Race in the Race

Twenty-five years ago, fabled columnist Mike Royko calmed his Uncle Chester by assuring him that Harold Washington had no intention of marrying his daughter.

Royko's missive appeared the day after Washington, a former state legislator and second-term congressman, captured Chicago's Democratic primary on his way to becoming the city's first black mayor.

No one ever accused Royko of being a knee-jerk, brie-and-chardonnay liberal. He was what we used to call "white ethnic," a working-class, shot-and-a-beer guy who spoke for many Chicagoans like him through his alter ego, Slats Grobnik.

But on Feb. 23, 1983, Royko's column slapped us like the biting wind that blows off Lake Michigan. "Eeek! The next mayor of Chicago is going to be a black man! Let's all quiver and quake," he wrote.

And then he ordered us to take a deep breath and exhale. "The city isn't going to slide into the river. The sun will come up today and tomorrow, and your real estate values won't collapse.

"Oh, come on. Let's all act like sensible human beings. ... Who knows, we might even wind up liking him."

I covered that election, and I wasn't so sure my city had the chops to overcome its distinctive narrow-mindedness about race. Chicago was far from the Deep South, but it had been pegged America's most segregated city. Could we get over ourselves and elect a black man mayor?

We did, but not without a few stumbles. In Chicago in those days, the Democratic mayoral primary was the election, but that year we had one of the closest general elections anyone could remember. Washington defeated Bernie Epton, an honorable guy and moderate Republican, but not before the race-baiters in Epton's campaign unleashed a last-minute slogan that was hardly subtle: "Bernie Epton: Before it's too late."

So here we are, 25 years later, and the stakes couldn't be higher. We're about to choose a president at one of the most critical times in our history, and one of the two major-party candidates, to quote Royko, has an "attribute" unlike any other who has been nominated for the office.

Yes, Barack Obama is a black man. And for that one silly, stupid reason, some Americans are leery about voting for him. Regardless of their political leanings or their own self-interest, they may be inclined to vote for the other guy, or not vote at all.

The forces of fear are well aware of this, and in a close election, they're likely to turn up the volume on what has already been a steady stage whisper about race.

You know the code. Barack Obama was a community organizer (black people). He has a strange name (black Muslim). He's an elitist (uppity black man). His wife has very strong views (Militant Sista!).

Look for more of the same, starting with Sarah Palin's attack on Obama's relationship with "domestic terrorist" Bill Ayers, and Rush Limbaugh's not-so-subtle pronouncement that Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama is "all about race." Barack's a Muslim. Barack's a socialist. Barack is a You Know What.

I'm not objective about this. I'm voting for Obama. And since I live in Chicago, I may even vote for him a couple of times. (That's a joke, people; lighten up.)

Are we smart enough to reject the race card? In what seems like a lifetime ago, Harold Washington held a press conference the day after the 1983 mayoral election and wryly observed that the Sears Tower was still standing.

That election was messy and awkward and far from perfect. A lot of white people didn't vote for Harold. But we all eventually learned it didn't matter that he was black.

Chicagoans are, after all, a practical lot. We applauded Washington when he did something good and blasted him when he did something dumb, just like we've done with every other occupant of the mayor's office. Just like we'll do with the next president, Democrat or Republican.

"John McCain, before it's too late?" Let's hope it doesn't come to that, and if it does, don't fall for it. We're so much better than that. Vote for the candidate you think will get us out of the serious mess we're in. Vote for the person whose views best represent your own. That's what we're supposed to do.

Royko's advice holds true today. Take a deep breath. Exhale. It'll be OK. And if it turns out that we elect the guy with the darker complexion, don't sweat it.

Who knows? We may even wind up liking him.

Comments

[damnthing]

Should -shudder- mcpalin win the election, they will prove beyond a doubt that when America speaks, its knuckles drag on the ground.

[ChicagoConcierge]

I got my first chuckle of the day! And I couldn't agree more, voting should be like buying a Hallmark card-viewing what would happen when a candidate would take office. And hopefully, we as givers of this prestigious gift will will swell like a peacock when the gift is announced.

[pategp]

Mr. Ylisela,

THANK GOD!!! Someone with some sense about this election, and with the good sense to express it. Whomever is elected, the sun WILL rise the following day. Mr. Obama is one man; he will still have to deal with the 535 other people in Congress, and they will not suddenly wake up and be all black. He still has to appoint a Cabinet, and I will bet every penny I make for the rest of my life that THEY won't be all black, and neither will the executive departments that they will be in charge of. The federal judiciary up to and including the Supreme Court are also not going to suddenly turn all black (or all radical Islamists or all baby killers or all terrorists or all anything else). WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! When you vote, vote with your common sense, not with your fears.

[klo]

Same to be said for (gulp!) Mr. McCain.

[unite4change]

A McCain pollster just said on MSNBC, their internal polls show McCain and Obama tied. Also, Luke Russert said, young people are not coming out to vote. Help get these people out to vote or this election will be stolen just like in 2004.

VOTE, Don't be fooled by the POLLS!

VOTE, Don't be fooled by the POLLS!


Obama-Biden in '08!!!

[JustCommonSense]

It's sad that race is still a part of any decision. many will not vote for Obama just becasue he is black and many will vote for Obama just because he is black. Let's hope they cancel each other out and the winner is elected by tose that have heard them speak and made their best informed choice.

[BarackMarley]

Race is still a factor while millions of Americans will vote for Obama because of the content of his character, millions will not. Imagine if Sarah Palin was black, would she have the same support from 'working class white voters' or the right wing media.

Here's a skit on how Sarah Palin would be if she was black
http://current.com/items/89462020_black_sarah_palin_skit