Experience the Beat: How Chicago's Streets Vibrate with America's Rich Musical Heritage

At the outset of 2025, I found myself in Chicago, privileged to deliver the Martin Luther King Day address at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s significant assembly. The timing was profound; as I approached the podium on the South Side, Donald Trump was being sworn in as President in Washington, D.C. His inaugural remarks echoed a new era of aggression toward immigrants and communities of color. Conversely, my message emphasized unity between Chicago's Black middle class and recent immigrants in combating such animosity. This contrasting experience lingered in my thoughts upon my return to Chicago. Historically, the city has served as a backdrop for America’s pivotal struggles, from labor rights protests in the 1880s to civil rights marches in the 1960s. Today, Chicago is again at the forefront, where tensions about race and identity manifest, showing us that these "angry mobs" are families seeking recognition and dignity. As history reveals, every turbulent decade ultimately lays the groundwork for progress in subsequent years.