By: Matt Rosenberg and John Klingner
UPDATE: Wirepoints updated the crime data in this piece on 3/26/23 to fix an issue of crimes not counted properly in their appropriate wards. While individual crime lines changed compared to the original published data, the update does not change Wirepoints’ overall findings that the wards Vallas won in the primary experience a significant portion of Chicago’s overall crime.*
A recent analysis by WBEZ’s Alden Loury published in the Chicago Sun-Times argues that Chicago mayoral finalist Paul Vallas’ first-place primary finish was powered by low-crime white precincts scared of minorities, using exaggerated crime concerns as a proxy for racial prejudice.
That’s a ridiculous insinuation for four reasons. 1) Vallas won thanks to white and minority wards alike. 2) The candidates differed sharply on crime policy. 3) People face risk daily outside their tiny precincts. And, 4) the larger wards in which pro-Vallas precincts lie get a significant share of Chicago’s major crimes, from sexual assault right on down to theft and motor vehicle theft.
Let’s examine the counterpoints in more detail.
First off, in addition to winning 11 majority-white wards, Vallas also carried 9 majority-nonwhite wards and about 150 majority-nonwhite precincts. Are those communities chock full of white racists, too?
Second, Vallas’ technocratic tough-on-crime campaign contrasts sharply with the “social justice” anti-crime thrust and clearly-stated “defund” leanings of his opponent Brandon Johnson. That’s unmistakably an issue for some voters. It’s not race, it’s policy. The candidates simply differ – a lot – on how to address crime.
Third, people face risk daily outside their tiny precincts. Chicagoans work, find entertainment, shop and socialize in other parts of the city than their own.
Not just a neighborhood issue: CTA and downtown crime are a big concern, too
Many travel on CTA trains and buses. But the CTA’s rate of violent crime per 1 million riders has nearly doubled from 2.0 in 2019 to 3.8 in 2022. Lower-level “broken windows” crimes on the CTA like violations of rules against smoking cigarettes, and against drug use, continue to bedevil the system. The problems of violent and nuisance crimes on the CTA have been painfully evident since at least last summer.
One rider recently told CBS2 News in Chicago, “People are living on the trains. There’s a lot of drug use occurring. People are smoking crack. They’re shooting heroin. There’s a lot of smoking going on. Public drinking. Using the bathroom.” Citations are written and given to offenders, but most don’t pay. It sets a tone of tolerance for far worse crimes. And it tells Chicago crime is real in yet another way.
What about downtown? That’s Chicago’s Ward 42, one of the 11 majority-white Vallas wards.
In the 42nd there were 3,015 major crimes in 2022 versus 2,591 in 2019, an increase of 16 percent. Criminal sexual assault, homicide, and motor vehicle theft were all up by double- or triple-digit percentages.
The “subtle racism” theory debunked
Fourth, to make his argument that white Vallas voters may have been motivated by racial fears Loury accents that some Vallas-supporting precincts had no murders or nonfatal shootings. But the city’s crime data portal shows that the 11 majority-white wards won by Vallas suffered 13,043 reported major crimes last year including 68 homicides. Those wards had a substantial 19 percent of all major crimes in the city – in general proportion with their share of the city’s population.
There’s an “X” factor here too, regarding unreported violent crimes. Nationally on average, 54 percent of non-murder violent victimizations aren’t reported to police, according to the latest survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. One driver is certainly fear of reprisal. That’s one of several reasons Chicago’s official crime numbers are lowball estimates.
Sticking with just the official numbers, the 11 majority-white Vallas wards – like much of the rest of the city – experienced a net increase in major crimes in 2022 from 2019, up 24 percent. Although aggravated battery, and burglary were down in those wards over the four-year stretch, homicides rose 55 percent, robbery 14 percent, theft over $500 climbed 14 percent, and motor vehicle thefts were up a whopping 128 percent.
Putting a human face on how crime is felt in Chicago
That’s a lot of data, but behind each victimization is real human pain and trauma.
The 42nd ward downtown, a majority-white Vallas ward in the primary, has again lately been the scene of a number of alarming crimes. A woman was stabbed to death on a CTA train platform. There was a bank robbery near the Opera House on Wacker Drive replete with the suspect shooting a security guard. Two were shot the morning of St. Patrick’s Day as a dispute between people in vehicles spilled onto the street.
In the 43rd Ward, or Lincoln Park, another majority-white Vallas ward, a DePaul student in late January was robbed at knifepoint in the school’s library and threatened with being killed. The same suspect had been arrested in December in a downtown library for sucker-punching a patron in the face while also possessing two ten-inch Bowie knives. That case was settled in a plea deal.
Also tied to the 43rd Ward, the repercussions for City Hall continue from a dramatic and deeply awful summer attack on Dakotah Earley in the 1300 block of Webster Avenue. A young black man who was then – but is now no longer – a culinary arts student, Earley was permanently disabled.
He is suing the city for failing to track down and apprehend his alleged attackers before they violently victimized him. Earley and his attorney claim that failure was due to Chicago Police restrictions on vehicle chases. One suspect is now charged. The suspects had been on an armed robbery spree and were being tracked with a GPS device on the stolen vehicle they were using when Earley was attacked.
In the 41st Ward recently, one more majority-white Vallas ward, an 80-year-old man had to use a legal firearm to shoot and deter two home invaders who were beating him. One of the alleged perps was a 13-time felon who’d been recently let out after serving just half of four concurrent 40-month sentences for shoplifting, CWB Chicago reported. He was also on parole for 2019 convictions on charges of motor vehicle theft and burglary. The armed homeowner was recovering from prostate surgery at the time of the attack. He is just one of a growing number of Chicagoans using legal firearms to protect themselves from criminals.
This case was widely reported and discussed by Chicagoans. It is a clear example of how crime in one small precinct can reverberate citywide and legitimately stoke concerns about crime running rampant in Chicago. When 80-year-olds must have firearms at the ready to deter home invaders, things have gone over the edge.
There’s no good time for censorship based on neighborhood or race
That the majority of murders in Chicago claim black lives – far out of proportion to the black share of the city’s population – is not anything new, although it is grounds for far deeper contemplation and discussion than is usually allowed these days. Should Chicago residents of low-murder or no-murder precincts and wards really close their eyes to the carnage in black communities, as Loury clearly suggests? After all, it’s not happening in many of their precincts. But that’s not just wrong, it’s inhumane.
Chicago in 2022 led the nation in number of murders for the 11th year in a row. Its murder rate was 2nd highest among the nation’s 20 most populous cities, 5 times higher than New’s York’s and 2.5 times greater than that of Los Angeles’.
Chicagoans don’t need self-appointed arbiters suggesting to them who’s allowed to care about the city’s crime problem and who isn’t. Casting a racialized lens on legitimate crime concerns only serves to undercut any honest debate about Chicago’s breakdown.
Chicago is being victimized by a rising tide of crime encompassing much more than murder and shootings. The city’s next leader needs to take tough steps to actually solve Chicago’s crime problem. Nobody should be trying to disqualify citizens concerned about crime, based on either their neighborhood or their race.
As a city, we can do better than that.
***
*Review of Wirepoints data changes: 1. The wards Vallas won suffered 19 percent of overall city crimes in 2022, resulting in no change versus the original version of this piece. 2. Overall crime in Vallas-won wards grew 24 percent between 2022 and 2019, faster than the 21 percent originally reported in this piece. 3. For the one ward we broke out in detail, Ward 42, crime increased by 16 percent instead of the 40 percent originally reported.
Read more from Wirepoints:
- Brandon Johnson’s views on tolerance for violence and defunding police are absolutely clear. Here are his own words.
- Lori Lightfoot gets the boot in murder-capital Chicago. What does that mean for mayors of other homicide hot spots?
- Don’t let violence prevention programs become a fatal distraction in the quest to make Chicago safe again
- More cops on Chicago’s streets won’t help until criminals are prosecuted and sentenced
- Chicago, New Orleans were the nation’s murder capitals in 2022 – A Wirepoints survey of America’s 75 largest cities
Ted joined Dan and Amy to talk about the free speech controversy brewing in Wilmette due to the city’s refusal to fly a religious freedom flag, the city’s left-wing excesses and the growing culture war, the latest money spent on the illegal immigrant crisis, and more.
Weekly crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department: Report through 4/14/2024.
Chicago Public Schools is failing its students in almost every way. What can be done to save the educational futures of Chicago’s children? Join Wirepoints’ Ted Dabrowski as he participates in an education roundtable discussion hosted by Seeking Educational Excellence (SEE).
If you’re frustrated with Illinois’ educational results, you may want to follow the money from teachers unions. In the last four years alone, Illinois lawmakers and political candidates have taken nearly $30 million in contributions from teachers unions and their national affiliates.
Shinola.blacks hate everyone who isn’t black. Yea I know it’s shocking . Prove me wrong!
Paraclete, I am leaving this one up as an example of what we have zero tolerance for. Hit the road forever.
Good article, offering constructive criticism to the historicslly high rates of major criminal activity imposed on Chicago in the wake of Lightfoot’s mayoral tenure. The incoming mayor will have a big load to bear, when attempting to carry the city out of this public saftey crisis.
People of all races throughout the city of Chicago are concerned about crime, because the crimes are being committed throughout the city. Loury is just trying to garner votes for Johnson by calling people who voted for Vallas “racist”. So it’s racist to want to be able to move about in one’s own city neighborhoods without fear of being a victim of any type of crime? The simple-minded buffoonery of Loury’s assertions would be laughable if the subject weren’t so serious…deadly serious in many cases. People have got to stop falling for the race-baiting idiocy of the Left. It’s destroying… Read more »
Too easy, Matt and John, beating up on mental lightweights…they don’t want to be confused with the facts! I’m praying Vallas wins because that’s the only way I’ll ever get to visit my old stomping grounds (and make my 45th reunion at the U. of C. in 2027). Johnson might even make crime worse. As long as crime pays, you’ll continue to get plenty of it. The only way to reduce it is to increase the probability of being caught and the probability and severity of being punished!
Leave it to the far left to tell us that winner of the primary won due to white racism. Is he setting himself up to the be the candidate of the “real” black Chicago? This is an indication that this candidate would be an even worse mayor than the outgoing mayor. I just can’t understand why there are liberals who seem not to mind black people killing black people.
More kudos to Matt Rosenberg and John Klingner for another interesting, insightful story. Like almost everything they do, their story is meticulously researched—embracing depth and detail alike—and beautifully written.
The accusation of racism by voters is laughable on its face. Many, if not most, of these precincts have in the past voted for non-white candidates. This is a lazy argument put forth by people who want to avoid real topics and concerns of the voters.
I am sick of the race baiting! Lightfoot had my vote and my husband’s vote last time. I am voting for who I believe will do a better job. My kids went to Catholic schools but I believe we need a viable public school system, especially for the money we spend in taxes to support it. I remember the difference Paul Vallas made for our schools! All you need do is look at the stats from when he was Superintendent! I witnessed my neighborhood school thrive under his leadership ! He did a great job. I put my trust in… Read more »
You voted for it and you got it, too bad for you and all those other idiots who believe that the democrats are salvation.
As is often the case, what is being described when dealing with very sensitive, painful, culturally divisive issues is not really what is being discussed. There’s often times an undercurrent, or perhaps a feeling that discussing whatever is on someone’s mind out in the open will make it difficult, if not impossible to resolve. One of the casualties of the current state of debate, if it can even be called that, is a loss of ability to discuss difficult issues clearly, straightforwardly, honestly, and with a view to resolving serious problems. I once had a very long conversation with a… Read more »
Facing the problems head-on without a race-based lens or ‘cover my butt’ attitude will take some truly brave souls – unfortunately the attorney in question is not one of them. On a personal basis, he has too much to lose. There are short- and long-termed solutions that make sense, but with the current atmosphere, common sense ‘has no home here.’ My only hope is that this ship can be turned around, but, so far, no luck. Perhaps Vallas as mayor may start the process of common sense that’s needed. But first he has to be elected. Politicians and the media… Read more »
Great article. It’s unfortunate that we have gotten to the point that anytime something goes other than a certain group of people want the “race card” is played. The city of Chicago is becoming a third world city as violence escalates across every area of the city. The answer for some is to play the “race card”. It’s sad to watch the city circle the drain, and identity politics will only speed its demise.
In this day and age, race is thrown into just about everything. Decades ago, this was not the case. Every politician uses race as means of getting elected. President Biden used it by saying, If you don’t vote for me, you ain’t black. Race shouldn’t play a role in elections, but here we are. History repeats itself, and is doing so as I type. Chicago is doomed no matter who wins. This city will never be the same, and can never go back to the way it once was.
Great job, Matt and John. In a perfect world, articles like the one published in the Sun-Times would be vetted by an editor. It has become abundantly clear that printing the truth is not important to our two newspapers here in Chicago. The sun-times article is another attempt to divide the city with the same rhetoric. Thank you both for taking the time and effort to print the truth backed up by data. This election is far too important to have this rhetoric become a deciding factor.
Black votes black. Thats all you need to know
I hope that you’re wrong – I’d rather hope that they will vote for the best candidate in spite of race, not because if it.
Your hope may be reasonable. I do sense that the efforts by some to make the election racially divisive are falling flat, but we will have to wait to know for sure.
It does appear that Chicago tends to vote based on race according to this map.
Thanks for the map – I’m surprised by the LL support – do those folks really want more of the same? Apparently so.
We can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
Matt – thanks to you and John for a well-written and objective analysis of the campaign tactics being used by the Johnson campaign. As Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Mr. Johnson has failed to heed the lessons of the past four years of crime and violence in Chicago. Not only is he following the failed policies of the Lightfoot administration regarding crime and violence, he has doubled down on them by turning a blind eye to the most critical issue facing us. His commitments to follow a “social justice” program that includes… Read more »
These people serve up hot steaming piles of manure, then claim the only reason we don’t believe it’s a luscious chocolate mousse is that we’re all RACISTS!
I knew who exactly who I was voting for….yeah, the one who speaks of the facts, ills of our city and the remedies he proposes. NOT toss out the race card at EVERY debate!! I guess that’s all he has to offer…..
Looking at ANYTHING through the “lens of race” is racist. The Johnson campaign And their media lackeys are the real racists when they assume minorities will vote for minority candidates without looking at actual qualifications. It is insulting and inherently racist. Though that does not surprise me with Biden’s racist mantras “if you don’t vote for me, you ain’t black’.
Surely, I cannot be the only citizen who is sick and tired of the cry of racism? Thank you Matt, for detailed FACTS about the escalating crime. It is abundantly clear to me which candidate supports law and order, and which candidate does not. If Chicgo is to have a chance at ever being restored to its former glory, citizens must decide to hire a mayor who will focus on LOCKING UP CRIMINALS and not on race.
It’s a crap shoot..Roll the dice. Pick a number. It’s like a sinking ship an which life raft are you climbing in with.
Someone invested a lot of time breaking down all those statistics for us. Thank you. Naturally, racism is the accusation. I read yesterday that cleanliness is racist. Anyway, where I live might be one of the last safe neighborhoods in Chicago. I’ve got five cops living on my block. Maybe that’s why. Chicago Magazine sneeringly called where I live “Upper Caucasia.”
The race card, issued at birth, no expiration date, unlimited usage. Don’t leave home without it!
The majority of citizens of the city of Chicago are concerned about crime. Why Mr. Johnson continues to use and employ a race card this very important election for Mayor is ridiculous and downright fool hardy. Matt Rosenberg is correct; when an 80-year-old citizen feels it is necessary to arm themselves with a weapon, it serves a very stark reminder that things have gone over the edge. Some of the local TV stations have begun running ads for the Johnson campaign accusing Mr. Vallas as being a “Republican” or eluding he’s a “MAGA”. The tone and tenor of these TV… Read more »
Racism is always in play today. Disagree with the progressive left wing agenda; you must be a racist.
Johnson should be a non-starter for every Chicagoan who values public safety.
#1. CWB Chicago. Whoops! Walgreens robber busted after leaving his wallet at the crime scene, prosecutors say. March 18, 2023 7:36AM. Gold Coast https://cwbchicago.com/2023/03/chicago-walgreens-robbery-wallet-gold-coast.html #2. CWB Chicago. Videos show Chicago package thieves in action, prying doors, posing as Amazon drivers. March 17, 2023 8:47 AM. Lincoln Park. https://cwbchicago.com/2023/03/videos-show-chicago-package-thieves-in-action-prying-doors-posing-as-amazon-drivers.html #3. CWB Chicago. Two men burglarized 8 North Side bars and restaurants in 2 days, police say. March 17, 2023 7:54 AM. Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, North Center, Ravenswood. https://cwbchicago.com/2023/03/two-men-burglarized-8-north-side-bars-and-restaurants-in-2-days-police-say.html #4. CWB Chicago. Burglary crew stole $18,700 worth of booze from Binny’s in Lincoln Park, part of a citywide crime wave, officials say March 17,… Read more »
Brandon’s support is mainly in North side white wards. He won in none of the black majority wards and none in his district.
This is why he’s pulling the race card.
As a lifelong Chicagoan, I am sick of the crime in this city. I am sick of the revolving door that lets criminals back out onto the streets to victimize more innocent people. I will vote for the person who can get this city back to its world-class status, and that sure does not seem to be Brandon Johnson.
My late mother was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago (Chatham) in the 1930s through the early 1950s (post WWII). She often said how disappointed how the city was going downhill, especially the rising crime rates.
It’s not your city anymore.
Before long it will be called Nuevo Oaxaca and the memories of the previous residents who built the city will be forgotten.
You mean killed and forgotten.
It is a shame when corporate media analysts try to stir up racial animosity rather than recognize all people, regardless of race, want to feel safe in the cities where they live.
Many in this city can’t get out of their own way. And those who feel this is a black vs white election are exactly who I’m talking about. Wake up, Chicago & do the right thing for a change: vote in strong leadership!
Typical White Guilt/Race bait BS. The truth is that people are just tired and PO’d like me. Our once Wonderful city got destroyed in like 2 years and it continues. No prosecution, no responsibility. Ballast is the only hope to try and right the ship,but it will take more. It’s no easy task but it has to start somewhere. I can’t see him making dance videos though. God Help Us. I miss my City.
Why do taxpayers continue to subsidize public radio and TV when they only represent half the taxpayers?
Take their survey with a grain of salt. Useless!
All your points are valid but will it be be enough to convince voters who only vote along racial lines?
Sun Times/WBEZ propaganda. Vallas TV ads reflect the multiracial support of his campaign countered by Johnson’s uniform Black congregation. I suggest the latter candidate is more divisive, not a good thing for a City suffering too much of this.
Those trying hardest to make this a racially hateful election are the Sun-Time/WBEZ, Kwame Raoul and Johnson. We will have a piece up on that by Monday or Tuesday.
Mark, certain people identify as hateful racists. They are called democrats.
Alden Loury joined Chicago’s WBEZ as senior editor of the race, class, and communities desk, so he had a reason to weave race into Paul Vallas winning the election in “white” communities. If people pay attention to people like Loury, who only see race injected into everything he writes about, race relations will only get worse, not better. And Chicago, and society as a whole, deserve better.
The suggestion that a scared or racist white population explains a Vallas victory is insulting to the minority residents of Chicago. Every law-abiding citizen of Chicago is sick of the lawlessness taking place, and the unwillingness of the mayor and State’s Attorney to address the problem. Suggesting that only white people care about the crime problem insinuates that the minority population is indifferent to the violence. In fact, the minority citizens of Chicago are pleading for more police officers, and greater accountability from Kim Foxx. This isn’t black vs. white, this is law and order vs. more of the same… Read more »
“Chicagoans don’t need self-appointed arbiters that decide who’s allowed to care about the city’s crime problem. ”
Exactly. Like the City propagandized everywhere during corona, “We’re all in this together.” And the one person, one vote concept gives the white person in edison as much say in how to handle the city’s crime problem as the black in englewood.
What an insult to everyone. Basically, these people are saying that if you’re black, you have to vote for a black person, and if you’re white, you have to vote for a white person. What a bunch of bull. You vote for the person who you think is most aligned with your views and the best person for the job, not because of the color of their skin.
You’ve just described 50 years of Democrat identity politics. They believe your views are determined by the color of your skin. And to believe otherwise makes you a race-traitor.
“‘If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black’” – presidential candidate Joe Biden, 2020, in a podcast interview.
So then Joe Biden would tell Jesse White that “he ain’t black?”
Jesse is an old man, no longer in office, and free to speak his mind. If Jesse were a younger politician, still relevant in politics, he would, without a doubt, be supporting Brandon Johnson, and nearly every Democrat politician would put the pressure on him to do so.
Valid point and good explanation. Is octogenarian Rev Jackson’s endorsement still like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Aprroval to Black Chicagoans?
It’s about as relevant as Kwame’s.
A previous article here posted an angry young adult mirroring Johnson’s tacit justification of George Floyd looting and rioting as result of racial segregation in previous generations. This young lady spouted how proud she was of learning about this while a young student at Operation PUSH who’s founder was Jesse Jackson. No Wonder why Johnson is making free Pre-K education for all a big part of his campaign, no doubt using the Jesse Jackson Operation PUSH curriculum. Get them while they’re young is apparently the unspoken Left Progressive unspoken mantra.
The MO of race baiters is to lie and hope the sheep follow. For Chicago, the only answer is Paul Vallas or mayor Lightfoot 2.0, the consummate race baiter. No matter your color, make a wise choice.
When someone can’t argue their case on the issues, they create an issue. That issue, and being used effectively everywhere, is race. If you disagree, then you are a racist. If you think that the other guy has a better solution, then you must be a racist.
Day after day, week after week, year after year, the race card is played ….. and apparently is doing well thank you. Looking at what qualifies as racism in contemporary circles, it may be of some import to recall the battle that raged in the 1964 Goldwater campaign. The John Birch Society and conservatives and the Rockefeller wing of the Republican Party. Essentially, William F. Buckley offered (paraphrased), “If everyone is a communist, then no one is.” Fast forward, “If everyone is a racist, then no one is.” This shan’t be uttered in any polite company but only in honest… Read more »
All this proves the point seldom made: “Solutions” are not the goal – to Chicago’s crime problem and not to many of society’s other “ills”. Why? Because “solutions” don’t keep the cash flowing! How can the beneficiaries of the various cash-belching programs continue to plead for city/county/state/federal money if the problem they say they can help “fix” goes away? In the instant case, the folks at the Sun=Times need the conflict to sell newspapers! They’re in enough trouble as it is, along with their compadres at the once mighty Tribune. People aren’t going to subscribe to read about how someone… Read more »
You almost have it right. A broken system IS the solution. How else can you build back better.
It’s just becoming so tiresome. I truly believe that the democrat party would cease to exist were it not for their continued efforts to portray black society as victims items of racism, the supply of which doesn’t exceed the demand. Candidate Barak Obama said if elected he’d engage our nation in an honest conversation about race. He could have been the next MLK, instead he went the route of Jackson and Sharpton. Sad
The Democrat Party isn’t going anywhere. It always has been and will continue to be the party of racists, communists, malcontents, moral degenerates, apostates, heretics and, generally, the People On The Wrong Side of History. Jefferson knew this when he founded the Democrat Party – that’s why it exists. Just as weed tokers will always be drawn to the Grateful Dead, society’s bad and morally questionable people will always be drawn to the Democrat party. And there will always be some other issue that they’ll manufacture to keep power going.
As others are saying: you can always count on the liberal media – Sun-Times- to raise the race card when “their guy” is at risk of losing or actually does not prevail. So predictable! Even more so: the notion … always advanced … that when it comes to crime, there is an intrinsic difference between how whites v. blacks see the issue. Basic: “BS!” Everyone wants to be safe. Everyone expects the government of a city to at least make the best attempt at providing that to its citizens. … And, that is what Paul Vallis will do. Johnson will… Read more »
It’s unfortunate that Alden Loury is doing the race baiters’ bidding. Looking into the barrel of a firearm is a life altering experience no matter what race you are. Mr. Loury is positing the theory of the last refuge of a losing campaign that is caught between its own Defund the police rhetoric and Mr. Vallas’ solid plans to revamp law enforcement in a city that has almost none right now. We shall see if he read the room correctly on April 4th
When all else fails…blame racism. This is a tactic, mantra, sole position of many regarding all issues, everywhere, all the time (to borrow a phrase). It is absurd, and it is harmful, and those using it don’t care. Lori Lightfoot claimed that she lost the mayoral race because of “racism” and anti-woman sentiment…Of course the claim falls apart when Johnson (black) got more votes, and four years ago (arguably still black, and a women) she won by 75% of the vote — all of a sudden the same people who voted for her are now racists/sexist, etc. In order for… Read more »
I don’t think there has been a day in a long while where I have not heard the word racist daily. If everything is racist is nothing racist?
I think it’s a word used too often as a way to deflect. Let’s not try to solve problems let’s just say racism. It’s not a solution.
Since Lori Lightfoot has gotten the boot I believe people are saying we’ve had enough. We want more.
Thanks for your column.
The race bating nonsense needs to stop and is completely unfactual.
Chicago desperately needs real solutions to problems, let’s hope people try to clearly see facts here and not knee jerk voting based on untruths/election planted fears. So much head shaking!
First and foremost there is no such thing as racists. We all belong to one race, the Human Race. So stop the racist stereotyping, it makes U.S. look bad, really bad. Not to mention we the U.S. of America used to be the leading nation in the world, with everyone looking up to us as leaders. Now we are no more than the laughing stock of the world..! Second about the crime in this once great city of big shoulders. How about parents step in and take charge of their minors? Where are the fathers and mothers of these children… Read more »
Setting the record straight.
Facts matter. Hope they prevail on April 4th.