Comments on: My Memories of Harold Washington http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/ Illinois, From Misery Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:00:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Villager http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/comment-page-1/#comment-19147 Villager Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:46:48 +0000 http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/#comment-19147 Thanks for sharing your insights on Mayor Washington. He was born on this day in 1922. He is missed by many... peace, Villager Thanks for sharing your insights on Mayor Washington. He was born on this day in 1922. He is missed by many…

peace, Villager

]]> By: Didymus http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/comment-page-1/#comment-15771 Didymus Sun, 04 May 2008 00:17:09 +0000 http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/#comment-15771 It may be that what we are seeing in the Democratic Presidential primary season of 2008 is the race that Chicago dealt with in 1983. It should be remembered that most of America has not had their own "Harold Washington" and that they have not lived in a community, region, or state where the highest elected official was Black. Or at least a community that elected Blacks and then Whites. Many of the communities that have elected an African-American for mayor, etc, in the midst of social dislocation or upheaval, and don't again elect a white--leading to some to quietly consider the town "lost". Statewide, the Washington years also had the fortunate effect of bringing together Cook County's first "Dream Ticket" (including Judge Pucinski for Circuit Clerk and Ambassador Braun for Recorder), setting the stage for "upticket" statewide races (certainly not begrudging Roland Burris' wins as Comptroller, but his election as AG, along with CMB and Secretary White's wins, were greatly benefited by the novelty of Blacks high on the ticket having worn off). Frankly, in this regard, an African-American at the top of an Illinois ticket or serving as chief executive is as noteworthy as Tiger Woods winning a tournament. This small step has been little noticed by the national press and commentators--probably because it would stand in the way of their prejudged notions. The history of Chicago may come to see the Byrne-Washington administrations as the interregnum between Daleys, but contemporaneous viewers see the importance of both mayors in re-engaging disaffected Independents and Progressive Democrats back into the electoral process. It may be that what we are seeing in the Democratic Presidential primary season of 2008 is the race that Chicago dealt with in 1983. It should be remembered that most of America has not had their own “Harold Washington” and that they have not lived in a community, region, or state where the highest elected official was Black.

Or at least a community that elected Blacks and then Whites.

Many of the communities that have elected an African-American for mayor, etc, in the midst of social dislocation or upheaval, and don’t again elect a white–leading to some to quietly consider the town “lost”.

Statewide, the Washington years also had the fortunate effect of bringing together Cook County’s first “Dream Ticket” (including Judge Pucinski for Circuit Clerk and Ambassador Braun for Recorder), setting the stage for “upticket” statewide races (certainly not begrudging Roland Burris’ wins as Comptroller, but his election as AG, along with CMB and Secretary White’s wins, were greatly benefited by the novelty of Blacks high on the ticket having worn off).

Frankly, in this regard, an African-American at the top of an Illinois ticket or serving as chief executive is as noteworthy as Tiger Woods winning a tournament. This small step has been little noticed by the national press and commentators–probably because it would stand in the way of their prejudged notions.

The history of Chicago may come to see the Byrne-Washington administrations as the interregnum between Daleys, but contemporaneous viewers see the importance of both mayors in re-engaging disaffected Independents and Progressive Democrats back into the electoral process.

]]> By: Levois http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/comment-page-1/#comment-15735 Levois Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:13:27 +0000 http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/#comment-15735 This is a great post. I suppose it's always good to question things. Perhaps things aren't always as they seem to be. Also it sounds like people in central Illinois had a certain amount of fear. This is a great post. I suppose it’s always good to question things. Perhaps things aren’t always as they seem to be. Also it sounds like people in central Illinois had a certain amount of fear.

]]> By: Nuisance Industry http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/comment-page-1/#comment-15732 Nuisance Industry Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:35:31 +0000 http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/04/29/my-memories-of-harold-washington/#comment-15732 I lived in Hyde Park 25 years ago; even there -- in Harold's own neighborhood -- one could see some of the racial hysteria that put Bernie Epton as close to the mayor's office as any Republican since Big Bill Thompson. I remember being so happy and proud when Harold won. His ability to overcome his enemies both in the elections and on the job (maybe a tougher task) made me a fan for life. I wish his life had been longer; the link above is to something I wrote on the twentieth anniversary of his death. Thank you for commemorating a happier anniversary. I lived in Hyde Park 25 years ago; even there — in Harold’s own neighborhood — one could see some of the racial hysteria that put Bernie Epton as close to the mayor’s office as any Republican since Big Bill Thompson. I remember being so happy and proud when Harold won.

His ability to overcome his enemies both in the elections and on the job (maybe a tougher task) made me a fan for life. I wish his life had been longer; the link above is to something I wrote on the twentieth anniversary of his death. Thank you for commemorating a happier anniversary.

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