Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago is facing scrutiny after comments he made at a black church sparked a Department of Justice investigation. Did his words promote unity or hint at something more divisive? Let’s break down the situation from a video by The Biblical Conservative.
The DOJ Investigation and Mayor Johnson’s Response
It all started at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn. Mayor Johnson spoke about his administration’s hiring practices, saying “our people hire our people.” He framed this statement within the context of ensuring black-owned businesses have opportunities.
However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) took notice. They sent a letter to Mayor Johnson suggesting his remarks could potentially violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination. But here’s the thing: Title VII has exceptions. It doesn’t apply to political appointments or religious organizations.
Carolyn Shapiro, from Chicago Kent College of Law, even called the DOJ’s assumption a “leap.” She questioned whether Johnson’s senior staff being primarily African-American necessarily implies the city is discriminating in its general hiring practices.
So, how did Mayor Johnson respond? His team emphasized the diversity of his administration. They pointed out that his 105-employee staff is 34% Black, 30% White, 23% Hispanic, 7% Asian, and 5% two or more ethnicities. They also contrasted his administration’s values with those of the “current federal administration.”