Publisher’s Message – By Yvette J. Moyo
March is Women’s History Month, so designated in 1986, about 10 years after Black History Month. When we consider the Women’s Movement and the Civil Rights Movement, Chicago residents and business owners who are Black feel “a certain kind of way”.
Within these pages, we are happy to introduce some wonderful women to you. Our aim is to have you think “Wow!” as you flip page after page of phenomenal women moving communities forward. We’d love you to examine our advertisements and have you pass along a copy, follow South Side Drive: Guide to the Good Life Chicago Facebook page and other social media platforms, or share a digital copy with a friend. The demand for featuring our publication at events has been tremendous and our fresh new approach to quality and uplifting publishing has been well received. Thank you!
Women’s rights are important. We bear and raise the children. We often take care of business, are often never to be ac-knowledge, and, unfortunately, completely ignored at times. We work hard, work for less, at work and at home. However, Black women are grateful that at least we can work, and we can hardly think about where we are without thinking of where our men are not. It’s complicated.
Women who have husbands and fathers who earn millions as CEOs of Chicago-area corporations, inherit generational wealth or live long lives are enjoying the good life. Women in other areas of the city are exempt from the challenges of under-education, uncertain employment, housing instability and have never encountered the type of social injustice of the marginalized and disenfranchised. Yet, we must align for what’s good and fair.
During this #MeToo era, we take pause as we are clear out the conspiracy of silence. It is a culture that grew from seeing what happens to women who scream when hurt. Thus, we take a moment to understand that there is healing to be done. Our sisters are hurting and must be embraced and uplifted.
What about injustices directed towards those who are not blood family but should be considered as all of our children to be protected, loved, and nurtured? Our daughters are missing. Chicago leads in the number of women missing and sex trafficking. Chicago is at the center of the discussions around sex-related scandals, be it about the ongoing R. Kelly case or the Smollett fiasco, and the attacks on women– like our esteemed Judge Arnette Hubbard as well as State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.
We work hard, work for less, at work and at home. However, Black women are grateful that at least we can work, and we can hardly think about where we are without thinking of where our men are not. It’s complicated.
Today, while there is not total equity for women, opportunities for equity are present. In Chicago, we’ve studied the history and the evidence of 100 years of social injustice beginning in 1919. Nationally, thanks to the New York Times, we can access 400 years of injustice and inhumane behavior toward Black people. Locally and nationally the reader has access to the history and severity of the insult and near annihilation of us as a people. I demand that women across this city and our country, take back our rightful place as nurturers, caretakers of the community, and builders of generations. We ain’t tired yet!
However, what we are celebrating during Women’s Month is our resilience. What we are encouraging is our “woke-ness”. Engagement at every opportunity to pursue happiness and sanity is essential. I’m advocating for joy in the face of despair, for the knowledge that “we can do this.”
We can fight to own something for fair wages and fair opportunities to live in this city and not spend more than 50% of what we earn for housing. We can and will walk these streets without fear. We will see our sons, husbands and other brothers enjoy our city and be diligent while devoting time and taking time for healing. I suggest that this collective healing comes from engagement, and positive conversation, and our constant exposure to the arts. Brothers, we invite you to feel the love, see the beauty, stop the noise, play some uplifting music or come by the Quarry to get some. Play new in this game of life, The Good Life. It can’t happen without love.
I love the music on 95.1. It reminds me that once positive, encouraging music was ubiquitous in Chicago. We all sang about love all the time. I lived it and believed in it. We place our mag-azines where love lives, in businesses, in cultural institutions, even Aldermen’s offices, as we believe we are contributing to the joy in Chicago in the places you frequent. We will run out of magazines again this month, but our digital platform is coming along at https://southsidedrivemag.com. Please visit and share!
