If you live in the Hyde Park/Kenwood/Woodlawn area, chances are you’ve experienced the “Million Teenage March” on 53rd St. before. My husband and I witnessed the confusion last year. It was actually scary. We were walking to our favorite frozen yogurt spot, Z Berry. There was an unusual amount of teenagers out, but we didn’t think anything of it. Suddenly,…
Author: Tanikia Carpenter
Bandwagon Cub Fans… Can We Keep the Trend Going with Chicago Education?
I couldn’t tell you a single player’s name on the Cubs team if my life depended on it. Well, yesterday I learned about Dexter Fowler who’s making Black history by being the first African American Cub to lead-off in Game 1 of the World Series. Dope. But before that, no clue. To my defense I grew up on the Southside…
Stop Punishing Us for Being Poor
Last weekend my husband and I had a chance to check out Ava Duvernay’s documentary 13th on Netflix. There’s only one word to describe how I felt after watching: PISSED. Maybe it was because I’d just watched the video below that exposes the fact that thousands of people in Chicago are stuck in jail, because they simply can’t afford bond.…
Dear BBC: Chicago Doesn’t Need Another Documentary. We Need Solutions.
Yesterday BBC released a mini documentary entitled “The Lost Streets of Chicago” and as a citizen born and raised in the Windy City, I’m highly offended. In 2014 Noisey launched a 8-part documentary entitled “Welcome to Chiraq”. Hosted by Thomas Morton (writer and contributing editor to Vice magazine), I faithfully watched every episode searching for hope. I found none. They simply…
Protesting Does NOTHING: Mike Brown 2 Years Later
I’m tired of marching. First, let me be clear that I have nothing but appreciation for my ancestors who marched and paved the way for change. This has NOTHING to do with them. But in the words of today’s conscious activist’s, “This ain’t yo mama Civil Rights Movement”. I couldn’t agree more. Today is the 2 year anniversary of the…
There Are Still Gunshots Outside My Window Even After President Obama’s Speech
Yesterday my husband and I watched the Democratic National Convention while anticipating President Obama’s speech. Prior to him being introduced they played a video highlighting some of the President’s most pivotal moments. I remembered most of them, but two in particular stood out: I will never forget when the President cried over the innocent children and adults who lost their lives in Sandy Hook. Guns were…
Long Live Emmett Till Who Would Have Turned 75 Years Old Today
Emmett Till would have turned 75 years old today. Born in Chicago, in 1941, Till was murdered in 1955 in Money, MS. Till’s brutal murder sparked the Civil Rights movement across the nation, but it especially woke up Chicagoans. Our Northern city hadn’t quite experienced the ramifications of racism that seemed to hold the South hostage. Here it was, on…
That Time A White Police Officer Changed My Tire
While perusing the internet this weekend I came across Chicago Suntimes writer, Mary Mitchell’s, article “A Happy Surprise When I Got Pulled Over By a White Cop”, I couldn’t help but to reminisce about my similar experience.