1,001 Chicago Afternoons

D41. Hazardous. “Mexicans are scattered thruout, as well as other foreign elements.”

It’s Tri-Taylor.

B67. Still Desirable. “Jewish infiltration has started along the edges and may be expected to continue because of favorable reputation and location.”

It’s Ravenswood Manor.

D74. Hazardous. “[The then-upcoming Ida B. Wells federal housing project] has the realtors guessing as to what the ultimate result will be when so many of this race are drawn into this section from the already negro-blighted district… Already Washington Park at the south, a very fine park, has been almost completely monopolized by the colored race… Washington Park is doomed.”

I’m reading about the history of America. I’m reading about redlining. » Read the rest of this entry «

The candy was sweet and delightful — wads of tamarind wrapped in corn husks, bars of nothing but sweetened toasted coconut, spiced fruit fluids the consistency of cold butter scooped into a plastic spoon then tied off in Saran wrap and tossed, spoon and all, in the bin. Crumbly sugar-and-peanut marzipan, lollypops spiced piping hot, bins of chocolate more familiar to my Anglo eyes.

And rows and rows of piñatas that, while not quite crossing the line into full-on copyright infringement, definitely broke the spirit of the law with “Mouse Boy” and “Bat Hero.” » Read the rest of this entry «