DePaul University Activism Students “Explore Chicago” field trip at CC4PJ
Euan Hague, Ph.D., Director of the School of Public Service and the Urban Programs Collaborative at DePaul University, recently brought his class of activism students to the Chicago Center for Photojournalism for an "Explore Chicago" course. This visit featured prominent Uptown organizers, Bob Lawson and Michael James, who shared their deep history of activism in the community.

Lawson and James discussed their involvement in the JOIN Community Union (Jobs or Income Now), which emerged in the 1960s to combat poverty and poor housing conditions in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, often referred to as the "Hillbilly Ghetto" due to its large Appalachian population. JOIN advocated for tenant rights and organized rent strikes, while also addressing welfare and social justice issues. The movement bridged divides between poor whites and African Americans, collaborating with groups like the Black Panthers as part of the Rainbow Coalition. This coalition included diverse organizations like the Young Patriots, who modeled themselves after the Panthers, focusing on providing social services to the poor and uniting different racial groups around shared struggles against police brutality, systemic racism, and economic exploitation.

During the event, students learned about these efforts and how the activism of the 1960s and 70s shaped the ongoing fight for justice and equality in Uptown. The collaboration between the Black Panthers and the JOIN Community Union represented a powerful example of interracial solidarity, challenging oppressive systems and highlighting the importance of community organizing in creating lasting change. @depaulu   #DePaulExplore    #DePaulUniversity

Legendary Uptown organizers Bob Lawson and Michael James spoke to the students about their roles in the JOIN Community Union