A remarkable thing happened recently in the windy city, and it’s not just the usual gusts of cold air in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson seemed to believe he was delivering a stand-up comedy set at a local church, but he fell flat on his face instead. His comments during a service about how many black leaders he’s got on his team lit a fire under the Department of Justice that even the most ambitious arsonist would envy. Apparently, his proud proclamation of racial diversity in his administration got him investigated for potential civil rights violations. Who knew making a joke could lead to such serious consequences?

So, let’s dive in! The mayor proudly boasted about the percentage of black folks in his cabinet like he was throwing a yard sale with the latest designer clothes. And as if he was reading off the bingo card at a retirement home, he went on to list positions like the deputy mayor of infrastructure and budget director, seemingly all to make a point. But here’s the twist: the DOJ heard these comments and decided it might be a good time to check on how hiring decisions are being made in the city. Surprise, surprise! It turns out that mentioning people’s skin color multiple times may not be the golden ticket to winning the diversity lottery everyone’s playing. Kind of ironic, isn’t it?

Johnson’s response to the DOJ’s inquiry was about as comforting as a warm cup of cold coffee. He argued that his administration is the most diverse in Chicago’s history and boldly pointed fingers at the previous administration for being, as he put it, primarily “white and white men.” It’s like he accidentally came out with a political roast instead of an inspiring speech. Who knew that hiring based on race was the modern take on filling gaps in a lineup? The mayor might want to ask his team to whip out their resumes and include the skills they bring beyond their skin tones.

And talk about a twist. The mayor seemed to imply that choosing people based on race was groundbreaking because it demonstrates the charm of being a fair hire. Yet, if the roles were reversed and his predecessor had mentioned hiring white folks in the same tone, let’s just say that the howls of outrage would still be echoing through every loop and alley in the city. It’s a double standard reminiscent of a comedian who tells a joke so offensive, they have to flee the stage because the audience isn’t having it.

Let’s not forget, amidst all the political back-and-forth, there are serious issues lurking around the block. While the mayor tosses around statistics like confetti at a parade (hey, who doesn’t love a good stat?), the actual living conditions for many Chicagoans haven’t changed much. Crime rates, for example, might make one think that “diversity” in positions isn’t equating to safety on the streets. The notion that hiring decisions reflect one’s commitment to the community seems to be lost in the shuffle. Maybe instead of claiming bragging rights over his administration’s team photos, it’s time for Mayor Johnson to make sure the folks in Chicago feel a little safer—now that would be a real win for everyone involved.

So there you have it, folks! A mayor proud of his diverse hiring practices stirs the pot with a comment and ends up in hot water with the feds. It’s a classic case of “you can’t make this stuff up.” It serves as a reminder—when discussing race and hiring, maybe one should think twice about using church sermons as their soapbox. Here’s hoping the next time the mayor takes the mic, he sticks to the usual fare of preaching power to the people while leaving the race card in his back pocket!