The Prompt: 

Think back to a moment when your city held you when you felt care, connection, comfort, or joy in this city.

Give That Moment A Five Word Title:

Individualism Is For The Birds

Put that moment on an intersection of Feeling & Noun:

Joy and Community

The Story Plot

Where Are You?

A dive bar in Bronzeville surrounded by like minded friends who despite having to work in the AM, dragged themselves out to sing hip hop and r&b classics.

 
 

 

 

Why Are You There?

It’s my birthday, and I invited them.

What Happened in This Moment?

It started with a J&Js chicken order, lemon pepper, with hot and mild sauce. Next, friends poured in from the south and west side, tequila was consumed, stories and pleasantries exchanged. It ended with the whole place singing “Bandz a make her dance”.

What Changed for you because of this moment?

I realized I was right where I belong, amongst “my people” real chicagoans, with a shared culture and history free from any shoulds.

Why Does Your Memory Hold On To This Moment?

It rose to the top partly because it was last night. But much more than that, self-love comes hard. Our society pushes individualism as a fake path to accepting yourself, when real self-love comes through connection and community. And by shared rituals and experiences with like minded people.