When I first sat down to write a letter to the editor, I was puzzled. I didn’t know if I wanted to express my feelings about the small section devoted to the late Mayor Harold Washington or express my feelings concerning his sudden and unexpected death. I wanted to tell my story from a black person’s point-of-view. I am writing to speak for students from all walks of life who feel a deep sense of loss. We mourn for a man who we never met in our lives but for one whom we say goodbye to in death.

Mayor Harold Washington was laid to rest on November 30, 1987. It was a gloomy day as the clouds came together as a symbol of sadness and despair. Although the clouds have emerged, the sun will eventually shine. A hero has walked the path to righteousness and although he has fallen, his dreams, his desires and his goals live on inside all who were touched by his dedication to dispense with racism and bring about change.

The small section devoted to Mayor Harold Washington’s memory was, to say the least, put on the back burner while The Northern Star concentrated on terrorism and parking spaces. Students who reside in Chicago feel that a final farewell to the late Mayor Washington is more important than terrorism or parking spaces because he touched our lives and we will never be the same.

Why was Harold Washington’s tribute put on pages five and six instead of pages one and two? Why weren’t students interviewed and asked about their thoughts on his death? I expected more from The Northern Star. I expected at least two or three pages devoted to his memory and above all, I expected more views from people that benefited and prospered from the Mayor’s efforts toward better living conditions and betterment of ourselves.

How do we say goodbye? I guess we rely on the old saying that time heals all wounds, but that will not suffice because we have yet to master that concept. We won’t have to say goodbye because society has reserved a page in the history books and in the books of great Negro stories. Although he is gone, he will never be forgotten.

Mayor Harold Washington, we love you and you have earned the respect of all races and all ages. You were with us through the teachers’ strike. You were there during the council wars. You even took out valuable time from your busy schedule to write to many graduates and tell them to go forth in excellence. I know you are with our Father by the throne, and I am sure he is saying, “Servant, well done.” We’ll miss you Mayor Harold Washington.

Regina A. Woodfolk

broadcast journalism