Comic Relief For Englewood

Comic Relief For Englewood

Comic relief for Englewood residents varies depending on who you talk to in the community. For some, that means laughing at life's misfortunes while still pushing forward. Some feel accomplishing greatness is never spoken about and living in the Englewood Community you're often time pigeonholed into becoming a product of your environment.

Englewood is one of Chicago's most talked about communities because of its constant portrayal of violence in the media. Rising stars, influential figures and extraordinary and funny people come from the community that is plagued by drugs, robbery, prostitution and gun shots. A rising star, stand-up comedian Kevin White, who is from Englewood (56th Seeley) says his community just "needs a hug".

Since high school, White says he has always been his own leader and never cared about being a part of the "IN" crowd which was how he avoided gang initiation. While talking to White you can't escape his unique sense of humor. "I hid behind my glasses. Gangs were stupid to me. It's like being a follower," says White. When asked how he survived the pressures of the streets and avoided being a product of his environment, White responded modestly, "I kept to myself." White also adds that he was too busy making everyone laugh and trying to entertain his cousins who he utilized as his audience.