It has been an emotionally charged week in the Hispanic community across this country as attention focused on Arizona’s new immigration law. There were hot moments here, as well, fueled in part by the national controversy and, this being Chicago, in part by jockeying for local political influence.
CNC reporter Dan Mihalopoulos and photographer Jose More were among the few media representatives who saw and heard the frustration erupt at a rally one night last week in Little Village when U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez sharply criticized fellow Democrats President Obama and Governor Pat Quinn.
In his account, Mihalopoulos reports that while Gutierrez joined other Hispanic leaders in rebuking the president for not carrying out campaign promises to change U.S. immigration laws, he saved some of his harshest words for the governor.
Gutierrez complained that Quinn has not appointed any Hispanic cabinet members and hired a disproportionately small share of Hispanics throughout state government. His remarks came as Chicago’s fast-growing Hispanic community debates what it hopes to gain as its numbers and political influence increases.
“It’s getting more and more frustrating as I have to deal with people in this administration, people who I feel have a disregard for me also and for this community and its power and its influence,” Gutierrez said. “I hope this is a wake-up call.”
Dan’s report in the New York Times and on our web site lays out the players and the political stakes involved in the controversy. Jose’s photos capture the intensity of Gutierrez’s blistering speech. And we’ve posted audio of his remarks so you can hear for yourself.
Elsewhere in our report, columnist James Warren witnessed a very emotional gathering, too, one of an entirely different sort.
Jim attended a small ceremony at Northwestern University Medical School where first-year students pay tribute to some people who help teach them about anatomy and about life in general–the people who donated their bodies to science.
The ceremony, inaugurated in 1996, gives the students a chance to remember the donors and to reflect on the insights their bodies provide in how we age and differ. “Our donors are among our most profound teachers,” one student told Jim.
It’s always a moving remembrance, marked with music, poetry and tears, but this year it was more so. Northwestern asked the families of donors if they would like to attend, and four did so. I hope you’ll read Jim’s thoughtful account of those moments. It is a column about being human.
On the arts scene, CNC’s Jessica Reaves spoke with Director Madeleine Grynsztejn and new Chief Curator Michael Darling about Darling’sappointment to his new job Thursday at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Grynsztejn has been trying to broaden the appeal of the museum, and now she has an important new ally. Look for some new ideas at the MCA–Darling’s final exhibition at his old job in Seattle involves a look at Kurt Cobain’s profound impact on a generation paired with a showing on Andy Warhol’s depictions of fame, death, gender and loss.
Finally, sports columnist Dan McGrath visits with some real hockey fans–some passionate, full-throated Blackhawks fans as their team enters the second round of the NHL playoffs. I’m glad Dan did the visiting because it involved a hike up to the300 level of the United Center, up near the ceiling where only the enthusiasts hang out, and cheer, and hope. There’s an informal dress code in UC high country: genuine Blackhawks sweaters, please, available in red, white or black.
When you’re done with Dan’s column, take a look at photographer John Konstantaras’s gallery on our web site. You’ll see all the jerseys, and you’ll get a nice sense of the view from way above. Maybe I will climb up there someday after all.