Student Researcher

Racism is very real, even in today's 'Melting Pot' America. If a white person were to drive to the south side of Chicago, they would find themselves in a predominantly black community full of addiction, welfare, and hard living. The residents in this area would not look kindly to a white person being there. Race based crimes occur frequently against white people in this area. At the same time, if a black person were to travel to the outskirts of Peoria into Tazewell County, IL, they would find themselves in a predominantly white neighborhood full of addiction, welfare, and hardship. The residents in this area hang rebel flags and also, like the blacks on the south side, would not like to have another race on their turf. Both races are far more similar than they would like to think, and by recognizing these similarities, they might be able to get along better with one another.

Humanity can not be judged by the actions of one man or woman, and thus, a single race can not be defined by the injustices caused by certain members of their heritage. Yes, white people did enslave black people during the early stages of the country's development, but a white man also called for an end to the injustices that the black people had to suffer through. Many people, especially poverty stricken people, resort to racism to justify their distrust of another race, and to give reason to their woes. Instead of learning to get along with one another, fear consumes them and they distance themselves. In extremely poverty stricken places, there still seems to be a severe separation of races.

"Bronzeville is 'The Black Metropolis' of Chicago at the Southside of the city. It is an ethnic ghetto in the most segregated city of the US."(1) Bronzeville is a place where poverty has become an epidemic. "The Neighborhood Composition Rule prescribed that subsidized housing should be segregated by race. They are amongst the worst examples of public housing in the US."(1) Poverty bleeds racism in this area. The lack of jobs and the high crime rates only perpetuate the economic disaster that is occurring in the area. Racism in poorer communities is perpetuated by a false sense of inflated pride and a need for status. By committing crimes and hating another race, one can displace their anger and feel better about a situation because they feel it isn't their fault that they live in such conditions. Drugs are a huge problem in economically unstable areas. People try to escape their realities and forget about their problems. The addictions that come with the drugs also cause devastating effects because they cause people to drop out of school, lose their jobs, and further their economic woes. Many black residents in the Bronzeville area blame white people for their problems. They claim they can not find jobs because the white man doesn't want to give them the opportunity. The fact that these people do not have access to adequate education, any jobs with promise, or any hope forces them to blame the system. A system that is perceived by them to be white-run.

While Bronzeville faces problems with crack, cocaine, heroin, and other illicit drugs, a city just across the river from Peoria, faces a similar epidemic with methanphetamines. The town of Pekin, IL sits 15 miles away from Peoria, IL and just across the Illinois River. Once dubbed P-E-K-K-K-I-N, it is one of the most white racist towns in Illinois. When passing Karen's Kountry Kitchen on Derby street, one might see into the hidden meaning behind the bed and breakfast's name. KKK. This is just one of the many exterior signals that the town of Pekin has severe racist tendencies. From the rebel flags that are hung in every other window, to the constant use of the word "nigger" to describe black people, Pekin is racist through