THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CITY

Chicago is a city in the United States. The literal meaning of its name is “wild onion.” Historically, the city was known for its filth, crime, and poor housing, which gave it this reputation. However, today Chicago is considered a beautiful, well-regarded city.

The modern history of Chicago is largely linked to Richard J. Daley. Born in 1902 and passing away in 1976, Daley became Chicago’s mayor in 1955 and held the position until his death. After taking office, he initiated a comprehensive urban renewal plan. Under his leadership, Daley transformed the old Chicago into a modern, vibrant city.

Daley’s success can be mainly credited to the fact that he made rebuilding Chicago a personal responsibility for each resident. He motivated every individual to believe that it was their duty to help renew the city and that they were the ones who could make it happen. Daley fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility by giving every citizen a powerful motto: “I will do it.”

This motto is perfect for any large project. Everyone should approach a task with the mindset, “This is my responsibility, and I am the one who must finish it.” When every member of society adopts this attitude, the successful completion of any plan becomes certain.

At one point, Chicago had a tarnished reputation. However, the main challenge was not about changing the city’s name, but about changing the mindset of its residents. Simply renaming the city would have been ineffective. But by shifting the attitude of its people, even a deteriorated city could be transformed into a thriving one.

A slogan targeting others only causes division and chaos within society, while a slogan for oneself promotes growth and development. The first type of slogan results in destruction, whereas the second encourages construction.