Warm winds smiled softly. Far from the whirling rancor that rips at leaves in faraway forests.
What better a contrast! The unifier, the patient listener, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, the victor, our next state rep, a woman of warmth and justice. Here in the gateway to the Southwest Side.
At a time when a red faced devil, an abuser, a cynical divisive psychopath glares from TV.
At Dr. Mah’s outpost in the Chuy Garcia district headquarters, we were pleasantly surprised by a full house for her campaign kickoff. The first Asian American in the Illinois General Assembly knows you can never let your guard down. Though victory is assured because she faces no opponent, she is running a robust November operation. Regular Dem challengers will resurface trying to unseat her in 2018.
Meet several characters in the pageant. More threads than a brilliant tapestry. Conversations elbow to elbow, spilling out to the sidewalk.
Tireless Rebecca Shi — always looking for something positive and in common, “I want to meet your wife because we really enjoyed visiting Oaxaca.”
David Li — a Chinese expert on British/Japanese history. I told him that I had been interested in the Chinese Revolution 40 years ago, something I usually hesitate to share. You never know how people will react. The guy knows nuance and lots about the various affects of cataclysmic world events.
A few guys from Chuy’s most loyal Pilsen crew. I told them my idea of sharing costs of our IPO palm cards for election day since we generally support the same candidates — both north and south of the river.
Reverend Tom told me that there is visible Trump activity in Bridgeport. Blue ribbons on trees east of Halsted, hateful comments on community web sites, Republican registration. All the more reason to hit hard at Trump this election. “But we’ll win Bridgeport.” “That’s not the point,” I said. “We win big to isolate the backward. Why were people with racial envy afraid to speak before? Because civil rights was dominant – big enough to shame haters.”
Meeting Kam Liu. A happy, effervescent guy. All these years, I’d considered him to be some unapproachable real estate mogul. Far from it, another friend to add my legion of acquaintances.
Highlights kept coming when the rally began. Three leaders of the Whitney Young Honor Society announced that special service hours will go to their members who volunteer.
A group from Theresa’s surprising victory in the St. Pius neighborhood in Pilsen. A couple of my ESL students showed up with them. I told myself, “I don’t remember inviting them.”
Chuy’s final words targeted the main enemy, “That’s why we have to defeat Trump and defeat him big.”
Pete Mendoza raised the rafters with his gravelly baritone, “We are the grass roots.”
When my son and I returned to our own precinct, we engaged with neighbors. In my opinion that’s where campaigners are most valuable — on our own home turf.
Harry on the corner cataloged the plant by plant departure of local industry. He did the books for companies and their workers. Not that happy with Hillary. Not happy with the empty industrial buildings and the departure of old time friends. Yet totally for Theresa. We think he’ll vote against Trump. We reminisced about the sad passing of Mike Holland — alone in his home.
In our alley we bonded with men who make a living with their hands. Sometimes political discussions slide to the side after you get a wink for Theresa or a willing signature on the mayoral term limits petition.
The alley is an ecosystem of Latino families who help each other — dry wallers aiding roofers. auto body men tackling jobs for plumbers. This fabric of community is the basis for progress on November 8th and beyond.
Our unity will be evident when we vote. It is not like the old days when Daley’s city workers insincerely thanked residents “for coming out.” Time to celebrate new alliances and bury Trump in a blizzard of ballots.