Editor’s note: This article is one in a series of stories from the Communication Department’s award-winning Echo magazine,  featured this summer on the Chronicle site.

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To the only city I have ever known,

This place — Chicago, Illinois — is where I live. All my life, I’ve resided in the borders that make up the “Windy City.” I have seen and heard so many criticisms and crazy stories from family, friends and outsiders over the course of my 22 years that nothing surprises me anymore. I’ve grown my own opinion about the significance of this city and in the end, the feeling of familiarity that I’ve acquired makes my surroundings with attached memories more than just buildings — it’s home.

For the longest time, I thought that in order to have the best education, become who I want to be and be successful, I had to leave. But this city has shown me that as it has revitalized, I don’t have to leave to attain those things. Yes, it’s imperfect — every city has its flaws. But it’s home, for better or worse. No matter where I am in the city, it still feels like home to me.

St. Adalbert’s Church

I was baptized at St. Adalbert’s, which is in Pilsen. I think it’s where my journey began, to figure out who I truly am. I haven’t stepped foot in that church since I was a kid. But I don’t need to walk through the door to connect to that experience.

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

Whitney Young really opened up my eyes — to understanding who I am and the bubble that I came from. It shaped my values and my morals, and how I saw the world. High school taught me I’m not the only one with problems. I walked the halls, worrying about how I would afford to pay for college, while a person passing me might have been worrying about having food on the table that night. We all have different challenges, and my issues are no more or less important than anyone else’s.

National Mexican Art Museum

When I want to experience Mexican culture, or see some really cool art, or listen to some traditional folklórico music, I visit the National Mexican Art Museum. My culture means everything to me, and if I ever want to go back to my roots, all I have to do is walk across the street from my dad’s house, where I grew up. You can get emotionally attached to la cultura by immersing yourself in this space. 

South Shore Cultural Center

For me, this is the symbol of the South Side neighborhoods of Chicago. It’s where people gather to learn, enjoy life and connect to the community. When I moved to this part of the city at 14, it was a bit of a culture shock compared to the other neighborhoods I’d lived in. But now it’s my second home, along with Pilsen, where my dad still lives. Living here, I never have to worry about this feeling of comfort and peace leaving.

Chicago Skyline

Driving north on I-90, with the skyline in view, puts things in perspective: This entire city is my origin story. My city is imperfect, but everyone gets to decide for themselves how to live in it. I always feel like I belong here. There’s always a place for me, whether it’s sitting on the porch of my childhood home where my family still lives, hearing the sound of the Pink Line train doors closing at 18th, or feeling the sting of the lake-effect wind on my face as I walk down Michigan Avenue. This city — my safe space — will forever be the blueprint for my definition of home.

Melanie Nicole

[As told to Julia Greene]

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The 2021 issue of Echo will be available this summer on newsstands across campus, and PDFs of all issues are available online.