I'm not sure the new city motto floated by Mayor Daley today -- "City of Children" -- really sends the right message. I get that he wants to emphasize that the City of Chicago values its kids as much as it values its parks and flowered medians (the current motto is "City in a Garden"). And I'm glad to see that the recent rise in teen violence has spurred him to action.
But seriously? "City of Children"?
From the Sun-Times:
After launching a study of youth violence by the University of Chicago, Daley said today he would like to change the city's motto.
“I'm passionate about children. We put too many other things above our children. Children, to me, should be what we stand for here in the city of Chicago,” the mayor said.
“We’re the city of flowers. We’re the city of trees and gardens and all that. I’d like to maybe change that motto to, ‘City of Children.’ I really believe that.”
The mayor said it with a straight face. He wasn't kidding. But, it’s not clear whether he planned to pursue the costly idea of changing the city seal -- or whether he was saying it to underscore the fact that educating children and keeping them safe are his No. 1 priority.
