I unexpectedly found myself part of Mayor Emanuel’s entourage for 15 minutes this afternoon while I was documenting a back-to-school event at Irma C. Ruiz Elementary in the Heart of Chicago neighborhood. The event was organized by New Life Pilsen church and supported by the alderman of the 25th ward, and Chicago Public Schools had provided free backpacks and school supply kits for K-12 students. A variety of booths were set up in the school lot and entertainment from various community groups was provided as families waited in line to register and receive their school supplies.

With the looming possibility of a teachers’ union strike, Rahm Emanuel made a surprise visit to show his commitment to the public school system and to give his assurance that the school year would start on time. I had been called inside the school by a few of the event organizers and was told they wanted me to take a photo when the mayor arrived. As I was waiting and fiddling with my equipment, I looked up to find one of his staff members instructing me to “just start snapping pictures.” Just behind her was the mayor, already shaking hands with the event organizers. For the next 15 minutes I tagged along with Rahm, his staffers, the event organizers, and a press photographer as he briefly toured the event, shook hands with attendees, gave a brief speech, posed for photos, and made his exit.

A note about the photographs: a group from a nearby senior center had just finished performing a traditional Mexican dance and was eager to get their photo with the mayor, hence the sombreros and brightly colored dresses. The photograph of Rahm wearing a sombrero was the inspiration for this post’s title.