The stresses and fault lines have been growing for decades through the oafish and terrible management of Richard M. Daley. But Daley had his royal behind smooched for decades before he was unmasked with his parking meter deal.

Rahm was barely into his second term when he was unmasked. His special moment came with the video. And his miscalculation in suppressing the video has released something in Chicago.

Call it rebellion, or pent-up resentment based on legitimate grievances. Whatever you call it, he’s weak now.

After decades of hibernation under Daley, black political Chicago has begun to reassert itself. Young African-American leaders push for recognition. Black politics isn’t the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s show any longer.