Jesse Jr.'s Girl!

I guess Eddie Long has taken up all of our time with the allegations against him, that we ignored the end of a once promising political career for Jesse Jackson Jr.. Jesse was exposed as having a social acquaintance in Giovana Huidobro, who Jesse's buddy Raghu Nayak told Feds that he personally paid to have flown from Washington to Chicago on at least two occasions on Jackson's behalf. Jackson has slanted it as a private matter that has been handled by him and his wife, however, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell takes it a little deeper, stating that Jackson has positioned himself as the pro-black candidate who has taken on a blond "social acquaintance" in this article.

Truthfully, Barack Obama's ascendance ended Jesse Jackson Jr.'s rising political career. The Jackson name simply carried too much baggage and Obama was a fresh face with a fresh message. This scandal will simply be a footnote in what could've been an even more promising and effective political career.

Chicago Peace Activist Son Killed By Gunshot!

Darryl Jackson has spent countless hours trying to curb violence in his native Chicago. Yesterday he received the most tragic news that a parent can hear when he discovered that his 16 year-old son Deantonio Goss was shot and killed in an alley just blocks from his home while walking home from school with a classmate according to the Chicago Tribune. The senseless killings just continue in our community, and everyday it's just a footnote for normal activity which is a tragedy.

Will Rahm Run For Mayor of Chicago?

With Richard M. Daley deciding not to run for a record 7th term as mayor of Chicago, White House chief of state Rahm Emanuel has emerged as a potential candidate. Emanuel has stated in the past that he covets the job as mayor of Chicago, but POLITICO states that while Emanuel may be a favorite to succeed Daley, he's not guaranteed the job. If Emanuel does run it will at least be interesting theatre.

Illinois Rejects School Vouchers!

The Chicago Sun-Times reports on the fact that the state of Illinois rejected Sen. James Meeks' legislation to enact a school voucher system in the state of Illinois. The Chicago Teachers Union opposed the legislation and contributed to the defeat. Approval of the legislation would've given up to 30,000 students from low performing schools the opportunity to use vouchers to attend private schools in the area.

While I'm a supporter of the public school system, the system is broken and continues to falter leaving thousands of students without the opportunity to gain a first rate education at better quality schools. A voucher system would at least give students with potential the chance to go against the best and brightest and probably excel. While it's not impossible for a student from an inner city public school system to have academic success, the obstacles in the way make it more of a challenge.

Rahm Wants To Be Mayor of Chicago!

President Barack Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told television show host Charlie Rose in a recent interview that he would like to become mayor of Chicago sometime in the near future according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Manuel was once an aide for present mayor Richard Daley and is Chicago born.

MAGIC in Chicago!

We always look at the daunting statistics for African-American young men as they try to navigate the process from going from boys to men. In Chicago, only 40% of African-American boys graduate from high school. That leaves 60% of the males trying to figure it out on their own usually with tragic consequences. Bryan Echols is the executive director of the Metropolitan Area Group for Igniting Civilization. Echols talks about the groups goal of targeting males born in 2007 with the goal of guiding them through society's challenges until they're 18 and hopefully headed to college in this uplifting article courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.

Racial Tensions At Chicago Firestations!

I found this interesting article in the Chicago Tribune about racial tensions at Chicago area firestations. The persons interviewed for the article report that the racial atmosphere is more "covert" than in the past and that the "N Word" is still occasionally muttered in the workplace. The minority workers seemed to be more comfortable in segregated environments, which in 2010 shows that a lot of work still has to be done even when attempting to create a comfortable work environment for workers who have the common goal to protect and serve the residents of Chicago.

Chicago School President Michael Scott's Death Ruled A Suicide!

Sad news continues to come from Chicago as School President's Michael Scott's body was found yesterday morning with a gunshot wound to his left temple. Described as an eternal optimist, Scott's death has rocked a school system that's dealt with violence and other controversies this year. The Chicago Sun-Times provides additional details on this very sad news.

Still No Progress 25 Years After Ben Wilson's Death!

Ben Wilson was considered the best high school basketball player in the country when he was killed in 1984 by gangs in Chicago. Everyone always talks about the senseless death of Len Bias, but Bias' death was due to the personal choice of ingesting cocaine. Wilson was killed due to senseless violence that 25 years later still permeates our urban areas. The Chicago Sun-Times profiles the lack of progress that has been made in Chicago Public Schools in the 25 years since Ben Wilson's death. Most people seem to think that things are even worse now than they were then. Gang violence continues to be rampant, drugs continue to lure our kids to quick money and education still seems to be at the bottom of the priority ladder.

$5 Million Bond Set For 19 Year-Old Man Who Kills 5 Month Old Son!

The Chicago Sun-Times reports on the disturbing death of a 5 month old baby boy dying allegedly at the hands of his 19 year-old father Robert L. Thomas in Chicago after being suffocated. Thomas is being held on $5 million bond. I wonder what makes a father intentionally kill his son. The craziness in Chicago continues.

Just Another Day Of Violence In The Killing Of Derrion Albert!

Yesterday the death of Derrion Albert in Chicago last Thursday hit the national stage with everyone having an opinion regarding the death of another African American teenager on our city streets. Albert, only 16 years old and an honor student apparently walked into a mob of teens fighting when he was hit in the head twice fell to the ground and hit in the head once again before being dragged into a building.

The cynic in me says that while there may be an initial uproar over Derrion's death, the reality is that this happens everyday throughout our country, and at an alarming rate in the major cities such as Chicago. Derrion's death is of course senseless and will be mourned, but does anyone really have any remedies. This is the continuing tale of black on black crime, and no one in their right mind can blame racism on this epidemic. This is black people simply continuing to kill a generation with violence without any fear of the consequences.

Attempting To Reform Troubled Schools In Chicago!

While President Barack Obama travels around the country promoting health care reform, he's quietly authorized $3.5 billion to be used for education reform throughout the country. The Chicago Tribune reports on the Englewood school which is being targeted for reform. The high school had 1,100 fights during the 2007 school year highlighting the violence at that time. The "Turnaround Program" that is now being used, essentially guts the school, replacing all teachers and supplying money, new curriculum and security for the school. A year into the turnaround, attendance is up, and violence is down, however the academic impact has yet to be determined.

Education reform is the one topic that no one wants to really discuss. The harsh reality is that out of nearly 100 high schools in Chicago, not one is meeting state academic requirements, excluding the schools that have admission requirements. Simply multiply Chicago school performance throughout the country, and anyone can see the dire traits that out public education system is facing.

Donna Dunnings "Shocked" By Cousin Firing Her!

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Donna Dunnings was "shocked" when her cousin Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, fired her from her $175,000 job as chief financial officer for the county. Stroger felt that Dunnings was a liability after bailing out former secretary Tony Cole on 2 occasions from jail, and once placing $4,000 on a credit card to post bail. Both Dunnings and Cole deny a personal relationship, but Cole who used to play college basketball at the University of Georgia was somehow promoted to a $61,000 human resource position, but was later fired for not disclosing a past criminal record.

Dunnings is a single mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and soon will be responsible for paying $1,517-a-month for COBRA coverage without a steady paycheck. This story appears to be sordid behind the scenes. I sure hope Dunnings isn't taking the fall for someone else.

School Discipline Forces Student To Unrinate On Himself!

A very disturbing story has surfaced out of the Chicago area, as the Chicago Sun-Times reports on Leslie Connie suing the South Holland School District 151 for forcing her son Isaac to assume a squatting position while he held heavy books in his arms for 30 minutes. Isaac subsequently urinated on himself and was sent back to class to resume his day. Isaac was being punished for making a mess of the lunchroom in March 2008. He was initially told to run laps, but couldn't do so because he suffers from asthma and foot problems, and now suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. Hopefully, this form of discipline is isolated in our schools.

Farrakhan Speaks On President Obama!

Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke over the weekend at the Nation of Islam's annual Savior's Day convention in Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Minister told nearly 14,000 followers that "There's an energy among our people that has never been seen before, never produced by any man or organization before," "But we must not allow our people to live in a false world of euphoria. We must accept our responsibility to build our communities."

Farrakhan's words should resonate amongst the entire black community. Feeding off Obama's energy, we will have to make it on our own, as we attempt to keep our communities from falling into further turmoil. We don't have a stimulus package that will rescue us from sure oblivion for our communities. Now is the time to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and make it work any way that we can.

R.I.P. Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr

Yesterday was a very rough day for the Chicago Bulls basketball family. Former Bull Norm Van Lier died of a heart attack yesterday at the age of 61, and later in the evening former Bull Johhny "Red" Kerr died after a long battle with prostate cancer at the age of 76.

Van Lier played 7 seasons with the Bulls, was a 3 time All-Star and is considered one of the greatest defensive guards of all time. Van Lier was loved and admired as indicated by this article from the Chicago Sun-Times. Prayers go out to the families of Van Lier and Kerr.

"Blago" Couldn't Survive!

Now former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich made the rounds on the talk show circuit early this week, essentially ignoring his Impeachment Trial. Well yesterday Blagojevich was ousted as governor in a resounding 59-0 vote, becoming the first Illinois Governor to be removed from office by impeachment. I guess "Blago" can prepare for his next career as a talk show host and book author. He better hurry, because he's still facing federal charges. He was adamant to the end, and when he was asked by the Chicago Sun-Times if he was sorry, "Blagojevich answered, "Sorry for what?" Wow, talk about being contrite.

More Violence: Mother of Eddy Curry's Child Slain In Chicago!

The New York Daily News reports that the mother of New York Knicks center Eddy Curry's 3 year-old son was slain in Chicago, while the 3 year-old watched. Also slain was the boy's 9-month old sister. The alleged killer was a known acquaintance to 24 year-old Nova Henry.

Surprise! Gang Related Shooting At Chicago High School Basketball Game

The Chicago Sun-Times reports on the shooting outside Dunbar Vocational Career Academy after a high school basketball game last night. 5 teenage boys were wounded, and a young female was trampled in the melee that followed after shots were fired. Police believe that the shooting was gang related, as 7 ambulances and 200 police officers arrived at the scene. Just another senseless shooting in one of our major cities.

The Burris Circus!

The Roland "Would Be Illinois Senator" Burris circus continued yesterday on Capital Hill as Burris who was appointed to President-elect Barack Obama's now vacant Senate Seat by embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, was barred from the Senate floor because his appointment has not been signed off on by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Throwing a wrench in this drama is that Sen. Diane Feinstein is now urging the Senate to seat Burris according to the Chicago Tribune.

Since there are no African Americans in the Senate, how long will it be before the NAACP jumps on the Burris bandwagon, urging him to be seated. Blagojevich has really played the race pawn in this circus, and Burris is agreeing to go along for the ride.