“ My Chicago” Research Project English III-Period 07

 In the late 19 th century, Pilsen was founded by Czech immigrants. Pilsen was named after Plzen, the 4 th largest city in the Czech republic. Other smaller ethnic groups also settled in Pilsen who were part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. In 1962,(63) Pilsen grew in number with Mexican-American’s settling in due to the construction of the University of Illinois from the west of Halsted between Roosevelt and Taylor Streets. In 1970 the neighborhood became the home of Latinos, both undocumented and legal. Pilsen has become the largest Mexican neighborhood next to Little Village. Today Pilsen has a total population of 44,337 people.

Total population- 44,337 People Racial Composition : -White (non-Hispanic) 9% -Black or African American 3% -Hispanic 87% -Asian 0% -Other 1 %  Median Income- 40,553 Crime  Robbery- 4  Battery- 4  Assault- 4  Homicide- 1  Sexual Assault- 3  Theft – 45  Burglary – 15  Motor Vehicle Theft- 29  Arson – 1  Criminal Damage- 18  Narcotics- 15

Pilsen is located on the lower west side of Chicago.

To understand my neighborhood, it is important to know that Pilsen is most well- known for 18 th St.’s art and Mexican culture. 18 th street is the center of attention where Mexican bakeries, restaurants and grocery stores are located at. Pilsen is the home of the Mexican Fine Arts Museum. Murals, are the biggest eye catcher !

 My family moved to Pilsen in 1993, three years after my oldest sister was born. - “We decided to move to Pilsen because renting an apartment was cheaper and very affordable for both me and your dad. We moved from all the way off the Northside. We used to live on Springfield and Wilson. My opinion of our home is that it is peaceful, full of life and that it really is the place to be and stay. I really see a positive image on every corner of our ‘Barrio’. It is surrounded with security and life. Overall, I feel that our relationship with our home is that we can live as family because we all come from the same region and speak the same language. But most importantly, we live the same culture like what we are, Hispanos.” –my Mom

Living in Pilsen makes me feel comfortable, safe and like my family’s home, Mexico. I feel the comfort in my everyday life here. All my neighbors whom speak the same language as me give me that comfort. I feel safe because I know I can walk outside of my home without a problem. I feel safe at the fact that I or my family can ask for favors like neighborhood watchers for anything and do it without an issue. I personally really do feel much like home here in Pilsen. Pilsen is where I’m closest to Mexico and closest to my family. I have been living in Pilsen ever since I was born, and to me Pilsen is my home and there is no place like it. Living in my neighborhood does make me feel part of my community because I eat, sleep, drink, breathe and live with people who are similar to me and where I come from. Pilsen is a huge part of my identity. Other people who hear rumors about Pilsen paint negative about people who come from and who live there. People paint negative images on the type of people that we are. Pilsen doesn’t make me feel neither empowered nor disempowered just because I live there. There is no type of power given nor gained by living with your own culture.

What makes me feel at home?! You tell me!!!  Phero – The foundation