voices and art to wake up the youth in the community to the crisis they are facing.

The first day would set the context, and the second day would be devoted to community planning
and continuing taking of oral histories. Workshops would focus on how to make sure the changes
coming to North Lawndale would benefit the community, not displace them. The sessions would
be open to residents and friends of the west side and anyone who might have ideas or proposed
programs to benefit the community. The outcome would be consensus on a community plan for
resistance.

A planning committee should be set up with representatives from the Lawndale Alliance, UIC,
the Northeastern Center for Inner City Studies, the North Lawndale Community News, and other
concerned organizations.

John M. Hagedorn

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