Franklin: ‘Black mayor first’ memo is ‘bigoted’
Shirley Franklin called Friday afternoon with a stark description of the memo you’ve heard about — the one that frets over the possibility that Atlanta might choose a white mayor to succeed her in November.
“I think it was bigoted,” Franklin said. It was not a slip of the tongue. The mayor used multiple variations of the word.
But what seemed to offend Franklin just as much was what she called the “lopsided history of Atlanta and Atlanta politics” contained in the document.
The mayor said more, but we need to back up a bit.
The lengthy analysis that careened through e-mail accounts last week was distributed by Aaron Turpeau, a long-time City Hall veteran whose political career was capped by service as chief of staff to Maynard Jackson.
In an interview, Turpeau said the analysis was written by two academics associated with Clark Atlanta University on behalf of an “ad hoc” group called the Black Leadership Forum.
The memo was an attempt to form an agenda for Atlanta’s black community, Turpeau said. “Everybody has an agenda,” he said. “The developers have an agenda, downtown business has an agenda, the gays have an agenda, the Hispanics have an agenda.”
What would be the substance of a black agenda? Economic equality, access to City Hall, and respect for those displaced by development, Turpeau said.
If the analysis had actually said those things and stopped, much underwear in Atlanta would have remained untwisted. But the memo used the phrase “black mayor at all cost” and spoke of a “black mayor first” approach.
According to the BLF memo, the election of tiny Mary Norwood, the white councilwoman, “would be just as significant in political terms as Maynard Jackson’s victory in 1973.”
The political aims of the analysis are none too subtle. The memo assumes that black voters won’t turn out in any runoff, and so — in order to knock out Norwood in the Nov. 3 general election — suggests an effort to rally African-Americans behind City Council President Lisa Borders.
Borders quickly disassociated herself from the memo and its strategy.
According to the get-behind-Borders approach, other black mayoral candidates, including state Sen. Kasim Reed, would simply be out of luck. The memo pointed to a recent InsiderAdvantage poll that showed Reed lagging well behind both Norwood and Borders.
That logic prompted the Reed campaign, over the weekend, to release fresh internal polling that concedes the top spot to Norwood, at 33 percent. (The Brilliant Corners Research poll surveyed 580 voters; margin of error was put at 4 percentage points.)
Norwood aside, Reed says his survey puts him in a statistical tie with Borders, 19 to 16 percent, and shows the two African-American candidates with near-equal shares of the black vote.
But there is more to this “black mayor first” memo than nervousness over a few polls, or worry over Atlanta’s shifting demographics.
Reed, the candidate placed most in peril by the memo, twice acted as campaign manager for Franklin. The two are close, but the current mayor has made no formal endorsement. Even so, the authors of the memo go out of their way to cast doubt on Franklin’s ability to put her imprint on the race.
“To ignore the alienation that exists among black voters towards the Franklin administration’s performance is naive at best and dishonest at worse,” the analysis says.
This brings us back to that Friday phone call from the mayor. Franklin wouldn’t talk about an endorsement in the ‘09 race. Nor would she discuss the portions of the memo directed at her.
What Franklin wanted to talk about was the effort by a group of African-Americans — size and membership remains ill-defined — to define Atlanta’s first black mayor, who has been dead these six years.
“The memo clearly characterizes the historic election of Maynard Jackson as if it was an election of blacks over whites,” Franklin said. Yes, the mayor said, Jackson understood the importance of his achievement.
But to treat him as a “black Messiah,” Franklin emphasized, is to ignore Jackson’s belief “that every segment of this community ought to participate in the development of public policy.” Jackson was about inclusion, not exclusion, she said.
“To reduce Maynard’s legacy to a political machine is to not know Maynard Jackson. That’s trite,” she said. And “crazy, bigoted literature” that rises up from such a flawed assumption will be flawed throughout, the mayor noted.
As for the Black Leadership Forum’s concern over the outcome of a runoff for mayor of Atlanta, and the fear of multiple African-American candidates in this year’s mayoral race: Runoffs have been more the rule than the exception in Atlanta politics, Franklin said.
That’s the path that Jackson and Andrew Young followed to City Hall. Bill Campbell, too, was forced into a runoff to secure a second term, by Council President Marvin Arrington, an African-American.
History is one of the world’s most powerful forces. And at the very bottom of so many political contests is the matter of who will control the biographies of those who have gone before us.
It has come to that in the Atlanta mayoral race: What Would Maynard Do?
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
435 comments Add your comment
ntuj
August 31st, 2009
10:14 am
Look at the way blacks run the rest of the world. Look at the continent of Africa-their ancestorial home. Look at the city of Lithonia, Clayton schools, etc.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
August 31st, 2009
10:17 am
A white will be elected as mayor when the black folks leave Atlanta – never!
Roekest
August 31st, 2009
10:19 am
Atlanta – The City Too Busy To Hate……..wouldn’t know it by reading the comments on the AJC…..
You people are the reason I live FAR away from the city.
Sheree
August 31st, 2009
10:23 am
Obama won the election because the majority (this includes blacks and whites) agreed he was more qualified than McClain.
If Clark Howard ran for Mayor of Atlanta.., hands down he’d win. Why because he’s probaly more qualified than the others and could bring fresh new ideas to the table.
Let’s forget color and vote on the best qualified. I personally believe the last few months of this race will show Norwood and Reed leading.
This accidental and igniting memo taught us Borders would be the puppet of certain elitess groups.
WH
August 31st, 2009
10:26 am
Jim:
Why dont you do your job as the so called Political Insider and identify the mebers of the Black Leadership Forum, or is that too “Political”?
Stu Dio
August 31st, 2009
10:28 am
Be honest and admit it, black community. You did the same thing to Sydney Marcus when he ran against Andrew Young, and your hounding charges of “racist, racist” killed him. My mother said at the time Young was elected, “There will never be another white mayor of Atlanta.” And now after 35 years, the city’s “corporate culture” is such that no Caucasian will ever be able to rise to the top again. And as long as the Northside is held hostage by the Southside, there will be turmoil and discontent within the Gateway City of the South. Bill Hartsfield must be cringing in shame.
Hef
August 31st, 2009
10:28 am
NTuj & Flo-Ri-Duh’s previous post’s show’s why race relations are where they are.
RPW
August 31st, 2009
10:29 am
Back in the early ’80s, Maynard Jackson supported Andrew Young in the runoff against Sidney Marcus. Jackson made a very similar claim then that blacks should support the black candidate (Young) and not the white candidate (Marcus). So, if this memo came from former Jackson staffers, it should come as no surprise.
Jim, can you come up with more information on what I’m talking about?
Stu Dio
August 31st, 2009
10:32 am
ntuj’s comments are not racist; they are a simple statement of fact. Can any of those communities be held up as examples of responsible, effective government, serving the needs of ALL the citizens?
Bob
August 31st, 2009
10:35 am
Why does it matter what race someone is? Shouldn’t we vote as if we were colorblind? I’m voting for the best candidate with the least ‘agenda’, not for someone who looks like me.
Atl Resident
August 31st, 2009
10:35 am
Jeny
August 30th, 2009
6:05 pm
I have lived in Atlanta since 1968. This used to be a truly *great* city to live in and I was proud to call myself an Atlantan. However, over the years, it has gone to hell in an handbasket. Black “leadership” is at fault for the destruction of this once great city. That blacks continue to wring their hands, gnash their teeth and complain about lack of access to city leadership has NOTHING to do with the white folks. Whites haven’t had control of the city since 1973. I remember….I was here the day Maynard took over the city. If blacks don’t have access after 36 years of control of this city, they never will (yes THIRTY SIX YEARS since Maynard was elected).
This is the ignorance and naive that I’m talking about. People saying stupid racial comments and need to keep quiet. To whomever this is, don’t say this ignorant comment about black leadership when we still have had white governors (especially Purdue one who never should have been elected) for years running this city and state. And talk about poor leadership among blacks, Purdue didn’t even want to try to help Marta’s crisis among other issues that’s been going on. So don’t say this B.S. and for now on keep it your dumbfounded self.
A nice neutral color
August 31st, 2009
10:36 am
What would be the current state of the Black race as a whole if they had not been forced to come here? Yes it was bad. Yes it was wrong. However does not anyone think things are much better here than back in Africa? Your ancestors worked had and paid a price and as a result you have a chance of being part of something better. Stop wasting it.
TRUTH
August 31st, 2009
10:37 am
This is why our electorate is so fractured. When we try and use “race” as a tool to determine what is best for our city. There are sincere people of both races who truly want to see this city move forward. We can no longer rely on the “residuals” of a previously successful administration. If the reference was to Maynard Jackson was the standard, then our leaders, post Jackson, have been abysmal. I arrived in Atlanta during Mayor Campbell. I was duped into believing that Atlanta was a rising and thriving mecca for people of color. Atlanta is truly a city without an identity. It is non-progressive and has a strong undercurrent of racial inequality. All things that could have been addressed by ALL of these administrations, were not and the mess continues. I say bring on the best candidate, if its Ms. Norwood, then so be it. But this kind of “MOB” politics have no place anywhere. If it were a memo directe at whites against the sole black candidate, we would expect the same.
campaign watcher
August 31st, 2009
10:37 am
Gawd help us all (black, white and all colors in between) if Norwood wins. She is crazy like a fox.
Hef
August 31st, 2009
10:49 am
could you imagine the uproar if one word in that memo was changed? White instead of Black (elect Black at all Cost’s)-the mass media would have a field day,and someone’s political career would have ended.
woodie
August 31st, 2009
10:53 am
It’s pretty obvious to me the race issue is inflamed mostly by the black race. The hippocracy they demostrate does nothing but inflame more racism. MLK never took this approach to civil rights. He stands alone in history as the only serious civil rights leader. The rest of the civil rights leaders pander to the black constituents. The fact that so many black people were encouraged to vote for the black candidate is a glaring case of rampant racism and bigotry. You can’t have it both ways. MLK knew this. You start with the man in the mirror.
URKiddinMee
August 31st, 2009
10:57 am
To “Vernon Jones” – Excuse me? “YOUR turn to oppress the white man?” The “White Man” has been oppressed via “Affirmative Action,” Taxes for entitlement programs, paying for “Welfare Brood Moms” and every other kind of reverse racism since LBJ! What the heck are you TALKING about, you moron?
Truth
August 31st, 2009
10:58 am
To Cynthia Tucker Mckinney: You noticed how everyone has just ignored your bitter, rascists comments, right??? Thank God for that.
Mary
August 31st, 2009
11:00 am
I find Vernon Jones comment unacceptable and crippling, out of date. It is time to set an example rather than to reinforce the thought and behavior patterns of those who fostered racism. We need a person who can do the best job for Atlanta. Ebony and Ivory or Ivory and Ebony is no longer an issue. Croney-ism may be the new racism-and that cuts across all racial lines and is extremely destructive. Atlanta is a great city and should be model of integrity and equality.We need to set an example for the rest of the country. In this economy we can not afford to play around with less that the most prepared and able to do an extraordinary job.It is shocking to hear what is coming out of an institution of higher learning. This demeans and defeats the purpose of education.
Truth
August 31st, 2009
11:03 am
To URKiddinMee: And, for every one of those programs you have just mentioned, the “White Man” has benefitted just as much as any black person. You all are so bitter. Does Obama being president bother you that much, really??
AllBlack
August 31st, 2009
11:13 am
The black man has been kept down by racist whites way too long in this country and needs a lot more black leaders to keep it from happening. Obama is just a start. The black people need to stand up and start getting more black leaders in the state legislature and city governments, or the oppression will continue. I’m getting tired of it!
SAS
August 31st, 2009
11:14 am
The majority of the black population in Atlanta are so consumed with race that they don’t realize how much damage is being done. As a former employee, I watched for twenty-seven years as positions were filled by quotas and nepotism rather than by qualifications. People totally unqualified filling positions because they were black and in many cases related to someone else in the city. As time went on the problem manifest itself until you have the current situation. The same attitude prevails in the community with regard to elected officials, if one of the candidates is not black their chances of being elected are remote at best. Take a look at the precinct results and it will bear witness. The so called leaders in the city have no concept of what a joke they are considered to be outside of Atlanta. The big business leaders, the Arthur Blank type, are the real reason Atlanta has grown and prospered, not the politicians elected by the inner city. It has been Bill Campbell, Shirley Franklin, Maynard Jackson and yes Andy with his unforgettable Smart Ass White Boy label and their inept collection of city hall administrations filled by quotas and nepotism that have been the anchors creating financial stress and inefficiency in the operation of the City of Atlanta.
Rhonda
August 31st, 2009
11:20 am
In a diverse city like Atlanta,it should no longer matter the color of the mayor’s skin but the content of his or her character. Atlanta should be WAY past that.
Willingness and ability to be the mayor of ALL the people, to keep the influence of the religious right bigots to a minimum, and to make our home once again the “city too busy to hate” are what is most important. Maybe it is time for an openly gay mayor! Ever thought about that?
No politician or coalition in Atlanta ought to be as backward as Ray Nagin of New Orleans, who had to have his foot surgically extracted from his mouth for his “Chocolate City” comments. Atlanta is better than bigotry and anyone who engages in bigoted behavior is unworthy of any political office.
MiltonMan
August 31st, 2009
11:21 am
Franklin has forgotten her racist ad for John Eaves in 2006???
Sad Stuff
August 31st, 2009
11:22 am
Hey Aaron Turpeau, whomever wins the mayoral election isn’t going to acknowledge your existance, or the Black Leadership Forum. Hoping to see you banned for life from ever entering City Hall again. Stop the hate, Aaron.
AJC
August 31st, 2009
11:27 am
What if we had a “White ______ First” for anything? We would be protested and labeled racist. What is the difference? I agree with Mark that we need to get Atlanta back and try Vanilla for a change. Watch the news lately? Chocolate is not working. Maybe we can work together to get the Katrina refuges back to New Orleans and make this city and state safer.
JB
August 31st, 2009
11:29 am
Racism is a cycle and until ignorant black Americans quit raising their children as racist second class citizens, the world will never see us as equals. Look what happened to the Jews but you do not see them playing the race card. They through the race card away and moved forward and have built great wealth in this country. Blacks will never have power until they let go of the past and start building wealth in this country. Wealth equals power. Oh…and for the ignorant blacks, wealth does not mean driving a Lexus, wearing designer clothes and bling. BTW….I’m black and a big fan of Bill Cosby.
dvp
August 31st, 2009
11:32 am
Blacks are _____.
Whites are _____.
Fill those blanks with any behavioral trait and you are wrong. Generalizations like that only cause harm and make the author sound ignorant. I particularly struggle with the warriors of equality who believe that all _______ are ________ and take it upon themselves to set things straight.
It’s hard not being prejudiced. Everyone over the age of 10 has had experiences that guide internal bias. But, it’s vitally important to try to see through the nefarious hues of bigotry. It’s worth the effort to open your ears and mind and struggle against judgments without benefit of a clear understanding.
I’m republican, and I think Mary Norwood would be GREAT for Atlanta.
Been here too long!
August 31st, 2009
11:32 am
Thanks Tina for that insight.
I met the illustrious maynard all those years ago during his campaign while working downtown. Didnt like him then and even less now. the real mark must be a relative of maynards..they must all be a bunch of fabricating blowhards who love the sound of their own voices while claiming credit for the work of a lot of people. Also dont forget the “cant we all get along” andrew..ha! remember his SAWB hats he passed around city hall? that stood for smart A$$ white boys….yeah he was a real racial bridge builder too wasnt he? I was there, I remember! I was for shirley til I found out she was a maynard protoge attending his private school for how to get blacks elected….he probably was the founder of the black leadership forum.
Egoer
August 31st, 2009
11:35 am
Firstly,I’m a Cracker-honkey..etc,.However,Atlanta does not hold the values that it did when Maynard was Mayor. 911,hurt us all and continues to do so. We all want and need more money and more jobs. Crime rate is on the rise as loss of homes and no money to feed the kids and car repo’s and home foreclosures are very real issue’s.
Franklin,McKenny,Campbell, Vernon Jones and so many other BLF’s have lost my respect and this just reinforces negative attitudes by what has been said and done past present and future impressions. Shirley Franklin, was given the key to Atlanta and now it’s time to pass it on…Step Down and back away from the Kool-Aid!! Please except Atlanta as a permanent gift from the White’s to the BLF!!
Native Atlantan
August 31st, 2009
11:43 am
TO – URKiddinMee
You definitley have the right name, but it really should be are you f-ing kidding me? First off, there would be no need for affirmative action if Blacks were always given a fair shake. I don’t ever want to be hired because of my color but I’m not going to tell you affirmative action isn’t needed. I don’t like it but it is definitely a necessary evil.
I would also like to touch on another ignorant statement you made. I actually have a question, “when did Welfare become a program solely for Black people?” I work in Monroe and trust me, there are as many whites on welfare as blacks. You are truly the moron with your reverse racism skit.
MiltonMan
August 31st, 2009
11:45 am
The only reason that Atlanta is “great” is because North Fulton dumps truck-loads of money into Atlanta & South Fulton. Once Milton County is here, Atlanta will be a dump.
HooBoy
August 31st, 2009
11:52 am
Atlanta needs Marion Barry!
Ramzad
August 31st, 2009
11:52 am
Ok, so now that you all have poured the anti-freeze in each others coffee, what are you all going to do? Vote for the most qualified candidate or vote for Eastman Kodak?
I understand the arguments that the whites are making. They, as are many blacks who have read the memo, are fed up that blacks can’t seem to take control of their own independence and head for respectability and lawful self confidence, and write their own destiny.
Getting blamed all the times by a whole people must be the pits. It must really suck- even if your daddy’s daddy, daddy, daddy, grand daddy, great grand daddy made a mistake about how got his cotton
picked or where people should go to the toilet.
When progressive blacks have a job- plumbing or roofing, etc. (there are few legit black roofers or plumbers anyway) they call whites or Latinos to do it, because we do not trust other black “tradesmen” to do it. (Don’t even talk about auto mechanics) Blacks want want all the money up front. They come back from lunch drunk. They bring hanger oners with them(people who sometimes come back later to break in). They start smoking weed in your yard. When the fu**ed up job start to non-perform you can’t find them or the money. So blacks blaming whites is pointless even pitiful, because whites are the ones we call when we don’t want to get ripped off or want to know what address to go if we do get ripped off.
Black men, for the most part, ain’t working with much. Is that the white man’s fault? As a black man, I don’t think so. It is going to be rough with anyone with two felonies, three Baby Mommas, a probation bill, a child support bill, a rims rental bill, a couple of runners moving a few ounces each week, and a day job in a warehouse with cameras all over the place. This picture is twisted.
You go down town to some event- they break in your car for your cellphone and a few dollars. You lock up your house to go to work and when you return your back door is busted in, and your flat screen and play station are missing. Sooner or later you hear about another black politician, of which there are relatively few, is on the take. Then white people gets blamed for causing “our condition.” The black experience at the baseline in Atlanta today is horrible, and it is NOT white people’s fault.
Every time you look at the TV you see young black hoodlums with the pissy looking face going to answer to the system for blowing someone’s brains out for nothing: for Forrest (RIP) it was his watch and ring. Every law abiding citizen who belives it is good to work for a living is upset about these things. Whites are upset because after 400 years they are still the bogey people. That must be tiresome.
Fact is that there is enough college education and scholarships and small business opportunities and the Army (Note: Army don’t take felons on a regular basis)to make it so that blacks do not have to give a damn what white people does. Ask the Chinese and Koreans and West Indians about it. Do you see them getting hauled into jail house every day? No, they are too busy selling you jerk wings, lo mein and liquor.
Whites are to blame too, because since they pretty much have the handle and blacks have a lot more of the blade whites should set up laws to make it illegal to drop out of high school. If you drop out of high school you have to register with Parole and Probation and the system track you like white on rice (no pun). We know that the criminals are the high school drop outs. Whites have been victims of their own guilt and have done a poor job of using their control to make black people responsible to themselves, their families and their communities. (They babysat during slavery and it looks like they need to babysit again.) Blacks cry out, and white people give in or get up or move over or give them probation, or run to another place.
Finally, some whites are patently racist. We know that, but those are usually ignorant. Problem is that a disproportionate amount of blacks are ignorant, and that makes many blacks and most whites scared of us. They have good reason, because I am black and I am scared of us too. It is no fun being scared.
Liberalism Is Racism
August 31st, 2009
11:55 am
Anyone else notice that CNN has ignored this story entirely? Shocker! Of course had a white person written that letter it would’ve been their featured story of the week.
LaKwanzza Johnson
August 31st, 2009
11:55 am
Bill Campbell be my baby-daddy. Anybody seen that mo-fo lately? He be behind on his baby-daddy payments.
Clarification
August 31st, 2009
12:04 pm
For reference purposes, what is the difference between a “cracker” and a “honkey?”
Please advise.
JB
August 31st, 2009
12:12 pm
Ramzad –
You are exactly right and ignorant black people wonder why they are portrayed as second class citizens. Ignorant Black people are stealing and killing other Black people who have made something of themselves and then they wonder why they are not giving a fair chance. Notice I say ignorant Black people and not just Black people because the rest of us understand how degrading this is to our race. White people also understand how degrading ignorant white people are to their race as well.
coachx
August 31st, 2009
12:21 pm
Black people need grow up and wake up.
Its 2009 people !
They voted 96% for Obama for the presidency.
Facts likes this show they vote on color and not substance.
Avery
August 31st, 2009
12:23 pm
Thank you Rhonda,
I cant believe this is even a story or was even said. Why dont we elect the most qualified person for the position. I am a white male ( im not even sure why i have to put that but it seems important on this post) but i could care less about the color. What will they do to better our city? thats what i care about. I am not concerned with how will they better the whites or how will they better the blacks. im concerned with how they will better atlanta. If people would quit talking about rascism it would die down. Its not goin to get rid of the problem but i would help. People want change but arent willing to change their views. Thats odd and unless your willing to do so there will be no change. Rascism has now become a business and people have made a living off of it. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for example
ghostwriter
August 31st, 2009
12:25 pm
Hey ntuj,
Remind me again who the black leaders were who nearly ruined Europe and started WWI and WWII. As for sucessfully run cities that had black mayors how about Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles.
For everyone else posting, here is a non-critical synopsis of what happens to large cities.
Most large cities are like they are because of forces beyond the control of their current inhabitants. They are made of mostly older and minority people who did not have access to better paying jobs in their “high” income earning years. These lower paying jobs did not provide their children access to better education to improve their lives. Because of previous politics of exclusion, many were not able to save and buy their own homes which in turn reduced taxable income to cities. As majority populations standards of living improved, they understandibly moved and bought homes in the suburbs (which started years before elections of black mayors), city populations were left with older and minority-to-majority populations who then elected black mayors. During the transitions, mayors both white and black, offered businesses to move to their cities with tax deals that were often at lower rates (and often differred) than businesses paid to cities in earlier days which further reduced taxable income. As black mayors came into office, they were left with abandoned neighborhoods, non-tax generating new freeways to the suburbs, ailing infrastructure, and businesses with favorable tax liabilities. The method of generating income to run cities changed to impose a larger share to poorer home owners and smaller businesses.
Yes, the memo is offensive and counter productive, but I would hope that we could analyze and discuss things that happen outside of race.
coachx
August 31st, 2009
12:32 pm
To all the blacks telling white people to move out of Atlanta if you don’t like having crappy politicians voted in by simple minded citizens who cast votes based solely on color.
News break !
Most whites moved out of Altanta a long time ago ! Most of the ones left are not from Ga. and had no clue what they were getting themselves into. You, see black people in most parts of the country are nothing like black Atlantans. Black Atlantans have issues. People move here and are shocked at the way black Atlantans act and behave socially and politically.
ghostwriter
August 31st, 2009
12:32 pm
BTW-
As a minority, I’m voting for Mary Norwood even if she isn’t the most qualified candidate just to show the established black leadership that I’m tired of their shenanegans.
Ali
August 31st, 2009
12:38 pm
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
I include a dictionary definition of racism in order to put my comments in context. I am not at all disturbed by the fact that a group calling itself the Black Leadership Forum desires to proffer and African-American candidate. It is probably appropriate since that is their mission. Perhaps, in the future they should be more considerate of how they articulate their political objective. The KKK however, is a totally unfair analogy. During their reign of terror they randomly lynched African-American men, women and children. They burned entire communities to the ground and murdered whom ever stood in their way. They had despotic rule and power over many communities in the south. A person could be killed by them, i.e. an Emmett Till for the slightest insult. Racists require power and use force and violence to maintain that power because they view others outside of their race as inferior and even subhuman. Let us be very clear about our language and our sensitivities. Inclusion was a struggle for African-Americans because we had been excluded for hundreds of years from daring to even aspire to read let alone hold public office. If you don’t know ask somebody who does.
R Cagle
August 31st, 2009
12:39 pm
Is this the same Mayor Shirley Franklin who along with Andrew Young and John Lewis broadcast an appeal to black voters to get out and vote for the black candidate in a Fulton County commissioner race several years ago?
Thomas
August 31st, 2009
12:46 pm
You people need to grow up. This city is about 40 years behind the rest of the world.
Tray
August 31st, 2009
12:48 pm
This just shows that white’s fears were true: Blacks are incapable about caring for others who are not black. They have an agenda-never listen to, work for, or be friends with ‘the white man’.
Exceptions will be made of course, as some blacks are smarter than others and can put this crap aside. But those who can rise above true prejudice are then referred to by their ‘brothers’ as “acting white” and are dismissed from their group…so sad really
Call it Like It Is
August 31st, 2009
12:51 pm
Amen Thomas.
The downtown area is still dirty, crime is all over along with the homeless standing around bugging people for handouts.
Franklin is a racist and most blacks in politics are racist.
What has she done for the City of Atlanta?
Clean up your own backyard.
Enough Said!
JB
August 31st, 2009
12:55 pm
The following table shows the change in the Klan’s estimated membership over time.[78] (The years given in the table represent approximate time periods.)
Year Membership
1920 4,000,000
1924 6,000,000
1930 30,000
1980 5,000
2008 6,000
Ali – I included membership status of the KKK. Notice the dramatic decline in membership over the years. I do not think anyone is comparing the Black Leadership Forum to the KKK but thanks for the dramatic effect.
Hef
August 31st, 2009
12:55 pm
Racism masked as self entitlement is a sickness perpetuated by the Left. If a Man/Woman of any color cannot succeed in this day and age,then look in the mirror. Thats where you can find the culprit.