Opinion: Video purports to show a migrant calling Black woman “lazy” saying "no more money for you"

Black Political Opinion @BlackPoliticalOpinion.comPhoto byLashaun Turner @MsLashaunTurner and @MsBlackPolitics on Twitter

Chicago faces growing tension between its long-standing Black community and the influx of migrants. There have been instances of migrants and local residents clashing over access to resources, such as housing and social services.

Some migrants have expressed frustration at the lack of available resources and the long wait times for assistance. At the same time, some local residents have expressed concerns that the influx of migrants is putting a strain on already limited resources.

A video clip posted to Instagram purportedly shows an exchange between a migrant and a black woman. Allegedly a migrant calls a Black Chicagoan “lazy” and says “no more money for you.”

Since August 2022, tens of thousands of migrants, primarily from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, have been bussed or flown from the southern border to Chicago by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Chicago is providing shelter, food, and medical care to migrants.

Meanwhile there are Black Chicagoans homeless and in need of resources. The Black community in Chicago, like many across the nation, bears the scars of historical discrimination. Decades of redlining, disinvestment, and inadequate social services have left deep wounds.

Black Chicagoans continue to point out that their neighborhoods are in desperate need of investment in education, healthcare, and other resources. They argue that the city's resources from tax paying citizens should be used to address citizens issues first before being allocated to migrants.

A referendum that would have asked voters if Chicago should keep its sanctuary city status was blocked by allies of Mayor Brandon Johnson on the city council preventing it from going before the voters.