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Rites of Passage

20 images Created 30 Sep 2016

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  • Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. ||| Joyce Jones toasts her 17-year-old daughter Brasha Ford and her date Jacques Williams during their prom send off, a community event celebrating the couple outside of Williams's home. These annual springtime gatherings mark a Rite of Passage and coming out for many African American youth in Chicago. |||| Chicago commemorates these rites in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us. At a historic hotel in the Loop, 17 young women debut in the 56th Links Debutante Cotillion, an annual ball that celebrates the futures of African American women. Off stage, Junior Debutantes imagine the day they, too, will accept scholarships and waltz with young men for all the world to see. In the suburbs, a Muslim woman is married in her childhood home. Ten miles north, a Hindu man tearfully gives his daughter away to her new husband. For her quinceañera, a young woman and her date practice their dance in an Elks Lodge locker room. On her 50th birthday, a life-long Chicagoan sings and dances along with drag queens. A man born in China rings in the Lunar New Year in Chinatown. Family and friends toast a young woman and her prom date. Best friends dance with abandon at the Gay Straight Alliance prom. A young man graduates from one of the best high schools in town; another graduates from one of the worst. <br />

And the final rite: a Catholic priest gives the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to a parishioner who has suffered a stroke. Her son holds her hand.
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  • Kamunte Fairley, 17, at right, dances with Tatianna Muñoz at Club Ki Yowga in East Chicago, Indiana. As part of Muñoz's combined quinceañera and Sweet 16, the duo practiced for weeks leading up to the celebration dance to Rihanna's "Work." |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Best friends Daniela Canterero and Jack Smith, at right, dance during the Gay Straight Alliance prom. Smith, who is transitioning, wore a dress that his grandfather had given him before he died. "It was a really safe space and seeing people that are non binary and cisgender was really great," Smith said. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Suen Szeto celebrates the Lunar New Year Parade in Chicago's Chinatown. Szeto is the head of the lion team White Crane and Lung Kung Fu. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • St. Therese Chinese Catholic School seventh graders Wyatt Harley and Victor Ruanb bring up the belly of a dragon during the Lunar New Year Parade in Chicago's Chinatown. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • During a procession-turned-dance-party en route to his wedding ceremony with Sonali Gupta, Ryan Hanson holds his cousin-in-law Sanam Goel, 3, as his family and groomsmen celebrate. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Mavara Agha adjusts her veil shortly after being married at her childhood home in Oak Brook. Agha said that community “in a religious and a cultural context is a huge part of a wedding…There are a lot of Pakistani Muslims in Oak Brook, and they all live pretty close to each other. Growing up we had a lot of get-togethers in my home, so having such a significant moment in my home and in front of my community meant a lot to me.” |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • At left, Imam Hisham Qaisi oversees the marriage of Adil Syed and Mavara Agha with her father Arif Agha, at right. The couple was married in the Mavara's childhood home in Oak Brook. Agha said that community “in a religious and a cultural context is a huge part of a wedding…There are a lot of Pakistani Muslims in Oak Brook, and they all live pretty close to each other. Growing up we had a lot of get-togethers in my home, so having such a significant moment in my home and in front of my community meant a lot to me.” |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Justine Lee, a native of South Korea, pledges allegiance to the United States of America during a naturalization ceremony held at Daley Plaza, which saw 56 candidates from 19 countries become citizens that mid-September day. Lee, who is married to an American citizen, said she wanted to become a naturalized citizen because, “My life is here.” She registered to vote immediately following the ceremony and plans to vote in November. “I’m included in this very important decision for the country, so I’m very honored,” she said. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Karen Walsh, seated at center, celebrates her 50th birthday party at the Baton Show Lounge, which, in its 48th year, is a mainstay for birthday and bachelorette parties in Chicago's River North. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • For her bachelorette party, Gezime Ameti attended the Baton Show Lounge drag queen show where Jackie Couture serenaded her. The Baton Show Lounge, now in its 48th year, is a mainstay for birthday and bachelorette parties in River North. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
    RoP-12-Baton-9987.JPG
  • Travis Widdington waits backstage before graduating with his 65 classmates from Orr High School, a Chicago Public School that has suffered from low enrollment and underfunding. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Before going to his graduation ceremony, Cesar Chavez Jr. poses for pictures with his family outside of their West Lawn home. Also pictured are his mother Lilia Chavez and his 9-year-old sister Alexia Chavez. Cesar is very close to his sister, who was born with a brain malformation and is unable to speak. “He’s come to understand her and accept her for who she is,” Lilia said. “He’s become very closer to her. He talks about her all the time.” |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Lilia Chavez embraces her son Cesar Chavez Jr. after his graduation from UIC College Preparatory High School. “I was feeling very emotional,” Lilia Chavez said. “He’s come a long way.” Cesar Chavez, who graduated on the High Honor Roll, received a full ride to attend Washington University in St. Louis and is considering a degree in journalism, communications or education. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Maia McGregory is announced during the 2016 Links Cotillion, an annual coming out and scholarship fundraising event, which celebrated the achievements of 17 African American young women from Chicagoland, at the Hilton Chicago. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
    RoP-17-Cotillion-1003.JPG
  • Danielle Robinson dances with her date Ahmad Williams during the 2016 Links Cotillion, an annual coming out and scholarship fundraising event, which celebrated the achievements of 17 African American young women from Chicagoland. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
    RoP-18-Cotillion-0852-2.JPG
  • Junior Debutantes Erin Chapman, Isis Franklin, Payton Peebles, Olivia Perry, Sanaia Pierre, and Chloe Phoenix catch a glimpse of their futures as they watch the Links Cotillion Debutantes enter the ball room. The Cotillion develops and celebrates young women of African ancestry by enriching their cultural and economic understanding of the world. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
    RoP-19-Cotillion-0871.JPG
  • Father Brendan Gibson gives last rites and the Apostolic Pardon to Johanna Reilly not long after she suffered a stroke that left her in and out of consciousness. Every Sunday, Gibson visits parishioners who are sick and unable to attend mass. Reilly said he felt great relief to have his mother receive the Catholic indulgence that he believes would keep her out of purgatory. “If you get the apostolic pardon, you go straight to heaven,” Reilly said. “It puts my mind a lot at rest.” Reilly died on Saturday, October 1, 2016. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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  • Tim Reilly reaches out to his mother Johanna Reilly as Father Brendan Gibson gives last rites and the Apostolic Pardon not long after she had suffered a stroke that left her in and out of consciousness. Every Sunday, Gibson visits parishioners who are sick and unable to attend mass. Reilly said he felt great relief to have his mother receive the Catholic indulgence that he believes would keep her out of purgatory. “If you get the apostolic pardon, you go straight to heaven,” Reilly said. “It puts my mind a lot at rest.” Reilly died on Saturday, October 1, 2016. |||| Rites of Passage define our lives. They signify the progress of time as well as our citizenship in a tribe, in a culture — in life itself. Chicago commemorates these moments in ways that reflect its diversity, but through difference, we find commonality. We are all connected through these formal and informal ceremonies that remind us how much family, love and time shape us.
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