Musings On Chicago - A Pride of a City

I had been in Chicago since 14 months. In no other place outside of my home states, I had stayed for so long at a stretch. Definitely not in a tough place like America. But it so happened that I stayed in a difficult place like Chicago for so long. I am in war with myself on numerous occasions throughout but persisted. First of all, it is an embarrassment to the place for a person like me to stay in a top-notch city like this. You never know if you belong here, become a subject of pride or element of embarrassment. On one occasion, I couldn’t utter a proper sentence when asked to speak on a topic in a room full of people. I thought it is a disgrace and shame to be here while these moments of not having an iota of self-respect pop up occasionally. A man that I am innately, when operating in a safe zone doesn’t belong to a top city like Chicago. I don’t think these weekly blogs are in safe zone for me to operate and sustain for long. Without these blogs, when you would like to operate safely with the tools you have for a lengthy duration, I am a nothing man in this great place. I am neither very great at my official work and just manage somehow. My job back in India is a help, my onsite stint is a help, this lengthy duration is a help, this city is of great help and the second-generation kid that I am is a big embarrassment to this tenth generation great city. 

There are three ways to look at anything– over estimate, under estimate and knowing the true worth. I am always confused about my true worth as I look at myself through these three lenses. If I really think I belong to Chicago – it will be over estimation, if I think I don’t belong here – it will be under estimation and you never know what is the true worth since 14 months have elapsed. Even if I don’t belong here, I certainly don’t want to embarrass the third largest city in U.S.  I came to U.S. on three earlier occasions but my residence in any particular state lasted just few months. Nowhere else I had stayed for so long as I did this time around. I don’t know what the city is made of but it got me glued to it like no other place in U.S. There is a need to reciprocate and give back to the place which is the center of action in U.S. for the past year and more. Hence, I will try to upheld the sanctity of the place in the little way possible for me in this space. Earlier it used to be Hyderabad which is the canvas for my paint and the time period of my stay away from the home city did wonders to it. I can come to it in another post.

 

Let us dwell more into the historic city of Chicago before looking at the present-day scenario. Even though the U.S. is just few centuries old, the time is good enough to revolutionize the world. Chicago stands as a tall example to convey the same message. The city is a testimony for some of the modern day wonders across the land. I can begin with a familiar discovery which I mentioned in this space earlier. Around 130 years ago, the city discovered Swami Vivekananda to the world and India. His life is ambitious and he lived in a mission mode whose objective inspires people at all times to lead a life worth living. The beautiful picture has been painted and the imprint has been for ages to elevate everyone. The modern India is not even born to chart its journey but the U.S. has been on a great trajectory in 19th century itself. Hence the modern-day history of the land is all too inescapable to recall. The history and evolution of Chicago is interspersed by great moments of religious, scientific, architectural, economical and cultural importance.

 

We can look at some other interesting happenings in the city. Chicago played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of skyscrapers. The construction of skyscrapers became possible with the development of the steel frame structure. Architects and engineers in Chicago began experimenting with using steel frames to support buildings instead of traditional load-bearing walls. The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, constructed as early as 1885 is considered the world's first modern skyscraper. Chicago's contributions to the skyscraper revolution laid the foundation for the modern urban landscape we see today. The city's experimentation, engineering prowess, and architectural vision transformed the way buildings were designed and constructed, setting new standards for height, strength, and aesthetic appeal. The downtowns across the country and cities all over the world owe it to this city for bringing the skyscrapers into existence. Not just skyscraper, the city is the hub of innovation and many a great usages of modern day has its roots in the city. Some of those are Ferris Wheel, Vacuum Cleaner, Zippers, Cellphone, Electric Blender and many others which bore a symbol of the rich history contributing to the causes around the world.

 

Not just products, the city is home to great companies. Even if it does not appeal to many, I would be in awe of those names. These are 1. Boeing: Boeing, one of the world's largest aerospace companies, traces its roots back to Chicago. It was founded in Seattle in 1916 but relocated its corporate headquarters to Chicago in 2001. 2. McDonald's: The global fast-food giant, McDonald's Corporation, was founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. However, the company's headquarters were later moved to Chicago in 1971. 3. United Airlines: United Airlines, one of the largest airlines globally, has its origins in Chicago. It was founded in 1926 as Varney Air Lines and later became United Airlines. The company's headquarters are located in the Willis Tower in downtown Chicago. 4. Abbott Laboratories: Abbott Laboratories, a global healthcare company, was founded in 1888 by Dr. Wallace C. Abbott in Chicago. 5. Allstate: Allstate Corporation, one of the largest insurance companies in the United States, was founded in Chicago in 1931. 6. Hyatt Hotels Corporation: Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a multinational hospitality company, was founded in Chicago in 1957. 7. Crate & Barrel: Crate & Barrel, a renowned home furnishings retailer, was founded in Chicago in 1962. 8. Motorola Solutions: Motorola Solutions, a global communications and technology company, has its roots in Chicago. These are some of the jaw dropping names and there are many others including my employer. The city is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and serves as a hub for business and innovation. Its central location and robust infrastructure make it an attractive destination for commerce and trade. Against this backdrop, I am certainly not out there to embarrass one and all.

 

Chicago embraces cultural diversity, with a blend of communities representing various ethnic backgrounds and traditions. This diversity is reflected in the city's neighborhoods, where one can find vibrant cultural enclaves, each with its unique charm, cuisine, and festivals. The city is home to whites, blacks, hispanic, asian and numerous other people from varied backgrounds, countries. You can find people from Ukraine raising their voice against the war in their country. The diversity is striking and the presence of Blacks is one of the enriching aspects of the place. Due to the magic of the land, the African Americans here are some of the most progressive blacks in the world. You cannot find a more developed set of these people in any part of the world. The city has the outgoing mayor, present mayor and many eminent people from Black background. The first African-American president of the country has his roots in the city. This is the progress the Blacks have made in this city, which is the beautiful shining beacon for the lesser privileged elsewhere.

 

There are a host of other areas where the city excels. We can revisit at any other time. To note, the population of Chicago including suburban areas is 9.8 million which is equal to a typical Hyderabad at 10.8 million. Living in both these big cities of this large is like contributing to the epicenters of action in home and foreign nations. There is a definite sense of activism, vibrancy and motivation in Chicago by way of the historic greatness applied to the present day. The city needs to seize the moment and build greater stories, movements and institutions for the future, like it did 130 years ago. This is the hope which needs to emanate from the present day stir in an elevated, developed world.

 

This is not just that. There is negative angle from this city as well in the form of crime and violence. The south side of the city is a breeding ground for heavy violence. There should not be any room for elements of this type in a civilized world. The gun violence becomes news very often and it looks scary to think about it on the ground. It has become a norm these days to see reports of sort “shootings this weekend have left at least 26 people shot, eight fatally”. The city's overall crime rate, especially the violent crime rate, is higher than the US average. Gangs in Chicago have a role in the city's crime rate. The number of homicides in Chicago hit a 25-year high in 2021. It is highly threatening to see the crime rate of this magnitude in the city. The perpetrators of the crime are cringeworthy, cowardly and extremely out-of-place to the great work, suffering victims. This needs to be stopped, for the times are better and the environment is conducive for good, righteous living. I had already mentioned about the gun-violence in U.S. one year ago in a blogpost. There has to be a measured progress in the society with mitigated evils. Else, there is a no good reason for these efforts. These crimes are not so grave in the absence of these deadly weapons in the hands of one and all. We need to progress towards a future where everyone gives up these weapons and no one uses it on the fellow citizens. This can be called a progress in right direction and not 120 fire arms for 100 people.

 

These are some of the many pros and very less cons of this great city which are put in this space after my dear affiliation to the land in this lengthy tenure.