Cabrini Green vs. Hull House

What intrigued me most about the Cabrini Greens and the Hull House was not the actual events that took place during there existence but understanding the reasons behind there demise. These two extremely different living spaces, were considered the homes of so many. Both were unconventional in the way these "homes" were used. While the Hull House was implemented to create better lives for immigrant families, the Cabrini Greens seemed to be used as a destruction of many lives, through the vast array of violence, drugs and over population.

The confusion I have is why a successful establishment that was used to help so many was destroyed in the same way as an establishment that was completely unsafe. Is the goal to create better living or to make things simply "look" like there is better living being achieved? We live in a society that is caught up on appearance rather than the people. Although the Cabrini Greens undoubtedly needed to be torn down, were the people living in these projects given fair treatment. When we took the visit to the area, of course the area looked better, safer and even seemed like a great place to live, but what happened to the thousands who considered this lifestyle home. What steps were taken to assure them a smooth transition into a different lifestyle of living. It was extremely interesting that the male who gave us the tour knew everything about the destruction of the building and the reconstruction but knew absolutely nothing about the ones this transition most affected.

While they seem to capitalize on fixing these horrible living conditions, did the residents really benefit from this reconstruction. It is interesting to hear about the plan for transformation and the transformation is only for the city as appose to those who need the real transformation. During this reconstruction of the Cabrini Green area those who lived there were simply sent to live in other housing situations not much better, if not worse. What transformation is gained when the people are still enduring unfortunate living conditions?

My next blog will be a continuance of this blog but another view, which is the Hull House and how even though the Hull House provided better living and opportunity for the people they were still shut down for no valid reason...