In 1836, Bridgeport was born with the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. This alone “guaranteed Bridgeport's position as an industrial center,” as it encouraged the creation of lumberyards, manufacturing plants, and packing houses (Bridgeport, Encyclopedia of Chicago, 1). Due to the steady access to employment during this time, many immigrants began to settle and search for work in the neighborhood. This translated into a growing foreign ‘white’ population, as it “stood as a bastion of white ethnic communities” (1).
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This population included mostly those of Irish, German, Norwegian, and Polish descent. Though those living in this area had primarily resigned to working within local industry, many individuals, or mostly the …show more content…
In terms of racial demographics, the foreign born community continues to outnumber the rest, however this community is no longer dominated by those of European or ‘White’ descent as “the number of Mexican and Chinese residents has grown” (1). Conversely, the road to a life in Bridgeport for Blacks is still quite narrow as they only make up about 2.4 percent of the population today (Bridgeport, Statistical Atlas, 1). Considering the trend of “deindustrialization in the 1970s, the Reagan administration's attacks on social welfare programs in the early 1980s, and decades of neglect from the Chicago political machine,” this community continues to be mainly working-class (African Americans, 1). For example, “its location to the south of the city's expanding Loop [has] put[]it in the direct line for future investment and development” (Bridgeport, Encyclopedia of Chicago, 1). This ongoing expansion of a more steady access to employment correlates directly to the readily expanding resources available to those individuals, including Blacks, within this …show more content…
Though they may have to sacrifice homeownership, they have chosen to live in an area with access to fairly good public schools. For example, Cornelis had the ability to attend one of the 4 out of 5 of the kindergarten through eighth grade schools that have at least an average to an above average score regarding ‘growth’ and ‘attainment’ (School Locator). This alone had a positive impact on his trajectory from childhood to adulthood because school was a place where Cornelius was able to stay involved in community activities and make connections with families in the neighborhood. Consequently, this led to Cornelius’ ability to acquire a job, during high school years, through the reference of a family friend. He became a cashier at the local grocery store, Cermack Fresh Market, and although graduation rate is only at 46.5 percent, the opportunity to work his way through his high school kept him in school up until his graduation day (Bridgeport, Statistical Atlas, 1). Although Cornelius did achieve a high school diploma, he did not chose to pursue his education further as only 14.9 percent of individuals do chose to go on an attain ‘some college’ (1). However, as Bridgeport is home to more employment opportunity than many other communities, Cornelius has recently celebrated his ninth anniversary as an employee of Cermack Fresh Market and now—at 25 years old— serves as the Manager of the
Page 7
This population included mostly those of Irish, German, Norwegian, and Polish descent. Though those living in this area had primarily resigned to working within local industry, many individuals, or mostly the …show more content…
In terms of racial demographics, the foreign born community continues to outnumber the rest, however this community is no longer dominated by those of European or ‘White’ descent as “the number of Mexican and Chinese residents has grown” (1). Conversely, the road to a life in Bridgeport for Blacks is still quite narrow as they only make up about 2.4 percent of the population today (Bridgeport, Statistical Atlas, 1). Considering the trend of “deindustrialization in the 1970s, the Reagan administration's attacks on social welfare programs in the early 1980s, and decades of neglect from the Chicago political machine,” this community continues to be mainly working-class (African Americans, 1). For example, “its location to the south of the city's expanding Loop [has] put[]it in the direct line for future investment and development” (Bridgeport, Encyclopedia of Chicago, 1). This ongoing expansion of a more steady access to employment correlates directly to the readily expanding resources available to those individuals, including Blacks, within this …show more content…
Though they may have to sacrifice homeownership, they have chosen to live in an area with access to fairly good public schools. For example, Cornelis had the ability to attend one of the 4 out of 5 of the kindergarten through eighth grade schools that have at least an average to an above average score regarding ‘growth’ and ‘attainment’ (School Locator). This alone had a positive impact on his trajectory from childhood to adulthood because school was a place where Cornelius was able to stay involved in community activities and make connections with families in the neighborhood. Consequently, this led to Cornelius’ ability to acquire a job, during high school years, through the reference of a family friend. He became a cashier at the local grocery store, Cermack Fresh Market, and although graduation rate is only at 46.5 percent, the opportunity to work his way through his high school kept him in school up until his graduation day (Bridgeport, Statistical Atlas, 1). Although Cornelius did achieve a high school diploma, he did not chose to pursue his education further as only 14.9 percent of individuals do chose to go on an attain ‘some college’ (1). However, as Bridgeport is home to more employment opportunity than many other communities, Cornelius has recently celebrated his ninth anniversary as an employee of Cermack Fresh Market and now—at 25 years old— serves as the Manager of the