1983 | Royko went to bat for Harold
When Chicago needed a shot of common sense, Mike Royko served it to us -- straight up and usually with a twist of wit and sarcasm.
The legendary columnist and voice of Chicago wrote for the Sun-Times from 1978 until 1984.
While here, he championed everyday working people and went after the powerful and pompous.
But in 1983, Royko spoke up for a powerful man and did a service for the city.
Harold Washington had just been elected as our city's first black mayor. On Feb. 24, 1983, Royko told Chicago to give him a chance, arguing that as a congressman and former state legislator, he was more qualified than many of his predecessors.
"If Jane Byrne is qualified to be mayor of Chicago after holding no higher office than city consumer affairs commissioner, what is the rap on Harold Washington?" he asked his readers.
But he didn't soft-peddle his pitch. In classic Royko fashion, here's how he started his column:
"So I told Uncle Chester -- don't worry, Harold Washington doesn't want to marry your sister.
"That might seem like a strange thing to have to tell somebody about the man who will be the next mayor of Chicago. I never had to tell Uncle Chester that Mayor Daley or Mayor Bilandic wouldn't marry his sister."
He then went on to implore his readers to "act like sensible, adult human beings."
"He is a smart, witty, politically savvy old pro. He is far more understanding of the fears and fantasies of Chicago whites than we are of the frustrations of Chicago blacks. . . .
"Who knows, we might even wind up liking him."