Renegade Dreams: Living Through Injury in Gangland Chicago

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses gang-related violence, drug abuse, police violence, and suicide.

Laurence Ralph’s study focuses on Eastwood, a West Side Chicago neighborhood. Ralph lived in the neighborhood from 2007 to 2010. His experiences and relationships in the neighborhood inspired him to return to Eastwood and write an ethnographic study about it. The book is based on the close bonds between Ralph and some of the neighborhood’s residents. Ralph shares his deep understanding of the dynamics within the neighborhood, as well as of the residents’ hopes and dreams for a better life. The book goes beyond academic theories, drawing on real stories from individuals like Justin, Mrs. Pearl, and others. Ralph admits that he found it challenging to accurately convey the African American Vernacular English, or AAVE, spoken by residents, as striking a balance between authenticity and readability proved difficult. The author explains in the Preface that he opted for combining narrative essays and ethnographic field notes to convey the social dynamics of Eastwood. The core of the book is the strong spirit of the residents, their continuous striving for better lives, and their ability to dream of a better future despite challenging circumstances.