Financial Crisis 2008: Chicago

"an economic crisis provides the analyst with an opportunity to examine how social structure deflects or exacerbates "disaster..""(pg. 386, Sampson) 

This chapter is Sampson's view of Chicago after the financial crisis that hit the United States in 2008. He gives his view on how the city has progressed since his first visit some years ago. After the economic crisis Sampson notes on how it affected the population as a whole. For instance, the issue of poverty that rose to a a level that had not been seen in the last fifteen years. Of course, he focuses on how the crisis affected Chicago as well. It seems as if he walks through neighborhood after neighborhood seeing foreclosure after foreclosure. Not just the places that already had a poverty issue but also the nicer neighborhoods saw a high percentage of foreclosure. He mentions a specific neighborhood, Chatham, that has experienced a rise in violent behavior in the area. There had been an increase in shootings in the neighborhood that was once referred to as a "safe haven." In the example of Chatham Sampson's explains how the recent murders and attacks have caused the neighborhood to be more observant of the happenings in their surroundings in attempt to stop the violence they have been experiencing.

Why does violence unhinge some communities and draw others together? 

Sampson suggests that organizational activity and the latent capacity for collective efficacy are factors in whether or not the communities unhinge or draw closer together. Communities that feel a sense of pride and ownership for their communities have some sort of "duty" to not just deal with the issue of increasing violence but they have the mentality of attempting to "fix" the issue. As in the case with the Chatham neighborhood its residents are a prime example of a community that is seeking to fix the problem. (pg. 398, Sampson)

This article I found had a very interesting viewpoint on President Obama's role when it came time to helping out during the financial crisis. Obama has been long known to have a certain soft side for poverty and always claims to have lent a helping hand to the poor. However, recent statistics say otherwise. The articles mere title does not give off the impression that poverty has declined. "One in four kids in poverty, despite U.S. gains," it reads. Mr. Obama moved to the South Side of Chicago and worked as a community organizer, the article states. He worked with the locals and helped organize everything from job training programs to after-school programs for children. This is all information from the Website emphasizing the importance Obama places on communities that were "stricken by the economic crisis" even the ones that "were hurting before it began."

Sampson, R.J. (2012)Great American City: Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood Effect. Chicago,
University of Chicago Press.

Chumley, Cheryl K. "One in Four Kids in Poverty, despite U.S. Gains: Report." The Washington Times. N.p., 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.

As for my research question, with the help of the professor, I have buffered my question a bit for the purpose of this assignment. My question is now as follows, How can tackling the Latino/a health issues lead to more resilient communities? This question will help tackle both of my emphasis while still tying in community. I will be researching this question more in the coming week.