These are all things that Chicago is known for. Some more true, some more stereotypical, all treading that fine line somewhere in between.
Another thing Chicago is known for: segregation. I've also found that while it has large scale, destructive implications, on a smaller, personal, more selfish level, I've experienced some benefits of these enclaves:
1. I've been able to have several immersive experiences simply by taking the same El line I always do, but this time in the opposite direction. 2. I get to experience the benefit of authentic food from different cultures. 3. Exposure to a variety of people--Chicago is a salad of people. There's no assimilation going on in salads. This means everyone remains very much individual. I prefer this than to a homogenous mass. Although I do wish some things (i.e. socioeconomic status) were homogonous #YesImASocialist
This infographic just NAILS the Chicago neighborhood stereotypes. Still trying to figure out where in Chicago you want to live this summer? See which stereotype is most truthful to you! As much as you may want to resist it, like I said before, most things teeter awkwardly between truth and generalization. The Ukrainian Village persona, for example, really makes me cringe because I suddenly feel much less like a special snowflake and much more like just another piece of precipitation to add to the 100s of others.
Mostly though, I love staring at this infographic because I feel like I know every one of these people or have seen them walking in their respective neighborhoods. People are such weird creatures. We always aspire to be different than others yet we flock to similarity and homogeneity every time.
--Silvia
Tweet me your Q's, comments, issues, or favorite Chicago activities @SilviaElenaFF
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