The memo that’s about to shake the Atlanta mayor’s race
A memo arguing that African-Americans should unite behind a single black candidate in the race for mayor of Atlanta is about to become a prime topic of debate.
The material, which we include below, is said to be distributed by Aaron Turpeau, a long-time City Hall figure, on behalf of something called the Black Leadership Forum.
Turpeau argues that Council President Lisa Borders is the only candidate who can prevent the election of Councilwoman Mary Norwood as the first white mayor since Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell.
Both Borders and state Sen. Kasim Reed, also an African-American, have scheduled pressers this afternoon. AJC colleagues Eric Stirgus and Ernie Suggs will be there. We anticipate that Reed will demand that Borders renounce the memo.
Here’s the statement Reed’s campaign has put out in the last few minutes:
“Not only do I find these comments racially charged and vitriolic, I completely repudiate them because they are fundamentally wrong and do not belong in today’s society. I call on Ms. Borders to do the right thing and denounce such divisive, racist language immediately.
“These tactics divide the very community that has made Atlanta emerge as a leading city in the South and dishonors the legacies of Mayors Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young, Ivan Allen, Sam Massell, and William Hartsfield. This campaign should be waged on the merits of each candidate, not the color of their skin.”
One more point: There is an assertion below that both Norwood and another candidate, Atlanta attorney Jesse Spikes, are Republican. The councilwoman maintains she is neither Democrat nor Republican. Spikes’ communication director says that Spikes is a Democrat, and his voting record reflects that.
Here’s the document at issue:
Introduction
The debate over the best strategic option for black leadership and the African American community as we approach the Mayoral election in Atlanta has become critical based on the fact that for the last 25 years Atlanta has represented the breakthrough for black political empowerment in the South.
It is debatable to what extent the objective socio-economic and political position of the African American community has improved. At the same time, most would agree that the Jackson breakthrough represented an unprecedented opportunity for black political representation nationwide.
A passionate argument has been made for us to develop a unity of purpose and position, and for that to be defined immediately, given the short amount of time remaining between now and November 2009 election day (two and ½ months from now).
There are unstated assumptions that need to be examined. Perhaps the most critical factor is the lack of an agenda against which to evaluate candidates. An agenda, beyond just electing a Black Mayor, would allow us to move from the margins of the debate to controlling the expectations associated with gaining our support.
Three basic assertions have been made. They are as follows:1. There is a chance for the first time in 25 years that African Americans could lose the Mayoral seat in Atlanta, Georgia, especially if there is a run-off;
2. Time is of the essence because in order to defeat a Norwood (white) mayoral candidacy we have to get out now and work in a manner to defeat her without a runoff, and the key is a significant Black turnout in the general election;
3. The reasons support should be given to Lisa Borders is: 1) she is the best black candidate in the race who has a chance to win the election because she can attract downtown white support; and 2) based on polling data drawn from a host of sources between May 2009 and July 2009, the numbers suggest Borders is growing stronger as we move closer to the election, while the most recent polling data suggests that the other black candidates are falling further behind over the same period.
There are also at least three unstated assumptions that should be further explored:
Unstated Assumption
1. With the “Black Mayor first” approach there is an unstated assumption that having a black mayor in Atlanta is equal to having a black social, economic and political agenda or at least someone in office who would be sensitive to that agenda if not a full promoter of that agenda;
2. By coming out for Borders now would eliminate Reed, Spikes and Thomas as viable candidates. Some would argue that if the polling data is correct then those candidates who are only polling at 8%, 2% and 1% respectfully, are already effectively out of the race; and
3. It is unlikely that there will be a unified preference among existing black leadership and in the African American community for one candidate prior to the general election.
The Missing Factors in the Current Approach
There are at least seven real world common knowledge factors that must be taken into consideration as we debate how best to manifest our support in the run-up to the November elections. They are as follows:
1. The impact of current alienation among Black Atlantans from the political establishment;
2. The imperiled state of the Jackson Machine, (in part because of the displacement of close to 100,000 black residents over the past few years) and the effect operation of the NPU system by whites;
3. Shirley Franklin’s perceived poor performance;
4. The changing demographics in the city, the potential role of new city voters and the diminished role of religious and labor leaders in mobilizing the black vote;
5. The importance of the City Council races (which to date seems to have been ignored);
6. The persistent poverty in the city, the educational crisis in the schools; the human security/public safety concerns; the type of economic development policies being pursued; and the city’s awful financial management issues;
7. A Black Agenda that any candidate should be evaluated against.
What’s At Stake?
Determining what’s at stake depends on perspective:
1. The view that the times are too serious to stand on the sidelines is absolutely correct from the perspective of a black mayor at all cost. In fact, if a white candidate were to win the 2009 mayoral race, it would be just as significant in political terms as Maynard Jackson’s victory in 1973.
2. Therefore, the question becomes, if that were the case, how would African American interests be addressed; thus, the need for a comprehensive agenda. At the same time, just having a black mayor doesn’t guarantee that African American issues and concerns would be effectively addressed either (as the current administration’s relationship to the African American community clearly demonstrates). In other words, are we simply providing votes without any expectations of the candidate that would enjoy our support?;
3. While some may think that Franklin represents the last link to the Jackson Machine, it is not widely known that both Borders and Reed are directly connected to Franklin; or that Spikes and Thomas are Republicans, as is Norwood. Additionally, it should not be overlooked that whoever is Mayor of Atlanta will be in position to play an important role in the upcoming 2010 Georgia Governor’s race;
4. The changing demographics which show a more rapid growth in the city’s white population (faster and a higher percentage than anywhere else in the country) requires that we critically evaluate all candidates;
5. To ignore the alienation that exists among black voters towards the Franklin Administration’s performance is naive at best and dishonest at worse; and finally,
6. We need an overall governance strategy and a definition of who really governs in Atlanta. In other words, in 2009 we have arrived at a place in time where we can no longer afford to just look at race in the Mayor’s race or individual council races.
At the end of the day, “when the morning comes,” a black agenda would better enable us to have our interests respected by and our influence realized in any administration.
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430 comments Add your comment
Black Politico: We Must Keep Atlanta Mayorship Out of White Hands! : The American Pundit
August 27th, 2009
5:23 pm
[...] Stephan Tawney Apparently this is all part of the new era of post-racism brought about by the election of Barack [...]
JB
August 27th, 2009
5:26 pm
I’m glad to read that there are young black Americans who realize that these older black leaders are holding back the black community because they can not let go of the past. Just do not let them make you feel guilty because you see that holding on to the past has done nothing to move the black community forward. We are all equal and can acheive the same things no matter what color we are.
Jesus
August 27th, 2009
5:27 pm
Marion Barry, David Dinkins, Maxine Waters, Andrew Young, Bill Campbell,Cynthia McKinney, Alcee Hastings, William Jefferson, Kwame Kilpatrick… yep real winners with that crew. THEY LINED THEIR POCKETS TO THE HILT and the people of color were taken to the cleaners!
VOTE THE BLACK SLATE. I saw that sign for years in Southwest ATL!
What a bunch of “baffoons.”
O.J.
August 27th, 2009
5:31 pm
When I gets out of the big house… I’m moving to the ATL. Black leadership and white women! I can get away with murder there!
WHAT?
August 27th, 2009
5:34 pm
LOL! You have got to be kidding me! LOL! Ignorance runs rampant!
Hamad Meander
August 27th, 2009
5:34 pm
Clark Howard – write-in candidate for Mayor of Atlanta. Just think, having someone that money conscious in a position of power. Someone who doesn’t think a million here or a million here is spare change. Someone who understands that every dollar the government spends come out of the pockets of its citizens (legal ones, of course). Someone who sees the airport as a revenue generator for all citizens and not a poltical playground and power source for his ‘friends’. Someone who would pritivatize the airport so that our property taxes would be cut IN HALF! Someone who would appoint a police chief that would be more interested in stopping crime than being creative about how crimes are reported. Someone who would encourage businesses to be downtown vs. running for the suburbs.
Can’t we find someone like that to be OUR mayor? (Yes, I live in the city limits).
I am white btw
August 27th, 2009
5:35 pm
To Bull Connor
“I am white btw, no, the reason most blacks don’t like the GOP is the GOP won’t give them welfare and hand outs.”
1/3 of African American households make more than 50,000 per year with 1/8 making over 80,000. Those voters aren’t eligible for most welfare, but they vote Democratic at a 90%+ clip.
The price Republicans pay for appealing to white people in trailers across the south is they offend middle class and wealthy minorities.
The rhetoric on this board is the reason Republicans are such bad shape across the country. Very few people on this board have actually defended this disgusting memo, or advocated a black mayor at all costs.
This blog, however, gave all of you white trash morons a forum to show your true colors.
The memo about to shake the Atlanta mayor’s race « Mcnorman’s Weblog
August 27th, 2009
5:41 pm
[...] The memo about to shake the Atlanta mayor’s race | Political Insider. [...]
Ghost of Teddy K
August 27th, 2009
5:43 pm
I am white btw, is not white but just a plain racist. This black racism in Atlanta must end!
Rebecca
August 27th, 2009
5:45 pm
By the way, if I lived in Atlanta, I’d right in Clark Howard’s name, too!!!
Bull Conor was a democrat
August 27th, 2009
5:47 pm
I am white btw, yeah, and 98% of blacks in America voted for Obama because….because….because he is black. They don’t vote for the GOP because they have this problem in their mind brought on by the Jesses and Als of the country that the GOP is racist.
Guess what troglodyte, the current Democrat party has a member of the KKK IN IT RIGHT NOW!
THAT’S RIGHT!!!!!!!! ROBERT BYRD!!!!!!!!!!
Go sell stupid somewhere else.
Bull Conor was a democrat
August 27th, 2009
5:49 pm
I am white btw, you’re writing off the GOP? Uh, I would look at the polls buddy. The democrat party is in for a beat down next November. Obamas poll numbers are BAD! The democrats numbers are bad and every incumbent democrat across the country is in for a beating.
Bull Conor was a democrat
August 27th, 2009
5:51 pm
I am white btw, by the way oh wise one. I have never lived in a trailer and I have a nice degree from Emory. So before you label us “white trash”, maybe you should get your facts straight.
The memo that
August 27th, 2009
6:40 pm
[...] about to shake the Atlanta mayor
The memo that
August 27th, 2009
9:29 pm
[...] [...]
Perpetual Denial | Blackinformant.com - African-American culture, news commentary, politics
August 28th, 2009
9:03 am
[...] Part of a memo from the Black Leadership Forum in Atlanta. 1. There is a chance for the first time in 25 years that African Americans could lose the Mayoral seat in Atlanta, Georgia, especially if there is a run-off; [...]
TPM
August 28th, 2009
10:07 am
Keep up the small mind race agenda and we’ll all keep heading to the suburbs
Lillian
August 28th, 2009
10:08 am
Turpeau’s analysis is not worth the paper on which it is written!
Black Voter
August 28th, 2009
10:14 am
As a person of color I am deeply offended by the fact that some people believe “we”, as a culture, are so ignorant that will vote for a candiate just beacause they are also black. Pick a black, any black dpes not agree with my intelligence.
Steven
August 28th, 2009
10:16 am
Stunningly short-sighted of the authors of this racist “agenda” to think that this wouldn’t get out. And it warms my heart to see some comments from black citizens rejecting this nonsense. I hope the most prepared, most capable candidate wins.
kevin mckillop
August 28th, 2009
10:16 am
What he said was RACISM and he should be dealt with just like the whites are.Whats up out there just because you wanted a black president and got a muslim don,t blame us.
luckydog
August 28th, 2009
10:18 am
I am voting “the Black Slate” as usual.
MaryA
August 28th, 2009
10:24 am
Publishing the memo certainly helps the newspaper business
Jim
August 28th, 2009
10:25 am
Like the negative of a KKK rally picture.
Mr. ATL
August 28th, 2009
10:29 am
I am black and I support Mary Norwood. I’m tired of these incompetent director, middle level managers, and commissioners who only react to situations. Why don’t they train their staff on how to deliver quaility service?
I call a police because of a voilent situation that was about to occur and 30 minute later a lazy ass cop shows up. It is sad how their operation is broken and they don’t know it.
In order words, many of us agree to pay high taxes because we want great and responsive service. Mary can’t do it alone but I think she can put people in place that will learn to work together interdepartmentally to deliver quality service that has been missing in Atlanta for years.
Mr. ATL Native
Decatur Bubba
August 28th, 2009
10:30 am
This is absolutely disgusting.
Black, white, Latino came together in November ‘08 to elect Obama, but right in our backyard, racism rages within the black so-called “leadership” community as evidenced by this junk from one of that group’s think-tank “whizzes.”
Turpeau and that bunch need to shut up and start evaluating individuals as individuals, instead of based on race — which is what that bunch preached for years, and which everyone else now believes in. Although that bunch can sure make it hard to do so……
md noitall
August 28th, 2009
10:32 am
Hum, now lets take a quick at all the cities with BLACK political powers–Atlanta, Detroit, LA, Cleveland, Washington,—need I go on !!!! Come to your own conclusion, these cities are such pillars of our society.Has anyone ever put 2 and 3 together and came up 4 instead of 3 ???? Wake up AMERICA.
No Peace, No Justice
August 28th, 2009
10:35 am
To BEGIN to rectify this deplorable situation, we must do the following:
1. Have an apology from the President of the United States, the Black Caucus in Congress, and the NAACP. Oh, the letter writer should apologize too and the President should have a cappuccino summit at the White House.
2. Implement a system of set-asides, job preferences, and quotas with the goal of increasing Euro-Americans’ participation in the work force and in government.
3. Require that all African-Americans participate in racial sensitivity classes to raise their awareness of the issues that are harmful to Euro-Americans.
4. Outlaw the use of the expression “White Americans”, for that is the new N-word. We wish to be referred to as Euro-Americans, though we intend on changing that about every 5 years in order to keep the grievance thing going.
5. We expect reparations. A letter such as this has caused harm that will last at least 10 generations. Financial reparations will only BEGIN to soothe the harm that has been caused.
6. Rest assured, we will not rest. We’ll be back for more.
Ed
August 28th, 2009
10:37 am
Shirley Franklin should resign if she has any sense of decency left. I do not live in the city of Atlanta, i dont have any interest of doing so. I would like to say it is complete wrong and it is racist to suggest to vote for someone just because he or she is black. I do agree with alot of the earlier postings, if a white person made similar comments, black leaders would be outrage and demand the person be fired.The way things are going in the city, once Atlanta is labeled an unsafe place to live, to do busniess and visit, it will be doomed. I think it is time its resident take their mayoral candidates seriously and not vote for someone base on race. I truly believe this city cannot afford another incompetent, corrupt mayor like the previous two.
Mr. ATL
August 28th, 2009
10:38 am
For everyone voting and still undecided, please give Mary Norwood a chance.
At this point, I don’t believe it can’t get any worst to try something different.
Mr. ATL
Mr. ATL
August 28th, 2009
10:39 am
For everyone voting and still undecided, please give Mary Norwood a chance.
At this point, I don’t believe it can get any worst to try something different.
Mr. ATL
UglyPuppy
August 28th, 2009
10:39 am
Will someone let me know when it’s time for us crackers (European Americans) to go downtown and riot and do some looting in response to this? I need to restock my bar and possibly get some new furniture…
Karen Callaghan
August 28th, 2009
10:40 am
Whites have to take Atlanta back. Only we can save this city.
Viewer_1
August 28th, 2009
10:41 am
Racism at it finest.
Vernell
August 28th, 2009
10:43 am
Atlanta needs an African-American mayor, not some rich white woman who doesn’t understand the needs of all the African-Americans in the city. Atlanta has more African-Americans than white people and so the mayor should also be black.
BuckheadBetty
August 28th, 2009
10:44 am
Mr. ATL
Crimes aren’t being reported properly. It is the Pennington numbers game. The guy was a failure in New Orleans and has brought his sham with him. Shortly after he left New Orleans discovered a few problems….
As reported by the New Orleans Times Picayune on Oct. 24, 2003, “a review of more than 700 reports written in the 1st District from January 2002 to June 2003 found 42 percent of crimes were incorrectly classified and another 17 percent were ‘questionable.’ More than 200 of the downgraded incidents found in the sample studied were serious crimes that included violence or threats…”
Get rid of this low-life! Support Buckhead secession from the city of Atlanta!
Gale
August 28th, 2009
10:45 am
The suggestion that a white mayor would ignore the needs of black residents is just plain insulting. It is divisive and we have moved beyond that. Atlanta is better than that. We are a very diversely populated city. We are many colors, many religions and many ethnic backgrounds, and it makes for a lovely mix.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
August 28th, 2009
10:46 am
The question posed by CNN and the liberal left was: Is America ready to elect a black president? The question now should be by CNN but is not being posed because they support the left; Is Atlanta willing to elect a non-black mayor? Will Atlanta look beyond color and elect the BEST available person for mayor regardless of race? I say the answer is NO. I hope I am wrong.
proud white male
August 28th, 2009
10:50 am
All blacks are racist and much more than any whites i know. So no matter what is said or done it is always gonna be about race when a person of color is involved period. You all can deny it all you want but when you wake up and really look at it with an honest view, you will see it is as plain as day. Now i will admit i am a racist but only because i am forced into it because of all the negativity towards white males these days. I for one am very proud to be white and you can call me whatever you like but you have to admit if i were black and said i was proud to be black that would be ok, which in my opinion it is and so it is ok for me to be proud. Now as far the letter in question, it is totally a racist letter and any candidate that does not denounce it and the people and groups that wrote it should be disqualified and labeled a racist and not be able to hold any position or office in this or any city. I for one am so over the black people and there racism that some how is ok for them to be and get away with. I also cant understand why they still have the naacp, you have a black president now so you won your argument now get over it and disband this racist group.
d fowler
August 28th, 2009
10:51 am
this would be considered racist and all over the news if any other race had done this. it does stink and norwood will win!
Fed up
August 28th, 2009
10:52 am
I really can’t imagine that many would be truly surprised by this. It’s funny how so many minorities would accuse whites of been racists, but the truth of the matter is I personally know many more minorities who are the proverbial racists. We wonder why the Republicans worry over judges like Sotomayor. Some folks are color-blind no matter what color their own skin happens to be. You don’t have to be white to be a racist!
Mark
August 28th, 2009
10:54 am
Fire all blacks and replace them with the superior white race. Blacks can’t run anything but their racist mouths.
Miran D Belyue Sr.
August 28th, 2009
10:58 am
As i Believe it to be wrong to vote for any candidate based on the color of their skin. I do however believe a person should take into account how a candidate presents themselves to their community. If your particular community has never seen any involvement by these candidates in the problems that their communities faced in the past, if their elected, Why would you think you would become a priority then? The Right choice is the candidate that already has a track record in the community. They already have knowledge of the problems and concerns of the citizens from the least to the greatest of these. Certainly that would be the best candidate
Chuck U. Farlie
August 28th, 2009
11:04 am
Ashley you are totally right!!! Sharpton, Jesse, where are ya fellers? Time to step in and straighten things out, ohh yeah, forgot, you only show up if it is to better black people only, what a bunch of chumps! THis whole memo thing is nothin but a bunch of racist garbage! I think its time for white people being in minority in Atlanta to start getting special treatment, ex: WET white entertaiment channel, historically white colleges, NAAWP, hey its only fair, equal rights!
dale in newnan
August 28th, 2009
11:06 am
Jen, I Love you. Are you single. ATL< Clayton< Dekalb govts have single- handedly rendered the term black power into an oxymoron. Whats wrong with the cattle who keep electing these self- serving wanna be potential hustlers?
Fed up
August 28th, 2009
11:06 am
Vernell, you, my friend, also remind me of a racist. “Some rich white woman who doesn’t understand the needs of African-
Americans.” This statement might be a little more understandable if Shirley Franklin, Bill Campbell, Andrew Young or Maynard Jackson did something so profound to help lift Blacks out of the funk, but they didn’t. I, for one, am ready for the (ready for this?)…CHANGE!!! By the way, you probably didn’t have much of a problem voting for, supporting and the election of Barack Obama; although, he didn’t run on race…remember? So, I find it ironic that you sir would bring up that Atlanta needs to be governed by a black mayor, because Atlanta is primarily made up of blacks. If that’s your rationale, why support Barack Obama? Isn’t America made up primarily of the white race? I don’t support either argument! Care to respond racist…I mean, Vernell?
Make'n A Live'n
August 28th, 2009
11:08 am
Everything you wanted to know about Atlanta’s 25 NPU’s:
Neighborhood Planning Units
http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning/npu_system.aspx
http://www.atlantaga.gov/government/planning/neighborhoods_by_npu.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_planning_unit
FrankThaTank
August 28th, 2009
11:13 am
Vote Mary Norwood!!! The “change” we need!!!
Deborah
August 28th, 2009
11:15 am
What the memo fails to delineate is an agenda of any kind. For that reason, it seems obvious that the memo is manufactured for political intrigue rather than advancing a true dialogue or agenda.
Time
August 28th, 2009
11:18 am
Hmmm…what a blog of BS. Reading the BS here (on the blog, more than the memo) confirms that this nation is in deep kimshi. I would rather vote for whomever wrote the memo as they show more character and understanding than most people on this blog.
Is ‘New World Order’ a myth or reality…keep track of your politics.