I thought some of you might be interested in a new book of photos from Chicago's Uptown neighborhood in the the 1970s. Take a look at this story about it:
It was eerie looking at these photos. It reminds me of some photo essays I've seen of poor neighborhoods in the 30s and 40s. Looking at those older photos I always think, "Wow! So people were really living like that!" Then I look at this essay and think, "Wow! I was living smack dab in the middle of all that!" A very strange feeling.
This also reminds me of how I felt moving into the Kemper building when I returned from England in the summer of 1972. Everyone told me how dangerous the neighborhood was. All I could think was that it was nowhere near as dangerous as Fifth City. I was cautious in Uptown but I didn't live in constant fear, as I had as a child in Fifth City.
I just ordered the last hard copy of the book from Amazon, but they say there are more on the way.
I wish everyone a joyful and meaningful holiday season!
Fondly,
Shelley