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* Pritzker campaign…
This photo was posted on a private Instagram account and after finding out about it this morning, both individuals were immediately suspended without pay. After further investigation, both staffers have been fired.
* Meanwhile, I asked a handful of folks earlier this afternoon to respond to the Pritzker campaign “blackface” incident. Here’s Secretary of State Jesse White…
The workers used very poor judgement. JB’s campaign has explained the situation and dealt with it appropriately.
* Sen. Kwame Raoul…
This type of behavior is offensive and unconscionable. It shouldn’t be tolerated, and I’m glad to hear that immediate action was taken with those involved
* Legislative Black Caucus Chair Sen. Kimberly Lightford…
This isn’t a joke. There’s nothing funny about it.
If he’s interested in a facial, he should reach out for a spa appointment AFTER the election.
Right now, there’s work to be done, lots of serious work. And I would suggest Democrats everywhere spend every moment doing so.
* Rep. Christian Mitchell, the executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois, chose to post his response on Twitter…
Respectfully, @StatehouseChick, these two things aren't the same. In the case of IPI: the cartoonist in question had a long history of racial caricature involving African-Americans, and the organization was actively involved in voter suppression efforts with a racial tinge. (1/3) https://t.co/Ugg79DJUH2
— Christian Mitchell (@cljmitchell) October 26, 2018
B/c folks make mistakes, and those mistakes ought to be considered in context of their careers. Pertinent example: I was also silent when a reporter I respect wished for black folks in Chicago to drown in a hurricane in order to impose her desired order on their schools. (3/3)
— Christian Mitchell (@cljmitchell) October 26, 2018
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 3:53 pm
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Oof.
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 3:57 pm
===a reporter I respect wished for black folks in Chicago to drown in a hurricane in order to impose her desired order on their schools.===
Mic. drop
Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 3:58 pm
That’s the appropriate way to handle this monumental stupidity. Great to act quickly and show even mistaken innuendoes won’t be tolerated.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 3:59 pm
There ain’t enough Bactine in all of Cook County for that burn.
Comment by Northsider Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:01 pm
To continue from the other post, I agree with Secretary White and Senator Lightford. It was bad judgement. Raoul I think over spoke, because we have no evidence he was actually pretending to be black, which is the whole point of blackface. You have to make a lot of assumptions, with no evidence whatsoever, to call this racist or offensive. Maybe it was, but none of us can possibly know that from the picture. But whatever.
And Mitchell’s bringing the heat, wow.
Comment by Perrid Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:02 pm
Christian Mitchell has been doing an excellent job in this role. Kudos.
Comment by 5th Floor Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:04 pm
Politics is a land of wolves now
Comment by Skincare Product Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:08 pm
Well done. Hopefully the rest of the staff got the message.
Comment by Nick Name Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:09 pm
Election day is almost here — shouldn’t Kristen McQueary be typing-up the Tribune’s endorsement of Gary Johnson for New Mexico’s Senate seat?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:09 pm
===You have to make a lot of assumptions, with no evidence whatsoever, to call this racist or offensive.===
Tell that to those offended.
Yikes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:12 pm
This is far from an excuse, but I am reminded of a favorite comment from Jim White on KMOX so many years ago - “You can’t fix stupid”.
And “stupid” should never be condoned, explained or accepted under any circumstances. Enough said.
Comment by i Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:13 pm
Dear @StatehouseChick,
You’re hurricane, you blamed the readers, and yet still changed the words.
Please stop.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:13 pm
Katrina, leave the pretended outrage to Kass.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:17 pm
I see Ms. McQueary had her full victim in swing today.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:19 pm
Sorry, the post at 4:13 was from me.
Comment by illini Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:22 pm
Yeah, Katrina, I don’t think trying to match wits with Christian Mitchell is a good idea.
He could leave half of his at home and you’d still be out of his league.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:23 pm
=both staffers have been fired=
Good.
Comment by Turn Around For What? Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:23 pm
>after finding out about it this morning, both individuals were immediately suspended without pay. After further investigation, both staffers have been fired.
Good follow through with respect for those two staff. Still need to address staff who observed or participated and the leadership/culture which resulted in this.
Comment by Earnest Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:24 pm
There’s a murder that CPD can actually solve
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:24 pm
Mitchell has mad Twitter skills.
Comment by TominChicago Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:25 pm
So the staff that decided to suspend without pay now decideds to let them go?
Once again… gross malpractice to campaign management.
“Well… we’ll fire em I guess. Maybe that will take the heat off”
It’s a pattern with this campaign. They can’t handle things that could or do hurt the campaign.
They make it far worse before trying to correct it.
They can’t manage 200 staffers, how can they manage state government?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:25 pm
==They can’t manage 200 staffers, how can they manage state government?==
Yes, let’s stumble from one person who was incompetent at governing to another.
Sigh.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:27 pm
OW
After investigation they were fired. That’s standard practice for most professions.
Keep up
Comment by Real Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:28 pm
===Yes, let’s stumble from one person who was incompetent at governing to another.===
… and yet a whole room of people and staff stood around, watch this happening, watched someone record it, and it was posted on social media.
One person? Two people?
Part of the pattern. No self awareness, no disciple, no forethought, no supervision…
From one, to another. It’s possible.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:29 pm
Police almost never immediately fire even when the the loss of life is involved. I would expect that to be a instant fire than somsthing like this but an investigation took place and the staff are fired now.
Comment by Real Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:30 pm
===After investigation they were fired. That’s standard practice for most professions.
Keep up===
Yeah, here’s the rub, try to follow…
The evidence wasn’t changing. The lawsuit is still out there…
So… they “decide” to release a statement, with one level of discipline, which, without an investigation, they leveled… they get dinged, even from allies, then, with that same picture, same outward angst, “decide” it’s an offense worth termination.
They couldn’t wait an hour and then have ONE statement, look in charge and a group not tolerating this behavior?
Nope.
Let’s string this along, let’s get dinged it happened AND on the initial disciple.
Gross mismanagement. No way around it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:35 pm
== both staffers have been fired ==
Step in the right direction. I’m okay with investigating before they canned them.
That said, OW voices legitimate concerns about self awareness, disciple, and forethought. It suggests a lack of guidance from the top, at the very least.
I still feel Pritzker is marginally a better choice than Rauner, but so many of my concerns about JB keep flaring up, over and over.
Comment by thunderspirit Friday, Oct 26, 18 @ 4:40 pm