Not A Legitimate Issue For Daley

This is from late last week but still the strange inappropriateness of Mayor Daley having anything to say about Meeks calling some other African American officials "house n-s" -- and the papers' willingness to make that a story -- is pretty amazing.

Epithet fuels Daley, Meeks war of words Tribune
State Sen. James Meeks, viewed by some as a potential mayoral candidate, has been a persistent critic of Mayor Richard Daley. But on Thursday, it was Daley's turn to criticize as he angrily took Meeks to task for the senator's use of a racially offensive word.

Daley mocks Meeks over n-word Sun Times
Mayor Daley mocked state Sen. James Meeks, a minister and possible mayoral challenger, on Thursday for swearing off use of the n-word after Meeks used it in a broadcast sermon.

If Daley weren't white, and wasn't in a political fight with Meeks, and if the slur didn't involve the Mayor's alleged control over alderman, then maybe he'd have some legitimacy on this issue that would warrant a story.   But that's a lot of ifs. 

Comments

This is really something, coming from the guy who originally ran against Harold Washington, saying, "we need a white mayor." Then when the press picked up on it, he said he was misquoted and that he really said, "we need a wet mayor." This is a man who should just keep his mouth shut about race.

From John Kass' May 18th Column in the Trib:

"During his 1989 campaign, Daley made news saying Chicago needed to elect a "wet" mayor. Some thought he said "white mayor." But naturally, those people were denounced as irresponsible fools for interjecting race into Chicago politics, something that would never happen around here. Others say he was tired, and meant to say "wet mayor."

[M. Weston]

Here's a letter I sent to Mary Mitchell @ Sun-Times after reading her comments on the Meeks/Daley controversy over the N word. She didn't publish it-go figure. But I stand by it still. I'd love some responses! I'm an 8 yr CPS teacher from the West/Southside schools!

Ms. Mitchell:

Meeks' using the word "nigger" is a non-issue, I believe. He neither coined the word nor generated the associations that go with its use. It is a word laced with derision, but it is lessened, almost in sarcasm, when used with "intentionality". Likewise with the expression "houseniggers". Meeks knows his audience and is successfully stirring the feelings of doubt, critique, and protest which his "signifying" forbearers such as Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X did when they skillfully employed such rhetorical devices to inspire revolt and change.

And in fact the issues Meeks bears witness too are "revolting". Thinking which focuses on micro-social problems rather than critiquing the ways that certain CPS policies systematically under-prepare students is a ruse. It allows the un-addressed issues of disparity between neighborhood schools and sections of the city to persist. Entrenched poverty, which is generations deep in some communities, goes mostly unchanged. Meeks' alarm is being conveniently supplanted by announcements of rising test scores. While the CPS of Kozol's late 80's best-seller Savage Inequalities may have a fresh coat of paint, the fundamental problems of inequity remain.

Disaffected teachers, ineffective pedagogies, insufficient school-budgets, un-enticing school climates are the norm in the toughest, poorest West Side and Southside schools and they are the majority. How can teachers promote reading without a school librarian and a virtually obsolete neighborhood library? How can students be encouraged to apply to competitive schools with a half-time or quarter-time guidance counselor position? Why must principals use discretionary funds for security guards or school supplies rather than after-school programs that aren't "cheerleading" or "military-themed clubs"? Where are debate teams, science clubs, history-fair clubs, Jr. M.E.N.S. A., private instrumental music lessons, monthly trips to Chicago's famed museums occurring? Not in the mostly disenfranchised West and Southside schools which linger from year-to-year on probation. How very different are the Northside and Northwest schools which would be apparent to any casual observer.

Some CPS schools require greater funding than others if some schools are to truly change. Could there be greater parity amongst schools with re-allocated funding, customized to meet specific needs, tailored to undo the "permanent inequality" which now reigns? Yes, I believe. Pedagogy must change and resources must multiply in many schools. There must be a "good faith" effort to bring about change. The social ills of poverty, racism, and years of neglect can be undone.

You yourself have no doubt been effected by the use of the word, so in some ways Meeks was successful. But you do a disservice to your readers when you focus on the "bravado" attached with public use of "nigger" rather than the issues which Meeks' use intends to raise.

Sincerely,

M. Weston
S. Merrill Ave
Chicago, IL 60649

[amber ladeira]

This entire situation is disgusting. Yes, the unequal distribution of educational resources is far more outrageous and tragic, yet semantics are important.

In 1959 at the age of 15 I instigated a petition drive which resulted in the first civil rights demonstration on the campus of the University of Texas, Austin. We obeyed the law, were orderly, not profane, yet our message was powerful and clear.

I'm sure the ordinary or famous folk who have invoked this pejorative term feel it is ok in the "community context" where they employ it. I sharply disagree. I did NOT take beatings for my civil or human rights work from a racist parent to promote the current rush to the intellectual, cultural or logical bottom. And as to DA MARE: -boy, he just cannot perform any kind of adequate save, eh? He should have said, " I meant "wise", not "white".
At least that would have shown he knew what we need, and he was willing and able to provide it.
Amber Ladeira