The Southeast side is an overlooked, negatively stigmatized neighborhood of Chicago. This is a documentary about the aftermath of a place long abandoned, pushed to the side after it was no longer of use, and a story of heroes who lost sight of what they were fighting for. We will explore the anthropology of the area, learning how the various cultures and ethnicities bonded, clashed, and assimilated throughout time...and how this history played an effect on the relationships of those peoples moving forward. We will dive into the Vietnam War and government politics. We’ll learn about street gang evolution and, of course, we will uncover the story of the steel mills.
"SOUTHEAST: a city within a city" is a documentary that unfolds this story, showcasing the rise and demise of this empire of a place. This presentation includes a panel discussion with featured community members and scholars, and will be followed by a guided tour of the Calumet Voices, National Stories exhibition.
Transportation: Students are encouraged to take the Metra Electric line from 55th-56th-57th Street Station to Museum Campus/11th Street Station, just a short walk from the Field Museum. Please arrive in time to meet Chicago Studies staff on the platform and catch the 12:11pm train heading north. All students can now claim a FREE digital 10-ride Metra pass through Campus & Student Life at my.uchicago.edu. Further instructions are available on the CSL website. If you've already used your 10 free Metra rides, Chicago Studies staff also have a limited supply of paper tickets to share.