Dear Chicago, am I still in the U.S.?

[kkrxo 2]

This is NOT a Chicago problem, this is a problem that exists in every single city in the US. It isn't a Latino problem either, it is a social issue that covers every single race. I lived in Chicago for 14 years and never had a problem, now I live in NY and haven't had a problem either (knock on wood!).

I'm not saying it's just a latino problem in every single city... you must have not lived in the community that I lived in if you didn't have a problem with gangs. BUT in my area, it is the latinos that are in the gangs starting all the trouble. "Latin Kings" "LK's" "Satan Disciples" (I know there's more)but whatever you want to call them, they've tagged everything in this area and they claim this neighborhood. The part of Northside Chicago that I live in doesn't look like it's bad at all... But it is. It's not like the "hood", like parts of west side and south side where there are bums on every corner and people hanging out in front of every food and liquor store.. but there is a gang problem here. If you NEVER had a problem with gangs when you lived here, then lucky for you! I wish that was the case for us! My dad has also never had a problem in this area, he's been living here for 15 years, but think about it, why would any gang members really mess with a middle aged, working-class man just minding their own business? (I know it happens, but I think it's rare) My husband and I are both 23 and we mind our own business but just think about it like I said... it just makes us more of a target because we're young... and he's african american in a latino community. People automatically assume is a "GD".. which is stupid. I can't even explain the situation anymore, it should just be kind of self-explanatory. I mean, all you really have to do is watch the local daily news, and you should already know that IT IS a problem...

How long has it been since you lived here? Did you know that just recently, (within the past 2 weeks) the Chicago Police Dept went on strike because too many cops are getting killed by gang members? Just sayin..

And I don't agree that this problem exists in every single city in the U.S. (maybe in most big cities) but I lived on the east coast almost all my life, in different cities, and traveled a lot to North Carolina/South Carolina/DC/Maryland, and I have NEVER seen gangs this bad. Actually, I don't think gangs even exist in VA. That's like, the safest place in the world if you ask me. I never had a problem with the language thing either until I moved here. I mean, there's nothing wrong with spanish speaking people, I'd love to learn how to speak spanish, but I just wish they'd make english available everywhere over here also... And people look at us like we're stupid because we don't speak spanish. lol i find that very fascinating. I'm sure people run into a problem with the language thing in a lot of cities where there's lots of minorities though.

I didn't mean to offend anyone on the latino thing. I'm not racist, or prejudice, my whole family are all different races. I'm just sayin... if it looks like a duck and acts like a duck...........

[kkrxo 2]

Okay...unlike many people posting on this..I actually spent what seemed forever in this city. In fact it was only 3 1/2 months...living/surviving in the Cicero Stickney area. Chicago is the armpit of the world. I decided that if these people are this mean at Christmas time, I would hate to see them the rest of the year.

Im sorry about your troubles..but your only options are to either get use to it or leave.

Very true. And yes, I'm familiar with Cicero and it's not a place to be playing around with.. Are you Ukrainian or is it your spouse? I know they have like a Ukrainian community here but I've never been... And yes, we are definitely relocating. My husband has a good job here so we're looking somewhere in the north or nw suburbs.

[armorri122 1]

It's pretty laughable how quickly new immigrants in American become hypercritical and racist of other immigrants. In reality people still think of you that way too. So really, jokes on you.

[ptgarner1 8]

No my spouse is Ukranian...I cant blame your for seeking shelter elsewhere. I hate to even fly over the place at 30,0000 feet.

[kkrxo 2]

It's pretty laughable how quickly new immigrants in American become hypercritical and racist of other immigrants. In reality people still think of you that way too. So really, jokes on you.

aww sorry to break it to you but I'm not a new immigrant. I've been in the U.S. for 22 years And how am I racist when I'm half Filipino, married to an african american, and have 2 children with him? And my father is latino, my half sister is half German, my first cousins are half white. lol thanks for giving me something to laugh about today though. And I think you meant 'hypocritical.' Before you try to insult anybody, learn how to spell. Sorry, to correct your spelling. That's what happens when you grow up going to school in a private school in America, and get a 4 year degree, despite being an immigrant.

[armorri122 1]

In that case I have no idea how it happened, but it definitely did. There are no prequalifications for being racist. I'm half African American and if I said some of the things you just did, I'd be called the same thing.

[kkrxo 2]

In that case I have no idea how it happened, but it definitely did. There are no prequalifications for being racist. I'm half African American and if I said some of the things you just did, I'd be called the same thing.

No honey, being racist simply means you hate and believe you're better than other races, and I don't think I'm better than anybody and I absolutely do not hate anybody just because of their race. This forum is about "Moving Here and Your New Life in America".... I just moved to Chicago, and it's my new life in this part of America... and last I heard, freedom of speech is still the first amendment in this remarkable country.

[armorri122 1]

...Ya there's actually a lot more to it than that. I don't know what they teach in Virigina schools, obviously not tolerance. Maybe you should read a book called Illegal People and get back to me later. BTW, freedom of speech is a first amendment right that guarantees you the right to speak (write, etc.) without retaliation from the government, not criticism on a public forum.

[kkrxo 2]

...Ya there's actually a lot more to it than that. I don't know what they teach in Virigina schools, obviously not tolerance. Maybe you should read a book called Illegal People and get back to me later. BTW, freedom of speech is a first amendment right that guarantees you the right to speak (write, etc.) without retaliation from the government, not criticism on a public forum.

LOL, seriously, before you direct me to read a book, learn how to spell first and foremost. And "Illegal People'? LOL Seriously?? That cracks me up. You're not only judgmental, but very ignorant as well. You don't know my story, and I don't care to begin to explain anything to you.

Being criticized on a forum is the least of my worries... I wouldn't have posted anything if I was worried about criticism. And racism isn't even what the topic was about so where the hell are you even going with this? Why did you even reply to my post just to insult me? ...Misery loves company? And yes, there's a lot more to racism than what I defined it as, but that's basically what it is if you simplify it, sweetheart. What did you want me to do? Go on about slavery days and tell a story about Thomas Jefferson? Get a life.

[armorri122 1]

...mature.

[kkrxo 2]

...mature.

what the hell man... go back on myspace or something and leave me alone.

[mrsean 4]

This is NOT a Chicago problem, this is a problem that exists in every single city in the US. It isn't a Latino problem either, it is a social issue that covers every single race. I lived in Chicago for 14 years and never had a problem, now I live in NY and haven't had a problem either (knock on wood!).

it is a puerto Rican problem are you just blind or do you not want to believe it!!!! hello latin kings all over!!!!scum of the earth

[kkrxo 2]

We live in a sleepy Northwestern suburban village of Algonquin, just past Hoffman Estates/Barrington Hills area.

Schaumburg is nice but congested & expensive still, you might want to think about coming out just past Schaumburg (we're only 20 minutes west of Woodfield Mall).

BTW, PM my wife (he profile is in my signature), she's always looking for fellow kabayans in the area....

When we first moved here, we had to stay in a hotel in Schaumburg right next to the mall (off of American Ln) until our apartment was ready. I really liked it there, but I did notice that it was more expensive to live there. My brother is selling his condo though and we're hoping he'll just rent it to us... I always see Algonquin on the weather channel but didn't think it was that close by. I will PM her

[kkrxo 2]

it is a puerto Rican problem are you just blind or do you not want to believe it!!!! hello latin kings all over!!!!scum of the earth

So true. They're everywhere. I watched a show called "Gangland" about the Latin Kings and it said that they migrated from Chicago to the New York area... and that the reason why the "Bloods" even existed in NY was because the Latin Kings took over and the african americans needed to somehow protect themselves so they banned together and created the Bloods on the east coast. It's all stupid if you ask me!

[james&olya 1,121]

This is NOT a Chicago problem, this is a problem that exists in every single city in the US. It isn't a Latino problem either, it is a social issue that covers every single race. I lived in Chicago for 14 years and never had a problem, now I live in NY and haven't had a problem either (knock on wood!).

Definitely not a problem in the UP of Michigan. Of course, the biggest 'city' is only about 25,000. The local 'ethnic group' is Finn!! I feel sorry for any immigrants from more civilized places who find themselves in places like the one described. It embarrasses me that I may have to explain about stories like this one to my fiancee! Fortunately she will not have to experience this when she moves here.