I had to double check, in the September 2014 issue of the Progressive, when reading Dean Bakopoulos and Abayomi Azikiwe. I was sure they had been referencing Chicago!
Consider Azikiwe’s observation “Nor will [Detroit] revitalize itself through more ‘prestige’ projects such as stadiums, arenas, entertainment districts, and exclusive housing complexes…This approach has failed repeatedly over the last two decades to revive the city and its population.” This could just as easily have been written of Rahm Emanuel’s pet project to allow DePaul University to impose its enormous arena on the South Loop.
Likewise Emanuel’s hostility toward Chicago’s blue collar workers. When Bakopoulos writes, “The promise of a pension is no longer a promise. Humans have become resources we protect only when it is fiscally convenient.” Or if the downtrodden might become media darlings and possibly embarrass the mayor and his police puppet McCarthy.
Many Chicagoans are worried we will become Detroit.
Keeping Emanuel at the helm, we are sure to.
Maja Ramirez
Chicago, IL
cell 773.991.8911
majaramirez 