Chicago Mayor Likens Critics of School Spending Plan to Supporters of Slavery

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday accused critics of his proposed spending plan for Chicago Public Schools of echoing arguments used by supporters of slavery.

Mayor Johnson’s remarks came as he announced six of his new appointees to the Chicago Board of Education. The mayor’s office and school board announced Friday that all seven current members will resign this month {snip}

However, some have raised concerns the “unprecedented” resignations were the result of pressure from the mayor’s office to approve a high-interest $300 million loan to cover certain pensions and Chicago Teachers Union demands. {snip}

Hecklers disrupted Mayor Johnson’s remarks Monday, with some chanting “this board is not legit” as he attempted to introduce his appointees. The mayor quickly brushed them off, accusing them of playing politics.

“The most legitimate existence of anyone in this country is the legitimate existence of a Black man,” he shot back. {snip}

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The mayor was asked later in the press conference whether the Chicago Board of Education would take out a loan, to which he responded that “everything is on the table.” He defended his ideas by comparing those opposed to supporters of slavery.

“The so-called fiscally responsible stewards are making the same argument when our people wanted to be liberated and emancipated in this country,” the mayor said. “The argument was you can’t free Black people because it would be too expensive. They said that it would be fiscally irresponsible for this country to liberate Black people.”

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