Obrigado Olympics Committee
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I tip my hat to Brazil. They deserve to be the first South American city to host the games and that is what this is about: who deserved it. In my opinion, Chicago did not. Every site has their own issues and I can only speak for the city I live in. When young black males (and females) continue to fall in a city where the first black male president calls home, this is not a city that needs to host the world. People who took off work to gather at Daley Plaza and show their support for the bid either do not know, do not care or think the Olympics Games are going to instantly clear up Chicago’s mess. Honestly, Chicago hosting the Olympics was going to cause more harm than good and increase the economic disparities.
I had personal, financial reasons for wanting the Olympics in Chicago. I had planned on buying my first house before the December 1, 2009 deadline to take advantage of the $8,000 credit. Then in the summer of 2015, I would list my house as available for rent the summer of 2016. My ending goal would be to take a summer vacation away from the craziness that would come to Chicago with the money I got for renting my house out to international Olympic visitors.
I truly believed the likelihood of the IOC picking Chicago after seeing President Obama’s Grant Park victory party go off without a hitch was at 90-95% and my ingenious plan was going to be put in motion.
However, that likelihood plummeted after the world heard about events of last week and the continuous inner city school violence. My wanting the Olympics for my own selfishness quickly changed. My church – Pullman Christian Reform Church on 103th and King Drive – and my youth ministry are in the Roseland community where I have ties to Derrion Albert.
Now the questions becomes: can we take that money that was going to go to the Olympics and make communities better for the people who are living there now and not for those ‘possibilities’ whose moving in will unjustly relocate current residents? Can the time and effort spent toward getting this city prepared for a month long event be redirected toward fixing what is wrong right now: pothole ridden streets, underfunded schools, the failed parking meter system, etc, etc, etc?
The issue I am more interested in getting resolved will not happen from increased police presence. President Obama, I know you have a country to run, but please do something because we might have already lost and will continue to lose students who could be the next you.
I had personal, financial reasons for wanting the Olympics in Chicago. I had planned on buying my first house before the December 1, 2009 deadline to take advantage of the $8,000 credit. Then in the summer of 2015, I would list my house as available for rent the summer of 2016. My ending goal would be to take a summer vacation away from the craziness that would come to Chicago with the money I got for renting my house out to international Olympic visitors.
I truly believed the likelihood of the IOC picking Chicago after seeing President Obama’s Grant Park victory party go off without a hitch was at 90-95% and my ingenious plan was going to be put in motion.
However, that likelihood plummeted after the world heard about events of last week and the continuous inner city school violence. My wanting the Olympics for my own selfishness quickly changed. My church – Pullman Christian Reform Church on 103th and King Drive – and my youth ministry are in the Roseland community where I have ties to Derrion Albert.
Will they ever call your death beautiful? Your life a sacrifice?This issue is bigger than violence in minority communities, bigger than any 1st, bigger than anti-American resentments. Putting all that money, time and effort towards an event with a 25% chance of actually happening is irresponsible.
Will the meeting of blood and bullet ever be called romantic?
A love story to be jealous of.
Chris, I remember you when Guatemalan green matching your flag on you independence day. Your hair was a black puff of curl and confidence. In homeroom, you always had homies in the hallway waiting for you. We’re still waiting. I couldn’t sleep for a week when you washed up waterlogged in the Calumet River. Puffed and purple like violets before bloom.
Eddie, you were the first to say hi to me first day of school when I stepped in with Bugle Boy Jeans and a high-top fade and I saw you: possibly the coolest dude to ever grace elementary.
September 22, 2006 8th period –
“We really need to hang out.”
“Yeah, that’ll be cool.”
“I’ll see you later D.”
September 22, 2006 8:30pm maybe a little later than I thought when you path ended on Vincennes Road rundown by bad luck and a police officer.
Lives like these shouldn’t be shortened; sentence fragments of a future. And in the 14 days it took us to write this, we’ve had to add more names to this list!
Because in this city before we blossom we must weather storms unforecast
because every intersection and become Virginia Tech.
So excuse me if the news be missing my emotions.
See, being brown in Bigger Thomas’ town makes you endangered and in the past two years I’ve seen over 60 Native Sons set in the graves.
I guess this is the part where poets produce plans and we don’t have any. In Chicago, anyone under age 20 is a target and I don't know how to do more than be afraid that an age allowing me to be on this stage might have me murdered by Monday.
I’M 18! I’VE PLAYED PICK UP BASKETBALL GAMES WITH GHOSTS!
Is there a reason I’m making it out of a community that has martyred young men I might be mistaken for?
I…
DON’T…
KNOW…
Will they ever call your death beautiful? Your life a sacrifice? A love story to be jealous of.
How many deaths will it take before THIS is considered genocide?Performed by Nate Marshall & Demetrius Amparan
Now the questions becomes: can we take that money that was going to go to the Olympics and make communities better for the people who are living there now and not for those ‘possibilities’ whose moving in will unjustly relocate current residents? Can the time and effort spent toward getting this city prepared for a month long event be redirected toward fixing what is wrong right now: pothole ridden streets, underfunded schools, the failed parking meter system, etc, etc, etc?
The issue I am more interested in getting resolved will not happen from increased police presence. President Obama, I know you have a country to run, but please do something because we might have already lost and will continue to lose students who could be the next you.
I really enjoyed reading your post! I agree with you from the beginning to the end. Obama should definitely do something, because time is ticking and I'm getting inpatient (like always). I liked when you said,"Putting all that money, time and effort towards an event with a 25% chance of actually happening is irresponsible." I to bow my head for Brazil. We have had the Olympics many times in the U.S. and South America deserves it. I still wish we had the Olympics in Chicago, though. :D
ReplyDeleteThere are a few layers of feelings I have about Chicago not being chosen to host the 2016 Olympics. I was sitting in my barber’s chair while the votes were being tallied by the IOC; the TV was playing behind me and my chin was on my chest as my barber buzzed away at my neckline. Then, the words from the TV: ‘Chicago, having the least amount of votes, is eliminated from the next round.’ And, just like that, all of the hype and all of the banners and all of the promotional videos and all of the arguments for and against, as well as the “ ‘Double O’ Tagteam,” Oprah and Obama (Michelle), were rendered (what they were in the first place) useless. It was like mounting a blazing attack against a giant foe, fiery javelin in hand and propped before you, only to have the flame doused with nothing more than a quick puff of breath from the giant’s lips. Folks in the shop were momentarily stunned, murmurs of “What? We didn’t even make it to the second round?” going around the place.
ReplyDeleteI think this serves as a swift kick in the pants to the folks who give little thought to “the little people.” (I’d caught a newscast that all but ignored Rio’s bid, citing that the city not only offered the lowest bid of the final four, but is also riddled with crime. So, they should already be out of it—even though a single vote had not been yet counted.)
As quickly as the disappointment rose in the barber shop, it dissipated, everybody going back to their business and their conversations as if the television wasn’t even on. I acted in the same manner, because whether Chicago had achieved the hosting duties or not, my day was still going to be the same: work, home, rest, repeat.
Did I want Chicago to host? Yes. I’m in the hospitality field, and it would have been a boost to business. A couple of people had already called my hotel trying to set up a reservation for August 1 to August 8, 2016. (“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but the computer doesn’t even allow me to confirm a reservation that far in the future. Yes, really, ma’am, I’m telling the truth.”)
But, just as much as I wanted our city to host, I’m also now wondering what is going to happen to all of the land I understand the city was acquiring (Washington Park). What’s going to happen to that area? Are their plans to transform that area into some new Chicago landmark? Will they leave the space well enough alone? Or, will they squander years as well as money arguing over what to do with the area like they tend to do? (Block 37, anyone?)
The optimistic voice in my brain says that this is the time to make lemonade out of these lemons, and to deal with some of the issues that some named as reasons that Chicago shouldn’t host in the first place: raggedy streets with overpriced parking meters, a sub-par public transportation system, the lack of after-school programs, take your pick. But somehow, the cynical voice in my brain, a much louder voice, says that things in our city will go back to business as usual.
And that’s the real sadness of this whole situation.
I agree with this small spech. Obama needs to do something to get the Olympics in Chicago.I always wanted to go to the Olympics. But if it can't go to Chicago let it be in Sout America.
ReplyDeleteAs DontheWriter said, Rio de Janiero is dangerous. Sometimes even called the most dangerous city in the world. Chicago is still a place with a lot of crime, but Rio isn't any better. I'm glad that the continent now has their first Olympics, though. It must make them very proud and I'm happy for them. I wish Chicago was the Olympic city though.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Daley will use any of the money to help our city's crime problem, sadly. He seems like a far away figure, so far away he doesn't care. I wish he did help though. I'm tired of hearing all the news about people dying near my house.
I really liked your post and I see why Friday morning you weren't as excited. You highlight real stories of people you know who were hurt or died, and I hope our city and its citizens will help to stop so many murders.
I liked reading your post. I agree that we should use all of our energy and money saved for the olympics to fix problems in Chicago. I do think it would be very cool to see the world's best runners or bikers going down the streets that we know so well. But i do think that Rio deserved it more.
ReplyDeleteMr.Murray,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% when you said that Obama needs to do something. I for sure thought that Chicago was going to host the Olympics and I was really excited. Now, I feel that my hopes were let down. But I am happy for Rio de Janiero because the Olympics have never been on that continent.
I completely agree with what you had to say, Mr. Murray. I, too, did not want the 2016 Summer Olympics to take place in Chicago. Our nation's economic situation is bad enough. We do not need to pay billions of dollars for just on summer. Rio de Janeiro really deserved this win. I think it is great that the 2016 Summer Olympics are taking place on the continent of South America. This is making history!
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what you had to say about violence in our nation, let alone our city. Your last sentence really caused me to think and want to take action. What if our next world leader died tomorrow because of murder? What would happen to our world?
Whoaa Mr.Murray your post was so intresting. I dont know where to start. Like Julia said I agree with you from beginning to end. I also agree with every one else who commented on your post.
ReplyDeleteMR. Murray,
ReplyDeleteI think that you did a very good job presenting your view on the Olympics in a respectful manner, most people are not to respectful on how they share their topic. I loved how blunt you were to make the blog more interesting. :)