Last night, WTTW -- one of Chicago's two PBS stations -- hosted a debate between Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.
A lot of people were offended by Ponce's line of questioning Garcia on his son's alleged involvement in gangs.
As Teresa Puente of Chicago Now pointed out, Ponce gave the Mayor a free pass on a number of issues, including his own adventures in child-rearing.
"If you can't keep your son out of a gang, how can you fight gangs as the mayor?" Is the alternative to that question "Gee, Mr. Emmanuel, you're family has never been affected by gangs, how on earth do you have the experience to fight the issue head on?" Of course not.
Elias Cepeda, of our local NBC's affiliate's Ward Room, also called out Ponce in his opinion piece.
It's time to call out racist dog-whistles in the media, and let them know we're not only watching but paying attention.
Here is a MoveOn Petition asking WTTW to fire the moderator, Phil Ponce. It has well over 1,000 signatures already.
Please sign: it's been disgusting to watch the major media seemingly in the tank for Emmanuel, despite the fact that he is unloved by a wide cross-section of Chicagoans. Chuy's race has been a real bastion of grassroots involvement. People are feeling that he gives them a voice when they were previously voiceless -- but the media seems invested in a Rahm win.
A link to the full debate is here.
Make up your own mind, but if you feel so inclined, please sign.