| Perhaps a more detailed
description of my neighborhood might appear at some later
date, but for now I will give a short skeleton-like summary.
Pilsen is an urban neighborhood on the near-west side of
Chicago. It composes one of the largest and complex Mexican
American neighborhoods in the United States, and according
to a recent issue of Punk Planet, it is one of the few remaining
neighborhoods that look like traditional Chicago--full of
color, creativity, and working class vigor. According to writer
and Labor Historian Mike Davis, Chicago might be labeled as
a Polycentric barrio. In other words, spatially speaking,
Chicago's Latino population has been concentrated into different
(4) areas. In the past, the initial ports of Mexican immigration
were the Back of the Yards neighborhood encompassing the South
and Southwest side of Chicago whereas today the largest port
of Mexican immigration in the Midwest is Pilsen. It has been
molded by the contributions of 5 generations of immigrants.
Pilsen was came into its own as an established neighborhood
with the influx of Bohemian Czech immigrants in 1868. In years
previous, the Chicago Police Department had made an effort
to purge the Northern neighborhoods of Eastern European groups
who had begun to gain footholds into that part of the city
through cultural influence and successful businesses. Police
brutality in the form of killings, beatings, and mass arrests
pushed these groups further to the South relocating in Pilsen.
Some say this was to be an advantage as Pilsen managed to
avoid the severe effects of the 1871 fire which destroyed
one-third of the city. Blue Island Avenue, a central vein
which runs through the heart of Pilsen, has been a major highway
for transporting goods in and out of Chicago (see Carl Sandburg's
"Blue Island Intersection").
Anyone that lives in Chicago understands that there is a
strong current of labor activism. Pilsen has been a crucial
center for this history, partly because many of the post-fire
industry was forced to moved to Pilsen, and partly because
Eastern European bohemians well-established in Pilsen were
heaviliy associated with various ideas such as socialism,
anarchism, and the Freethinkers. Strong Unions still exist
in Pilsen, as do many independent-minded political activists
and art collectives. Current political activism in the area
may owe something to East Pilsen's thriving art scene which
hosts numerous art walks throughout the year.
As for an abbreviated Pilsen Scene Report, I have very few
links or addresses, but perhaps I'll update that at a later
time. Hopefully names and approximate locations will suffice.
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Pilsen Scene Report
Hasta Cuando? - Hasta
Cuando?, a politically charged zine located in Chicago’s
largely Latino populated Pilsen neighborhood, demonstrates
that accessibility is a key component to building upon the
dominant limitations of alternative media. They have managed
to do what even larger independent media types like The
Nation and Mother
Jones, two of the largest names in progressive media,
have yet to do: that is, put politics into a language that
is truly inclusive by producing an accessible bilingual publication.
The title Hasta Cuando?, connoting “how much
longer” or literally “until when”, was taken
from a film about Puerto Rican painter and political prisoner
Elizam Escobar, for whom the founders Tracy kurowski and Leticia
Cortez hold a deep admiration. Hasta
Cuando? has tackled issues such as the polluting
caused by the nearby Clark Oil Refinery, sexual discrimination,
and local infrastructure inadequacies. Increasing in aesthetic
sophistication and evolving in depth, without being dipped
in abstract methodology, it has covered the environment, reflected
on the 2000 elections, interpreted the meanings of 9/11, given
due attention to “Mujeres Rebeldes” (Rebel Women),
and responded to the travesty of the ongoing occupation in
Iraq (“The Ends Justify the Screams”)16. While
the funds for the circulation of their zine were originally
procured through the channels of punk benefit shows, they
have since been awarded a Chicago Reader Foundation grant
of $1000 per year for several years. This will allow them
to produce the zine bi-annually at a circulation of 3,000
to 5,000 copies each. Though this may be comparably smaller
to the much larger circulations of nationwide (Chicago-based)
zine Punk Planet or Maximum Rock and Roll (San Franciso-based),
their blueprint is gaining acclaim as a useful model in other
communities. At the beginning of November of 2003, Hasta
Cuando?facilitated a DIY workshop on producing and
publishing bilingual media at the National Conference For
Media Reform (the largest of its kind to date) sponsored by
the Madison, Wisconsin based Independent Media Center.
Email them or write them at 1840 S. Racine Chicago,
IL 60608
Recent Hasta Cuando (or related ) stories: Political
Power in Pilsen , A
Guide to Alternative Media in Chicago
Kristoffer's Cafe - This place is really
good for breakfast with your friends who might be a little
on the 'must-be-classy' side. It's really well done on the
inside, and has been popularized mostly by the fact that it
has changed names and ownership quite a few times over the
years. The highlight of Kristoffers is surely the cakes (of
which my personal favorite is the Flan w/ Cheese). There is
a Pilsen-centric art feel to the place in general. Currently
on display (as of January 2004) is Mario Castillo, who has
graced more a few of his more well-known works with a mixture
of paint and bodily fluids. The Cafe itself however is very
nice, though if you want to use the wireless cards for your
laptop, from what I've heard, you'll have to remind Carlos
4 times before he actually brings one to you.
Los Crudos - The most politically charged
band ever to walk the streets of Chicago. Ventured out into
the world with their message. Started and ended in Pilsen.
Irv's Bicycle Shop - any bike or skateboard
purchases can be made with Henry Ortiz, owner of Irv's Bicycle
Shop. Specializing in custom parts and "creative bicycle
construction" (if one can call it that), Irv's has pretty
much everything you need. They are also positive contributors
to the community as they are one of the sponsors for the Pilsen/Little
Village chapter of Habitat
for Humanity. It's located at 1725 S. Racine in
Pilsen.
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