A rally by Black Workers Matter takes place in September of 2020 in Cicero,Ill. The rally addressed the retaliation experienced by black Workers and lack of safety equipment against covid in the workplace amongst other issues (Photo by Paul Goyette).

By Leslie Cortez

There are many ways that Cicero and Berwyn residents are working towards racial justice. A common misconception is that volunteering is the only way the community can show up for each other however, there are many ways we generate power together. Here is a list of ways you can show up as well as opportunities to engage.

Normalize new ideas with friends and family

Racial justice requires unlearning years of racism that exists in many areas of life. This means disrupting an important form of racism: an uninformed perspective. Our community is in different stages of unlearning and being anti-racist. Seek relationships and connections outside of our neighborhood to breakdown segregation, stereotypes and an uninformed perspective. When possible share perspectives, converse and unlearn together.

Opportunity to engage:

The Cicero Community Collaborative’s Welcoming Committee has begun a series of conversations and film screenings to address anti-Blackness in Cicero. You can learn more about any upcoming events on their Facebook page or by emailing: cicero.collaborative@gmail.com.

Solidarity not Charity

“Solidarity not Charity” is an important element in mutual aid. To be in solidarity with someone means that we go beyond only donating money or resources. It means we stay informed and organize around what is happening in our community to address root causes of issues. Organizing ensures we are doing work that will prevent others from being in similar situations. Solidarity not charity can start with being a part of the mutual aid network in Cicero and Berwyn, following grassroots organizations and showing up virtually or in person for community members who face adversity.

Opportunity to engage:

Community residents who are part of the Berwyn Cicero Mutual Aid and Westside Workers Mutual Aid are picking up and dropping off food to Cicero and Berwyn residents. The BC Mutual aid is also sharing funds with community members impacted financially by COVID-19 and coordinates care.

They meet biweekly to coordinate funds, care, deliveries and more.

"The pandemic brought so much uncertainty for everyone. Yet we knew from the start that our community was more vulnerable because of policy failures from environmental pollution that compromises our respiratory health to exploitative labor practices that would fail to ensure PPE for our essential workers,” says Rocio Hernandez, a member of the collective. “BCMA is an effort to step up and help provide for the immediate needs of our neighbors. Because community means I am only as safe and healthy as my neighbors. There is something beautiful to be said about the way neighbors have stepped up to support each for the sole purpose of caring for each other."

Get involved: bcmutualaid@gmail.com

Follow and be connected on Facebook

Offering time and labor

One important way to help is by offering time and labor. Dedicating a certain amount of consistent time to phone banks, picking up food and goods for families, or assisting with small tasks can make a big difference. Being able to show up virtually or in person can really change the ability for groups to raise awareness or make Cicero a great place.

Opportunity to engage:

The Cicero Community Farm is committed to environmental justice. They are organizing to produce food for the community. CCF will be starting a farm, teaching community members how to do it and expanding their work across Cicero. This group is also committed to bringing on board 24/7 access to food in Cicero as well as addressing the environmental issues in the community. They will be looking for people who want to help cultivate the earth and advocate for green spaces in Cicero.

To be connected with the group email cicerocommunityfarm@gmail.com

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram

Black Workers Matter is a group that is speaking up alongside community allies about working conditions at the Bimbo Bakery Factory and the Town of Cicero’s response. There are calls to improve the air quality, provide adequate PPE, stop segregating Black and Brown workers, as well as offering COVID hazard pay at Bimbo.

To follow their work on Facebook and Instagram

To get involved email: blackworkersmatterchicago@gmail.com

Visit their website here: https://blackworkersmatter.org/

Sharing on social media, calling and emailing

If you are on social media, connect with organizations to help raise awareness about issues happening in Cicero. There are ways to support without having to donate such as commenting, sharing, giving shoutouts and or taking photos or videos for the group. This also means connecting with residents who are not on social media and prefer to learn from each other by phone or in person.

Opportunity to engage:

Rizoma Collective is an independent political organization led by Cicero community members. Rizoma encourages residents to run for office, teaches them about the process and endorses candidates. Before Rizoma, the Cicero Voters Alliance (CVA) was the primary political organization in Cicero. Many of the Town’s current elected officials are part of the CVA.

Rizoma also works to address issues impacting the community and wants to share information that is accessible for Spanish speakers. Most recent issues they worked on were raising awareness about the census, supporting the Infinity nurses in Cicero and raising awareness about electoral barriers in Cicero. Their work extends from Cicero to Berwyn.

“There is a need for community organizations to call out corruption and push for community accountability,” says Gerardo Nava, co-founder of Rizoma. “Organizing within the community is important and is encouraged.”

Sign up to receive notifications here: info@rizomacollective.com

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram

Offering talents and skills

We all have something we can bring to a movement. Each movement needs an array of skills and talents to make it happen. It needs a community of storytellers, motivators, disruptors, educators, caregivers, project managers and more. A movement is multidimensional and multigenerational. This means providing your own talent and skills which can help people from all backgrounds connect to the movement. Some talents include: Creating graphics, photography, drawn and painted illustrations, digital art, 3D art, paper mache pinatas, and more. If music is more your style, you can perform, DJ, share your slam poetry, speak at a public event or provide instrumentals.

Opportunity to engage:

The Westside Artists Collective is a group of artists using the arts to get to share information about local issues. The local artists are working on multiple projects that bring awareness on issues of race, mutual aid, workers rights and multi-generational traditions through many forms of art. They most recently are focusing on Renaming the Schools and updating the curriculum in Cicero. To sign the petition, click here. To join, email cortezlesliz@gmail.com

Information Sharing

You can also get involved by providing research, sharing articles, offering workshops, offering your skills in interpretation and translation, creating learning material like podcasts, radio, or videos and more.

Opportunity to engage:

Cicero was once a sundown town. Community members are working to address the anti-Blackness, violence and harm that happens in our town. After the civil unrest of last June, there were several marches to support and be in solidarity with Black Lives. A Facebook group was formed where resources are shared, however, there is expressed need to go beyond sharing material and be a part of action such as doing workshops, demanding accurate history and teaching of Black and Indigenous history and stories at schools. There is community started, now is time to organize.

Join and be connected to the Berwyn Cicero for Black Lives on Facebook

Some community residents have gotten together to address their concerns for Black and Brown youth in District 99 and 201. In 2017 there was a civil complaint filed about the quality of learning for ESL students in District 99. Some parents and community members are all calling for more inclusion as some working parents do not feel like they have a voice to participate in decision making.

Currently parents and residents can join the Facebook group: D99 + 201 Famili(a/e)s, click here to get connected to each other.

Other community residents have created their own town hall. The People’s Town Hall of Cicero (PTH) airs 15-20 minute videos of issues happening in Cicero on social media. Community members are creating space for issues and information to be shared for residents impacted by town decisions. PTH invites residents to speak on issues and co-creates a guide that will help residents submit their comments or organize behind an issue. The PTH also makes sure to make content that is both accessible in English and Spanish with closed captioning. Join and be connected on Facebook and Instagram.

Leslie Cortez is an artist and activist who grew up in Humboldt Park and Cicero. They are pursuing their MA in Public Policy and Administration. Follow their work on instagram @abeja.anil or at lesliecortez.org. Cortez is a monthly supporter of Cicero Independiente. As a monthly supporter, Cortez has no say in Cicero Independiente’s editorial and publishing decisions.

Our “Community Voice” section gives Cicero and Berwyn residents an opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences and opinions. Information is fact-checked for accuracy. To contribute a “Community Voice” article email info@ciceroindependiente.com.