Having been born 50 years ago as a fifth-generation Chicagoan, it was my in fact blessing to have had the benefit of associating with some of the finest racially and otherwise demographically-diverse people ever all in one place in one time...and to me, manifestly representing the ideal in democracy, personal growth, and hope all under the rule of law. Yes, we like anywhere had "bad guys" and such, but on the whole if I had a time amchine I would go back and live in my native Chicago of yore forever.

 

No matter the race or otherwise of those whom blessed my life in mentoring or encouragement or their public service, all of them from blue collar through first professional had the same spirit, a spirit I have no hestitation saying was best typified by historic Judge R. Eugene Pincham ( http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=297&category=LawMakers ).

 

I note that no bio on Judge Pincham I have found mentions his constant favoring of snakeskin cowboy boots for most of his Judicial time, but he did wear them everywhere and I will attest he was man of boundless enthusiasm, can-do spirit, common sense, reason, and encouragement to anyone he met. Judge Pincham also was convinced that poverty is no excuse...not to hide behind, and not to brush people away with; he always was sure a Constitutional better solution could be arrived at in regard to anything, that all people had dignity and value, and that government existed to serve the people's best interests, not just those of the rich, elected, or extortionate.

 

Again, I was just one of the masses who came into work and political office contact repeatedly with Judge Pincham in his lifetime, and think what you want about me but I think it's telling that as today's demographically-mixed leaders began to rise people like Judge Pincham began to be shouted down hard by media and political machines.

 

For me it's always making the same sole point : it's not the races in any country, it's what the heck we're all supposed to look forward to, what's available to do it, and how free we are to truly follow our own non-violents muses or accomplishment dreams.