CR1-Fuqua Davies

Dear Mrs. Fuqua Davies,

It is refreshing to have heard your optimistic view of the expansion of Chicago. As I believe you may already know, there are many people who find that the growth of Chicago has increased alienation. This may or may not be true, but I appreciate you approaching the issue from a different standpoint. I respect your ability to accept the city as a part of life, while focusing on positive change but not ignoring the ugly parts of Chicago. With good sometimes comes bad, and I believe that the alienation could be accompanying some changes that may be for the better.
You also talked about the Civil Rights movement, and the fluency of your words made me able to realize some the underlying themes of your conversation. I quote you saying "[That] the constant striving towards something better than we have...", is something you love and appreciate about this city. I can relate to this view, and believe that if people continue to work together good changed in society can be made. It is sometimes easy to believe that the expansion of Chicago is simply for individual people's personal gain, but it is so much more than that. I also believe that Chicago's growth is representative of positive change. You can connect it with the civil rights movement, and believe that these changes are signifying changing times; taller buildings and higher tolerance.
Criticism can be made about your detachment of global issues and politics. But I personally can see past it. Your detachment of these issues is compensated in your passion for the city you live in much of the time. Your wealth and education, I don't believe, have tainted your ability to see things or feel things that don't directly affect you. I sensed some longing in your words, a desire to be more a part of the progression you spoke so fondly of.
Your character sketch of the Chicagoan loving the vice and wicked parts of the city connected other themes. Your portrait of the contrast between the physical beauty of the city and the ugliness makes me think of the human race. The battle between people's good sides and their bad; wars, racism, and general intolerance. I believe somewhere you described the city's beauty as "divine discontent", and I also believe that those words describe your feelings towards Chicago and the feelings of many others.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Herzog