The End of Chiraq: A Literary Mixtape

by Javon Johnson (Editor), Andrew Barber (Contributor), Mariame Kaba (Contributor)

The End of A Literary Mixtape is a collection of poems, rap lyrics, short stories, essays, interviews, and artwork about Chicago, the city that came to be known as "Chiraq" ("Chicago" + "Iraq"), and the people who live in its vibrant and occasionally violent neighborhoods. Tuned to the work of Chicago’s youth, especially the emerging artists and activists surrounding Young Chicago Authors, this literary mixtape unpacks the meanings of “Chiraq” as both a vexed term and a space of possibility.

"Chiraq" has come to connote the violence—interpersonal and structural—that many Chicago youth regularly experience. But the contributors to The End of Chiraq show that Chicago is much more than Chiraq. Instead, they demonstrate how young people are thinking and mobilizing, engaged in a process of creating a new and safer world for themselves, their communities, and their city.

In true mixtape fashion, the book is an exercise in "low end theory" that does not just include so-called underground and marginal voices, but foregrounds them. Edited by award-winning poets, writers, and teachers Javon Johnson and Kevin Coval, The End of Chiraq addresses head-on the troublesome relationship between Chicago and Chiraq and envisions a future in which both might be transformed.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2018

Reviews

[Abi Pellinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up DNFing this book, and I have really complicated feelings about it. What I will say for now is that there is nothing wrong with this book, I'm just 80% sure I was not the correct, nor intended audience

[Rose Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that this collection centers the experience and voices of everyday Chicagoans, full of tension and contradiction and beauty. My copy is marked with post it notes and flags, notes and connections. I'm eager to share these poems with my kids to see how insights about "Chiraq" illuminate or challenge their definitions and experiences of "Killwaukee."

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful collection of writing is an enthralling reckoning of their city by individuals who understand and love it unconditionally in spite of its complex challenges that does them harm!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subtitle of this collection is 'A literary mixtape' and that's exactly what you get. You get a mixtape of different writing styles, voices and views and that means that as a whole, the book was a bit hit and miss for me. There were some voices that I instantly felt pulled into, powerful and moving. Whilst others weren't as appealing.
As a collection, I enjoyed more than I disliked. It was strong and honest which I love in a book.
Overall it was a good read.

[Manon the Malicious · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The End of Chiraq is a collection of poems but also interviews and essays etc about Chicago, its reputation, how it is for people living there…

I enjoyed it even though the writing style, sometimes, was hard for me to focus on.
Also, I was expecting this to be a collection of poems and only poems and I was a little disappointed at first, but it was really interesting. I learnt a lot.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The End of Chiraq: A Literary Mixtape edited Javon Johnson and Kevin Coval is a collection of mixed literature describing the city of Chicago. Johnson is an Assistant Professor and Director of African American & African Diaspora studies and holds an appointment in Gender & Sexuality Studies in the Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies Department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University. Coval was raised in the suburbs of Chicago and educated at Ohio University, the University of Wales, and DePaul University. His brave, socially engaged poems weave together personal experience and calls to action.

Chicago was, and to many still, a city of pride, industry, and innovation. Carl Sandberg coined it the "City of Big Shoulders". It was to the meat industry what Detroit was to the car industry. It reversed the flow of a river to wash pollution away. The city physically lifted its city blocks to improve drainage and prevent flooding. Chicago was the midwest New York City -- Education, Art, publishing, sports, museums. The city had it all. In 2016 Chicago again entered the news as Candidate Trump made the murder rate a political issue to the point of wanting to send federal troops into the city.

Chiraq is a contraction of Chicago and Iraq. It signifies the violence in the city.  Early on it is pointed out that in 2008, 314 soldiers died in Iraq and 508 people were murdered in Chicago. To further add to the statistics the City of Chicago spends 40% of its operating budget on police. Chicago also has the most militarized police forces in the country yet as violent crime has fallen all over the country it is rising in Chicago.

The contributors write in factual prose, narrative prose, poetry, and in rap. Hip Hop had a revival in Chicago in the 1990s and 2000s and that is brought up by several contributors. Kayne West, Chief Keef, and King Louis are all mentioned at various times. Spike Lee's movie Chi-Raq receives an unfavorable critique by many for what is called "Willie Horton marketing." Spike Lee should have stuck to writing about areas he knows about. One comment read to the effect that the use of the play Lysistrata might have been fine for Greek comedy but should not be repurposed on this side of 300BC.

Writers in this collection turn to treating the cause of the problems in the city. The city and its police force attack the symptoms and at times over aggressively when gunning down unarmed men. Schools are being shuttered and mostly in poorer areas. Race is an issue in a highly segregated city. It plays its part in education and opportunity. For the vast majority, being born poor means a lifetime of poverty or alternatively crime and gangs.

The editors assemble the book as a mixed tape from the 1980s. Various prose forms are mixed with poetry and lyrics.  The mixed tape format of the book is compared to the mixed tape.  It is a collection of freedom.  It is not one album played in order.  It is a kind of democratization where the user determines content and order and not a record company.  This, of course, was in the days before streaming and shufflable playlists and perhaps a nostalgic view of what Chicago used to be -- a diverse, progressive city of industry, art, education, and freedom.  A strong message from the people of a strong city. 

[Jamal Raslan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-curated book. Some really compelling stories about Chiraq (Chicago + Iraq). Came for the poetry, stayed for the editorials and interviews. That said, there are a few eye-catching poems with great lines and imagery.

Reading it made me wonder if imagining a similar book for KL would be good idea, and then I remembered LiteraCity: Fragmen Sastera Kuala Lumpur (edited by Nurul Aizam). I haven't finished that book, and reading this book gives me a good excuse to pursue it anew. Maybe why I couldn't finish it at first reading was not just due to a poor reading habit, but rather the lack of intent to absorb the purpose and content of the book; the anak jati KL in me judged the book before even reading its first words. Being able to compare that book to this book might just be enough to encourage me to (re)visit it.

Andrew Barber's 'on hearing King Louie' was a fitting start to the book; Mariame Kaba's 'To Live and Die in "Chiraq"' was an informative read; toaster's 'FAKE' is a light but damning ride; Jamila Woods' 'Ghazal for White Hen Pantry' could only be followed up by Sara Salgado's 'Holy Hermosa' and Sammy Ortega's 'Corn man on every corner' - you know what? There's just too many. I can't simply do this for every other piece in the book.

But by saying that I'm not doing the writers and their pieces the justice they deserve. Then again, I am not - and will never - be the one to grant them the justice they (and their works) deserve.

Jake Krzeczowski's piece on Chief Keef, Nate Marshal's joint on Spike Lee's documentary, Leah Love's 'Flower Breaking Through The Concrete' and the Yana Kunichoff-Sarah Macaraeg editorial are arguably the best researched and thought-out editorials in the book. Great clarity, focus and intent that drives your reading from the first word to the last. They do a great job of informing about Chiraq and asserting much needed insight against the common narrative (of Chiraq).

Aneko Jackson appears a few times in this book, to great effect. She lends a lot of muscle to the reading experince - the Frank Bradely interview was a somewhat sobering read, and Concrete Flowers is a gorgeous piece of prose.

My favourite poem from the book is Melinda Hernandez's 'Into a White Neighbourhood' - simply beautiful writing.

All in all, this book is one of the better books I've received as a birthday gift - one I am thankful for, if not for the choice, at least for the thought behind. It did not change me nor leave a profound impact in any major way, but it was definitely a memorable and affirming reading experience.

I'll end this review with E'mon Lauren's opening lines on 'Speak':
"i got a family reunion in my mouth. chuuch under my tongue. loud packed loose squared language."

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! There were so many things in this book that I absolutely love and plan on discussing in my Read Woke Presentation/Class; I loved how raw the poetry and stories that talked about gentrification and the disdain for Spike Lee and his Chiraq movie. I loved the the conversation about Black Lives Matter and the "6 Unconditionals" that go along with BLM and what Black people must do for themselves. I was unaware of the full story about the murder of LaQuan McDonald and the brown and black men that have been paid reparations for violent and racist police brutality that led the young men to confess to crimes that they didn't commit to. I also loved how the book tackled the "I'm from Chicago...but not really" conversation. I have only experienced the North Side of Chicago, which is primarily touristy and caters to predominantly white upper high class residents. Reading this book, I often think about the similarities and experiences that Chicago and Saint Louis have in common, public school districts closing down schools, charter schools, a diverse, yet segregated city (Delmar Divide, Central West End, North County, West County, South County). Overall, amazing book. Great to have in Black History or Black Literature Classes.

[Emma Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.75/4 Stars

"The End of Chiraq" is a literary mixtape with content that takes multiple forms, to various effect. Every piece in this collection has a clear and imperative own-voices message. However, there are some pieces in this collection that are more successful and impactful than others in both their form and content, and had a unique style, flow and rhythm, whereas others fell somewhat flat in their delivery or execution. Regardless, this book has the potential to speak to a wide variety of readers about a potent contemporary issue and raise awareness from the ground

[Allyn Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst the vast majority of this book hooks you in in there are some things that just don't sit well with me. It is a literary mix tape and there are always a couple of bum tracks that just don't suit. Overall though incredibly interesting, heartfelt and full of feeling.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This powerful collection of poems, rap lyrics, short stories, essays, and interviews call into question the use of the term "Chiraq." Many pieces in the collection would resonate with students and could be used as mentor texts or discussion starters.

[The Book Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most powerful thing I have read in a while. Review to come.

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jasminum Mcmullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Chicago🤩

[Chloe Metzger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this as it was located under poetry. Unfortunately, while I wanted to understand what was meant by the term 'Chiraq'. I just couldn't get into this and found that it wasn't for me! I just struggled to be gripped by it and therefore it just wasn't for me.

[Cait Hutsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a non-Chicagoan some of the references are outside of my experience, but this very well put together. I think this is worth a read.

[Ashley Haziel]

This book its so powerful. The way it is written is great for you to understand the pain and consterne.

[Ronnie Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The End of Chiraq: A Literary Mixtape is a mixed-genre anthology investigating the history and impact of the term Chiraq on Chicago youth, street violence, and perceptions of Chicago from both Chicagoans and outsiders. Coval and Johnson state explicitly that, in the pursuit of meaningful and authentic discourse, they have prioritized Chicago voices, and young people in particular. The book itself is broken into five parts: the first section considers the term Chiraq and its connection to perceptions of Chicago as inherently violence; the second section looks at the segregation of Chicago and the city's contribution to violence; the third section explores depictions of Chicago in popular culture; the fourth and fifth sections look toward the future of Chicago and the ways in which artists are reimagining Chicago, both artistically and through activism. Each section blends interviews, essays, poetry, and prose, making space for an array of voices in the larger conversation of race relations, systemic oppression, the police state, poverty, education, and misrepresentation. As both an educator and a consumer, I believe that The End of Chiraq is a poignant and brilliant example of the powerful work that young people are doing to improve our nation, and it would be a phenomenal addition to any classroom library, filling gaps in an otherwise whitewashed national curriculum and introducing students to some of the most important issues in American society today.

[Abi Pellinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is going to be a tough review for me to get into words. I got this book through NetGalley, and ended up both giving it 3* and also DNFing it (Did Not Finish). The 3 stars was for the content, personally this is not the type of writing style that I enjoy, although the content was informative, and I would not run to pick it up again. It’s the DNF factor that is tough in this review.

I DNFd the book because, I felt like I shouldn’t be reading it? The strongest feelings I had throughout the 50% of the book that I did read were of injustice, hatred (justifiably so) and that this book was not meant for me. And it’s not. This book, in my opinion, is written by black Chicagoans, and is intended for black Americans. Now I know that we should read books that aren’t aimed at us and expand our bases, however, this felt in essence like I was intruding. Like I was listening to something that I shouldn’t get to listen to.

I will say, I learnt a lot about “Chiraq” from what I read, and I can see the struggles that happen every day. The police in this city have some serious explaining to do, but let’s be real. That’ll never happen. This is a tough book, about a tough subject, about lives that are lived every day in an area where the police are more like the army than anything else. Racism abound towards black people, despite the majority of people in the neighbourhood being black, and essentially the rest of America stays silent.

I encourage you to pick up this book, even if you DNF it like I did. It’s something that needs to be highlighted as an issue, and these voices need to be heard. Black Lives Matter. Full stop. Maybe this book can help more people realise that.