* I immediately thought of three things when I realized that last week was the 20th anniversary of Mayor Harold Washington’s death. The first was how I learned of his passing. Some friends and I were jovially traveling north from Springfield for Thanksgiving break when the news broke. We sat in stunned silence as we listened to the radio.
* The second thing that came to mind was the Royko column referenced by the Tribune editorial page the other day…
So I told Uncle Chester: Don’t worry, Harold Washington doesn’t want to marry your sister. — Mike Royko, Feb. 23, 1983
That’s how Mike Royko opened his column the day after Harold Washington stunned Chicago and won the Democratic primary for mayor.
Washington would be Chicago’s first black mayor. If you were too young at the time, or weren’t in Chicago, you may not realize just how extraordinarily well that one sentence from Royko captured the angst of many people in this city.
Marry your sister, run your city; there wasn’t much difference in the eyes of many white Chicagoans. To them, the election of Harold Washington spelled trouble.
[Larry has Royko’s full column here.]
* And then there was this great line…
In fact, Mr. Washington has cleverly worked the [Al Capone] theme into his standard stump speech, saying that the time will come when people overseas who used to reply, ‘’Al Capone - rat-a-tat-tat'’ when they met someone from Chicago, will ask instead, ‘’How’s Harold?'’
* Question: What’s your strongest memory of Harold Washington?
- Pat collins - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:14 am:
My strongest memory is a blow up that happened when some guy taped the mayor, and he said a few bad words.
When I read it, I was amazed. The guy had gone to the Mayor’s place, after hours, to make sure he wouldn’t be hurt if he did some political stuff.
The mayor said no, go ahead. I remember thinking how very nice it was for the Mayor to;
1) actually take HIS time to talk to the guy
2) Tell him to “go ahead” that is, the Mayor wasn’t interested in micromanaging politics. I found that truly amazing in a Chicago politician!
3) and then the jerk shows his gratitude by TAPING the mayor and RELEASING the tape!
I really felt the episode, seen as a whole, was quite credible to the Mayor, and rather the reverse to the would-be hero.
- Ted - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:14 am:
I was living in the western suburbs so I didn’t really know much about him, but I do remember our school making the announcement that he had passed away…it’s funny because he didn’t make any impact in my life, but I still remember everyone about that announcement.
- Anon - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:14 am:
The senseless racist division in this great city that his candidacy and election shed light upon. I was in 8th grade when he was elected. I grew up around racists, but I didnt understand racism. People say that kids can sense goodness or evil in a person. When I was young, surrounded by racists, I liked Harold a lot. He was one of the most genunine elected officials I have ever seen in my lifetime.
My most vivid memory came after Harold was protested by racists at St. Pascals on the city’s NW side. In addition to screaming taunts at him, they wrote horrible racist words on the wall of the Catholic church. Shortly after, I was near the intersection of Belmont and Harlem (still the city’s NW side, but much closer to my home). I heard a lot of commotion north on Harlem and feared that the the racists were again protesting Harold. It turned out to be a rally in support of Bernard Epton, his pathetic republican challenger. I didnt know what was worse — it was a confusing time to be that young.
My heart then told me that Harold was a great man. As an adult reflecting back today, I miss him and the fairness he brought to the city. We should ensure that kids are taught about this period in the city’s history for generations to come. Just like every American should know who George Washington was, every Chicagoan should know who Harold Washington was.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:21 am:
WBEZ has been doing a lot of retrospective on Washington. Every time they actually play him in his own words, rather than someone commenting about him, I have an emotional reaction of respect and admiration. He was a very large person (and makes the current mayor seem rather small by comparison).
- Muskrat - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:23 am:
Aside from hearing him use that “How’s Harold?” line in his inaugural, it’s awful to say but my strongest memory of those years was the fiasco surrounding the suvccession when he died — the city council meeting with Eugene Sawyer looking thunderstruck, with some white alderman (Ed Burke?) standing behind him, one hand resting on Sawyer’s shoulder… the crowds outside chanting “no deals! No deals!” … the realization that Washington’s successor was being picked by his council opponents, David Orr’s inability/unwillingness to do anything to stop them…
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:25 am:
Muskrat, that was an intense night. I don’t know how many people stayed up all night to watch the live TV coverage, but I was one of them. It was fascinating and repulsive at the same time.
- Snidely Whiplash - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:27 am:
Hey, I’m just glad the period is over … Chicago was a laughing stock for years.
- Dan - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:32 am:
I think of the Blues Fest in Grant Park whenever I think of Harold Washington. First blues fest occurred after he became Governor; as I recall he was instrumental in the fest’s creation.
- Anon - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:33 am:
My strongest memory of Harold Washington was that as Mayor he really wanted to serve all the people, and end the racial divide in this city, which is far larger than in virtually any other city in America.
We haven’t seen much of that since.
- SouthSider - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:35 am:
I was in High School at the time, and lived in the south burbs, but I remember the Art Institute painting of him.
- Pat collins - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:48 am:
Art Institute
I think that was after he had passed. “Mirth and Girth”. Biggest art uproar until the Mohammed cartoons.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:50 am:
Pat’s right about the timing.
- Captain America - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:53 am:
I wasn’t involved in politics in 1983, but as a progressive liberal, I am still embarrassed that I voted for Daley in the first three-way primary. I was completely fed-up with Jane Byrne whom I voted for in 1979.I took Harold Washington’s conviction for not filing tax returns more seriously than I should have.
Of course, I did vote for Harold Washington in the April election when his opponent was the liberal Republican Bernard Epton. And I supported him wholeheartedly in 1997. It was a real tragedy that he died so suddenly after 4 years of Council Wars - my recollection is that he had just gotten a majority on the City Council shortly before he died.
Personally, I supported Tim Evans as his successor. Dick Mell will never be able to live down his behavior in the tumultuous City council session that selected the totally mediocre Eugene Sawyer. In many respects, I think Todd Stroger has been set up for sure failure by the powers that be - the same way that Eugene Sawyer was. History seems to be repeating itself - at least loosely.
For those too young to remember the Washingtoon era, I strongly recommend the book, Fire on the Prairie - I think the author’s name was Gary Rivlin.
- Patriot - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:55 am:
The Democrat primary vote was spilt three ways and he had the plurality of the votes cast. He was Chicago’s first African-American mayor. How long will it be before Chicago elects another African-American mayor?
- Radio Ga-Ga - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 10:58 am:
The fact that WBBM-AM (Newsradio 78) endorsed Washington and WBBM-FM (Hot Hits B-96) endorsed Epton. This was strange on many levels.
- Superfan - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 11:03 am:
Watching Harold and the Honey Bears dancing when da Bears went to the Super Bowl!
RIP Mayor Washington
- nobody sent - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 11:10 am:
his death was one of my first political memories. we watched the TV coverage, and it was the first time I saw my mom cry. I was too young to really understand what happened and what it all meant, but I remember feeling a profound sense of loss
- True Observer - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 11:12 am:
The Tribune’s large front page photo of the ecstatic ordinary black woman with Washington.
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 11:13 am:
at some press conference, Harold said “You Want Harold? You Got Harold!”
- downhereforyears - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 11:37 am:
His greatest line ” Hocus, Pocus, Dominocus” I still quote him today.
- the Other Anonymous - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 11:49 am:
I voted in my first election in 1984. Our (Democratic) precinct captain was there, right by the judges’ table. He introduced himself, gave me a palm card, and said, “These people are going to keep this neighborhood just the way it is.”
At the time, in the middle of “Council Wars,” that was quite a loaded message on the northwest side. It may sound like code today, but back then it wasn’t even code. The candidates on the palm card were the ones that would make sure no blacks moved into our neighborhood.
What I remember most about Washington is that he took on people like the precinct captain directly. I remember him visiting my (all-white, ethnic) parish, knowing full well that very few of my fellow parishioners voted for him. He could have justifiably copped an attitude on that visit, but instead he was all smiles as he pressed the flesh. Ultimately, I think that won people over.
- Bill - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 12:02 pm:
Captain,
Dick Mell is proud of his “behavior” that night, as well he should, be as the presider refused to recognize the elected voice of the north side.
- babs - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 12:23 pm:
So many memories. Harold when the White Sox got into the play-offs (Harold Baines vs. Harold Washington). The Mayor was sure the cheers were for him. Him signing a petition for Adlai. Then the aftermath - I was at UIC for a rally for
Tim Evans - was one of just a handful of white faces in the hall. It was not a good place to be following the City Hall eruptions. But, the good memories definitely outweigh the bad - many times over. Thanks for asking Rich, I’m smiling through all of these reminders.
- Garp - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 12:25 pm:
I remember my neighbor who was racist pounding on my door to tell me he was dead. This was well before it was announced. My neighbor was a fireman and the word got out through back channels. I remember being sad and my neighbor celebrating which disturbed me. It is a shame that he died when he did because he had just crafted the dream ticket and he was about to take over politically. It would have been nice to work for him. He was a force to be reckoned with.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 12:25 pm:
The Day Harold Washington Died
At that time, I worked at a very prestigious business, filled with very prestigious co-workers. We would arrive in imported cars and between deals we would make small talk about luxuries we planned to own, and women we planned to have. We had nice new offices in a new loop skyscraper. We were a preened group of Young Turks and played the role. I had only arrived from Colorado six months before and still attempting to shed my cowboy culture. So I was not prepared for the racism and emotions that surfaced during his administration. But that ended, oddly, on the day he died.
On that day I witnessed these perfect professionals who measured each word for effect removed their perfect masks. Hearing the news that Chicago’s first black mayor had died, made many of them gleefully honest for the first time. They formed Aramis scented klans in the hallways and shared disgusting jokes. It became a moment to share other racist jokes. About Oprah. About Jesse Jackson. Jokes about Michael Jordan. I couldn’t believe it! These people I attempted to emulate were saying things I would never think, let alone say. I never saw racism wear expensive suits before. I discovered it can live in minds alongside MBA and law degrees. I was feeling like a Mormon among drunken frat boys. When my office door opened and one of them was smirking with the sad news, I let them know I wasn’t a part of their party. I never saw Chicago the same way again.
After Harold died, it rained and the weather was miserable for endless days, even using Chicago standards of weather misery. The sky was ceaselessly dark and pelted us with sleet, rain and cold. During that time, our company boarded first class for a week’s stay in Florida. We would spend the time on a Naples beach for a week-long “meeting”, which we all knew was more fun than work. Our gym-toned bodies looked forward to baking, sunning and play in the perfect weather. Even before boarding, the liquor was flowing and gestures were loud and loose. I, on the other hand, was still pretty depressed.
As our jet pushed through the stagnant navy cloud ceiling that entombed Chicagoland below, sunshine filled the cabin. It re-energized me. I was nice to once again realized that even above the darkest skies, the sun shone. The jet’s landing gear thumped under me, and our cabin banked to the left to allow us to head for Florida. As it did this, I sensed a wave of relief that my mourning was passing. It was time to move on. I surprised everyone six months later by quitting their company. I could no longer trust them. So, when I remember Harold Washington, I remember all these things. How ugly successful people can really be, and how sad the weather can become.
- Walter Sobchak - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 12:34 pm:
I met him once on official business in his City Hall office. There was an issue between state and city that involved my responsibilities. I walked in with a list of talking points and good government issues, and back up details totally prepared to convince him of my point. I was very curious about the man behind the news coverage and walked in with a open mind. He was an extraordinary personality, a very kind manner, a man comfortable in his skin, knew what he wanted to do, and had seen all that life could hand one and retained both a sense of humor and humanity. He was nothing like what the press reported. Perhaps he hid himself in public to project and image but in person was friendly avuncular, and highly intelligent. He, in a Southernism, kept calling me son, but not in a negative way but as an older wiser man to a young one. Behind his symbolism and totemic coverage as an African American was one of the great American personalities.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 12:43 pm:
A couple more memories…
Washington was once asked by a TV interviewer, “In your wildest dreams, did you ever think you’d be mayor of the City of Chicago?”
Washington’s response (followed by a big belly laugh): “In my wildest dreams I thought I’d be president.”
Also, if I remember correctly, so many people bet the license plate numbers on the hearse which carried Washington’s body that the Lottery had to shut down the action on those digits.
- Prairie Sage - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 1:11 pm:
Growing up downstate, I was ecstatic that a black man could win the office despite Reagan’s silliness about “there are no homeless” and faux welfare queens. I also thought there was hope for fixing a corrupt political machine in Chicago.
BTW, Larry has the full Royko column archived:
http://archpundit.com/blog/2003/04/29/what-would-he-think-of-his-city/
- Captain America - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 1:14 pm:
ON the lighter side, I really enjoyed the Star Wars spoof of Council Wars created by comedican Aaron Freeman: Darth Vrdloyak and the dark side of the force; Jesse JackSolo; ObiBwan Oberman, etc…
- Some Guy - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 1:26 pm:
I remember the day he died. I was in junior high school in NW Cook County & we had a half-day becuause of Thanksgiving. (Normally we didn’t have a half-day but for some reason why did that year). The announcement came as school was leaving.
I remember kids on the bus openly celebrating, joking, and just tickled to death that Harold Washington had died. Not many, but a few - and very vocally. I couldn’t figure out why they were so happy. That was one of the most pathetic things I’ve ever witnessed.
- Levois - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 1:40 pm:
I can appreciate his tenure as mayor more than I could have back then. I knew there was this big news event that happened but I was too young to understand the impact. I remember some of the TV coverage and I got some of the funeral on tape at home. I hope it’s still good but every now and again I might pull that tape out and have a viewing.
My mom says that I went with her and my dad to see his body in state. My dad even spoke to Rev. Jesse Jackson. Unfortunately I don’t remember that.
- Captain America - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 1:44 pm:
I think Harold Washington’s greatest legacy to Chicago is that the general fear and loathing of a minority mayor that manifested itself in 1983 no longer exists in Chicago.
I think we will have another minority Mayor fairly soon. Although certain insiders may rue their loss of access and power, most white Chicagoans will view the changing of the guard as a ho-hum affair. I am worried about potential short-term instabilty, while various factions struggle for power, similar to what happened during the transtion that occurred after the elder Mayor Daley’s death. I believe this instablity would have ended in 1987, absent Mayor Washington’s untimely death.
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 1:44 pm:
Political:
His alliance with and resurrection of George Dunne after he had been cast out by Byrne.
To benefit Mondale, running as a favorite son in the 1984 Illinois Presidential Primary to keep Jesse from winning.
The final defeat of the Vrodlyak 29 with the special election of Luis Guiterrez. First order of business: Firing Ed Kelly and the Park District Board.
Quote: Asked if his fight with the Two Eddies was racial: “It’s not racial. They’d support a purple ape if they could control him.”
And in addition to “Hocus Pocus Dominocus,” I’ll add “Willie Lump Lump,” a handy description of any self-important non-entity.
- downhereforyears - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 1:50 pm:
Wordslinger: I’d forgotten Willie Lump Lump, another classic. Also it occurs to me that what started as a fear that gripped the city ended with a pride that defined the city. Good Job Harold!
- Garp - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 2:09 pm:
Anybody remember him calling Vrodo and Hynes and, I think, Byrne-Winkin, Blinken and Nod. Priceless.
- pickles!! - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 2:10 pm:
Two things, One the infamous ladies underwear painting. I stil laugh at that image today.
The second thing is his “should we give them (Boston) the finger?” quote during the Bears Superbowl Party after beating the Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Instead of giving them the middle finger, he held up his index finger and said ‘We’re Number 1″
For a minute, i thought he was going to actually going to give them the univesral middle finger sigh, but, alas, he didn’t. classic stuff.
- Squideshi - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 2:17 pm:
Establishment of the Harold Washington Party (HWP) in limited political subdivisions within the state.
- irishpirate - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 2:35 pm:
I was on the SW side at the time. I remember some of my neighbors who attempted to act “open minded” regarding the 3 way primary. After Washington won that went out the window. The look of shock on their faces the day after he won was amazing.
I supported Daley in the primary and Washington after that. To me it seemed only fair. The image of many of my fellow white “ethnic” Chicagoans rushing to support Epton, a liberal Jewish guy from Hyde Park, amused me. Many of those Epton supporters would have been later using ethnic slurs against him if he had won.
I remember the campaign commercials from Washington showing the vicious white crowds and kids reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in contrast. That memory will never leave me.
I remember my older brother coming home with two buttons. One all white. The other with a watermelon and a slash through it. He tossed them on the table with a “can you believe this stupidity” rant. They were given to him at a construction site he was working at.
Chicagoist has a link with 45 campaign commercials from that time period.
Chicagoist.
- Way South of the Border - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 2:38 pm:
When he was first elected, the news traveled far. I was in a tiny village in Costa Rica, near the Panama border. I can still see the headline, “Washington Ganó”, and his smiling face rolling toward me as a storekeeper wrapped my cabbage (paper products were scarce, and day-old newspaper was practically a commodity). I yelped with happiness and then explained my reaction to the shopkeeper, who shared that he had never seen a black person before. That juxtaposition of a historic breakthrough and everyday, on-going barriers has always stayed with me.
Back in the states, I saw him in person about a week before he died, when he delivered remarks to a fundraising luncheon at a downtown hotel. I was in my first grownup suit, seated off in nobody land, by the rear doors, when he burst in energetically and stopped at the sight of me alone at a table. “Well hello there,” he boomed, making me feel instantly connected to him. Then he went up to the podium and did the same for an audience of hundreds.
What an amazing politician, to make both personal and mass connections so readily. These two encounters are more like film than memory, something I can see in vivid detail all these years later. Thanks, Rich, for giving us an opportunity to share our memories of this remarkable man and the times that he made.
- Victor Crown - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 3:43 pm:
The best Harold Washington memory I have is the last council meeting before the 1987 election when he rammed thru the Ethics Ordinance creating the City Board of ethics.. the ordinance passed 49-0 with yes votes by many aldermen who surely had misgivings about backing aggressive ethics enforcement..
Harold didn’t stop with creating a Board of Ethics and passing a toothless ordinance.. He [and unlike Daley] kept his hands of BOE and let them do their jobs — and allowed them to build a great record of 3 enforcement actions a month — targeting influence peddling, improper gifts, unregistered lobbying — all the symptoms of corruption, cronyism and graft.
For the record the present Mayor has succeeded in undoing and reversing all of the work that the Board of Ethics did in the short time it was run during the Washington administration..There have been barely 3 enforcement actions in 16 years — and obviously never with a project known as MORTON HOTEL JOINT VENTURE — the thing that gives Miriam Santos her status and standing as a state whistleblower on pension reform.
How fitting then that the present Board of Ethics is now fighting to be allowed the shred and coverup all of the Year 2000 false ethics statements and its systemic failures [which include millions in uncollected lobbying penalties - owed by bankers/brokers and the folks that have dinner with the mayor and never register and report on their lobbying..
Harold Washington’s legacy was/is the City’s Board of Ethics — something that the present Mayor has systematically dismantled.
sincerely,
victor crown
- Boone Logan Square - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 3:48 pm:
I remember most being so proud, thrilled, and relieved when he won the general election. And even moreso when he was sworn in.
- Thereishope - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 3:57 pm:
I remember the block-long lines to file past the mayor’s casket during his lying in state. I had known how important this man was to many Chicagoans, but seeing these men and women prepared to wait for hours for the chance to say goodbye to their hero was an eye-opening experience.
That and how he championed the green parakeets of Hyde Park!
- Lefty - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 7:11 pm:
I was only in high school when he was elected, but being from Mt. Greasewood, Harold Washington still means to this day that our Depression-era streets were finally rebuilt. Growing up we had no curbs, gravel parking spots, and potholes that could swallow my sister’s baby blue Ford Mustang (the version that was a laughingstock).
Think about it: an army of patronage workers living in the 19th Ward who elected Da Mare for 30 years, and we couldn’t get streets until a black guy got elected.
An incredible man.
- the ole precinct captain - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 9:11 pm:
My memory of Harold was driving in the Funeral procession and hearing the people singing we shall overcome and holding his photo. It was a very moving experience that I will never forget.
- Typical - Monday, Nov 26, 07 @ 11:46 pm:
On a field trip to Springfield, we were waiting in George Ryan’s office for him to show up, and I had to use the bathroom. He had a small restroom tucked behind a door in the corner, I sneaked in to use it. Inside it there was a huge Epton for Mayor poster.