Yesterday, Chicagoans made some important decisions in a number of down-ballot races, including city clerk, city treasurer, city council, alderpersons in all 50 wards, and police district councils.
They also narrowed down what was a 9-person race for mayor to a now two person contest: Between former Bridgeport Public Schools Superintendent and Chicago Public Schools CEO, Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner for Chicago’s 1st District, Brandon Johnson.
Both Vallas and Johnson edged out their competition – including sitting Mayor Lori Lightfoot – and will face off one-on-one on Tuesday, April 4th, for what will be one of the most high-stakes run-offs in Chicago history.
Black Chicagoans, in particular, will again have a very consequential choice to make.
Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson may both be Democrats – but their backgrounds, positions, and stated views on Black issues could not be more divergent and stark in contrast.
As I touched on in my pre-election analysis of the original nine 2023 Chicago Mayoral candidates, it’s recently been revealed that Vallas’ Twitter account “liked” a number of very offensive tweets. These tweets included racist language, content supportive of the highly controversial “Stop and Frisk” policy, and derogatory remarks directed at Mayor Lightfoot. Vallas has denied personally “liking” these tweets – but even if he’s telling the truth, that means that someone with access to his account harbors those troubling sentiments.
However, that’s only the beginning of my concerns about Vallas and his attitude towards the Black community.
Vallas was asked, in a 2021 interview with Wirepoints, his thoughts on critical race theory. He replied that he found this kind of academic curriculum – which explores the history of America on matters of race in a more transparent and decisively non-whitewashed way than most other history-related courses – to be “divisive” and “a dangerous thing”.
Vallas went on to express his concern for “white parents” and how they might have to explain to their children that “their generation, their race, their parents, their grandparents” have “discriminated against others and they have somehow victimized another person’s race.”
Vallas’ remarks feel uncomfortably close in sentiment to politicians on the right – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Former President Donald Trump immediately come to mind – who have made critical race theory a flashpoint of their culture wars, as a way to appeal to a certain segment of white voters. As a Black Chicagoan, I know those are definitely NOT sentiments I feel comfortable hearing from a man vying to become our Mayor.
Brandon Johnson, on the other hand, has proven himself to be a leader Black Chicagoans can count on to champion the causes that are vital to our future and the future of our families and communities.
Endorsed by the Chicago Teachers’ Union, this former public school teacher and union organizer is running on a platform that includes plans for affordable housing, police reform, and protecting and enhancing the civil rights of Chicogoans – including the Black community. Johnson’s messaging runs in notable contrast to the kind of divisive remarks and actions his now direct opponent has espoused, or at least has given the definite suggestion of espousing.
Johnson states on his campaign website that the life he wants for his family, is the life he wants for ALL Chicagoans.
Unlike Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson has been consistent in his positions, both publicly and privately. Johnson has demonstrated that he is ready to represent all Chicogoans – including the Black community.
On April 4th, we all will have an important decision to make as we march to the ballot to cast our vote for the 57th Mayor of Chicago.
