The Chicago Project

 Nation of Islam:  After a short break at the beach by lake Michigan we visited the world headquarters for the Nation of Islam to examine how this organization addresses issues of poverty.  We were invited into the sanctuary for our discussion with Minister Ishmael Muhammad, son of Elisha Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam. 

 Our time was engaging, educational, and enlightening.  Minister Muhammad explained that the philosophy of the Nation of Islam is to help predominantly African American men by renewing their mind through education and training.  The organization places primary responsibility of changing lives on the individuals themselves rather than engaging in attempts to change laws and circumstances like civil rights organizations.  Change the circumstance by changing the man!  The second core philosophy of the Nation is to speak out strongly against injustice in the American governmental system. 

“Change the mind that makes the condition not just changing the condition itself.”

Katrina Hammaker, 2006 Participant 

Tour with Dr. Black:  Thursday morning we began our day with a tour of the Southside of Chicago.  Our guide was Dr. Tim Black,   the preeminent speaker on Black history in Chicago.  He has appeared in over ten documentaries, numerous radio interviews, and has recently published his first book on the subject.  We discussed history of Black migration to Chicago and effects on segregation on Chicago’s South Side.  

Cook County Jail:  Cook County Jail houses approximately 10,000 inmates ranging in offense from unpaid parking tickets to rape and murder.  Our Correction Officer guide, Mrs. Belk, introduced herself as she searched us and gave strict safety rules.   As we walked down each hallway, the guys in the cell blocks (up to forty) pressed themselves against the glass window, stacked up three and four heads high, whistling and cat calling at us.  All of us!  The large proportion of females in the group intensified their responses.  Near the end of the tour, we were brought into a cell block with 40 inmates and only one guard.  It was VERY intimidating at first.  However, one of the inmates asked us why we were so scared.  Many of us relaxed and we talked together for about ten minutes.  

“At first it was all very scary…And when the inmates walked by when we got through the search they looked at us like ‘look at that white meat’ and other stuff…we got to go into one of the ‘blocks’…and they told us that they were just ordinary people who had made mistakes.”     

Katrina Hammaker, 2006 Participant  

“We went into one of the jail tears, they really made us feel welcome. They asked us if we were scared and told us to graduate from high school and then get a college education.Now I understand that once in jail, it easy to end up in poverty.”

Lauren McIntosh, 2006 Participant  

Breaking Ground Ministries:  Breaking Ground is a ministry organization that seeks to assist people in the community to overcome personal addictions and circumstances that perpetuate poverty.  They offer job training and resources for career development, and provide resources and relationships to help residents to become future leaders in North Lawndale.  We met with Tammy, Connie, and Bryan who all struggle with serious addiction in their life.  They shared their stories of how their faith in God and commitment to honest and transparent relationships with one another are helping them fulfill their goals and the goals of breaking ground.    

“I liked talking to the people at Breaking Ground because they were straight up, honest people who can reach out and help people.”

Jessica Shields, 2006 Participant  

“This had to be one of the best stops.I love poetry - and to see how Tammy was able to put her life into words was really amazing.It’s like she can put her feelings into her pen and it explodes onto the paper.”

Teaonno Gaines, 2006 Participant