In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago was akin to many urban areas throughout the nation, such as those in Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco, among others. Once thriving black working-class areas, many of these neighborhoods—like Englewood—are now beset by black-on-black violence and drug activity. My parents migrated to Chicago in the 1950s & bought a home. This book illustrates how life once was in Englewood & shares the story of a family—my parents & four siblings—who lived the American dream, where families today are living under siege. Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ, is a veteran journalist who has covered both Chicago’s urban & suburban communities. She has been writing for the Chicago Crusader for 20+ years. She has taught at City Colleges of Chicago & Roosevelt University. Her daughter, chemist-turned-critically-acclaimed hip hop artist & mentor Cristalle Elaine Bowen (Psalm One), contributed poetry. Photo: Maja Saphir