Washington holds a special place in the hearts of Black Chicago. His 1983 mayoral campaign united Black and brown communities in ways never seen before or since. His campaign set the record for the highest voter turnout with 82.07 percent, which led to his 1983 win over Republican Bernie Epton. His legacy still lives in the homes of many Black Chicagoans, where you’ll find his photo perfectly framed on the living-room walls.
So Lightfoot’s comparison to Washington is hyperbolic at best. Given Lightfoot’s history as a federal prosecutor and former Chicago Police Board president, there’s no guarantee that Black Chicago’s needs will be met. In fact, many activists fear that Lightfoot has adopted their progressive rhetoric to maliciously increase the policing of Black and brown people.
At Monday’s inauguration, Lightfoot outlined a plan that appears to keep Black people in mind as she transforms Chicago into an inclusive world-class city. In her inauguration speech, Lightfoot reimagined the four red stars on Chicago’s flag. The stars currently symbolize Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire, the World’s Columbian Exposition and the Century of Progress Exposition; four defining moments in Chicago’s history.
During the Lightfoot era, the four stars will symbolize the areas she promises to improve during her tenure: safety in every neighborhood, education, stability and integrity.
The fourth star served as a reference to Chicago’s corrupt politics, which she will work to eliminate through an executive order to end aldermanic privilege.
“I heard a century-old hymn in church the other day. A song that I know from my youth of so many Sundays sitting in church, listening to the working class people in my congregation, who toiled in factories, kitchens or outside and came to the church for a respite from their otherwise hard days,” Lightfoot said.
Then she recited the lyrics of “Pass me not, O gentle Savior,” before reassuring the people that she will fight for equality for everyone in Chicago.
“To those who are alone, we are with you. To those who need a home, we will shelter you,” Lightfoot continued. “We see you. We hear you. We are your neighbors. And, so help me, we will not pass you by.”