Jul 29, 2006 7:13 pm US/Central
Daley Responds To Meeks' Racial Language
Mayor Says The Issue of Funding for Public Schools Is a Difference of Opinion.
Holly Gregory
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Mayor Daley says he refuses to stoop to the level of name calling, responding to harsh language from State Senator Rev. James Meeks.
As CBS 2's Holly Gregory reports Meeks compared Daley and the governor to "slave masters."
"First of all you should not use racial slurs against any public official or private citizen," said Daley in response to a sermon delivered by Meeks at his South Side church.
"We don't have slave masters. We got mayors and governors who are presidng over systems where black people are not able to be educated," said Meeks in his sermon.
"There's a difference of opinion, but to lose respect for people is unfortunate," Daley said.
Meeks, who is a potential challenger to Daley in the November election, is trying to generate new pressure on the issue of funding for public schools. He blasted African Americans on the City Council who have been close to Daley, using a racial slur.
"You got some preachers that are House N------. You got some elected officials that are House N------. And rather than them trying to break this up, they are going to fight you to protect that white man," said Meeks.
"A man of the cloth, we'll let's see he's a state senator first, a man of the cloth second -- I never understand," said Daley. "People should always use kind words. My parents taught me to be respectful of people."
Meeks is sticking by his sermon comparing the mayor and the governor to slave masters. He says the only people who would be offended by his use of the expletive are those to whom it applies. Meeks would not name those individuals.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich has declined to comment.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Get breaking news alerts
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
