There Are No Children Here
The Story of Two Boys Growing Up In The Other America
by Alex KotlowitzLafayette and Pharoah Rivers are two boys growing up in the late '80s in Chicago's Henry Horner Projects. This is a story of how anyone can grow up in the projects, and of the many obstacles to growing up placed in their paths. This is an angry story, a sad story. This is a truthful story as well. It does not offer us any solution.
This narrative shows us both scenes from the lives of the boys and scenes from the politics of the projects. We are shown Pharoah's school spelling bee, and we are shown the trial of Jimmy Lee of the Conservative Vice Lords. We see their mothers meeting where she is told she will no longer receive Aid to dependent Families With Children, and we are shown a letter written by agents of the
Chicago Housing Authority.
In the preface to this book, Kotlowitz says that it is his hope, and that of the boys' mother, that this book will make America listen. Unfortunately, that seems to have been its only effect. America listened for a moment, and then it went back to minding its own business. If you click on the CHA link above, you will see that the CHA has not made much progress after that detailed in the back of this book.
Do any of you disagree with me? Am I wrong? Tell me! Living in Chicago, I only see that it is time for change, now!
Thoughtful reading.
