A Run in the (Neighbor)Hood.

Today, after Sunday services, I laced up my sneakers and ran out into the tropical mid 40’s chicago weather. I live in Austin--”the Hood” as every person I’ve talked with, including all of my students, has called my community. As this was my first run since I arrived here, I thought to run west, into the bordering suburbs and explore. After a few blocks, though, I realized didn’t want to go see the suburbs. After all, I grew up there.

Instead I turned south and skirted Columbus park, where the snow fields are melting and the pathways a series of puddles. I ran to the Eisenhower (all of the highways in Chicago are named after presidents) and turned East. I smiled to myself as I crossed Central Ave, where one concerned (white) mother told me to never to go east of, even in a car. (I didn’t inform her that I live on Central and that my school is several blocks to the East.)

The surprisingly warm weather brought many people out of doors, and as I jogged farther east and then north, nearing the main thoroughfare of Madison Ave., the streets exploded with life. Groups talking, kids playing, people carrying grocery bags along the sidewalks. I turned one corner and almost ran into a whole family, quickly apologizing to their stunned faces. I wondered if they were startled more by our near collision or by my white face. I hopped from the sidewalk onto the street and tried not to stare back at all the people staring at me. They were not hostile stares, but I was certainly a spectacle. I raised my hand in a sort of jogging salute to the people I passed close by. Many of them greeted me in return. Little kids waved with their hands inside their coat sleeves and swiveled as I passed to watch me run off down the block.

One older woman saw me coming and said in a clear, knowing voice that spoke volumes, “Hey how you doin, honey,” and as I gasped a hello I made eye contact and her small smile and slight head shake, her face said, “yeah, you’re a white kid in an all black neighborhood and you know it and I know it and I’m fine with it but you’re asking for people to notice you even if you don’t think you are, and you’re going to get reactions and it’ll be friendly from most people, like me, but don’t think it’s always going to be friendly, because honey, you’re a white kid and you runnin' in the hood.”

Another asked me how many miles I had run, and I panted, “just a few...” and then truthfully added, so as not to seem too proud, “and I’m dyin’.” He and his friends laughed for about a block.

One woman said as I passed, “When you start jogging, come and get me!” and her group laughed until was two blocks away. Not knowing what else to say, I just laughed.

There were a few cat calls, one comment about “crackers on the run!”, but the reactions were positive overall. I hadn't planned to take an ambassador-type run, but on the run I realized there was a part of me that wanted to run into the heart of the black neighborhoods as if I could show them that I'm not afraid, or that I don't judge a community based on rumors.

I’d like to think that this community is just like every other community I’ve been a part of: full mostly of friendly people, who don’t mind or don’t care about a white skin beyond maybe an initial surprise to see one in this all-black community. Sure, there are probably a few of the rougher people that give Austin and the surrounding areas a reputation that would make a concerned mother tell me that she is praying for me until the day I move out (which I very much appreciate, though I don't know how necessary it is). I think I’d be hard pressed to find them out on a Sunday afternoon as the after-church gatherings flood the streets.

One security guard at Michele Clark, Mr. Bunch, said to me this past week, “ninety percent of these kids are good kids. They want to be here and all that. We just got this ten percent of kids that show up and bring ten types of stupid with ‘em, and they make this place crazy. And give it the reputation its got. But most of them are good kids. You’ll see.”

As far as I’ve seen in my two weeks, he’s completely right, and I wonder after my run today if his observation extends to the surrounding community. I would not be surprised to find that Austin is much more than the reputation that precedes it.