Obama's Neighborhood Rich in Diversity

[illinoisprogressive]

Barack Obama could have lived anywhere. He was born in Hawaii, had family in Kenya, worked in New York and went to school in California and Massachusetts.

But he settled here, in a prominent neighborhood on Chicago's South Side that has a history of influential residents. In many ways, the Democratic presidential candidate is the epitome of the place he calls home: a mix of black and white residents who are wealthy, well-educated and liberal-leaning
Ringed by communities where people are poorer and more likely to have a high school diploma and not a college degree, the neighborhood where the Obamas live is an urban island of intellectual and financial prosperity, although it too has residents living below the poverty line.

Just off the south shore of Lake Michigan, the Hyde Park-Kenwood area is a showcase of high-rises, condominiums, vintage homes and stately mansions. It has generic national chain stores and unique local businesses like the barber shop where Obama gets his hair cut, the pizza place his family calls for takeout and the island-inspired restaurant where Michelle Obama fancies the grilled tilapia.

"Can you believe every time she comes she gives me a hug? ... I'm just her waitress," said the Calypso Cafe's Mina Lewis, who talks fondly of the days before the presidential campaign when Michelle Obama would come in with her daughters and friends.

With the intellectual vibe of a college town and the tree-lined streets to match, Obama's neighborhood is dominated by the prestigious University of Chicago, where he once taught constitutional law.

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2007/07/23/ap-state-il/d8qi9cq01.txt

[William769]

1. Yep right next door to Rezko.

Can't get more diverse than that.

[illinoisprogressive]

2. Hillary has become very good friends with him and one of his associates.

[William769]

3. She has ties with a lawyer that he knows.

Man what a stretch! Not like the land deals between Obama and Rezko, or the shenanigans of Obama and Rezko when Obama was a State senator, or the fact that Obama gave back Contribution money from Rezko to try to distance himself from him. Boy with friends like that.

ON EDIT: And for your reading enjoyment. http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/442034,CST-NWS-clinton25.article

[wndycty]

9. Rezko does not live in Hyde Park, he lives on the North Shore

. . .it was strictly a business deal, a stupid one but still a business deal Rezko does not live here.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Very nice article. Thanks for posting.

[Grandrose]

5. Good and Fun article! K&R

Thanks for a positive and informative posting! :)
Too bad some people have to be petty naysayers...no matter what! :grr:

[William769]

6. Posting the truth really sucks, doesn't it?

[Grandrose]

7. Hit a nerve?

I think what "sucks" is to be a petty naysayer!:think:

[William769]

8. Not a nerve here.

But it seems I hit one with what I posted with somebody.

[wndycty]

10. Barack lived a block away and got us redistricted. . .LOL

When he ran against Bobby Rush we lived in the 1st district and then after Rush won the people on our side of the street were redistricted into the 2nd district. His new place is beautiful, its 5 blocks away. Glad to have him as a neighbor.