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This isn't the first time Chicago businesses have had to board up their stores. The photos in this article show what happened in 2020 during the George Floyd riots. There could be even more damage and destruction next week as the left wing of American politics continues to fight against itself.

“Plywood chic” in downtown Chicago – a new normal?

Let's face it: It's unsettling to see a vibrant city like Chicago preparing for the worst. The DNC hasn't even started yet, and yet businesses are already battening down the hatches as if a storm is brewing. The fear? That the protests will spiral out of control and lead to looting, vandalism, or worse.

Compare that to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee earlier this year. Businesses there didn't seem to feel the same need to turn their storefronts into makeshift bunkers. So what's going on?

RNC in Milwaukee: The calm before … nothing?

The RNC in Milwaukee came and went without much fanfare. There were no widespread reports of unrest, no chaotic scenes, and certainly no mass barricading of stores. So why the stark difference?

One could argue that the nature of the events themselves plays a role. Historically, protests around Democratic events have been more intense, often drawing larger crowds with diverse causes. And let's not forget that Chicago has a decades-long history of political unrest, from the infamous 1968 Democratic Convention to the recent Black Lives Matter protests.

But it's not just about history; it's also about perception. The Biden-Harris administration and mainstream media have often portrayed Trump supporters as a major threat to democracy, painting them as potential instigators of violence. Yet when it comes to actual events like the RNC, reality doesn't always match the hype. In Milwaukee, there were no businesses scrambling to protect their property because, frankly, the fear wasn't there.

The politics of fear and preparation

So what does this say about the state of America under the Biden-Harris administration? Critics argue that this is a sign of the times – a reflection of a country that is more divided than ever. They claim that the current administration has failed to unite the nation, but has instead created an environment where unrest is expected or even anticipated at political events.

Government supporters, on the other hand, might say that preparing for the worst is simply smart governance, because if businesses don't close up shop and something does happen, the outcry would be even louder.

What’s next for Chicago and the DNC?

When the DNC begins, all eyes will be on Chicago. Will the boarded-up storefronts prove to be a precautionary measure, or will they end up being a necessary defense against chaos? One thing is certain: the contrasts between the RNC in Milwaukee and the DNC in Chicago offer a stark look at the current political landscape in America.

Whether viewed as prudent preparation or a symptom of deeper problems, Chicago's plywood-covered windows are a stark sign of the times – and they raise serious questions about where the country is headed.