Eventually I plan on writing more on my thoughts about race in what some consider "the most segregated city in the United States". For now, I wanted to share the recent program that This American Life produced about Harold Washington, the first and only African-American mayor of the city of Chicago.
Washington was elected in 1983, beating out the incumbent Jane Bryne, not to mention our current mayor and family scion, Richard M. Daley, and was only the second mayor in Chicago's history to be elected to a second term. Unfortunately, he died 7 months into his second term, on November 25, 1987.Although I find myself unable to effectively convey the importance of his election and subsequent Mayorship, if you listen to the link below, you will know the greatness that was and still is Harold Washington.
The majority of people do not have an hour to sit and listen to a radio program about a politician they have never heard of, but I encourage you to download the free podcast. Listen to it at the gym! In the car! While cooking! No matter how, I just hope at least a few other people become aware of the amazing story that is Harold Washington.
3 comments:
i love me some ira glass. heard this particular show two weekends ago, i think. i had never heard of washington until that program. hooray for npr.
I rememer the day he passed away I was in class (I'm not going to give what grade) and our teacher came into the room crying. She later brought in a radio and that's pretty much all we did for the day was listen to the news report about it. It was a very sad day for Chicago.
As a part-time student of the great Harold Washington College,I thank you for your tribute.
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