White pols picked Black athletes

For a long time, it was a Machine practice to recruit Black celebrities who had no political organizations of their own. Whites could benefit from the popularity of their new allies’ followers without worrying about being challenged at the polls. And Black athletes were a frequent choice.

Ralph Metcalfe, a track star who had earned a silver medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the same event in which Jesse Owens had won his fourth gold, was named 3rd Ward Democratic Committeeman, over the objection of Black political boss Bill Dawson.

           Cubs star Ernie Banks, a lifelong Republican, was appointed to the Board of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers was awarded a seat on the Chicago Park District Board.

  Former Olympian Willye White and one-time White Sox Star Al Smith, were given jobs at the Chicago Park District. Business executive Joseph Robichaux, a popular south side coach, was named 21st Ward Democratic Committeeman.

  Joe Bertrand, a Notre Dame basketball star, was elected City Treasurer. Jesse White, a high school and college athlete better known for his leadership of the “Jesse White Tumblers” became a State Representative.

  Everybody seemed happy.

Find out more about Blacks in Machine politics at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/994143