2. Race change over time: As time went by, the early settlers in the West Lawn community began to grow old, meaning that many homes would be up for sale. Young Mexican families as well as Arab families began to show up around the 1970's. Besides that homes were for sale, The opening of factories contributed to the new residents' move because of the many jobs provided, as well as the activity of Midway airport and the opening of the CTA Orange Line (1).
3. Treatment of Black Veterans in Airport homes (Journalist P.O.V.): Juan Williams was covering a story about the Airport Homes Race Riots in 1946 when he witnessed a mob trying to kill a few black veterans. The homes were for anybody and where first come first serve, no matter what race you were. White people who didn't want them there would abuse them verbally (with the veterans' children present) and try to set fire to the building (2).
4. C.H.A. restricted homes: There was a legal provision in Chicago called "restricted covenants that was signed by many member in a community that didn't allow the rent, purchase or lease homes to African Americans. Because of this, "negros" were forced to stay in tiny homes throughout the city. They were not comfortable and this caused many black to move away from the mistreatment. It didn't help that when blacks moved to a white neighborhood, a mob would form at the front door and chant the "n" word at them (2).
5. Settlement into West Elsdon: Due to the Grand Truck Railroad in the community, most residents settled around that area east of the train tracks. As time passed, the opening of public schools, churches, Midway Airport, and local businesses caused the population to grow from 855 in 1920 to 14,215 in 1960. The people that made up these numbers were mostly Czech and Polish, with a few Italians and Lithuanians (4).
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6. West Elsdon changes after WWII: About half a century after World War II, the community was rather quiet. Many of the polish and german residents began to age like the West Lawn residents and more houses were on sale. young Mexican families began to move into the eastern area. The amount of Hispanic students in the neighborhood schools increased, the ammount of black students decreased dramatically because there were no longer as many black families in the area (4).
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6. West Elsdon changes after WWII: About half a century after World War II, the community was rather quiet. Many of the polish and german residents began to age like the West Lawn residents and more houses were on sale. young Mexican families began to move into the eastern area. The amount of Hispanic students in the neighborhood schools increased, the ammount of black students decreased dramatically because there were no longer as many black families in the area (4).
7. Reaction at the Airport Homes: The Homes were locted at 60th and Karlov. Around 1,500- 3,000 people created a mob and brought police officers into battle to destroy property. The mob hoped that this would prevent African Americans from moving into the homes. Based on this and another veteran home riot in Fernwood Park, many blamed the CHA for their poor decision to place the homes where they were (5)
8. C.H.A. public housing dilemma: When the CHA tried to put public housing throughout the city, many residents didn't like the idea because it would mean unwelcome guest. The Airport homes did not have such a good reaction from the residents in the community, but they did not affect their decisions. "In 1947 and 1949 The state legislature gave city alderman veto power over where CHA could build" (6)
9. Results of CHA veto power: The new veto power led to "high rise ghettos" between 1654 and 1967. 10,256 new apartments were built, with all but 63 in black neighborhoods. The CHA was later charged with "illegally perpetuating segregation", which led to 700 new homes to be built in areas with less than 30% african americans (6).
10. Racism/Segregation still active after 1946: Aaron and Louise Bindman (white) moved into a public housing in Englewood with their two daughters, which was mostly surrounded by white people at the time. Since Aaron was part of a union, he invited some friends over (some who were black). The neighbors and nearby residents saw them go in and out of the building and automatically jumped to conclusions. They believed that the Bindmans were helping the black people move into the homes (8).
11. White vs White: The people that lived in the homes despised the Bindmans for what they believed was helping black people move into the homes. Since this was in a mostly white neighborhood, they were not welcome. A crowd of more than 2,00 people formed outside of their home and rocks were thrown at them. The family stayed hidden inside the entire time. Slurs such as "'n' lovers" were thrown at them and the police did nothing to help them out, instead joining and encouraging the action to continue (8).
12. Racism After WWII: After the war, tensions between african americans and whites continued, so there was not much residential freedom for African Americans. The African Americans that moved into the Airport Homes were among the first victims of riots post WWII in Chicago. The Veterans moved in around December to reserved units that were left open just for them (10).
13. CHA reacts to riots: As a result of the black veterans moving in, they were threatened and beaten by the white veterans. They remained in these homes for almost 2 weeks until they finally decided to leave. The Chicago Council against Religious and Racial Discrimination talked with Mayor Edward Kelly who promised prosecution of the rioters and to relieve racial tensions (10).
14. Kelly opinion on CHA and riots: Kelly, the mayor of Chicago at the time, supported the CHA. He supported that they had a non discrimination policy and demand that his police officers commit to that and not join any rioters. While whites in the south were worried about blacks slowly moving into their area, Kelly stated that he guarantees blacks "their right to live peaceably anywhere in Chicago" (9).
15. Other Riots: The 1946 riots were not the only ones in Chicago. There were some in 1917 through 1919 due to racial violence. Black residents of Chicago began to brace themselves because they knew they would not recieve any help from soldiers or police officers. This shows that racial violence still continued throughout the 1940's and after, so the Airport Homes were not the first (3).
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16. African Americans in WWI and WWII: The United States military was segregated in World War I and World War II, It wasn't until the year 1948 that both blacks and whites were combined, forcing them to work side by side. African Americans were often asked why they bothered to even fight for America, considering they were segregated and treated unfairly. They wanted to protect their home and country, and they wanted to prove they were deserving of being called and 'American Soldier' (11).
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16. African Americans in WWI and WWII: The United States military was segregated in World War I and World War II, It wasn't until the year 1948 that both blacks and whites were combined, forcing them to work side by side. African Americans were often asked why they bothered to even fight for America, considering they were segregated and treated unfairly. They wanted to protect their home and country, and they wanted to prove they were deserving of being called and 'American Soldier' (11).
17. African American Soldiers in WWII: Black soldiers were not allowed to join all parts of the U.S. Army. Besides fighting in separate armies (being segregated), they were unable to be a part of the Marine corps, Coast guard, and the Navy. They were only allowed to be "mess men" (servants and cooks for officers and veterans) (12).
18. African Americans After WWII: After the war, thousands of soldiers went back to their homes, causing a problem for many blacks. They had taken over nice jobs while they were gone, and now that the white veterans and nurses are back, they have to give them up. This resulted in African Americans migrating to larger metropolitan cities, such as Chicago. "Between 1940 and 1970, African Americans in urban environments increased from 50% to more than 80%" (12).
19. The Great Migration- Increase in Black population: The great Migration is a big reason as to why many African Americans began moving into the Chicago Area. Between 1916 and 1970, the city attracted a little over 500,000 blacks who left the south during this time. This raised Chicago's black population from 2% to nearly 33% by 1970 (13).
20. Opportunities in Chicago: Growth in the industry and for many businesses was beneficial to many African American between 1940 and 1950. Although job opportunities wren't as many as during WWI due to new and quick machines, factories and local businesses still welcomed blacks. It is said that "The great migration established the foundation for black political power, business enterprise, and union activism" (13).
21. African Americans in WWII: Black soldiers had restrictions, but they were soon overlooked due to the war situations. One of them was one Hitler's army was advancing on the Western Front and General Dwight D. Eisenhower desegregated the army for a while because he needed all the guys he could get. There were more than 2,000 volunteers from African American soldiers (14).
22. Chicago during WWII: "By D-Day in 1944, the average Chicago black had given 7 residents to the military". The neighborhoods would create victory gardens, endure food rationing and and buy many bonds while the residents were at war. There was a need for workers in many businesses, that the elderly, physically disabled, and many women had to work. this is where the African Americans came in (15).
23. Replacement of Europeans in West Elsdon/ West Lawn: Pulaski Road was once a home to various European restaurants owned by European settlers and who served fellow neighbors almost a generation ago. Today it's been taken over by Taquerias. The original homeowners of the area are now selling their home to the second generation of the neighborhood- Hispanics. Aside from English and polish masses at the nearby church, there are now some in spanish (16).
24. Visual of neighborhood/ how it has evolved: When people were barely settling into the community, it was mostly swamby land, lonely roads, new homes, and very little facilities for the people. Today, the streets (Pulaski in particular) are filled with businesses. More churches and masses have been made to meet demand, as well as schools. There was overpopulation in the schools, so 2 more were built. The Homes have stayed the same, most made of brick and containing hardwood flooring (16).
25. West Lawn Businesses: Factory and clerical workers settled into the West Lawn community around 1930, establishing businesses and "religious institutions". Growth slowed down during the Great Depression, but later resumed by the end of WWII. The Ford City mall was opened in 1965 (replacing the Ford Auto Factory), and other companies such as Tootsie roll and Sweetheart cup opened factories (17).
26. Chicago neighborhoods change: Chicago was the target for many migrants, increasing the black poulation from 278,000 in 1940 to 492,000 in 1950. The new residents caused panic in various neighborhoods, leading up the the Airport homes riots. There were a lot of racial tensions and fights going on at the time, and Mayor Ed Kelly tried his best to calm them down in the city (18),
26. Chicago neighborhoods change: Chicago was the target for many migrants, increasing the black poulation from 278,000 in 1940 to 492,000 in 1950. The new residents caused panic in various neighborhoods, leading up the the Airport homes riots. There were a lot of racial tensions and fights going on at the time, and Mayor Ed Kelly tried his best to calm them down in the city (18),
27. Mayor Kelly and CHA: "Kelly's Chicago housing authority became a national model, efficient and innovative". It consisted of a black chairman named Robert R. Taylor, and that must have been a big deal considering the time and his color. They adopted a policy that placed a limit of 10% of blacks in all white areas. Many residents of those areas disliked the idea and added more tension, leading up to the riots (18).
28. Affects of the policy: 49 homes belonging to African Americans were bombed between the spring of 1944 to the summer of 1946. "An attempt in 1946 to integrate the Airport Homes project on the Southwest side led to a sit-in by white mobs on election day, lasting for two weeks until the city retreated". This is said to have contributed to Mayor Kelly's downfall (18).
29. West Elsdon and West Lawn (present): The homes in West Lawn/West Elsdon have not changed much, most of them have stayed with their bungalow style. Transportation had improved with many main roads being created such as Pulaski and Kedzie, as well as the I-55 expressway and Orange line station. It is currently home to various Mexican and polish business. there are very few blacks (19).
30. Over crowding in Chicago south side: With many African Americans migrating into Chicago, there was not going to be a home for everybody. Many blacks were packed into some communities and were called "The black belt". This resulted in over crowding and many diseases spreading. Since this was during the depression, many were not able to afford housing (20).
31. Affects of overcrowding: Due to the many blacks in a single community and the many more that were coming, the 'borders' began to expand and blacks were being pushed into other areas (mostly West). This resulted in racial drama in the neighborhoods because they didn't belong there. Due to this, rent and housing prices went down for whites so they would move out of the 'threatened' area (20).
32. Mayor Kelly's opinion: kelly wanted to appeal to blacks for his election. He increased the quantity and the quality of jobs that Went to African Americans and appointed a black person as the chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority, member of the school board, and other good positions. many whites were upset about the CHA position (21).
33. Kelly and CHA: Kelly endorsed/ supported the CHA to create housing units in white neighborhoods. He protected them from the city council, who disagreed with the proposal. When the AH riots broke out, he was the one to send 400 officers to control the crowd and protect the black residents. **quote in past note** (21).
34. Fallout of Kelly: Kelly was not afraid of the reaction of whites, people of his own race. He helped and believed that blacks should pursue their rights and get justice. This led to a party to prevent him from running for mayor again in 1946 and they won. His support for blacks was the main reason many whites didn't want him to run again (21).
35. Reactions in 1946: A black physician purchased a home in the summer of 1946, but it was quickly destroyed by a mob of 2-3000 whites stoning it and setting fire to his garage. John Fort was a veteran that earned four battle scars protecting his country and moved into the Airport homes in December. Him and his friend Letholian Waddles were attacked by a mob of about 300 whites who stoned their van, burned a cross, and got into a feud with the police so they can get their way to them (22).
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