Reflecting on a major milestone, Mayor Brandon Johnson marked the 10-year anniversary of the Dyett High School Hunger Strike with an event celebrating the activists' commitment to public education. According to the City of Chicago's official press release, the Chicago Cultural Center played host to the anniversary event, where Mayor Johnson honored the hunger strikers with an honorary street sign, deeply valuing the strong community effort that thwarted the school's closure a decade ago.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Johnson highlighted the unity and strength shown by the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) and the community at large when they united to resist the school's closure. Falling on the 24th day, he joined the hunger strike, which lasted for 34 days, to demand the school remain open and receive necessary funding. "We fought to save Dyett High School because we still believe in the promise of a quality public education for every single child in Chicago," Mayor Johnson conveyed, as the press release details.
Demonstrating his engagement beyond mere words, Mayor Johnson's actions as a former organizer who participated actively in the hunger strike reflect his dedication to public education's cause. "For then-organizer Brandon Johnson to join the hunger strike how he did was more than a sign of solidarity; it was a showing of true brotherhood,” Chicago Board of Education Member and hunger striker Jitu Brown told the City of Chicago. Mayor Johnson echoed the sentiment of perseverance and commitment to improving Chicago's education system.
The protests had tangible outcomes, with Dyett High School not only still operational but also thriving. The school now operates near full capacity, acting as a linchpin in the local community, and supporting students and their families with holistic educational services. It's been recognized as a pioneer in the Sustainable Community Schools model, integral to its current success. According to the press release, this model will soon nearly double in its presence across Chicago, ensuring substantial investment and support in public education.
Looking back, the hunger strike played a pivotal role in turning the tide against a wave of school closures across Chicago in 2013, an episode that saw 50 schools shuttered. The Dyett High School hunger strikers, by ensuring their school remained a beacon of educational hope, also ultimately laid the groundwork for Dyett's later achievements, including its boys' basketball team's state championship win this year. As Mayor Johnson welcomed the team to City Hall, he remarked on the importance of community action in such victories.
20th Ward Alderwoman and hunger striker Jeanette B. Taylor reflected on the hard-fought campaign to save Dyett. "Ten years ago, our community had to put our lives on the line to save Dyett High School. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and neighbors undertook a courageous hunger strike because the city turned its back on us and thought they could close Dyett without a fight. We proved them wrong," Taylor said, reiterating in her statement to the City of Chicago. This anniversary serves not only as a reminder of past struggles but also as a renewed commitment to striving for educational equity for every child in the city.
