Ta Nehisi Coates, author of “The Case for Reparations” and “Between the World and Me”, recently commented on Twitter “Chicago is the most beautiful city in America”. The comment was in response to Donald Trump’s characterization of Chicago during Monday night’s Presidential Debate.

The post went viral. On Wednesday, Coates followed up with the comment “If Chicago ain't beautiful because of its murder rate, then neither is America. Chicago IS America… Arguably the MOST American big city.” He went on to say that “More importantly, "beauty" is not the absence of problem.” Lastly, he noted that he “grew up in West Baltimore in the Crack Era 80s. Was a beautiful time, no question.”

Chicago has experienced many of the same ups and downs as cities across America. So what’s next for our city?

For that conversation, we were joined by:
•Stephen Serio
•Dr. Michael Maly, rhymes with Sally
•Caprice Williams
•Aloysius Cooper
•Nissa Rhee
•Emanuel Ramos

The Barber Shop Show airs Sundays at 9am on Vocalo 91.1FM. You can also stream live at vocalo.org. In addition, the show rebroadcasts on Sundays at 3pm on WBEZ 91.5FM.