The lawn of the South Shore Cultural Center was nearly packed. Zeke Locke and The NuXperience were pumping up the crowd with their modern take on gospel music. The audience waved their towels in the air. It was only an hour into the South Shore Summer Festival, and the festivities were already in full swing. But the event, which attracted thousands of people on Sunday, also drew mixed opinions.
The festival was headlined by Robin Thicke and featured a handful of performers like The Infamous South Shore Drill Team and Johari Noelle.
But not everyone was happy about headliner Robin Thicke.
“With so much local talent why is this guy headlining this festival?! His one hit wonder is a rape song,” replied Norma Merce to a post, announcing Thicke’s performance at the festival, by Ald. Leslie Hairston (D-5th) on her Facebook page.
Thicke gained popularity after releasing a song with T.I. and Pharell in 2013 called “Blurred Lines,” which came under firefor its undertones of rape. Thicke was also accusedby ex-wife Paula Patton of domestic violence.
Last month, Michele Beaulieux wrote a letter to Ald. Hairstonvia the Hyde Park Herald. Beaulieux expressed disgust upon learning that Thicke was set to perform at the festival.
“In this #MeToo moment, we have come to see first-hand not just the misogyny and abusive behavior of successful entertainers but the silence of the enablers who benefit by allowing them to thrive. I am disappointed that my alderperson is one of them,” wrote Beaulieux, who called Thicke’s song “an anthem to rape culture.”
Yet, many people were drawn to the festival because of the popular R&B singer. Some business owners thought that having Thicke’s name attached to the festival brought more people to the South Shore and, consequently, more potential customers to the South Shore businesses that participated at the event.
Despite the controversy, South Shore resident Angie Powell, who attended the festival for the first time, felt that the it was a valuable resource to the community. “It gives us something to do,” Powell said. “With all the shooting going on in Chicago, it really gives us something to do, and we still can come together.”
Stanley Driver, a South Shore resident, saw the festival as an opportunity to bond with his daughter while enjoying the performances and the food. He brought her along to teach her “who is who” and “be aware of what’s going on,” said Driver.
The group, Love Train, performed many old school soul and R&B hits.
More than a showcase of talent and a day of festivities, it was an opportunity to come together, said Judy Jackson, a special service area commissioner for the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, which was one of the sponsors of the festival.
“It brings unity. It brings peace. It brings camaraderie,” Jackson said.
They are already thinking of the next South Shore Summer Festival, Jackson added.
“We’re always looking, how can we expand? Basically, we want to be able to expand and we want to be able to not only expand our capacity but expand our hearts, so we’ll be able to touch all residents of South Shore,” Jackson said.
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