The first episode in Chi DNA's micro-doc series explores perspectives around the controversial term "Chiraq". Drill rappers, activists, and everyone in between discuss their personal feelings about the nickname for Chicago that compares the violence in the city with the war in Iraq. Some hate it, some deem it appropriate, some view it as a broader diagnosis of neo-imperialism on Black and Brown communities, foreign and domestic. Its problematic framing paints the city with a broad brush, further exposing a white narrative of black violence devoid of systemic inequality and racism. However, perception is reality for those who experience the day-to-day violence and lack of resources the term eludes. Whatever the opinion, this episode shows that "Chiraq" is not as binary a term in its meaning as the concatenated nickname implies.​

Interviewees: Little G, Jen Dean, Ruby Pinto, Seuss Leroy, Kofi Ademola, Camille Williams, Charles Preston (incorrectly titled "Charles Alexander" in video), Breeveazie & J.Kwest, JMac & AYOO & Shakey Kruger (FBE)

Written, Directed, Produced by Caullen Hudson
​Produced by David A. Moran
Cinematography by Dakota Sillyman
Editing by Austin C. Pruett
Marketing by Amy Potter
Drone Photography by Ben Jassin

“[Chiraq] is a society in-and-of-itself and it's a world that a lot of people don't understand. And all this drill shit is a part of that world...and in that world you have a different set of politics, principles, lingo and this was created out of a lack of care and concern from the established order in Chicago.”
- CHARLES PRESTON | Activist, Organizer, Journalist