Atlanta leads nation in gap between rich and poor
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the growing income gap in America between the rich and the poor.
Turns out the the gap is larger in Atlanta than in any other big city in America, Reuters reports.
Also making the list is Athens-Clarke County, home of UGA and the Dawgs, which ranked sixth on the list.
Atlanta’s No. 1, followed by New Orleans and Washington, D.C.
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159 comments Add your comment
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
9:43 am
Fact is that we- black, white, green, yellow and read- are all in this together. America is our country, and the thing is for all of us to work to help each other to improve the country and the size of our stake in it.
One American tearing down another is what our enemies want to see. Marginalizing minorities and demonizing the poor does not help. They are here- now, and talk of moochers and EBT begotten nail polish to refer to Americans who are not doing as well plays into the hands of those who would like to prove that America is a fraud.
Junior
October 27th, 2011
9:43 am
I’ve made the right choices in life, I have a good education (for which I paid off my 30k in student loans in 8 years). I will be enjoying Vienna over the New Years’ holiday and Maui in February. Yes, I live intown and north of I20. I have struggled in the past (I lost my job in Jan of 2010, but by Feb had found a higher paying job among other struggles), but with my education and work ethic I can enjoy my income and the fruits that come with it.
Quantavius
October 27th, 2011
9:46 am
Hey junior, nobody cares. Take your elitest attitude somewhere else.
CanWeAllGetAlong
October 27th, 2011
9:46 am
You know…we ALL need to work, live, and play together. How come we as adults want our kids to live by those simple rules, but never show an example of it. Its time to STOP bashing each other, and work together. I was not born here, however I think its a pretty good city. We don’t need elected officials (Dem or Rep) to tell us how we should live/work together. I think we all have an idea or two to make Atlanta metro area a better place, lets put them on the table. Rich and poor people have ideas…
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
9:48 am
Right Junior:
It is all about you. I also bet you have no intention to help anyone but you and help out the conversation that says that those people who are no able to work the system like you did are mooching losers. You are only as secure as your neighborhood. If I were you I would stay in Vienna.
Saddened
October 27th, 2011
9:48 am
So interested to see so many people take shots or make blames at a group of people before knowing all the facts….How many of you actually know at least 1 person who live off welfare, I mean literally live off welfare alone….Don’t worry Ill wait….the answer is no one, because contrary to most people beliefs, there is a cap on how many years you can stay on walfare, and the max you can get is may 700 a month TOPS…Yeah that’s alot of money!!!!. If you see someone living off of funds, they usually have a child support check (which is another subject) or Food stamps which cost a tax payer who makes 25000 a year only $.13 a MONTH (right a dime and 3 pennies)….SO NO ONE LIVES OFF JUST WELFARE!!!!!! If they do, let me know who they are !!!!!!
2 things I want to point out….1. the issue on government assistance only became a big deal after the recession….and the people hit hardest in the recession were MIDDLE CLASS….so this means that these were people who had jobs went to school and was laid off. Yes the people you are helping are now “Shaquna” with 6 kids and 5 different baby daddies! Its Susan who worked at Coke for 10 years, and just has her bachelors and has 2 kids and divorced! 2. Poor people are not necessarily people who DON”T HAVE JOBS…their also people who jobs don’t pay enough for them to survive. Some of our hardest jobs in America are underpaid…. Custodians, customer service positions, fast food positions, maids…the jobs that most Americans pass up because their too GOOD to do that type of work…
So before you make statements and quick to judge people learn your facts…because 3/4th of our population are a paycheck away from being the POOR, BROKE, LAZY people you describe.
Saddened
October 27th, 2011
9:50 am
its not shaquanna its susan (gotta love auto correct
itamazesme
October 27th, 2011
9:51 am
Get educated? Lack of motivation? Tell that to my sister who furthered her education and received her Master’s to get ahead in the company where she was employed for 10 years-only to be laid off in August of this year because they downsized. Sadly, there are well educated people out of work now. You have young people fresh out of college unemployed but with debt of student loans. I am all for someone furthering their education, but doing so with this economy is not going to guarantee you a job right now, it will only add to a person’s debt woes.
More and more people who were middle class are finding themselves in the poor category. They used to donate to the needy, but are finding themselves in need now. It isn’t a black or white issue. It saddens me to see the posts on this blog, and it is my prayer that those equating it to being black, on drugs, lazy, etc. I pray you never find yourself without a job or in need of anything.
Junior
October 27th, 2011
9:54 am
@RAMZAD
I do donate to charity…and not for some tax deduction. You apparently have a problem with those of us who are successful enjoying ourselves to the fullest. Life is full of choices, you are what you make of them. Four years ago I had a $300/day cocaine habbit, lost my condo and my job. But I made a choice to stop, like I made a choice to start. Both were choices, one was better that the other. So don’t assume that people who who are ‘better off’ or ‘won life’s lottery’ have always been that way. We made choices to get us where we are, for better or worse.
Do us all a favor part 2
October 27th, 2011
9:54 am
Thanks for your comment “Do us all a favor and have a seat”. Some people are past ignorant. If my family (whether they were white, black or purple) had wealth and I had a fortunate upbringing, I’m sure I would be financially independent with a great job because of my great education I received. I’m sure I take regular trips to the malls to do my seasonal shopping and I plan my yearly vacations because life has afforded me these things. I’m probably an active participant in the investment industry and my cabinets and fridge are never empty. Pumping gas for me is not an enjoyable experience because, although I can afford the inflated gas prices, I too am responsible with my finances and don’t want to be robbed like the rest of the country BUT I really can afford the damn gas. So IF YOU ARE THIS PERSON AND YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN ON THOSE WHO WERE NOT FORTUNATE AS YOU WERE please do us all a favor and go to the top of your nearest building and jump….please find a really tall building for splash effect! People are so cruel! Why must you assume every homeless, broke, out of work person in Atlanta is BLACK AND LAZY??!?? I don’t understand that at all. It is sickening to me because I AM BLACK AND BROKE. But I also have two degrees! I was raised in poverty…not because my family were lazy black people that wanted goverment assistance…it was because my family picked cotton, worked for low wages without decent education during a time when WHITE people were doing what they are still doing today….UPHOLDING RACISM and PROMOTING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY. Now what if the tables were turned….please people who are taking the time to read my babble…please think with me for a second…what if it was BLACK men that kidnapped an entire country and separated them from their entire CULTURE and for years they suffered enslavement, torture, homocide, degradation, and the rest of the bullsh*t that comes with it….Do you really think WHITE people would be the majority today? Do you really think WHITE people would lead in having more wealth amongst their families? BUT if we take race out of the picture we will realize that many people of many races are very fortunate despite the economic climate. SO INSTEAD OF POINTING TO ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE FOR THEIR LACK OF RESOURCES AND ASSUMING IT IS BECAUSE OF THEIR PERSONAL LIFE CHOICES please stop to think that maybe their circumstances were not as candy-coated as yours. That is why when I hear about crimes against white people I seldom feel any sympathy and I know that it is wrong to feel that way BUT like the many ignorant racist on this board I will chop it to being a BLACK HUMAN!
Katz
October 27th, 2011
9:55 am
Pray tell, where in this article do they define “gap”? Perhaps we have the largest gap by virtue of having the most wealthy people of any metro area. I know I’m a deserving filthy rich dude who likess nothing more than his money. Except, watching the poor whom I have wrung it from squirming under my feet. Wait a minute hos, I said like, not love, y’all know I love every one of you. There, that’s better, now fix me a blunt and some crow-vassy.
itamazesme
October 27th, 2011
9:55 am
Kudos Saddened!
Leah
October 27th, 2011
9:56 am
It really saddens me to read such ignorant, uneducated comments. Firstly, poverty is not a racial issue. I volunteer at a local food bank and I am sure it would surprise many people to find that there is an equal mix of all ethnicities requesting services. In Alpharetta, churches are giving to all families but we have a high ratio of white families that now require help due to job loss. Not everyone who is poor uses drugs and drinks. It is unfortunate that this population of those in need has become the face of porverty. Yes, there are certainly those who could do better and make better choices. But there is a population who is in genuine need. For those of you who hide behind your anonymous blog postings, I truly hope you never have to experience job loss nor bias based on your color. America is a truly great country but it is a sad day when white people turn a blind eye to those other white people who take advantage of systems. It is a sad day when black people turn a blind eye to those other black people who take advantage of sytems. It sad when any race points to another as the problem. It is a human race issue, not a color issue. Laziness and ignorance knows no color boundaries. There are bad people in every race. But bigger than that, there are great people in every race. And it will be a great day when the citizens of Atlanta can come together to address the issues that affect our city, rather than sit and point fingers at each other. If you don’t like something, do something about it. But if you are not contributing to the improvement of society, please keep your racist, ignorant comments to yourself. You are not helping anyone nor proving any level of intelligence by typing them.
Eddie Long
October 27th, 2011
9:57 am
Look at me, I’ve made my millions the honest way! Don’t need to be white!
Ed
October 27th, 2011
10:00 am
To all of the misguided souls who are directing their discontent at Wall Street: You should be directing your anger at the civil rights leaders, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, MLK, Baraque Obama, and the like who promoted laws requiring banks to make loans to the unqualified among us. When are you ever going to learn that those who have something worked for it while those who wait for a government handout have what they earned. Nothing!
Learn your history. At one time there was something called redlining, a practice of lenders to draw a line around communities whose inhabitants were not qualified for loans. Redlining became illegal and you now sit on the curb wondering why. Tell your community organizers to stop lying to you and you’ll begin to live in the real world.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:02 am
Fact is that the real moochers are the rich and the large corporation who holler patriotism but hide their wealth from taxes overseas.
Fact is that the real moochers are those people who believe the Bush tax cuts should go on forever even as the country sink into poverty, because they can escape to Vienna when dog eat dog begins- like now.
Fact is that America has lost its competitive edge, because even physicists want to become hedge a fund managers. Fact is that no train is coming from Washington. The train is coming for within our own spirits.
Fact is that America is a racist powder keg who has almost thirty percent of its population Hispanics and Negros locked out of true participation in the democracy and the economics that go with it.
You must have to have nothing for my something to mean anything- that ethos will destroy us.
You people make me laugh
October 27th, 2011
10:06 am
@ RAMZAD
“Your problem is that white people is a depleting population and very soon we will have to search hard to find a white person.”
Census estimates do show that just under half of children under 3 now are non-hispanic whites. But, this is far from having to search hard to find a white person.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:06 am
ED
You are the consummate moron simpleton. Don’t you see that it is the banks, AIG, GM that got the hand outs. How can you decide that you should economically pit one American against another? Don’t you see that if enough people become poor you are only as alive as the number of slugs in your shot gun?
j
October 27th, 2011
10:07 am
wow, great article … a lot of content to read
PJ
October 27th, 2011
10:08 am
Amazing! The AJC publishing 3 sentences (I won’t even call it a news article). No depth, no explanation, no insight. And, still, they manage to get the readership whipped into a frenzy. Let’s all go do something productive.
Chris
October 27th, 2011
10:11 am
It would be nice if you write a article that the article would state in it how large the gap is and provide details. Thanks for nothing Reuters.
jon
October 27th, 2011
10:13 am
Wow…. I graduated a year ago and still unable to find a job. I have a good clean record…
I did what I’m supposed to do…
People are telling me to create something. One problem… People do not want to work for free. I have $4 in the wells fargo bank which will probably be eaten up by the monthly fees. I seriously doubt the bank would give me any sort of loan since I don’t have collateral.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:16 am
Junior:
I bet you had a lot of support and help getting off the powder. I bet you had family rooting for you. I bet you became the Great White Hope of Cocaine Recovery. You had your degree before your cocaine foray, so you just had to stop using- which I am sure was no cake walk to get off from, but
the infrastructure was waiting, pleading, begging you to come in from the cold.
My point is that if you are white in America- no matter how you look you are trusted. Your are given a break. Even blacks are condition to look out for white people no matter what. The service is horrible until a white person shows up, so being white has immaculate advantages in America. It is that song that says that minorities are only trusted when they are in cuffs.
I am sure that you have to work hard. Can you see a black person with a cocaine past showing up at one of those posh offices in Dunwoody for a job? It is a scandal. Channel 11 would come out there to file a report.
ASB
October 27th, 2011
10:17 am
I am a single, Black, college educated woman with two children. I am a homeowner and have never been on the public dime. I have worked hard in my career and was at my company for many, many years when a new manager came into our department. The manager, who is Black, harassed me and made my life a living hell at work when I wouldn’t “admire” him. After going to HR, he retaliated and the company did nothing. Now, I have received a layoff notice while he laughs at getting away with harassment.
So, don’t tell me all Blacks should stick together because of skin color. I associate with people of like minds without regard to color, culture or background.
nonsense
October 27th, 2011
10:21 am
For the most part, people are poor because they refuse to change. If you have a college degree in philosophy and can’t find a job, don’t sit around for 2 years crying about how useless college is. Change your career to something that there’s a need for, that’s what i did. There’s no rule in life that says once you have a degee in something you can’t do something else.
Also, debt or no debt, education is the most important thing any of us can have. It opens up doors to other opportunities when you least expect it.
WoodstockAndy
October 27th, 2011
10:21 am
There are plenty of jobs if you’re in right field. Yes, perhaps if you don’t have education (not necessary 4 year degree, even technical college) there are less jobs that are for unskilled positions. But if you don’t have relevant education (i.e. majoring in English, history, or other crap like that) then you have yourself to blame, not Wall Street. If you’re struggling artist, then it’s your problem. I came to this country 15 years ago as an immigrant (legal mind you), with 2 suitcases. I was able to finish 2 years in technical college, and currently working for company in a position that is usually staffed with someone that has higher degree than mine, but i’m doing just as good a job as they wood. It’s about applying yourself, and making something out of yourself. But if you’d rather spend time staring at TV for half a day, and don’t have any education, and you were born here, which means you had more opportunity than me, the immigrant, then it’s YOUR FAULT for not being able to provide for yourself.
Ed
October 27th, 2011
10:21 am
Ramzad, get a life. Stop sitting in the NAACP ofice cranking out nonsense.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:22 am
ASB:
I get your point. The only worst enemy to black people than racism is other black people. Black people are not all blameless in this, we are the ones killing people for a stupid car. Frankly, I have no interest in working for a black boss, and I am half breed.
However, it is my point that whites needs to be more sensitive to the black experience in America and help take the stigma off being black in America. We need all hands on deck.
nonsense
October 27th, 2011
10:24 am
Ramzad, stop making excuses for black people. That is why so many people have been brainwashed into thinking they are poor because of the evil white man. Being a minority has nothing to do with it – just look at the chinese, koreans, and indians that are eating our lunch.
ASB
October 27th, 2011
10:24 am
RAMZAD,
A “brother” did me in at work because I wouldn’t cooperate with his “agenda”.
Reminds me of this story…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-schriock/anita-hill_b_1005689.html
So spout that crap if you want to…
Most of my career connections in the past have been through non-minority networking contacts and friends.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:25 am
Ed ofice is really office or you may mean orifice, No NAACP here. You should see my letters to Chairman Jealous. You should see my comments to the CrossRoadsNews about trifling black people.
WoodstockAndy
October 27th, 2011
10:26 am
If you have 2″ holes in your years, half your body (or more) covered in tattoos, body piercings in places that were never designed for that, pants hanging down around your ankles, etc. don’t be crying that there are no jobs for you. Nobody cares about your personal expression, and nobody wants to employ people that look like freaks.
You people make me laugh
October 27th, 2011
10:26 am
RAMZAD
“My point is that if you are white in America- no matter how you look you are trusted. Your are given a break. ”
This is not true. I have seen plenty of white people put down by other white people, and not “given a break”.
Everybody talks about getting along and working together, but this cannot happen when everyone (black, white, etc) has such deep rooted issues with the other race. This goes for both sides.
nonsense
October 27th, 2011
10:28 am
In countries like China, Korea, and India, people with no education are looked down upon. In the U.S., successful people with an education are looked down upon as greedy and evil. Can you see why we’re being passed on the intellectual highway?
You people make me laugh
October 27th, 2011
10:30 am
And we will continue to be passed on the intellectual highway, cause we are too busy fighting the same fight with each other over and over again.
ASB
October 27th, 2011
10:33 am
RAMZAD,
You are correct. In a lot of cases, blacks undermine other blacks. I apologize for the angry tone. However, you can well understand my disgust.
Often, Black women (I prefer woman of color or nothing at all since I am just me) have been expected to choose being black over being a woman. We are expected to be silent when a black man is harassing us. We know there is a lot of division in our community due to skin color, hair texture, income, wealth, family background and education to name a few.
(ir)Rational
October 27th, 2011
10:36 am
nonsense – That is an interesting observation. And perhaps the only one on the list so far that actually makes sense. If I were to believe everything I’ve read here so far, I would be led to believe that I only got to where I am today (which isn’t very far YET, with the keyword being yet) because I’m white and everything, including my degree from Georgia Tech were handed to me simply because I’m white. That because I’m white, my family obviously benefited from slavery and got all of our money (what money? but all white people have money right?) off the backs of others, which is interesting because most of my family came to America during the War Between the States, got off a boat in New York and were given a gun and a uniform and told to go fight for their country. Oh, and the newest one is that I should go climb to the top floor of the tallest building I can find and jump out. Not sure why, but I’m guessing that will help “Do us all a favor part 2″ find a better job? Maybe? No? But seriously, the level of ignorance displayed on these pages leaves no doubt in my mind why there is such a disparity between the incomes of the richest and the poorest in the City of Atlanta. But I guess I’m just viewing the world through my privileged white eyes and don’t see how it “really is.”
itamazesme
October 27th, 2011
10:41 am
ASB – have you thought about going to the EEOC. Your situation definitely seems to warrant their involvement.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:43 am
Nonsense:
Quit your revisionist nonsense and come out honestly!
Indians, Koreans, and Chinese has no legacy of Bull Conner. No legacy of Separate bur Equal. No legacy of Klan Lynching. No legacy of Jim Crow. No legacy of Brown v Board of Education. No legacy of Voting Rights Act. No legacy of Buffalo Soldiers. No legacy of Tuskegee Experiments. No Legacy of Tuskegee Airmen. No legacy of Atlanta Race Race Riots.
They came when all the work was done.
Woody
October 27th, 2011
10:44 am
Wow. A lot of you guys really HATE the poor. And a bunch of you really HATE the rich. Makes me glad I’m in the middle! This ‘divide’ has more to do with our lack of meaningful contact with one another, than with income.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:45 am
Nonsense:
The “evil white man” needs to put some clothes on and come out to join us in building America one citizen at a time.
M'Karyl
October 27th, 2011
10:48 am
Well, one thing is for sure…the poor have always been amongst us and always will be…we are not going anywhere…lol…poverty is not about ppl who are too lazy to work…it is also about not being able to earn enough income withing 30 days to meet expenses and remaining in financial deficit with all available resources options have been exhausted to make ends meet…yep, that be poverty too…and the exponentially increasing rate of consumer costs only continually add to that dilemma…between the continual increase in prices at the grocery store since July and the most recent increase in MARTA weekly and monthly passes…my monthly living expenses have increased $50-$100 per month…without any change of income…without any change of activities…and so, even with a degree, experience, and a good work ethic a person can struggle to move beyond these limits…ppl living income levels beneath the poverty level drop the fastest and the hardest when cost of living increases beyond reasonable measures to control outgo over income…and that number of ppl in this country is increasing every single day…and the demographic of that face is slowly changing…yep it is…
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:48 am
Rational:
You are white. You are not trying to understand. Your mind is made up. You are hopeless. Georgia Tech an all….
nonsense
October 27th, 2011
10:48 am
Ramzad, I seem to remember seeing pictures of Chinese people building railroads out west back in the day. You also need to get your head out of your rear end and stop living in the past. So are you telling me that the reason black man X can’t find a $100,000/year job is because his great, great grandfather was a slave who was forced to eat rotten apples everyday?
Again, that is why so many people are stuck in this “i’m a victim” rut. Stop making excuses and use all that energy to better yourself.
Do us all a favor part 2
October 27th, 2011
10:52 am
Again, if you are not that person then my comment does not apply to you. It applies to the group of people that can identify with my description of some white people in Atlanta and are the ones looking down on those that are not fortunate to be where they are. I know that every white person is not wealthy….hence white people are the majority on goverment assitance. My “irrational” comment was directed soley to the people that feel that blacks that are not as fortunate as they are chose to be that way AND do not want a better life because they are lazy! that to me is irrational! Getting a better job will not solve my financial struggles. (well it may help) I make a decent salary but the COST OF LIVING is placing a strain on my income. Who controls the cost to live??? Mainly big corporations! I CHOSE to get a part-time job. So I work two jobs just to live comfortably and do not complain about it. I understand the definition of hard work and sacrifice. But I also know that my chances of living like a millionaire without a lucky draw of the lottery is unlikely BUT there is my faith so who knows!
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:53 am
Nonsense:
You want to forget. But you will not allow black people to forget. Slavery could be a distant memory
if more whites would stop believing that the only place black people are worth anything is on the plantation.
ASB
October 27th, 2011
10:53 am
itamazesme, I trusted the process the company had in place much to my chagrin. i contacted EEOC but the deadline to file had passed.
(ir)Rational
October 27th, 2011
10:54 am
RAMZAD – You should have paid better attention in English class. Then maybe, just maybe, you could form coherent sentences that made sense, and use something approaching proper grammar and spelling. Also, I’m laughing quietly to myself at the ignorance you’ve displayed in your “knowledge” of the troubles and hardships Asians have had to deal with to get to where they are today. Just because they weren’t here going through the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s means they obviously didn’t have any problems right? Like in India where you can be super smart, but from the wrong group/family, so you’ll never be given the opportunity to go to school because you’re “untouchable?” But then again, I’m sure that I’m just making stuff up, and you have it harder. My bad for trying to think.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:55 am
Fool:
Chinese building railroads was yesterday. Everybody know that picture. Bull Conner was yesterday too.
RAMZAD
October 27th, 2011
10:57 am
Rational:
I see you are reading my sentences and commenting on the sense they make. It seems that you also learned magic at Georgia Tech.