Black Girl in Chicago

World traveler and cultural observer whose latest pit-stop is Chicago, USA aka City of Big Shoulders, Obamatown,

Two years ago, I was a Black Girl In Paris. Today, I’m a Black Girl in Chicago.

Returning to Chicago felt like a failure to me. What had I gained after years of traveling and living abroad, if all I could do was return to my mother’s house to live on the south side of Chicago?

I returned as someone, who, despite the title of this blog, didn’t quite see things as black and white, or as north vs. south side. As I reminisced over my travels, I wondered how each destination had changed me.

Three months traveling throughout West Africa independently introduced me to countries like Senegal, Guinea-Conakry, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Gambia and opened my eyes to thing I don’t see on U.S. TV—houses of strong extended families, georgeous fabric, and the nicest people I’d ever met in my life.

Four months in Brazil strengthened my self-confidence in my physical beauty and expanded my physical tastes. No longer do I feel that Black Americans have the most expressive culture in the word. Those Brazilians (Afro or not) are certainly giving us competition.

Two weeks at the Olympic Games left me with hope that the world would realize peace one day. It also reignited my passion for sport, especially track and field.

A year in Paris, made me realize what makes a great city: culture, architecture, walkable Streets, good transportation, and diversity.

So I wonder, what does 22 years of living in Chicago leave me? Am I really just a black girl in the city? Do I truly know what is Black Chicago? Have I explored this entire city and its 75 neighborhoods to its fullest extent?

That’s exactly what black girl in Chicago will discover. I’m ready to set out and find what it really means to live in Chicago, no matter if you’re black, latino, asian or white. Enjoy the blog.

Any thoughts, observations or opinions on this site are solely mine and in no way reflect my employer or other related organizations.