On Tuesday morning, a caller left a message on my voice mail with an urgent request: "Please dig a little deeper into the Curtis Cooper death," the unidentified woman asked. "White residents don't want black residents in CHA property to come over to their property. The fence was really illegal. Nobody is talking about why a fence was put up in the first place. It was to separate the blacks from the whites."
Curtis Cooper was the 3-year-old boy who was killed when a heavy steel gate broke off its hinges and crushed him.
I called Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), who represents the ward where Curtis lives, and asked him about the perception that the fence was installed to separate the impoverished blacks from families who were moving into the upscale, market-rate housing a couple of blocks away.
Alderman used to live in the same apartment:
Burnett grew up in the 900 blk. of N. Cambridge, in the same apartment that the Cooper family now resides.
"That is not true. Those gates were up there when my mom lived there. They were put up for security purposes and because the row houses were consistently being broken into. Where that child lives, where he played, that was my house," Burnett said. "They put the gates up as a safety measure before the Plan of Transformation came about in 1995."
Saw neighborhood change:
"I went to the home and consoled the parents. When I went into the house, I realized it could have been one of my nieces or nephews. I used to play back there all my life and the space was wide open. But that was before the drugs and gangs came around, and police had to find away to keep criminals from going back there. Those fences were there before white folks."
Priorities mixed up:
What Cabrini-Green residents out to be outraged about is that a black developer, Cullen Davis, who hails from a family with long-standing ties to the Daley administration has made a hefty profit from the renovation of dilapidated CHA housing, apparently by taking some shortcuts.
And why is that? Perhaps because the CHA residents are black and poor and seen by some of us as not deserving much better.
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
This blog is back? Let the mayhem begin! As for this topic, those condos and townhomes near Cabrini Green are expensive, so if I lived there I would want a fence or boundary separating me from the Cabrini residents.
Damn right I want a fence- to separate myself from the savages.
I am a black female and personally I would not blame anyone for not wanting to deal with it. I understand their problems because I go through it every day. Drug dealers hanging on my property, parents sitting with their kids refusing to discipline them while watching them tear down & deface the neighbor's property but then getting offensive when the property owner speaks up. These television poverty pimp reverends who march everytime the police do something wrong but say absolutely nothing about the black on black crime that occurs everyday and walk past the problems everyday but don't even attempt to make it better. You will find at least 2 churches in every block on the west side but it has more hell than any place I have ever seen. IT IS TIME TO BE RESPONSIBLE & ACCOUNTABLE & STOP BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE FOR THE PERSONAL DUMB DECISIONS THAT AN INDIVIDUAL MAKES. I don't blame them if that was the case-why should you have to put up with riff raff everyday when you've spent that kind of money. I don't think it's race for this issue-I'm fed up & I've lived on the west side my entire life-So, I totally understand their position.
I am black and I don't blame those people who worked hard and spent money to buy those homes for not wanting to put up with the ghetto riff-raff. Why should they suffer because people decide to make all the wrong decisions in life. Then lean on poverty and race as a crutch. Will someone please address the real issues. BET has glamorized people with money & their lifestyles and this is what these youth want to emulate. IT IS TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY & until we stop using race as a crutch-the problems will not improve-so I don't blame those homeowners for not wanting to listen to loud music, fighting, cursing, baby daddy drama, not having beer bottles laying in front of their house, and people laying on their gates. So, good for them for putting up a gate if that was the case.
Usually, in the suburbs when you want to divide one area from another trees are utilized. Fences are unappealing whether you are on the outside or the inside. If the resident in the new development are so concerned they should hire security or it should have been a gated community from the start.
Jerry! Or JEM (which is it)
You know you would love the Cabrini residents. Let's be honest.
Mary...
I am truly saddened by the tragic death of this baby boy. I agree that this could have been avoided and I'm sure there is enough blame and accusations of negligence to sifer out...however, I must question the parent. Who in the WORLD lets a 3 year old go anywhere unattended? It seems that our young black parents are so preoccupied or busy with other things that there is no longer a "watch dog" approach to raising babies anymore. When I grew up on the impoverished south side of Chicago, we could not go outside without our parents until we were old enough to carry a house key on a shoestring around our necks! 8 years old is a far cry from 3 Mary! Come on! This was an infant! Young parents need to realize that babies cannot look out for themselves. It was the mother's responsibility to be outside, step-by-step with this baby while he was riding his bike. There is no excuse for the mother's lapse in judgment. This baby was momentarily neglected and now the family is paying the ultimate price for that oversight. This baby could have been abducted or even hit by a car. I'm sure there might be a law suit pursued however, I truly hope that the young mother accepts ALL accountability that her baby is dead...but then again, I guess it hurts less when one can put the blame on someone else. May God watch over our children...since the parents of today don't want to.
DG
i dont think that it is a race issue i belive that those kids that live there play on those gates and and that little boy was hurt in the process because those gates did not get broken by them selfs . some of those kids are bad as hell so blame the people that live there.
This Urban Properties Advisors, like so many other are not interested in the welfare of the people who live in these housing complexes. They main priority is making money. Ask some of the vendors who's completed work for them in the past. They are still waiting to be paid. This is one of many lawsuits.
A child has died. Why? Why was the child playing on or near a heavy steel gate? Surely people could see it wasn't safe. Where were the child's parents? Was the child being adequately supervised? Tell me why, when a tragedy occurs do people automatically cry - it's because the victim was black! Can't they see that it was just a senseless accident! Perhaps if the people in Cabrini Green acted and lived like the people in the market value homes, they wouldn't need a fence! Just because you are poor, does't mean you have to act like a criminal! I should know - I'm poor as well and have never stolen, murdered, dealt drugs or acted thugish.
If you need a fence to seperate you from you neighbors then moving to the neighbohood is pointless. Who would pay for a condo in a neighborhoo that is bad enough to need a steel gate!?!
Just another fool trying to stir the pot!
It sounds more like a case of Burnett and Davis not protecting the people from a dangerous fence. By the next election, this will be forgotten, with Daley and Burnett winning re-election.
It doesn't matter why the gates were put there, what matter is a three year-old child is dead, because adults don't care. If you are managing a proparty you are suppose to take care of it like it's yours. You would not see gates hinging from a chain in places like Oak Park and River Forest. You will not see three year-old childred outside without adult supervision. If you leave a three year-old in a car you may go to jail. What is wrong with that picture. Since those are poor black residents, they just accept want is given to them. If the tenents go to the management office demond change to the proparty and tell them to stop doing a halfass job, they will get results. There are enough residents for a class action lawsuit aginst the management company. But it's up residents. They must choose if they want to live like they are in a third world country, or they can do what's best for their childred and each other.
why was a 3years old allowed to swing on a iron fence? where were his parents? when my kids(now grown) were 3 years old they were not allowed to be out with out me or my wife!! where were is parents, and i don't want to here he was with other children!!
to me this is all on his parents!!!
You know. Take the fences down and interact with people as real people and amazing things happen. Neighborhoods form, neighbor-ships are fostered, people learn from each other. People aren't boxed into some desolate construction where hopelessness and therefore danger festers. And I'm not just talking about the projects. I don't get tired of the new condos necessarily but sometimes the people who live inside them. The ones who don't say hi when you do, when you're walking down the street (I'm white by the way).
What I've learned from living on a very diverse block is something called community. I've learned to enjoy the simplest pleasures in life—sitting on my porch and chatting with passersby and the people next door. I watch out for the little kids riding their bikes down my block, just as some of the so-called "gangbangers" in the area have told me they watch out for me, and even my car, even if it's something as simple as giving me a heads-up about street-cleaning or helping me fix my windshield wipers. I've spoken out of concern with one of my neighbors about how I can hear him scream at his kids most days. When a young kid tried to sell me heroin, I started talking to him and told him that he was capable of so much more, as he talked about what it was like growing up in a broken home without a father. No one's better than the other, but when people come together we can all be pretty awesome.
A two year old child should be watched at all times, at all times protected by his or her parents or gaurdian. There are dangers everywhere, in every home and on every street. Where was his Mother & Father and why were they not watching him?????????? People trying to put blame on others in order to collect money, make me sick!!!
Dear Mary,
I realize that the economy is in bad shape, but I am a temp worker at Northwestern University looking for something permanent. I am currently employing (pun definitely intended) all other conventional ways of job searching, but I have not had any luck. This was my way of thinking outside of the box. If you know anyone in the market for an Administrative Assistant, Proofreader, Accounting Assistant, or anything that involves clerical duties, please direct those individuals in my direction.
I have quite a bit of experience in those areas, and I am motivated by the fact that I have a nine month old daughter. This means that I am in it for the long haul. The company or individual can count on me into retirement age.
I'm not sure whether this note will help me pull myself up from poverty, but I sure do feel better now that I have written it all down. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
M.S.D.
Before I begin my spiel, allow me to reply to Jerry above.
Jerry, I can only respond to your comment with mixed emotions. I think that anyone paying almost 7 figures for a home should be concerned about their safety. However, ascribing to a stereotype about new neighbors based on race and media supported generalizations is unsettling to me. It's not all of the residents who are stirring up trouble- just some.
Plus, if you try to bring prosperity close enough to poverty- that's like teasing someone.
-------
Ms. Mitchell,
I feel that the Curtis Cooper tragedy is a chilling reminder of how we should be involved in all aspects our communities. There is no one person to blame, but rather the collective mishap of people who may have known the gate was faulty. I think we should focus on consoling the family and making sure this never happens again rather than just pointing fingers.
GREAT POST!
Sad. Personal decision to allow a child that young to be unsupervised, and its SOMEONE ELSES FAULT?
Get real.
What's next? Blame the gun company or the liquor store for being open at 1AM when a man took a gun and a 2 year old to the liquor store after 1AM and the baby got shot.
Goes back to parenting and individual decision making. Suffer the consequences. Sadly the child was the victim.
"However, ascribing to a stereotype about new neighbors based on race and media supported generalizations is unsettling to me."
I would encourage you to take a history lesson on some historic communities on the south side and look what happened to them when they became predominantly black...Pullman, Roseland to name a few. No stereotyping there...
I agree with many of the above statements. I don't think that this is a racial issue either. My question too is where were the parents and why do they want to blame everyone but themselves. I am responsible for a 9 year old (much older than 3) and I won't let her go anyplace alone and most of the time I am along to supervise. That's my job as a parent.
I'm sure the gate did not just break so people knew it was faulty. Extra care should have been taken by all adults and the 3 year old should not have been allowed to play on it. To me, it's another case of people not wanting to take responsibility for themselves and their children.
I would want a gate as well. Not because Cabrini Green residents are black, BUT because I don't want gang bangers, drug dealers and drive by shootings in the area of the home that I purchased in which I worked VERY hard and put myself through college on my own to get! Stop crying racism! I was poor as well, but did it on my own. As a minority, college is easier then ever to get funds for. Get up and do something instead of selling drugs and joining gangs. If you do, Don't feel bad when I put up a BIG fence to keep you out! Regardless of color or race! Thank you!
Rich people vs Poor people ( the ethnic background doesn't matter ) - What matters is "WHY" would wealthy people want to live closely to those who do not have the same financial means? People with money can move any where, but the people of little means mainly live in one spot struggling to get out.
Also, read Sunday's July 6, 2008 crosstown newspaper, the article on the displacement of families will give more credence to this blog entry or any poster's comments.
To continue, luxury condos, homes are set within sight and touch of the poor, but when reaching out to feel it, their hands are bashed and told do not touch it. Steel fences are in erected but I am not sure who is caged in. Is it the people who can afford the homes and now hide behind the fences, or the people who cannot afford over-priced homes and are locked out?
Someone please tell me who is the caged being, I don't want historial presumptions to give credence one way or the other. Who is the caged being, where three year olds can be killed but fingers are pointed in both directions? The well-to-do blame the poor, tired, do not know where to turn, and the poor blame those who can live any where out of the sight of the less fortunate yet thrust their wealth in ones face and expect no jealousy or envy. Something is wrong with this picture people, but if pointing fingers alleviates consciousness to the plight of others in America, this is why we allow presidents to start unjust wars, screw up the economy, along with sky-high food, clothing, gas prices all while people are losing homes in America and watch people suffering in other countries on their BIG SCREEN HDTV(s).
Are any who presently have wealth lost a home before and presently live on the other side of the fence and point fingers back at the old neighbors to let them know they are wrong about their new neighbors who have yet to make it? Are any who were once poor finally able to live in contrast of prior conditions, forgetting what it was like to live on the other side and now point fingers through the fence without reminding the new neighbors that once was me?
Later people, not being preachy BUT: Romans 3:23 "FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF GOD'S GLORY" - - Something to think about when pointing fingers, regardless of the incident, but especially when an innocent baby dies.
You all made good comments..... Like JS said, its not because the residents are black per se, but yes, its the gang-bangers and drive-by shooters.
Marricat, you are right ! Why is a 3-year old roaming around by himself and especially there? Where is RESPONSIBILITY?
EURO AMERICAN: You brought up gun companies and liquor stores being open at 1 AM...Isn't it amazing since Jackson's sons (Yusef and Jonathan) were given that Budweiser Distributorship we no longer have those protests of liquor stores (LOL)...Think about that, everybody.
Sherika: Yes, self-responsibility is needed. And have you ever asked yourself why the civil-rights leaders, liberal politicians, and some others, only pay occasional lip-service, and do NOT go after the music and entertainment industries, which have tremendous influence upon these young men, with there profanity, violence and disrespect of nice ladies like yourself in the lyrics, and glorifying of shootings and death, with the same enthusiasm as they did a Don Imus? You don't suppose its because these industries are big contributors to these politicians and donate to these 'activists' organizations, do you?
BTW, Sherika, Ms. Mitchell wrote a fabulous column about that young man who is going to graduate WITH HONORS from DeLaSalle. Unfortunately, there are thousands and thousands, if not millions, of other young minority men and ladies like this man, who will NEVER get that chance. Reason: The Teachers Union and other party-partisan groups have successfully blocked the 'voucher' idea from happening. Put PARTISAN-politics aside folks.... What made more sense: Giving a loving mother of a child a lets say $7000 voucher (taxpayers money well spent) so she can send her child to a good, disciplined, safe, and creative and caring school of her choice, or we tax-payers have to pay $13,800 instead (which is what taxpayers spend on every child a year in the CPS) to have her child educated in a unsafe non-learning environment. And become a potential drop-out (50% drop-out in major American cities). And why, because the union prefers to protect bad teachers, create more beaucratic jobs, have political clout, and more finances and bigger pension funds.....Mary, I wish I knew your take? Oh yeah, before you say one party is all good and the other all bad, I'd like to remind you, Affirmative-Action was also a republican idea (created by Nixon and advisor Arthur Fletcher). Mary, YOU may be a success story thanks to it.
Let's lay the blame where it really belongs. Only irresponsible parents leave a 3-year-old child outside alone to play. That's true whether you live in a mansion or a ghetto. I for one am sick and tired of the race card being played whenever possible. Take responsibility for your own children!
To Monique, who stated: "It's not all of the residents who are stirring up trouble- just some."
What nonsense. You really expect people to put their children's safety at risk just to prove that they're not "racists"?? Not all blacks are violent, not all blacks are gang-bangers. However, blacks represent about 12% of the population, but commit about 70% of all violent crime. You wouldn't jump into a tankful of sharks just because SOME of them might not bite, would you? Wherever there is a great deal of violent crime taking place, law-abiding people want to run away from it, or at least protect themselves from it. Wouldn't any sane person do the same?
Making a comment on this is like fighting a losing battle, but I just want to point out that drugs, violence, and low property values are not a condition of being black. The decline of communities is not an inherent factor in blackness for those who seem to think so. It's very easy to make pronouncements about how certain groups don't take personal responsibility, ruin their neighborhoods, or act like savages without asking why and then really attempting to understand the causes and issues, but that it seems is the American way.
Nobody wants to be poor or live in a community of chaos and yes, people should take personal responsibility and try to make changes that will result in positive outcomes but if it was that easy there wouldn't be communities like Cabrini-Green, Inglewood, Humboldt Park, trailer parks, or those tiny, backwards towns in Appalachia that we've recently seen spotlighted in the news, anywhere in the world. There is more to it than that and anyone who refuses to see that is provincial and sophomoric in their thinking. Some of these comments have merit but things are not that simple. If people could just stop being poor and doing self-destructive things they would. Who wants to be miserable? When (largely) white women are anorexics or white men are cocaine addicts no one says that these two things are functions of whiteness.
I am also disturbed that several of the Black people commenting feel it necessary to preface their comments with racial identifiers for the so that presumably members of the provincial, sophomoric, and yes racist set don't immediately brand them as sympathizers.
Finally (not really but I have to end somewhere), I really love how all of the provincial, sophomoric, racist set get the strength to say provincial, sophomoric, racist things because of their anonymity here. These comment sections seem to have the same effect on people as a few shots of Jack Daniel's and their mouths start running before their brains actually kick in--but in that statement, perhaps I give too much credit because I assume that people actually think critically and rationally about anything. I waiting to see Jerry, Bob, Euro American and the rest go spread their enlightening messages where they will clearly count most: with the people of Cabrini-Green, all of you clearly hold the key of knowledge when it comes to figuring out what makes Black people underachieving deviants. By the way feel free to use that one next time, J., B., and E.A., I know you didn't think of it yourselves, but I don't have a problem sharing my insights. Hell, I don't even need to hide in the comments section! I'd say all of this to anyone's face.
My message to provincial, sophomoric racists: It's your problem too, your America too, and not just because it lowers a friend's or family member's property values, but you probably haven't figured that out yet.
i live in the south sub's dont see black parents watching thier kids, but i do see black children watching thier younger brother or sisters. this is the way it is parents arnt paying attention to the kids. bet they sure are watching the mailman for thier welfare.