Evolution of The Jungle

The gate to the old Stockyards 

When I’m abroad, I like to try to read novels set in those places.  On learning of my south side location Maureen recommended that I read Upton Sinclair’s ‘The Jungle’ which was set in what is now the ‘Back of the Yards’ neighbourhood.  Lured into the book by the hilarious description of the main characters’ Lithuanian wedding, it soon became one of the most bleak, stomach churning books I’ve read.  Recommended by a vegan and describing the revolting practices of the meatpacking industry at the time – I suspected an ulterior motive and there was very nearly one more vegetarian in the world.  But the human suffering and degradation of the migrant workers surpassed even that. 

Fresh from ‘The Jungle’, I found myself in Back of the Years twice this week.  It remains an immigrant neighbourhood, but the Lithuanians, Poles and Irish have been replaced by Mexicans.  Angie, a Helper working in a large, active parish there asked me to be part of a team interviewing high school and college students for scholarships.  A few weeks ago, I attended a fundraiser for this so it was really nice to meet some of the young people who will benefit.  And what an impressive group they were!  One of the provisos for applying for a scholarship is that they must be involved in community work locally.  Talking about this put most of them at their ease and it was evident how much they benefited from their involvement.   Given the violence and poverty they grow up in, the fact that their dreams, optimism and motivation are so intact is a real credit to them and those who work with them. 

My second visit was to an after-school program in the parish.  This is mostly funded by the government as part of their violence reduction strategies.   The young people and their tutors (mostly young adults who have gone through the program themselves and are now in higher education) had organised a ‘carnival.’  There was lots of games, with highly sought after goldfish prizes and food was provided from the nutrition team who prepare full meals for the children every day after school.  Nutritional ideals were relaxed however and everyone tucked into a BBQ and cheesy nachos – not to mention a pie eating contest by four of the tutors!  There was a real mix of ages and it was great to see plenty of teenage boys and young men helping out, supporting the event and entering fully into the water bomb catching contests!

Tutors' pie eating contest

In many ways the Back of the Yards is unrecognisable from the early twentieth century when ‘The Jungle’ was written, but some of the same problems do remain, albeit manifesting in different ways – there is high population density, violence, poverty, lack of opportunity... But I saw huge community spirit, commitment, determination and no small amount of hope.  

Proud goldfish winners