My Open Letter To the University of Chicago

From: Sid Colton
Date: Sun, Jul 5, 2020 at 12:22 PM
Subject: A public discussion is called for now ... UofC's programs for neighborhood kids
To: Derek R. B. Douglas - Vice President for Civic Engagement <drbdouglas@uchicago.edu>
Cc: Lori Lightfoot <lori.lightfoot@cityofchicago.org>, Ka Yee C. Lee <provost@uchicago.edu>,

Sunday July 5, 2020

Dear Derek,

Does UofC (at, for example, its Logan Arts Center) have an obligation now for a public discussion of resuming now its activity-programs for neighborhood kids? Is it possible this kind of activity would have a chance of reducing the current amount of gun activity in Englewood and other nearby areas?

I do not have this statistic in front of me, but at the point that more injuries and deaths are happening in Englewood and vicinity, from gun-violence among its youth, than are happening from COVID-19 ... that would be the moment when a resumption of "the usual" activities for that neighborhood's youth .... becomes a moral obligation by everyone, including by the University of Chicago.

Thank you for a public discussion of this question.

Sincerely,
Sid Colton, Retired
UofC Library and SSA Staff 1975-2016
Patch Mayor for the Hyde Park Patch

Addendum: VP Derek Douglas points out that the U of Chicago's programs have continued, online for children in their homes. My viewpoint is that the City should now join up with any group that can help the City, to get some "in person" summer and safe activities happening, to attempt to at least partly return these neighborhoods to something closer to a normal amount of fun and engagement that the children their can experience. -Sid Colton 7/6/2020