BLACK PRESIDENT, Chapter 51. The Little twins meet with Mayor Daley of Chicago, and create "Black Wings" to hasten integration in businesses. Jackson Little becomes an Illinois Senator.

https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/july-2004/the-mystery-of-mayor-daley/

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

JUNE 15, 2008

‘Good to see you, Mayor Daley,’ said Jackson Little, as he entered the spacious wood-trimmed office above State Street. ‘You’ve met my brother John, of course . . .’

‘How’re you?’ Daley said, shaking John’s hand as well before taking his seat behind the wide desk. ‘What can I do for you gentlemen?’ Richard M. Daley’s youthful face was beginning to echo his dad’s visage. The senior Daley had been his predecessor in the mayor’s office, a top power broker and head of the Illinois political machine for many years.

‘If I may speak freely . . .’began Jackson, knowing that the meeting was slated for a short fifteen minutes.

‘By all means,’ said the Mayor, prepared for the Black-liberal line he knew the Littles represented.

‘I’m considering a run for the Senate,’ said Jackson, waiting for a comment from Daley. But none came. The man’s poker face served him well. He and his powerful father had a bulldog countenance that had gotten them through some tough negotiations. ‘I need your support for this campaign,’ Jackson stated bluntly, his eyes focused on the large man seated across the polished desk. ‘I might be able to win without you, could run a maverick race, but I think the country needs a more grounded approach. I know I can’t build the local interest I need unless I have you in my corner.’

Mayor Daley leaned back in his leather chair, bringing his hands up to adjust his sweater so that the ‘V’ of the neck lined up with the shirt underneath. Being an astute politician he had wondered to what degree he should align himself with the Black movement in Chicago. Certainly his support of Barack Obama had filled the bill, but perhaps it was time to build on that choice with another up-and-coming Black star-to-be. As head of city services, Daley had had to take heat for several confrontations between police and the Black citizenry, most notably in the winter of 2002. To win that constituency back, he’d backed Obama – a wise choice. Jackson Little also seemed like a possible ticket, a way to extend his power base even further, through the next decade. If and when Obama’s Senate seat became available – just a Presidential win away – who would Illinois Governor Blagojevich appoint for that vacated Senate seat? That appointment would tie up the seat until 2010. Perhaps Daley could maneuver Jackson Little into Obama’s seat with a little friendly political persuasion, and gain another strong Black alliance.

Daley had done extensive research on several of the young Black leaders, the Littles among them. Jackson Little was one of the youngest Assemblymen in the history of Chicago; his brother, a videographer, served as his secretary. Jackson the level-headed one, John with the short fuse. Jackson the scholar with top grades, John the dyslexic student and troublemaker, with a flare for multimedia. Despite these many contrasts, the forty-two-year-old men worked together effectively on Jackson’s ever expanding political career, fighting for minimum wage increases, clean air, adequate housing, better schools for minority children, ‘Fresh Start’ programs for disenfranchised teens, college scholarships and local grants for the disenfranchised of all ages. After Jackson had started the Fulton Street Fund for Black Chicagoans, supplying first-year college tuition assistance for over a thousand individuals, John had suggested looking at the city, street by street, for more funding opportunities. He had theorized that a ten thousand dollar grant gave companies more positive exposure than a same-cost ad in city magazines or newspapers. A local company, Living Legend Multimedia, with its vast catalogue of movies for sale and rent, had decided to sponsor the first award. Soon afterwards, other busi- nesses joined the call. John’s video-histories were incorporated into TV ads for the Fulton Street Fund, giving viewers a new awareness of the plight of Black Americans.

‘Now, you know I’m going to be hitting hard with a pro-Black/pro- minority agenda,’ said Jackson, not mincing words. ‘Are you prepared to withstand the backlash from conservative Whites? Perhaps your support for Obama is the breaking point?

‘Let’s hear what you’ve got.’ Nothing threw Daley, especially in his own office. He knew the numbers. Chicago was half Black. No politi- cian could win the city without being pro-Black.

Jackson arched his back a bit, feeling a few lumbars crack into place as he slowly turned his head to glance at his brother for an instant before returning his gaze to Daley.

‘May I interject?’ asked John, using the phrase Jackson and he had agreed upon.

‘Of course. Please do, John,’ said Daley, knowing the one-two manner in which the brothers had climbed to their present position. ‘None of the present Black programs go far enough in our estimation.

Jackson and I have been talking about initiating a new plan in Chicago, an offshoot of the Fulton Fund, something we call ‘Black Wings’. In exchange for local tax relief, which would have to be mandated, we feel each White business should be required by law to hire one Black man or woman, or person of color, to work alongside their White counterparts and receive an equitable salary. This poverty among minorities in Chicago has got to stop. We can’t tolerate it any longer.’

Mayor Daley didn’t respond verbally, but John could see the slight- est hint of surprise in his brown eyes, and there was a subtle change in his mood. John had been born with a gift for reading people, even those as closed down as Daley, and that had helped the twins deal their cards wisely on more than one occasion.

‘The program will be funded with city and matching federal funds – city funds alone at first if federal funds aren’t forthcoming. Black people will be assigned jobs district by district, so that transportation doesn’t become another burden for these low-income families. I might add that the University of Chicago has already agreed to participate in the first cycle, which indicates solid South Side support. I’ve visited numerous businesses in the last few months, both White and Black, and I’ve received virtually hundred percent backing. Most business owners don’t mind the thought of having an additional employee, another helping hand at minimal cost. And they figure this sort of extreme measure could help increase their retail sales and services. Yes, it is a big pill to swallow, but given the recessionary climate it’s time to take some initia- tive. On a national scale, it really could help to integrate the races.’

John stopped talking. He lifted his body slightly, repositioning his lanky frame in the chair. Daley broke eye contact long enough to take a sip of coffee. My God, he thought to himself. The gamble is gigantic. A law that orders businesses to hire Blacks. Every business. Could it possibly work? Or will it throw me right out of office?

He drank again, this time a full mouthful. He needed to buy more time to scrutinize both sides of the proposal. On the plus side, it would appear to the liberal press that he was a forward thinker, someone unprepared to let the race problems bury Chicago. It would mean lots of local controversy, but national attention as well. Partnered with the Littles, the most promising new Black politicians since Obama, he’d have a wider Black power base, just about guaranteeing a cakewalk to a fourth term mayorship. Or maybe something even bigger.

‘Yes,’ said Daley, nodding. ‘Yes, I’m on board with you gentlemen. You can count on my support, in private, and publicly in the media.’

MARCH 7, 2009

The innovative Chicago law requiring at least one minority employee per business was a huge success, and brought an instant increase in the Chicago economic index. With more integration, the barriers between Blacks and Whites began to soften. While the Reparation law hadn’t found its full voice yet, Black Wings changed the South Side in very positive ways. Families could better clothe and feed their children, and otherwise supply the basic necessities of life. With real income, Black families could also spread a little money around, and that boosted sales in every sector.

With this success, Jackson was urged to run for Illinois State Senator, and garnering solid Black support he’d won hands down. The new job required relocation to the Washington DC area, and he took his brother along as well. The families moved to Arlington, Virginia, their homes within a half-mile of each other. Sarah’s journal overflowed with magazine and newspaper articles about her sons. ‘You make sure to buy me that subscription to the Washington Post, you hear? Don’t want to miss some clippings for my book!’ said their mother, tears in her eyes at the last parting. You’ll be just fine, she said to herself as she watched their plane lift off.

————