Pfleger calls peaceful Saint Sabina Game a ‘Miracle’ given the recent violence

Mayor Rahm Emanuel gave the ceremonial-kick off for the second game

Black Team won 58-55 in blow-by-blow game

By Chinta Strausberg

For nearly four-hours, former gang members turn peacemakers Saturday played a spirited second annual peace basketball championship game ending in the black team winning 58 to 55 at the Saint Sabina ARK, where Father Michael L. Pfleger thanked NBA players for sharing their time and talents with the youth he calls “a miracle on 78th and Racine.”

“I can’t thank the NBA players enough especially Joakim Noah and Isiah Thomas for their heart and love for the brothers” on the street,” an elated Father Pfleger said after the game. “What we witnessed today much like last night is the power of love, respect and genuine care for the brothers and the community.

“There is no greater high than what we saw today…a miracle on 78th and Racine. Peace is possible. We just have to live it,” said Father Pfleger.

The miracle Pfleger called the peacefully played game came just days after the FBI labeled Chicago the number one capitol town in America and a day before 13 people were shot in the Back of the Yards community while watching a basketball game including 3-year-old Deonta Howard, Jr. who was shot in the face with a high powered assault rifle at the Cornell Square Park, 51st and Wood Streets. It was where Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said, “murder is not a one victim crime” and that “we should not accept assault weapons in our community….”

Besides former and current NBA players attending the game, ABC 7 sportscaster Jim Rose was Masters of Ceremony. Father Pfleger thanked him for coming to Saint Sabina, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who gave the ceremonial kick-off for game two, attended Saturday’s peace basketball game shaking hands with the players and attendees congratulating them for their peaceful behavior.

Thomas again gave his pep talk to the youth saying, “There was a time in this country when we as young black men and brown men looked at each other and never, ever had the thought that we would take another black man’s life or another brown man’s life. At some point in time, you got to start looking at each other as brothers and sisters and start caring and loving each other again.”

And, in between games where the youth made numerous slam dunks including twirling on the hoops and after the game ended, Noah appeared to be a Pied Piper with youth screaming, surrounding the towering Chicago Bulls star and following him everywhere he went.

Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16th) was present as was Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th) in whose ward the game was played. “I think this was great to see the different areas of folks come together and enjoy themselves, no violence at all…. It just let’s everybody know in these different facets of the games that we are all human and we all enjoyed each other and there is something more than fighting,” she said.

Thomas also praised Father Pfleger who on September 15, 2012 struck a peace accord with four rival gangs in the Auburn Gresham community that continues today. On September 22, 2012, he held his first peace basketball tournament. Saturday’s game, Ald. Thomas said, “ensures we will have yet another one next year.”

She also praised the Nation of Islam’s security, the Fruit of Islam (FOI) for providing security for the game. The Endure Dance group also performed.

Asked about the international coverage of the game by the BBC and other media outlets, Ald. Thomas said, “I think we have to start doing things a little bit differently and if we can spread this around it means more people will be able to learn about each other and start being neighbors in the hood. I think it is great that folks want to study and duplicate it.”

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.