When people think of Chicago, the first thing they think of is violence. The media has portrayed this city that I am in love with, to just be a horrible place, and the people there are "hood", or that the city is filled with "crackheads". The media doesn't show the beauty ofMY city. I put emphasis on my because this is a city that I was born and raised in for the majority of my life. I have been all around the United States and the question usually asked is "Where are you from?" My response is Chicago and the first thing people always say is " Oh, you from Chi-raq" or "You know how to fight, don't you?" or the mind-blowing one is " Oh, you know Chief Keef?". These statements are made by ignorant individuals most of the time but the other day these statements came from an "educated" official at my school. Mind-blowing, right?!

Well, to those people who are ignorant to what the meaning of being from Chicago is and why people are so proud to say that they are from Chicago, learn about the city before you speak negatively. When I say learn, I don't mean watch a Spike Lee movie, or watch the news, I mean read a book, visit the city, talk to someone from the city.

Being from Chicago is something that I am proud to claim because it made me who I am. You will meet some of the realest, dopest, determined, blunt, strong-minded, money-making people in your life. Chicago is the home of the deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, and the Chicago-style hot dog. Chicago is one of the top-ten visited cities in America for a various of reasons. The city is not all about violence, drugs, and prostitutes. Chicago is one of the top twenty cities to bring in the most money to the United States. Chicago has the most successful people there next to Washington D.C. and San Jose. I'm not trying to brag or anything, but the President of the United States is from Chicago and our First Lady was born on the south-side of Chicago.

Chicago is a wonderful city for all people and yes, there is violence, but what city in America does not have violence. New Orleans is the most dangerous city in America, not Chicago. So, for people to judge people from Chicago is wrong. For the media to portray all the negative issues is wrong. The stereotype of Chicago and the people that reside there is ignorant. Speak facts, and if you do not have anything positive to say, don't say it.

I am Antoinette Davis, born in Chicago, Illinois at UIC and grew up on 714 N Sawyer and I'm proud to say that Chicago will always be my home. DON'T STEREOTYPE ME!!