Having entertained gang members at a picnic, marched on City Hall and tantalized city politicians with its discipline and numbers, 21st Century VOTE now will try to impress voters.
The first real test for the group, which has tapped gang ranks for strength, will come in the March 15 Democratic primary as it supports a challenger to state Rep. Daniel Burke of the 23rd District.
“People are looking hard at this race,” said state Rep. Lovana “Lou” Jones, a Democrat from the South Side 5th District who is remaining neutral in this primary. “I think it’s a test to see if their numbers are what they say.”
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In announcing support for former Rep. Jerry Washington in the race against Burke, 21st Century chairman Dwayne Harris said that ” `we will bring one to 10,000 youths to help,’ ” according to a story in the Chicago Defender. ” `And we will win by any means necessary,’ ” he said.
Already, 21st Century has shown its ability to mobilize thousands of youths for its City Hall marches-seeking funding for education and mental health clinics-and for a protest of Korean-American businesses in the Englewood neighborhood last year. The group also claims to have at least 100 deputy voter registrars.
Marches and voter registration aside, a political group still must prove it can deliver on Election Day.
“What I saw during those marches was well disciplined,” said Ald. Allan Streeter (17th), a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District who joined the group in the downtown marches. “If you can transfer that discipline into a voting bloc . . . you’ll see some real changes.”
Gangs and politics have a long history in Chicago, dating back to ethnic street toughs employed for political muscle in the first half of the century and continuing in recent years as some politicians quietly relied on black gang members for campaigning-and intimidation when necessary.
Twenty-first Century has tried to downplay its gang ties.
On one hand, organizers of the group have said they are patterning their movement on the white gangs that grew into political forces. In a community flier the group said it does not “condemn or condone” what it called youth “organizations.”
At the same time, organizers are coy about where they have found so many young, eager and disciplined recruits for their group. Background checks aren’t done on the youths, 21st Century officials say. Everyone’s welcome.
The reason for dancing around the gang issue is simple: It is impossible to deny the obvious gang component in the group’s efforts but politically dangerous to be perceived as too closely aligned with gangs.
Burke, a white incumbent in a predominantly black South Side district, already has made 21st Century an issue with Washington, who finished third against him in the primary two years ago.
“I don’t understand how any community can support candidates who promote gang activity,” said Burke, who also is the deputy city clerk and the brother of Ald. Edward Burke (14th).
Washington, who served one term in the House before losing in the 1986 primary, responded that he is trying to help troubled youth find a better way.
“Even those who are doing negative things are asking and crying for help,” said Washington, who lists his job as political consultant for 21st Century. “They want to get off the corner.”
Also running against Burke in the Democratic primary are Barbara Cooper, Michael Haynes, Richard Taylor, William Washington and Dennis Smith. There is one Republican candidate, Scott Hasen.
The district, which includes part of the impoverished Englewood neighborhood, has a staircase shape that stretches east to Dorchester Avenue, west to Cicero Avenue, north to 47th Street and south to 69th Street.
Washington is the only candidate officially endorsed in the March races by 21st Century, but the group also has become an issue in two other contests. In the Democratic primary for Cook County Board president, Aurelia Pucinski criticized County Board Commissioner John Stroger for attending an issues forum sponsored by 21st Century.
And in the South Side and south suburban 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds, a Democrat, is putting the heat on Streeter, saying his opponent is soft on gangs. Reynolds cites Streeter’s appearances with 21st Century and gang peace advocates and his support for the release of imprisoned gang leader Larry Hoover.
In the fall, Streeter proclaimed at a 21st Century forum, “I believe in Century 21, I believe in what you’re doing.” And, more recently, he appeared with Washington and Harris when Washington announced his candidacy.
These days, though, he’s playing down any connection to 21st Century and turning up the get-tough anti-crime rhetoric. It was Reynolds, Streeter contended, who two years ago first tried to enlist the group’s support.
Reynolds denied that charge and said he believes Streeter now considers 21st Century a liability.
“There are some seasoned politicians who saw this group getting together and viewed them as a force and tried to get ahead of the train and manipulate them,” Reynolds said. “And Streeter was the first to do this.”
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Most politicians are still waiting to see if 21st Century is worth the price of the ride. The Washington-Burke contest should be one measure of that.