Chicago Mayor Harold Lee Washington Remembered...

From musician/composer Matana Roberts' blog Shadows of a People, Chicago memories and a link to Chicago Public Radio's This American Life's remembrance of Harold Lee Washington in honor of the upcoming 20th anniversary of his death on November 25. Washington died a few months into his second term. He was noted for having been the first black mayor of Chicago, and having enacted a number of reforms in the notoriously racially polarized and old-boy political machine of Chicago politics.

There are some amazing moments in this audio documentary, including various recollections of associates and adversaries. Also included are excerpts from Chicago comedian Aaron Freeman's regular chronicles of the "Council Wars" based on the Star Wars trilogy. Washington was figured as "Luke Skytalker," because of his rich vocabulary of numerous four-syllable words that often dumbfounded opponents and reporters alike, much to the glee of his African American supporters.