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?
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435 comments Add your comment
DW
August 30th, 2009
2:07 pm
I don’t know about Maynard, but DW wants to know who the “Black Leadership Forum” is. When was it started? Who are the major players? What’s its TRUE purpose and agenda? Yes, I ask this as a black man who’s very concerned about the future of Atlanta.
BorderWar
August 30th, 2009
2:11 pm
Norwood 33%
Borders 19%
Reed 16%
That seems more accurate than the Towery poll. Almost 50% more people were polled. This is going to be an interesting race.
Suffix
August 30th, 2009
2:14 pm
I’m with DW. I need more answers too. What’s the nature of Turpeau and Borders’ relationship?
AlG
August 30th, 2009
2:25 pm
Economic equality as an agenda item? That doesn’t work unless taxes are used as a weapon to drive prosperity out of the city.
Access to City Hall as an agenda item? If black people haven’t had it for the last 25 years, they’ll surely never see it anywhere in this world.
what???
August 30th, 2009
2:28 pm
“Economic equality, access to City Hall, and respect for those displaced by development, Turpeau said…..I didn’t know that was a problem in Atlanta.
Mark
August 30th, 2009
2:32 pm
Here is a fine example of blacks keeping racism alive. Blacks can’t run anything but their bigoted mouths. They should be barred from public office, as they accomplish nada, ie: Shirley girl, Cynthia McKinney, etc. Let’s turn this city into a “Vanilla city”.
Hmmm
August 30th, 2009
2:35 pm
I want someone who is going to hold city employees accountable. Customer service is not part of the job description at city hall. Boy, that is wishful thinking on my part.
I work in city government in the suburbs but live in Atlanta and most employees would be fired if they responded the way Atlanta employees do. Just my experience. Just answer the phone and know what you are talking about please!!!!!!
Steve-o
August 30th, 2009
2:35 pm
What I’ve witnessed is black candidates fighting for power. Ms Norwood seems genuine in her efforts to improve Atlanta. Stop the business as usual crap that drives not only businesses away but people away from downtown. Why is a memo like this NOT looked at with the outrage that one mentioning the importance of a white mayor for Atlanta would be? I think we know that answer. Shameful and disgusting. Again…business as usual. This business left years ago.
Mark
August 30th, 2009
2:36 pm
I’m sorry about my previous post, I’m ignorant and a closeted racist myself. How can I defend my viewpoint when my entire post was racist. In the future I’ll use more thought and intellect when expressing my opinion.
Nookly
August 30th, 2009
2:37 pm
Black people are the most racist people in the country. They scream racism for anything, but they are the ones who are racist.
Mark
August 30th, 2009
2:39 pm
Nookly speaks the truth.
Vernon Jones
August 30th, 2009
2:44 pm
I want to see a darker Atlanta. After 400 years of oppression, it’s our turn to oppress white folks.
Sally
August 30th, 2009
2:47 pm
Thank goodness Shirley called it what it was. All the other Atlanta black leaders I’ve heard talk about it just tried to downplay it. If someone said we needed a “white agenda” there would be holy he!! for years to come.
Conspiracist
August 30th, 2009
2:48 pm
I too am curious to know the make up of this so called Blacl Leadeship Forum. Is it really a Black group or something concocted group designed to cause devisiveness like has already? It is one of those things that makes you go HMMMMMMMMMM……….
Alec
August 30th, 2009
2:49 pm
Mark you are not racist. You are honest. You are correct. You should run for mayor. Got my gay, white, divorced father’s VOTE!!!
Alec
August 30th, 2009
2:51 pm
When are we going to get a Whitemans Group and it not be called the KKK?
j
August 30th, 2009
2:51 pm
Funny….if a ‘white group’ came out with something like this there would be hell to pay…..but let us look at the big picture…..right now….present day…..there is a black mayor…..black police chief…..there are black fire chiefs….a black man runs the airport……so there are pretty much more black people running metro Atlanta than there are whites….I think that is pretty much fair to say…..but for some reason…..who knows….the blacks still cry and complain they are being shut out and not represented…..the AJC is the most black backing paper in the country……all I can say is….there are blacks in control of ATL……so why all the complaining? The black on black crime in ATL is unbeleivable, but let me guess, its the white mans fault…. Are they scared that if a white person does get mayor that things will get worse for them? Cant get much worse folks. If I could sell my house right now, I would leave this broke down city…….and yes…I DO have a for sale sign in my yard!!!
Jason
August 30th, 2009
2:53 pm
@Vernon: Shame on you for holding that UNJUST viewpoint. That’s just as wrong as any injustices perpetrated by whites over the last 400 years.
j
August 30th, 2009
2:54 pm
yeah Vernon…..a blacker ATL….thats like saying I want to see more water in the ocean…..moron…..
j
August 30th, 2009
2:58 pm
yeah Vernon….saying you want a darker ATL is like saying you want to see more water in the ocean…..you moron
Tina
August 30th, 2009
3:03 pm
Turpeau is a seasoned veteran of “community development” and other scams, as in: contracts for me, my political friends, and well-connected ministers and activists, with no accountability and vast wads of tax dollars going down rat holes to ensure the next election, too. For just one example, the set-aside airport contracts that Maynard Jackson and Shirley Franklin’s families weirdly won, of all the millions of people in Atlanta. My goodness, that was such a coincidence! Now people are distancing themselves from the rhetoric that justifies such behavior? That takes nerve and faith in the ability of journalists to forget. Or look away. Economic equality? These people care only enough about the poor to profit from their existence. Access to City Hall? Amazing nerve, that. Continued access to grant dollars, more like. There is a story here: it simply isn’t being told by the AJC. As usual, in Atlanta and elsewhere, there are only three words you need to know about the next election or any election: follow the money.
KiknUSquareNdanuts
August 30th, 2009
3:07 pm
Boy, you white folks are bitter!
Just Me
August 30th, 2009
3:08 pm
As a black man, I disappointed by the BLF letter. I’m a New Jerseyan who happens to love Atlanta. Atlanta has so much to offer but obviously needs better leadership to assume its rightful position among the great cities of America. As some of the other posters have pointed out, if Black people don’t have access to gov’t after so many years of Black leadership in the city, then it’s their own fault. It’s obviously a class problem rather than a race problem and maintaining that having another Black mayor will remedy this situation is a bit ignorant. My own hope is that Atlanta gets the mayor who is best for the city whether he/she is black, white or green. Good luck, Atlanta. I hope you can get back to being the “city too busy to hate.”
KnewU
August 30th, 2009
3:08 pm
The reality of this situation is that the views of a few should not and cannot be attributed to be the views of an entire race of people. If there is one area where equality across races is evident it is in the place were we find that ignorance has no requirement of colored. It is equally shared amongst many from every color, race, creed and nationally which exist in this world. Those who wish to consider this a “black thing” do as has been done here, they keep it alive and well in the media and in the racist comments, of those who point the finger and call others racist, posted in blogs. There will always be a segment of society,regardless of color, which deserves nothing more than to be ignored. Some of that segment even trolls these boards. In the end the memo crafted by Mr. Turpeau and the group he is affiliated with came much to the surprised of the majority of African Americans in this community, though many would like not to believe this the case. The majority first heard of Mr. Turpeau and this organization when the majority of the community did which was when this report hit the news. Most denounce his rhetoric and have grown to a place in life where we realize that our vote counts and we want any person who is office to realize we count and we want them to be accountable. Our votes aren’t for sale, but our desire for equal representation, quality of life, and a government that works for the people differs not from any other race. Mr. Turpeau thanks but no thanks. Bloggers, show not your “colors” but rather your intelligence. Be not what you call others to be unless you would wear the title proudly. May the best candidate for the future of our beloved city win, regardless of sex, race or sexual orientation. Judge each by the content of his/her character not the color of his/her skin.
Karina
August 30th, 2009
3:11 pm
What have black mayors done for average black Atlantans? Absolutely NOTHING.
KnewU
August 30th, 2009
3:14 pm
several typos in my response, for that I apologize…caught up in the emotion surrounding this negativity. I hope you can see beyond my mistakes to understand my points.
chuck allison
August 30th, 2009
3:18 pm
The memo accurately reflects Maynard Jackson’s legacy as Georgians know it.
KnewU
August 30th, 2009
3:19 pm
God bless you Real Mark, may the change you so much need, come.
brick
August 30th, 2009
3:19 pm
Lots of closed minded people post here. Atlanta like many other places has some problems, its aging interstructure, proverty, crime are few of them. But Atlanta politicians are like most of them everywhere else regardless of color, they have little interest in representing the wishes of people who elected them and most have a much greater net worth when they leave office than when they entered. Its pretty easy to see where there main interest lies, and it has nothing to do with the color of one’s skin.
Real Mark
August 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
You know I was sitting in my Trailer last night talking to my sister/wife about gettn my teef fixed when I read about the mayor! White folks like me who don’t have an education, social skills, and are Inbred just have lost this country and I blame black folks! It’s their fault my parents are cousins, It’s their fault I had to marry my sister, it’s their fault I didn’t graduate from high school, it’s their fault I still live in this trailer, and it’s their fault that I hate myself!
The Real Politico
August 30th, 2009
3:22 pm
Why exactly is Ms. Norwood described as “tiny Mary Norwood”? Is this to describe her stature physically, personally or politically?
ifyouonlyknew...
August 30th, 2009
3:23 pm
Relax people. Do you honestly think that a white person will ever be mayor of this city? Think again. This city is only going to continue down the same path that it has been on for years. We are all on this runaway train. Better just try and find a seat with a seatbelt. Good luck to all!!!!!
Madison
August 30th, 2009
3:23 pm
Franklin has no room to call anyone a bigot. Remember the memo she, John Lewis and Andy Young sent out in the John Eaves Lee Morris race.
Chris D'
August 30th, 2009
3:25 pm
I believe this article is about Shirley Franklin’s response to a memo. I tend to agree with her assessment of the discussed memo. I am sure she would like history to look at her as the former mayor of Atlanta and view her accomplishments in that context. Viewing her and other leaders in this city in the context framed predominately in the context of their race would be discrediting to their public service. Lets not fool ourselfs white, black and what other shade in between people of Atlanta. Voters naturally lean toward voting for people like themselves that they feel share their values and perspectives. There will always will be segments of societies that vote in blocks based on their shared characteristics. That is human nature. Good politicians exploit those similarities and try to make everyone feel that they are just like them if necessary.
SR
August 30th, 2009
3:25 pm
I’ll say this…the whole shootin’ match comes right out of a so called “accademic group”. These people are TRASH. They permiate educational campuses because they are actually LOSERS. They can’t make it in the real world of business at all. So the best they can do is group enmass like some kind of VIRUS, and infect the minds of young people who don’t know better by experience to doubt the mess they peddle, and actually are still naive enough to believe that THIS NEW SYSTEM is going to be less corrupt than the LAST ONE. Every last rank and stinkin’ one of them took their positions based on what they bilked off the people by way of government loans and grants. They don’t mind takin’ the white folks money to further their form of hatred.
It’s utterly disgusting that just when civil rights gains come to some sort of fruition they want to go back down the dark road toward bigotry, and oppression. Kenyas callin’.
chris
August 30th, 2009
3:26 pm
who cares who becomes mayor as long as they can get things done, BLACK OR WHITE!
The Real Voice
August 30th, 2009
3:30 pm
The last time I looked the US Constitution says we can call ourselves whatever we like. It’s called freedom of speech. Of course that would assume you even read the Constitution. And whites have been calling themselves Polish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Irish-Americans for decades. Are they considerd “you people” too?
Charlie
August 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
Black intellectual, hhahahahaahahahhahhahahah,,,STOP, YER KILLIN ME hahhahhhhhh
edge
August 30th, 2009
3:31 pm
As far as the stuff goes for political needs, those should not be an issue, as it’s been that way for a long time. What I do see is maybe some offensiveness and downright how to solve the incompetence of Atlanta, especially with Richard Pennington being about the worse guy you could have for Police Chief. What would help if is Philly Shirley admit her mistakes, knock off Pennington and straighten things out, there might be a chance.. But Shirley’s coattails are awfully thin and I’d be looking at other options. That memo is designed to create outrage, what it will do instead is create backlash..
scott
August 30th, 2009
3:32 pm
can someone kindly explain the difference between bigoted and racist? I thought I knew, at one point.
The Real Voice
August 30th, 2009
3:33 pm
Wouldn’t listening to The Real Mark be like listening to a fart in the wind?
Dan Deacon
August 30th, 2009
3:34 pm
Blacks people continue to degrade themselves and make themselves impotent to the world. To suggest that blacks should rally behind a black candidate because they’re black is blatant racism and should be considered a hate crime. Blacks will not be tolerated to behave in this manner. Whites will not allow it. They’ve been given a chance to act like dignified human beings, however certain ones continue their attempt to dominate rather than try to accomplish goals on an equal basis.
These black groups that form should be outlawed and are racially motivated hate groups that only represent and rally around blacks achievements. They are too cowardly to step up to the plate when a white has been discriminated against or wants support.
The continued racially motivated behavior that discriminates and will no longer be tolerated by whites (and hopefully intelligent blacks) demonstrates those that do so as ignorant, impotent trouble makers. They poorly represent their race and worsens race relations. Those that follow these groups or individuals that demonstrate this behavior may have a short lived litte fling but will ultimately fail in the end.
Spec
August 30th, 2009
3:36 pm
Dan, you do realize that there are groups of people in ALL races that should be outlawed and are racially motivated hate groups, your viewpoint lacks respect when it’s one-sided it comes across as, “the pot calling the kettle black”
red
August 30th, 2009
3:39 pm
For most of us who live IN atlanta only want the best person to run and win.
The Real Mark
August 30th, 2009
3:39 pm
Mr. Jackson served as Mayor of Atlanta from 1974 to 1982 and again from 1990 to 1994. His three terms as Mayor of Atlanta were distinguished by the first introduction of international air carriers and a dramatic increase in their number, consulates and foreign trade offices, imports and exports, the neighborhood planning unit system, a comprehensive development plan, major construction, management innovation, the arts, mass transit, vertically integrated housing finance and production, streamlining the bureaucracy, increasing employee incentives and productivity, record-setting new jobs creation, strong bond ratings, and the most successful non-preference, non-quota affirmative action and equal opportunity programs in the nation. Mr. Jackson’s years of Mayoral service were widely respected and documented as times of unparalleled economic development, internationalism, public-private partnerships, racial harmony, and fiscal stability for Atlanta. FORTUNE magazine’s survey of CEO’s named Atlanta as the “Best American City” in which to do business in 1991 and 1993.
Especially noteworthy was Mr. Jackson’s leadership in the construction of Atlanta’s Airport, which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget in September 1980. Succeeding against all odds and a consensus among officials that it could not be built, the Airport was a primary example of his “positive leadership” style. It was the largest airport terminal in the world when built; and today is the world’s busiest, as well as the biggest economic generator in the Southeastern United States. To honor Mr. Jackson, the Atlanta City Council legislated a name change of the Airport on October 20, 2003. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport recognizes the visionary leadership that Mr. Jackson had for the airport, promoting its growth, as well as the significant role the Airport continues to play in the aviation industry
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
wrt
August 30th, 2009
3:44 pm
If the whites are so stupid that they won’t unite, be proud of their heritage, and scream as loud as the blacks would if this memo had been from the white side of town, then another black mayor is exactly what we need.
KluxeDog
August 30th, 2009
3:45 pm
Real Mark, Hell is full of people like you, and I wish you a speedy path where Hitler, Po Pot, Sadam and you will enjoy peace at last. Oh I forgot you friends JB Stoner, and the rest of the Red *eck crew.
Dan Deacon
August 30th, 2009
3:45 pm
spec..The problem is that people like you ignore the facts. This article is not about other groups. It’s about the current event going on with the blacks attempting to discriminate by rallying blacks to vote for blacks (this biggest racist and fraud voter getters is ACORN – CONVICTED OF THIS CRIME) via an email surrounding the mayoral race!
This comment area should be limited to that discussion and not some agenda you want to discuss….so discuss the facts or just shutup.
Dreux
August 30th, 2009
3:45 pm
All I can say is… God help us all when Shirley Franklin is gone. She is the only one of the entire group who makes me proud to be from Atlanta.
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 30th, 2009
3:47 pm
Shirley most likely agrees with the sentiment. But on heels of Obama’s flubbing of the beligerant Harvard Professor Case, she is smart enough to realize that the American people are tired of the race card. For the record, Obama’s approval record and public support for his HealthCare plan evaporated after the aformentioned incident. Obama betrayed his own post racial image and the bloom fell off his rose.
Jay Jarrell
August 30th, 2009
3:53 pm
Brick your right on more than you know.Any one recognize my name?
Roger
August 30th, 2009
3:54 pm
Tim Tebow for mayor:)
chirper
August 30th, 2009
3:56 pm
Can you all think of where Atlanta would be now had we had good leadership the last 25 years?! Pause and think about it.
mike
August 30th, 2009
3:56 pm
To be honest this a step backwards in race relations. This is why Atlanta is so far behind the rest of the country, because we pull the race card way to often. Maybe we should hire people based on their ability to do their job and not the color of their skin.
Chris D'
August 30th, 2009
3:56 pm
Dan Deacon,
I believe this article is about Shirley Franklin’s response to a letter written by a few black people. She apparently disagrees with the letter and finds it to be bigotted as she mentioned multiple times to Jim.
I don’t think it is a criminal action to try and convince someone to vote for a certain candidate based on their race. I wouldn’t agree on that mode of voting but there is no law against it.
booger
August 30th, 2009
4:00 pm
Mayor Franklin, at a Mayor’s conference stated that her biggest fear would be to see a return of white leadership to Atlanta after all the work which had been done to diversfy the city. She also was part of the famous Eaves ad which claimed blacks would be subject to fire hoses and dogs if a white were elected head of the fulton commission.
How is the current memo any worse than that?
Roger
August 30th, 2009
4:04 pm
Booger, it’s not racism if a black person says something like Shirley has said. It is only using their birth right as a black person to use the Race Card when they feel appropriate.
jj
August 30th, 2009
4:17 pm
I am a black man and its time for a change. we have been running city hall for over 20 years and the city is in dire strats. We have high crime, no jobs, poor neighbor hoods and lack of services for the taxes we pay, Only a small group of black companies feed at city hall. Everyone else is locked out. Go figure
findog
August 30th, 2009
4:17 pm
Bring on Herman Cain!
See if Mary Norwood can beat a Black Candidate in November…
Larry
August 30th, 2009
4:21 pm
Vote Change! Vote Norwood!
Larry
August 30th, 2009
4:22 pm
It worked for Obama.
Jan
August 30th, 2009
4:29 pm
So much for the content of the character, not the color of the skin. MLK Jr. is rolling over in his grave. This is NOT what he fought for.
bill young
August 30th, 2009
4:30 pm
Maynard Jackson was athief made wealthy by outlandish insider bond deals and the looting of the airport. Everytime a child doesn’t get the city services they should get: everytime a budget is cut : everytime an employee is laid off remeber the money that lined Maynard Jackson’s and his cronies pockets. It is a shame that this type of patronage occurred ubder a mayor for all people.
bill young
August 30th, 2009
4:36 pm
The real mark has shared too many MD20-20’s with Teddy Kennedy his DT.s cause himmmmmmmmmto hit the send button over and over.
Dixie Normuss
August 30th, 2009
4:36 pm
Hmmmm…lets see. Maynard Jackson, Bill Campbell, Shirley Franklin. Atlanta has had its share of black mayors. Now its time to give Whitey a chance. Maynard and Bill were crooks. Shirley has been wonderful but she was stuck with cleaning up the crap of Jackson and Campbell. In general, blacks are much more racist than whites. And don’t give me that oppression crap. Yes blacks got the short end of the stick in America at one time and I am ashamed of some of the stories I have heard..but its over…let it go. Homey ain’t playing that anymore.
bill young
August 30th, 2009
4:39 pm
Name any city successfully run by a black adminstration over a 25 year period.
Sorry, no cute name
August 30th, 2009
4:42 pm
I agree with the notion that the Shirley memo is a distraction to some of the real political issues raised by the Turpeau Memo. What’s been interesting is the lack of follow-up on the issue of Council races.
So, I’ll start since the rest of you nitwits are hung up on skin color instead of following the money.
Aaron Turpeau is listed on the Secretary of State’s web site as the CEO of Keep Atlanta Beautiful, an organization that serves out of the Mayor’s office.
Along with Turpeau on the board of Keep Atlanta Beautiful are members of intown political activists.
These same activists are core members of the Campaign for Atlanta, which touts itself as non-partisan.
These same core members are throwing meet and greets for a candidate for District 6.
The current sitting Councilwoman for District 6 is busily writing legislation (Ordinance 09-0-1311) to go before Council to clean up ethical issues of Council candidates still holding City/Mayor-appointed paid positions – as two candidates for District 6 are on boards that serve at the pleasure of the Mayor/City.
So much for the Campaign for Atlanta being non-partisan: there are only two political parties in the City of Atlanta: those who are feeding from the City’s troughs, and those who are not.
I still firmly believe that the Turpeau memo is designed to figure out how to preserve the financial gravy trains for those at the trough, and his round-about connections to Council races with tight City financial connections only strengthens my convictions.
mike
August 30th, 2009
4:43 pm
Somalia
DirtyDawg
August 30th, 2009
4:45 pm
Some 35 years ago the then incumbent mayor, Sam Massell, running for re-election against the then incumbent vice-mayor, Maynard Jackson, introduced race into the run-off campaign in a ‘not so subtle’ campaign entitled ‘Atlanta, A City Too Young to Die’. The campaign was clearly a desperate attempt to rouse white voters to avoid Atlanta electing her first black mayor since re-construction (and maybe ever). At that time, the more forward-thinking, progressive, members of the white community dismissed it as racist and beneath the dignity of a forward-thinking, progressive city. Now it’s time for the black community to dismiss this campaign strategy once again.
This city, like so many others across the country, has hit upon hard times. Largely because of this disastrous economy, but more importantly because we have forgotten how both black and white members of this community have to come together to pull ourselves out of the ditch…one group can’t do it alone. There was a time when we all were walking members of the Chamber of Commerce…that when asked about our city by others from elsewhere, we couldn’t have been more supportive and complementary. Now all we seem to do is complain…that’s what selfishness and the failure to care for our fellow citizens as we once did can do.
I don’t know what it’s going to take to bring us together again, but it’s certain that when one group openly states that they want leadership that favors them – you can count on us, finally, fulfilling that campaign slogan all those decades ago.
Larry
August 30th, 2009
4:46 pm
Rwanda
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 30th, 2009
4:47 pm
Bill, it has nothing to do with race. They are all Democrats. Name one historically Democrat run city that is worth a darn. Try. I bet you can’t. It is the lib in them, not the blackness. Period.
atl123
August 30th, 2009
4:49 pm
the published memo and this discussion are sickening. our country is at a crossroads and so called intellectuals are publishing papers to keep a certain race in office and equally as dumb white posters making incendiary responses. either this city and country becomes one america, regardless of black or white….or, like Rome before us, we will fail.
wake up people! our military is sacrificing their lives daily and our economy is as fragile as ever and this is what Clark University and AJC readers come up with!?!?! reality can be very sobering at times.
What Inclusiveness?
August 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
What is economic equality? Let’s compare water bills for the same family & house size between downtown/south atl/east atl and buckhead!
Access to City Hall? Are you kidding? When was the last time anyone other than Norwood on the City Council has visited, campaigned, or met with citizens north of 10th Street?
Respect for those displaced by development? Who do you think are the City people giving out/selling development permits?
Atl Resident
August 30th, 2009
4:53 pm
Whoever says Blacks are more racist has got to be either naive, ignorant, or both cause there’s no way you can justify and prove with evidence in this southern city. And for all those with ignorant comments on here need to run for mayor or president since they can do a better job.
Fah Q
August 30th, 2009
4:54 pm
I think “The Real Mark” is upset becasue his Sister/Wife is doing a black man behind his back, but in all seriousness I hope the best person for the job wins the mayoral race regardless of color because all politicians talk a good game when they want your vote it’s after they get in office when you find out how they really are.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
5:05 pm
DirtyDawg is the voice of reason here.
Each of us (black and white) have to deal with the ignorant minority of our race that pretends to represent all of us. Yes, I have dealt with reverse racism by blacks. Every race has that ignorant group in it that chooses to move back rather than forward.
When members of one race use racism in their political rhetoric, It works best when other members of the same race speak out against it.
tiger mom
August 30th, 2009
5:05 pm
What are we teaching our children here, in our households and schools? All that matters is skin color, nationality and economic class. How do we expect our children to grow up and work with one another to create a better world for everyone? I feel sad for what once was a great country.
Lee
August 30th, 2009
5:07 pm
This is for Mark who commented at 2:32 pm. Vanilla City, plllllleeease. Dont talk to much or you’ll get delt with, with the quickness. And I dont even live in Atlanta any more.
D.C. the original “Chocolate City”.
RaceCop
August 30th, 2009
5:10 pm
It is racist to call out black Democrat politcian. On anything. Period. It is whitey’s fault that 25 years of Black Democrat leadership has brought the city to its needs. You really want to stir the pot….advocate for the re-chartering of Milton County. By the way, I am black and a re-covering Democrat/Liberation Theologist.
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 30th, 2009
5:12 pm
I thoguht that Ray “School Bus” Nagin told us that New Orleans was the original chocolate city?
Doug Patterson
August 30th, 2009
5:12 pm
It is amazing that this is being so well tolerated and flying under the radar of the media. If this comment had been made towards electing a “white” mayor it would have been met with a whole host of protest and cries of racism. Can’t black people be racists?? I think this clearly proves they can be but they get a free pass on the issue! What if a white person wanted to talk about the white agenda. That would be racists.
Arthur Blank
August 30th, 2009
5:18 pm
Hey I am a rich Jew…how about I run for mayor? Did everyone see me on the Falcons game last night? I had my usual tan working and was wearing a $3000 Armani suit. I am thinking about ditching the pencil-thin moustache and going with a goatee. What do you all think? If elected, I would like to be known as “King Arthur”.
Ramzad
August 30th, 2009
5:20 pm
Some kind of way many blacks have developed the twisted view that the response to white racism is to “take over” and become racists to whites. This is childish and symptomic of what the non-healing sore on black mentality is. The good Old Testament ‘eye for an eye” method. Jesus came and discredited that way of thinking. It does not work, people.
Fact is that black people could not “take over” if their lives depend on it. To take over you have to be educated to run and manage what you take over. We have high school drop out rates hovering near 60%. Even black college graduates, with two and three graduate degrees can’t seem to liberate themselves from victimology and preoccupation with the now warped notion that it is white people’s fault.
You have to be “alive to run things” with the alarming homicide rate among young black men much of us will not be around, healthy or free to run anything. White people are not doing that. When I step out to meet my daughter off MARTA in DeKalb, my fear about her abduction and murder is not about the white man. It is about young black men toting nines and riding in mini vans or on twenty twos.
You have to be honest and ethical to get cooperation and trust and all that good stuff. At the rate of crookery and greed among black politicians we will not get elected to do anything in a few years. We won’t find an electorate to give us the time of day.
So, black people have to let go the white/black argument and turn to improving our personal lives and equipping our children to do the right thing to make a positive difference in the the world. Baby Momma and Baby Daddy living will continue to disgust every one who want a better life and a better country.
Take a page out of the books or the migrant Africans, West Indians,
southeast and far east Orientals and Indians. History does not suggest that white people like them any more than blacks, but you don’t hear them complaining and griping about white people don’t like them. They just go ahead and breath brain power and that takes care of everything.
get a grip Black people. We have had four black mayors since 1974 and the gun bullets are still flying. Get to the for real side.
Humored
August 30th, 2009
5:22 pm
I just have one question. Do the whites on this post really feel that black people are incapable of leadership, because of the current shape Atlanta’s in? Because if that’s your logic then we all need to support Thurbert Baker for governor because white governors have screwed Georgia to hell. Or do we blame their failure on the economy.
The above paragragh is meant to provoke thought. This memo and the attention it is getting is ignorant and distracting. Mary Norwood is a weak candidate, people. Yes, Lisa Borders is too and that’s why her team is stooping to such lows to get her in office. There are many white women that could probably run Atlanta well. I think Kathy Ashe, Nan Orrock, Carla Smith, Clair Muller and several others are highly capable in their leadersip abilities, but not Mary she’s just not a leader and quite frankly she’s not all that smart. I would gladly support Art Blank, Sam Massell, Sam Williams, Bernie Marcus and a host of other white men for mayor but their not running.
Kasim Reed is, by far, the most qualified candidate in this race. CHECK HIS RECORD! He actually has one. He also has the most diverse coalition of supporters from not only Atlanta, but across the state and yes statewide (republican) supporters matter. He’s the only person in this race that actually has made real decisions and I don’t think its fair to typecast him just because he’s a black man.
TELL ME ONE THING NORWOOD OR BORDERS HAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR ALL ATLANTANS?
Rarl Kove
August 30th, 2009
5:24 pm
If you think about, it its always the libs and their wh@res in the media that stir the racism pot. I am sick of it.
Steve
August 30th, 2009
5:33 pm
The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus says on it’s website that they want to boldly assert the power of the black vote and the power of the black voice.
If the White Caucus said that, they’d be run out of town . . .
Oh That’s Right . . . I forgot . . .
There isn’t a White Caucus … That’d be Racist . . .
.
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 30th, 2009
5:33 pm
I am still waiting on that list of thriving Democrat-run cities……
Humored
August 30th, 2009
5:38 pm
I’m waiting on a response people. If your logic says that Atlanta’s problems rest soley at the feet of blacks in leadership, should the state get behing Thurbert Baker because Georgia still has a major traffic problem, education SAT/ACT score among the lowest in the country, rising taxes (yes the cutting of homestead exemption is republican code for a tax increase).
The truth of the matter is that racism, prejudice and bigotry are ignorant. May the best MAN win this race. Run hard Kasim, you’re qualified, honest and a real leader and I believe you’ve got what it takes to lead Atlanta forward.
Humored
August 30th, 2009
5:41 pm
Steve, there is a such thing as the white caucus. It’s called the republican caucus, silly rabbit!
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 30th, 2009
5:45 pm
It is lib/Democrat leadership that has gotten ATL in the shape it is in, they leaders just happened to be black. With all the growth in the metro area, ATL should be shining city. As far as the schools are concerned, Republican led Schools systems are head and shoulders above the democrat led boards. It is the lib victum mentality that paralyzes progress.
booger
August 30th, 2009
5:48 pm
Lest we forget, the AJC infered that people should vote for race, and or gender last year with the headline asking the question: Should black females vote for Hillary because she is a woman, or Obama because he is Black. Apparently it was assumed that no one would stray from these two candidates.
JDE
August 30th, 2009
5:51 pm
Humored, regarding Lisa Borders, she is a proven, successful businesswoman, period. The city needs to be run like a business with profit/loss statements, accountability, goals with results,etc…just like Cousins Properties, her former employer. I think she worked for Cousins. Either way, a proven businessperson(male or female, black or white) is what the city needs. You mentioned you’d vote for the most qualified candidate? Qualified in what? Nothing against Reed but his resume is all about politics; he has never had to hire, train, fire, manage a budget (not a city budget where when you run out of money you raise taxes). Shirley Franklin has been a pretty good mayor in my opinion, but she came from a govt background. Same with Bill Campbell, and his predecessors before him. If the city is run like a for profit business, there would be no need to raise taxes because the bottom line would be protected, people wouldn’t have jobs for life, and they’d have to compete for them, rather than get by with being complacent. Don’t believe me? Next time you’re down at City Hall stop by: the Tax Commissioners office, the Water Dept, the list goes on and on. If you dont feel like being ignored in person, then spend a couple hours on the phone trying to get your questions answered. I believe Lisa Borders is the best person for the job based on my reasoning and I’m a middle class white guy living in East Cobb who does a lot of business in ATL. Either way people, vote for the most qualified candidate regardless of their pigment.
Madison
August 30th, 2009
5:51 pm
Humored, You are very stupid. The head of the Republican party is a black man!
c.j.
August 30th, 2009
5:53 pm
Sorry people, but this reeks of the corruption that Chicago, Detroit and Washington D.C. share in. I don’t care what race politicians are, they’re all a bunch of crooks.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
6:00 pm
Humored, Georgia does not Have a major traffic problem…Atlanta does.
* As far as Test scores, Teachers can’t force kids to learn. There has to be desire and some ambition.
That starts at home with the parents. Not politicians.
* There are rising taxes because the City of Atlanta Leadership cannot manage money properly.
That is why Milton, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs Got out. City Of Atlanta is a joke.
* Whoever gets elected, look for politics as usual.
Humored
August 30th, 2009
6:01 pm
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have Democratic mayors and all or nearly all Democratic city councils (where the real power is) and are both doing quite well considering the economy.
How many republicn-run small towns and counties are being choked to death by so-called conservatism?
Sandy
August 30th, 2009
6:01 pm
BLF sounds as if it is following in the footsteps of ACORN, etc. led by the Organizer-in-Chief Obama.
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).
I hope and pray Mary Norwood is elected Mayor. Maybe, just maybe, she can clean this cesspool and retore confidence in Atlanta government. Then and only then, will Atlanta be able to draw new businesses and *good* jobs to this city. There is NO need for the likes of Mayor Franklin, Bill Campbell, Andy Young and so many other black “leaders” being on the take, lining their personal pockets and checkbooks at the expense of all Atlantans. They should all be in jail right alongside Bill.
My kids are in high school. As soon as they graduste in 4 years, I am SO out of here. I’ve already sold the house. We’ll be renters until they graduate, so that we’ll be free of this hell hole city. If you’re white in Atlanta, you sure as hell don’t count (at least not since 1973). And in case you forget it, blacks make sure you know your place….
Humored
August 30th, 2009
6:06 pm
Madison,
Firstly, I clearly wrote republican CAUCUS!! Its in congress and it totally seperate from the republican party. Us intelligent posters were speaking in context of CONGRESS!! The black caucus, blue dog coaltition, republican caucus, hispanic caucus etc. Are all in CONGRESS.
Plus, we all know Steele is a token!! Sorry Madison, try again. The repubs and dems have traded histories and its sad that your (seemingly party) has been hi-jacked by ignorant southerners that want their country back and don’t understand what America was founded on.
Amazed
August 30th, 2009
6:13 pm
Hey
Mark
August 30th, 2009
6:14 pm
Where is Jessee Jackson ans Al Sharpton when you need them. Oh OH I forgot they are waiting for a white person to make a remark and THEN heaven hold the water. Every white person will be forced to resign every political post in ATL.
Harris
August 30th, 2009
6:17 pm
Watch out Atlanta…..you’re getting pretty close to being like Memphis! Heaven help you if you go down that slippery slope. If you think you have it bad, just try reading up on the massive problems that city continues to have and you will see you have it pretty good.
Arguing with yourself
August 30th, 2009
6:22 pm
this post doesn’t represent Atlanta, so any people reading this please don’t be afraid to come to Atlanta we’re not a perfect city, but we’re a good city.
Madison
August 30th, 2009
6:22 pm
Humored, Sorry I called you stupid. That was too kind. I’m not a Republican, nor a Democrat for that matter.
Mark
August 30th, 2009
6:22 pm
Has anyone noticed only Jackson is mentioned about the airport. (Is it because of the black thing or ????) If i am not mistaken William B. Hartsford name is also shown????
HUUUMMM!!!
jamesr1991
August 30th, 2009
6:24 pm
For those who live IN Atlanta my hope is you pick the best candidate to run YOUR city. Good luck.
As for all the bigots and racist on this board. Remember you will be judged by God one day and I hope he doesn’t bring up your racist and bigoted rants on the AJC blog.
History Repeats...
August 30th, 2009
6:25 pm
Tempest in the proverbial teapot…
from a white voter who does not support Mary Norwood and her overly myopic view of the city–
I find all of this angst quite amusing and quite contrived– who really cares what one memo does or doesn’t say… the city I live in is doing OK thank you, given the state of the economy and the utter stupidity of the ‘leadership’ of the state of GA… BTW I never realized Milton and Sandy Springs were part of Atlanta–
looks like some OTPers don’t even know were the city begins and ends but have, of course, reserved the right to (incorrectly) criticize the city of Atlanta…
Amazed
August 30th, 2009
6:26 pm
Enter your comments here
pollywannacracker
August 30th, 2009
6:29 pm
Man, I’m glad I moved to TX, forgot how ignorant both sides were. Folks it won’t matter whose in office the system the way it’s set up is corrupt yeah the folks running it over the last few decades picked up the reins where there pale predecessors left off, of running corrupt offices & careers in politics w/ the inability to substain a living from provided true service to constituents. If all you dumbarses put your intergrated minds together for a real change & stop giving credence to things of no importance such as skin color then maybe, maybe Atlanta will step out of shadows of ignorance that blankets all its citizens (well at least the black & white ones) C’mon Latinos it’s time for you guys to take over this city b/c for centuries nobody has been able to run it properly
ATL...
August 30th, 2009
6:29 pm
I am quite pround to live in a liberal, progressive and tolerant city like Atlanta (for whatever problems it may or may not have)– all the more amazing being surrounded by republican infested Missisippi, er, I mean Georgia
Kevin
August 30th, 2009
6:30 pm
I’m wondering why more people aren’t offended by one of the stated objectives stated in the memo: economic equality for blacks.
WTF? Another case of the desire to redistribute wealth?
Perhaps a better goal would be OPPORTUNITY for economic equality. Blacks and whites SHOULD have the same opportunities to succeed in America. Blacks do not “deserve” equality with other people’s economic successes just because they’re black. No race “deserves” that.
Devildog
August 30th, 2009
6:32 pm
Just curious how Shirley kept the smirk off her face while talking about it.
Devildog
August 30th, 2009
6:34 pm
Mark, FYI
It’s Hartsfield, not Hartsford.
Mark
August 30th, 2009
6:34 pm
Kevin >>>Now you done it Jessee and sharpton are COMING I SAY COMING !!!!!
Mark
August 30th, 2009
6:35 pm
Sorry Got in a hurry there devildog
Sandra
August 30th, 2009
6:40 pm
I am glad that I do not live in Atlanta…but unfortunately what happens in Atlanta has affects on where I live. This memo was uncalled for. If a white man did this memo all hell would break out and Ms. Norwood would be asked to drop out of the race.
Blacks are more racist than whites. History does prove that.
the evil rich
August 30th, 2009
6:45 pm
Yeah, sure. Atlanta has such great mayoral leadership the past 35 years, NOT!
David
August 30th, 2009
6:45 pm
David is wondering what the collective IQ of the average AJC reader/comment poster is….yikes! no wonder Atlanta is such a twisted mess.
count_schemula
August 30th, 2009
6:48 pm
First!
Atlanta
August 30th, 2009
6:50 pm
I agree with David. The ignorance, hatred and bigotry displayed in these comments is astounding. Those of you spewing that filth should be ashamed of yourselves.
Eddy
August 30th, 2009
6:54 pm
Black leadership abounds across the world….Zimbabwe, Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda, Detroit, Nawleans, etc. Care to do an assessment as to how it is going in these countries and cities. Bagdad is safer than these. Care to assess who is doing crime. And so it goes…its everyone else’s fault but the most obvious, you know.
John
August 30th, 2009
6:54 pm
What ever happened to the City too busy to hate? What is best for all of the people of the city of Atlanta? Atlanta and its government is becoming the exact thing nobody wants.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
6:55 pm
History repeats….If you look on a map, you will see that the City of Atlanta sits in Fulton County. Milton, Sandy Springs, and Johns Creek WERE in Fulton, but declared themselves a City so as to not have to have Fulton and the City of Atlanta take all of their property tax revenue.
What color is the sky in your City Of Atlanta?
rod
August 30th, 2009
6:57 pm
Amazing that Franklin and Lewis recorded a radio ad last election stating that voting for the white candidate for city council against a black would return Atlanta to the days of Bull Conner and lynchings (all democrats in leadership postions). It ran on stations with heavy black listenership. So for her to even comment on this stuff is to be discounted. She should just go out and rob some more graves of big fake artifical flowers she can pin on her blouses.
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 30th, 2009
7:06 pm
To make it easy just call it “Dead Mayor Int’l Airport”. Franklin was right to distance herself from the racist. bigoted memo. Obama should have done the same instead of jumping in on the side of that beligerant Harvard professor. Mark my words, that Skip Gates/Cop deal was the beginning of the end of Obama’s dreams of a second term and his agenda for the rest of this one. People are sick of the race card.
Wise
August 30th, 2009
7:06 pm
Vernon,
Pull your pants up. Your underware are showing.
Karen Callaghan
August 30th, 2009
7:08 pm
Shirley has always been a Aunt Jemima. All she does is kiss white folks behinds. Please leave office now, Shirley.
Our Turn
August 30th, 2009
7:16 pm
The Black people have had their chance and they have shown that their way is violence, dishonesty, adultry and corruption. Now it is time for whites to take charge. Look at all the violence at Ga Tech. All blacks..enough said
WhatDoIKnow
August 30th, 2009
7:18 pm
I find Shirley Girl’s comments interesting given the racist campaign radio spot she did for a council member running for office a few years back.
MLK, JR would be so very disappointed
August 30th, 2009
7:19 pm
Cynthia Tucker McKinney is spot on. Franklin was smart to call that memo what it is. And history will record that the Skip Gates/Cop deal took down the Obama administration.
MLK, JR would be so very disappointed
August 30th, 2009
7:21 pm
I’ll bet you a wooden nickle that Our Turn is a sleeper lib. I am a conservative and know no one what thinks are acts that way. Frankly, most racism I see is in the democrat party. Past and Present.
count_schemula
August 30th, 2009
7:22 pm
Everyone likes to seem like they are above the fray with comments like, “oh! the bigotry on both sides! What ignorance!” But those who actually know, those who actually live IN Atlanta know that the comments in these blogs are more like “real talk, straight talk.” Blacks are upset with whites for a lot of historical reasons, even though it is mostly just that, history. Whites are upset with Blacks for being such wretched neighbors for the most part jacking up the place and making everything hood. Things will change, but not for another generation or two. One on one, people get along pretty well since in that setting we treat each other like real people. But things are not well just under the thin veneer of civilization. We should pray that things get better before they get worse.
JJJ
August 30th, 2009
7:29 pm
If Turpeau were white, “The Black Leadership” would have hime resign. Also, who cares about this Mayorial race? Atlanta is dead, look at the decay everywhere, and it wont be long until the Falcons leave too. Its a shame the Braves fell victim to inner city re-development. Those Baseball games at the Ted are empty every night. Please ring the Braves to Decatur, Mareitta, Lawrenceville…..Atlanta residents could save billions of dollars on was6ted fuel just by moving the jail to east point or greenbrier.
Houckster
August 30th, 2009
7:29 pm
I think it is wrong that posters here are allowed to use other people’s name (i.e. Vernon Jones) when posting their comments. The AJC should take steps to block posts that do so.
KAT
August 30th, 2009
7:31 pm
Interesting comment. Anywho –
I wonder what does NeNe think about this? I would love to hear her thoughts.
I love to watch the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Every Thursday, I’m watching BRAVO!
Anywho — I’m off to get a sub at Publix.
Toodles. Y’all
Our Turn
August 30th, 2009
7:32 pm
I am not a liberal, i Have lived in Atl my entire life and speak with experience. Look at the Kirkwood shooting. Guy was mowing his yard and three black guys asked him for money..then they shot him. Most blacks want something for nothing as if society owes it to them. Look at the prison system…majority blacks
Our Turn
August 30th, 2009
7:35 pm
look at black men. They are more interested in sleeping with as many women as they can, fathering as many children as they can. No regards to living up to their obligations.. Always trying to hustle someone
MLK, JR would be so very disappointed
August 30th, 2009
7:35 pm
Yep, its a lib. I knew it. If he isn’t he sure acts like one with all the race business.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
7:36 pm
count shemula..I agree with you about Blacks being upset with whites based on History. However, just like my ancestors who were enslaved by the Romans, at some point point I had to let it go. I realized that I was never enslaved, and was just being angry at the past. In this country, anyone can make it…you just need ambition and motivation. Ask Any recent immigrant from Africa who is here now and they laugh at the so called “African Americans” here who think they have it bad and cannot make it.
MLK, JR would be so very disappointed
August 30th, 2009
7:39 pm
And his lack of grammar and syntax prove that Our Turn was educated in gov’t schools. I am sure this guy is a lib.
TheSouth
August 30th, 2009
7:39 pm
This is the South where Bigots run amok.
Art Vandalay
August 30th, 2009
7:40 pm
All the people saying Atlanta will continue heading down this slippery slope, its a runaway train, bla, bla bla…you just need something to b*tch about. Everyone had that attitude in NYC in 1992 and the long shot Giuliani won and the rest is history. Who cares if they are black or white or whatever the next Mayor could just as easily change this city’s direction for the better, you never know.
AJC Management
August 30th, 2009
7:41 pm
I have had similar experiences, Parzival.
Houckster
August 30th, 2009
7:42 pm
OUR TURN should be ashamed of himself for such blatant racism but he’s probably proud of it. While the news is full of crime these days and a lot of that coverage involves black youths, some of it involves whites but to OUR TURN there just the exception while for black people, it’s the rule. Truly disgusting.
AJC Management
August 30th, 2009
7:43 pm
Or ATL could turn into Detroit, Art Vandalay. God forbid.
AJC Management
August 30th, 2009
7:44 pm
OUR TURN is a liberal posting as a conservative. They do this all the time. They cannot help it. Race, Racism, and the Race Industry are the bread and butter of leftist.
Chris D'
August 30th, 2009
7:46 pm
I wonder if the irate white folks in this country realize that most of the black people in this country arrived here because the white folks at the time were too lazy to do the work themselves.
kaycee
August 30th, 2009
7:46 pm
Inquiring minds want to know:
1. who are the members of the Black Leadership Forum? Why are they so shy?
2. Why is the memo so badly written? I can’t believe that “academics” at Clark Atlanta U wrote this—is it possible?
3. Or are the conspiracy theorists correct?–that this is just an agent provocateur trying to stir up some trouble?
4. Is Atlanta going to go down the Clayton County path–voting in folks based on the skin game instead of qualifications? and then living to regret it?
5. Why is there air?
Question
August 30th, 2009
7:47 pm
So where is the call from various civil rights and political groups, Jesse, Al, the city/county/State/Federal governments or the media (AJC included) for a complete investigation of those who wrote this letter ?????
We are all so tired of the double standard!!!!
Our Turn
August 30th, 2009
7:47 pm
Rarely does it involve whites houckster. Face it, most black people ruin the city, and life for the civilized. and yes I am racist because I have lived in Atlanta my whole life. Been mugged twice by blacks
SouthernGal
August 30th, 2009
7:48 pm
I think it would be hilarious if all “white business”, white workers and residents left the city of Atlanta.
Renee
August 30th, 2009
7:48 pm
What a day it will be when racists stand before God. Some things are not even worth getting mad about…..this is one of them. Personally, I just take pleasure in the fact that at the end of their days, these people will have to stand before God. Let them tell him how much they despise others, all because of their race. Wonder where they’ll end up?
Alexander J
August 30th, 2009
7:49 pm
Wow! You white people are STILL this racist! I left the city before “everyone came down” (Olympics) with their crime and smog and the sheer lack of racial progress is astounding. Of Atlanta’s more notable problems (other than crime, but it’s a deep recession, what do you expect?) is the horrible traffic which could have been corrected with mass transit, but White people didn’t want “the nigs” in their counties — hahah, now you’ve got Mexicans AND illegals. You guys are lucky to have rapid rail in that city but the sheer blinding force of White racism/supremacy halts all development.
But then again, Atlanta is a small oasis in a bathtub of red (your leader is Black) as is the president. How ironic!
Batboy
August 30th, 2009
7:49 pm
I am glad to see Franklin be unambiguous about the BLF bigotry. This is a step forward. Franklin understands that race baiting is a dangerous road for a leader who needs the cooperation of other communities to succeed. While you might be able to divide and conquer, divide and lead is a strategy for failure.
Well done Shirley.
Jay Bookman on the other hand is an apologist for the bigot.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
7:51 pm
As long as the people of Atlanta vote for a mayor based on skin color, and not character, experience, and REAL leadership, ALL of us in Atlanta will suffer. I think most of the good candidates know how it works, so they stay in their corporate jobs. I voted for Obama because I thought he was the best candidate. It seems like the Black Caucasus in Atlanta going backwards, while the rest of the Country is moving forward.
Real
August 30th, 2009
7:54 pm
Chris D. — so where in the timeline have you moved from “working” to become generations dependent on the government for your care and feeding, developed such an exteme sense of entitlement, become single parent households (with multiple children, each likely by a different man), responsible for most violent crimes (watch the daily newscast in Atlanta), etc….
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
7:57 pm
Alexander, you are 100% correct on transit in Atlanta. A lot of people suffer now because Gwinnett and Cobb did not want the “black crime” that MARTA would bring if it expanded North.
Where is the bad traffic? 75 N towards Cobb and 85 N towards Gwinnett.
Sam
August 30th, 2009
7:58 pm
I’m sure that when Hartsfield, Ivan Allen, and Massell were mayors, black businesses and professionals probably did not get their meritocratic share of contracts, even though Atlanta was “the black Mecca”. So, the response of Jackson and Campbell was to give contracts to black businesses that DIDN’T deserve them. Franklin has had all she could handle shoveling out the Campbellian Stables, and not been able to maintain the sewers and streets. But, her entourage hasn’t stolen anything. The black elite of Atlanta will continue to be rich and powerful no matter what the race of Atlanta’s mayor. That’s the irony of them telling always-powerless poor blacks to always vote black, to save themselves from accountability.
Maynard Jackson did NOT “build the Atlanta Airport”. I can personally attest it was there in ‘64. Maynard Jackson was mayor when a large and innovative new terminal was added. His mayorality almost certinly contributed to securing the Olympics.
kaycee
August 30th, 2009
8:00 pm
Will the authors of the BLF memo please step forward!!!
Renee
August 30th, 2009
8:01 pm
As you name calling racists raise your children, do you ever think about how ignorant you are? How do you sleep at night, teaching your children about hatred? It’s too bad that they are being groomed into such ignorance. They too will have to stand before God one day (maybe you don’t belive in God, but he is a God of love)…I wish we could have this conversation after that. Sad, sad, sad.
JD
August 30th, 2009
8:03 pm
What they want so badly for Atlanta is just what the problem is. Too many of “us” (black folks) running things in Atlanta, and for way far too long. I am convinced that we as a people don’t run things very well without equal power sharing of caucasians and others to help keep us in check. On the flip side, when Caucasian get power they also seem to have a tendancy to run amuck as well, but seemingly not with outright blatant nepotism (i.e., Dekalb County School System) that is so evident with the institutions that we run. nevertheless, they also need “others” around in an equal position of power to help keep them in check too.
kaycee
August 30th, 2009
8:06 pm
Why won’t Turpeau name names?
Mark
August 30th, 2009
8:06 pm
This memo is no more racist than the radio ad featuring the voice of Andrew Young which was broadcast the other year on election day in support of the Democratic Fulton County Commissioner candidates warning black voters to come out to the polls and vote for their candidates or they could be facing fire hoses and police dogs again.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
8:07 pm
Chris D….Slavery is a history that all of us are a part of. Not just blacks. There are roads built in Europe by my enslaved ancestors hands for the Romans…Rather than sitting around dwelling in the past, we should all be glad that we weren’t enslaved, and that we live in a time where it is mostly over.
Time to move forward.
kaycee
August 30th, 2009
8:10 pm
How is Clark Atlanta U going to distance itself from this memo?
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
8:14 pm
Renee, do you have a splinter in your eye?
BlackRules
August 30th, 2009
8:19 pm
Atlanta needs a black mayor! The whites run everything else and without representation, the whites will try to keep the African-Americans down in this city!
Jason
August 30th, 2009
8:20 pm
@BlackRules: Human beings need representation.
HumanNature
August 30th, 2009
8:26 pm
BTW, The only Real Houswife star that lives in Atlanta is the white trash one…LOL!! The rest live in Gwinett and North Fulton, neither of which are in Atlanta.
To all the dumb rednecks on this post, you are ignorant to assert that all black men desire to sire multiple children by multiple women. How many white men in power have fallen for the panties of women not their wives? White people have a sense of entitlement and because you have had a 400 year headstart on most people in this country you have been able to advance other groups, especially blacks who couldn’t vote in many parts of America without the intervention of the government in the 1960s. Please, your children are smoking and selling dope, stealing cars, killing each other and bringing down communities as much as blacks. The news is sensationalized!
I can be honest as an African American, there are some of us that need to do better, but there are many of us that have made it against the most dire odds. You can keep kidding yourselves and saying that everything is equal and fair but there are some of us that rise above your divisive tactics.
Chris D'
August 30th, 2009
8:34 pm
Real,
It just puzzles me how a majority oppresses a minority for 350 years (there were not equal rights until the 60’s) and then the majority wonders why the minority might have some angst toward the majority. I don’t think enslavement and segregation are beneficial ways to help assimilate a minority.
“I am not really excited about living near you so there you go blacks folks sorry about all that crap before I don’t know what we were thinking. We are going to move out to the suburbs now and leave you in the city and make sure public transportation doesn’t come out to where we are. Go ahead and run the city and years later we will complain about how you ran it. We will probably get tired of our long commutes and want to kick you back out of your houses and move back into the city at some point. I hope you aren’t angry at us. Oh yah we’ll take all our wealth with us that we only had the opportunity to accumulate and have good schools and infrastructure out in the burbs. Enjoy yourself in the city. ” White folks 1960 something.
So Sad
August 30th, 2009
8:36 pm
I have always been proud of Atlanta rising above the petty politics of race that occurs on so many of our nation’s cities. Apparently I was wrong.
Ruralite
August 30th, 2009
8:40 pm
I am proud that there is at least some well-thought commentary appearing here. Perhaps there is hope for the city Black or White.
The White Devils You Say!
August 30th, 2009
8:41 pm
As I well remember, Maynard Jackson ran one of the most blatantly racist campaigns against Sam Masell to become the first ‘black’ mayor of Atlanta. Maynard and his cronies have run corrupt administrations since then. Too often it has been about race and not competence or what was best for the citizens of Atlanta. Good men and women were written off because the color of their skin was too light or too dark! What ever happened to electing the best person for the office? I’m voting for Norwood because she is the best. She is also not part of the corrupt political machine initiated by Maynard Jackson. Borders and Reed both are.
BHO
August 30th, 2009
8:44 pm
Change, we can believe in.
Kevin
August 30th, 2009
8:44 pm
I always find it frustrating when people on these boards focus on the few people who make ignorant statements. There’s always a handful of holier-than-thous that like bemoan how backward we must be and how we must not be able to move on.
Seriously? That’s a weak and very tiring position.
You lot seem always operate the same way. Anyone that says something remotely critical of blacks (even if the statement is fact based) is automatically expunged. Don’t you get it? That sort of brow-beating is precisely why we can’t have legitimate conversations.
So here’s a valid question? Why is no one critical of Mayor Franklin for saying the memo was “bigoted”. I would call it “racist”. But that word is reserved for situations in which white people have wronged blacks, right?
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
8:44 pm
If you really think Atlanta has EVER been above pettiness with regard to race then you’ve been living under a rock. I have lived here my entire life and used to slum with the Blacks all the time down on the west end back in the 70s and early 80s. The Whites have always resented the Blacks here and vise versa. Not to worry. Once the rest of Atlanta begins looking like Gwinnett and Cobb (read: Mexico) then we won’t have to contend with the Blacks and their shenanigans anymore. We’ll just have to learn Spanish. I’m gettin on the Mayflower and going back to Europe, if they’ll have me.
Keeping It Real
August 30th, 2009
8:47 pm
Like it or not, politics, class and race are factors in all governments. Access to City Hall is a must if you want to do business. Whites in power have always given business to those they know or run in their social circles. Over the past 25 years or so, blacks have done the same. I understand what Turpeau and his group are saying. Its politics. If you think the same things are not done under the Gold Dome and the White House, then you are sorely mistaken. I gurantee you that Blacks will not particpate as much in the money stream if Norwood is elected. She has to provide opportunities for her people just like Shirley had to provide opportunities for her people.In the words of a very astute politician, “follow the dollar”.
Humored
August 30th, 2009
8:48 pm
The White Devils You Say! Tell me why Mary Norwood is the best? Tell me one accomplishment that has been good for the whole of Atlanta? Just one?
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
8:50 pm
I am privileged and entitled. I can hold any opinion I damn well please because I have the complexion for protection. Remember, men were murdered in droves on behalf of my chastity. I will do and say what I damn well please. Don’t like it? Go back where you came from, I mean, where you were taken from. Oh hell who cares, the country’s built and prospering now so we don’t need your kind around anymore. God Bless you all, Jesus loves you.
Union worker
August 30th, 2009
8:51 pm
The memo was written by racist for racist. Why are democrat leaders in this country always playing the race card?
White Guy in 2012
August 30th, 2009
8:52 pm
Speaking of “bigoted memos” how come this is being overlooked:
http://www.google.com/search?q=great+white+hope+blunder&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS276US278
M.T.
August 30th, 2009
8:53 pm
We must learn to read between the lines. Turpeau’s letter is not just about Blacks against Whites, it’s about Lighter-Skinned-Blacks against Darker Skinned Blacks.
AJC Management
August 30th, 2009
8:53 pm
Strong White Woman is a frequent liberal poster on this blog. She is trying to make normal Americans appear to be racist. But it is she that is one. So sad.
Bill Crosby
August 30th, 2009
8:55 pm
A blue gum wrote the memo.
White Flight?
August 30th, 2009
8:58 pm
If you’re disgusted by Atlanta because Blacks are the majority and are in power then LEAVE. The same way some of you are so quick to tell others to “go back where they came from”, how about you honkies pack your stuff and get the hell outta here? Oh that’s right. The entire world hates the bane of your existence. I’m sure there’s some unincorporated town in Montana or “the unclaimed west” waiting for your trail of tears, if you get my drift. God doesn’t like hypocrisy and your race are the biggest walking/talking hypocrites on the planet. 5 billion people can’t be wrong!
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
8:59 pm
I don’t need you speaking on my behalf. Thanks. By the way, what’s a”normal American”?
john wood
August 30th, 2009
9:00 pm
What happened to the 500 other comments that were posted earlier ?
Chris D'
August 30th, 2009
9:03 pm
WG 12′,
Thanks for the link. That is actually pretty funny. The best part is her acting dumb about it later.
Kaye
August 30th, 2009
9:03 pm
Black and leadership in the same sentence? Oxymoron maybe? Only if very few and very rare case are they “leaders”
PappyHappy
August 30th, 2009
9:03 pm
If Mr. Turpeau is looking for an agenda for the Black Leadership Forum, please look no further:
* Audit all city expenditures and provide 100% transparency of city expenditures.
* Conduct an immediate review of the accounting department, and isolate line items that are not beneficial to the rank in file citizenry. CUT SAME.
* Develop a listing of best practices from SOLVENT CITIES, and place them into practice in Atlanta
* Conduct a search for the most qualified watershed manager in the Country who is sensitive to citizens. HIRE HIM/HER! Need such a leader given the water issues Atlanta is and will face in the future.
* Conduct a search for the most qualified police chief in the Country who is a crime preventer and a crime solver. Hire HIM/HER.
* Blow into the Atlanta Public School system to insure cheating IS NOT TOLERATED; autistic children are not abused; and real increases in test scores are achieved. Push for increased charter schools. Hard to attract business given the incidents of the past year. Leadership appears to be sorely lacking.
* Permit MLK Jr’s statement of ‘measuring an individual’s character, vice the color of their skin’ become a reality …….. in Atlanta!
* Allow Mr. Turpeau to be part of another organization’s future …… immediately!!!!
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
9:05 pm
Chris D…are you oppressed right now? Have you ever been enslaved? Is there anyone alive right now that you know of who has been enslaved OR owned slaves? Also…the 1960’s were 50 YEARS AGO and you are still there. We just elected a black president…who is there because white people voted for him.! Why is it that African immigrants (who, by the way have it a LOT harder) come here today and succeed….taking advantage of the opportunity to get an education and better themselves…while “African Americans” feel oppressed and unmotivated?
It’s an attitude and choice. It’s time for the excuses of the past to end, and to move forward and appreciate the opportunities we All have in the U.S.
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
9:08 pm
“Ask Any recent immigrant from Africa who is here now and they laugh at the so called “African Americans” here who think they have it bad and cannot make it.”
Are these the same people who sold their ancestors into slavery? Can you ask them to take them back to Africa along with themselves? We certainly don’t want any Africans here on their own accord.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
9:17 pm
Chris…Atlanta Urban Sprawl is not as simple as race. There are a LOT of Black people that moved to the South side suburbs because of population growth in the city, better schools, quality of life, and all the other reasons that ANYONE moves to the suburbs.
Ask a Native
August 30th, 2009
9:23 pm
Parzival, are you an idiot? I will conclude the that the answer is yes. Why is it so hard for these Africans you speak of? I’ll tell you: because your White ancestors stripped their land of all its rich resources and when they were done with the resources they took the PEOPLE. Let’s strip people from their land, throw them into bondage without the feasibility to learn anything about their culture not the culture they’ve become a part of, add 400 years of oppression then 120 more of Jim Crow. We’ll create Affirmative Action, allow it to primarily benefit WHITE FEMALES, all while using Blacks as it’s scapegoat, continue to perpetuate overt racism and you’re in here telling the Blacks to just “get over it”?? Why is this acceptable? Why is NOT acceptable to tell the Jews to get over the holocaust? Or to tell AMERICANS who don’t live in NYC to get over 9/11? I’ll tell you why, it’s called oppression. When one group is oppressed that means another group is benefiting from said oppression. You can color your overt racism with this faux, harmonious “my people did it, too” debacle but YOU ARE PRIVILEGED based solely on the color of your skin and your forefathers sought to keep it that way. You may not have had a hand in slavery directly but damn it there’s 200 million of you BENEFITING from it right now in this country. So, until you’ve walked a day in the shoes of the oppressed then I’d kindly suggest you STFU.
YOU, and those who think like you, are the primary reason the 5 billion people of color in this world despise your very existence as mentioned earlier. 5 billion people can’t be wrong.
Strong Black Woman
August 30th, 2009
9:23 pm
Strong white woman, it sounds like you need a strong black man in your life to help you with all your anxiety.I have a good black man in my life. He’s a great father to our two children, he works hard everyday, earns a six-figure salary and he gives me good loving on the regular. He can do anything that he wants and he cares about humanity. He’s my gift, not because he’s black but because he’s mine.
You are an ignorant person and you really need help.If So many whites are so upset about the state of Atlanta why don’t you all leave. My white neighbors are great and we get along fine, I hope none of them are like you.
Black in Atlanta
August 30th, 2009
9:27 pm
Without all the white racism and slavery over the last 300 years in this country, the African-American population would be a much higher level in income and stature. I’m hoping Obama and the black leadership in Congress start talking about reparations for all African-Americans soon! Minorities are owed big money for all the racism by white people, which continues today. Atlanta needs a lot more African-Americans in government to block more racism by whites.
Ask a Native
August 30th, 2009
9:30 pm
“Turpeau’s letter is not just about Blacks against Whites, it’s about Lighter-Skinned-Blacks against Darker Skinned Blacks.”
This is amusing for a number of reasons. Even if it’s true, no one will care enough to read between the lines. The “us” versus “them” has already begun. Dance, puppets.
Humored
August 30th, 2009
9:32 pm
Ask a native, you are spot on with your comments. I swear on everything sacred that I do not hate whites, nor am I harboring I will for what transpired in the past but I will not allow senseless drivel to go unchecked.
By the way, I’m still waiting for someone to post a Norwood accomplishment. Sounds to me that she’s an empty suit and some (white and black) are itching to vote for her because she’s white.
GaTecherrorist
August 30th, 2009
9:36 pm
It takes 14 of them to run a Church’s chicken…and they expect ONE to run the country? obama = One Big A$$ Mistake America
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
9:36 pm
SBW: Why am I to care about you or your livelihood? It is your husband’s six figure salary that is a threat to my own livelihood. I’m pretty sure my own husband was more qualified for whatever job your hubby has, based on the sole fact that he’s White. Furthermore, if I wanted a strong black man I’d have an easier time attaining him than you had
I know all Blacks aren’t bad, I happen to know 2. They work for me and are very nice, clean people. Remember, I used to slum with you people all the time on the west end back in the 70s and 80s. I know all Blacks aren’t bad. But when my privilege and entitlement become threatened then all bets are off. As long as Blacks are running this city my livelihood and the livelihood of my people becomes jeopardized and that’s a problem. Nobama 2012.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
9:37 pm
Black in America…you were never enslaved, so why do you want money for someone else that was?
Since a lot of slaves were sold by rival (black) tribes that captured them, how are you going to distinguish which black people get money and which ones pay?
Blutarsky
August 30th, 2009
9:39 pm
McDonald’s comercial is ethnically challenged, white people don’t get it kinda like Seinfeld fo’ the brothas, can I get a witness amen!
JDE
August 30th, 2009
9:39 pm
Humored, I’m still waiting for you to address my comments about Lisa Borders. See my post a couple hours ago. What has Reed done outside of govt? The City needs someone with a business background. That’s the most important requirement right now. We dont need another hack politician. We need someone who has succeeded outside of govt, because if they can make it in the private sector they can make it in govt. Very few politicians succeed in the real world. Lisa Borders has. I cant vote either because I’m a Cobb Co citizen….plus I’m white which by law excludes me from voting in the city of Atlanta mayoral election. That’s a joke by the way.
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
9:41 pm
Since I was called a closeted liberal who makes “normal Americans” (Whatever that is) look bad…oh and a racist, is it fair to conclude that “Black in Atlanta” is in fact a white person posing as a colored?
Rodney King
August 30th, 2009
9:42 pm
We can find common ground in agreeing that Glenn Beck is Hitler’s doppelganger…
CoCoMom
August 30th, 2009
9:43 pm
Maynard Jackson took care of his friends and family, and Andrew Young did the same and, of course, Bill Campbell, who perhaps pushed the envelope on all that, and then Shirley Franklin, with her uhm conflicts of interests. And most mayors of big cities are the same, black or white. As long as the city functions at an acceptable level and fees and taxes don’t get out of hand, most people are okay with all that. Problem now is the city is not operating at an acceptable level and the cost of it is out of control – and all that the current administration, with its long legacy to Maynard Jackson, can think to do about it is raise taxes and fees even more. The city cannot find its financial butt with both hands, and Franklin has been uhm out of pocket for years now. So, yes, the Maynard Jackson story is about to come to an end.
I’m voting for Jesse Spikes.
Ben Here
August 30th, 2009
9:44 pm
When will Andy call Mary a “smart a** white girl”? May have already done it. Just didn’t say it around whites.
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
9:44 pm
JDE: don’t forget White. Coloreds (that includes you Asians and Latinos) need not apply. You all are being mighty passive aggressive about all of this. Blatant racism is much more respected than the alternative. You closeted racists will learn this quickly, come on out and join the rest of us. United We Stand, divided …the-coloreds-get-uppity-and-start-expecting-privileges-and-stuff.
Shar
August 30th, 2009
9:46 pm
Squirrelly F says someone else is bigoted? After her disgusting, racist, underhanded, irresponsible statements during the Eaves election, I guess she’s qualified in the takes-one-to-know-one department.
Glenn Beck
August 30th, 2009
9:47 pm
Actually, I’m a closet liberal. I just do this for the ratings. Ratings=money. I don’t care about any of you people, actually.
Lou
August 30th, 2009
9:48 pm
Why aren’t more people talking about Shirley Franklin’s racist comments as cited above–i.e., in a major speech when she said she feared losing the black leadership of Atlanta and that memo from her, Andy Young, and John Lewis which left any thinking person in disbelief and no longer respecting any of the three. When whites do such things, they are cited forever and never forgotten. When blacks do them, it’s as if “Oh, that’s okay. They don’t know any better.” Think about it. A double standard. Whites should know better but blacks aren’t expected to. If I were black, I would be insulted and want the media and all blacks to condemn such ignorance.
Strong Black Woman
August 30th, 2009
9:48 pm
Strong White Woman, what street did you live on in West End. West End wasn’t a slum back then. In fact, it didn’t reach that state until the late 80s during the crack epidemic.
I mentioned my strong black man’s salary because he’s a hard worker and your husband, that probably pays you no attention, needs to work harder if ALL the “under-qualified” blacks are beating him out of jobs.Anywho, my husband works for himself. I sense a bit of satire in your posts and I believe you are just being silly on this comment blog.
audrey
August 30th, 2009
9:48 pm
to southerngirl,
i think it would be great if whites and their buisnessess left atlanta, we all know its the poor black folks that spend the money anyway. all whites know how to do is sleep with their children
Ask A Native Needs Therapy
August 30th, 2009
9:50 pm
Damn Girl, are you angry or what? Your angry rant against everything white shows your hatred for anyone/anything that doesn’t have pigment in its skin. Get that huge racial chip off your shoulder, its holding you back from moving forward. Sure, I get angry when I can’t win a contract I bid on in the City of Atlanta because I’m not a “Disadvantaged Minority Contractor” but that’s the way it goes. I didnt hear you rant about that injustice…giving business to someone purely because of their skin color rather than their qualifications. You should call Dr. Phil and book an appointment because you are f___ed up!!
Chris D'
August 30th, 2009
9:51 pm
Parzival,
Is there some reason you are assuming I am African American? Is it impossible for you to understand that someone could understand the perspective of someone not like them? You should try it sometime. You ever wonder why blacks and whites seem to have a different perspective on a lot of issues in this country. I think you assume one must be superior to the other and if they just saw it from your perspective everything would be okay. Opinions and perceptions develop over time they don’t just happen. There is a reason people act the way they do and behave the way they do. Try understanding someone else’s perspective sometime or keep riding your righteous high horse if you prefer.
Ask A Native
August 30th, 2009
9:52 pm
“If I were black, I would be insulted and want the media and all blacks to condemn such ignorance.”
Yeah, cause Blacks TOTALLY have equity in the media. *Smfh*
Humored-I am still waiting
August 30th, 2009
9:57 pm
Humored, I swear on my mothers grave that I am not a Lisa Borders plant but I believe she is the most qualified candidate. Yet, I have asked you 3 times now why Kasim Reed should be elected, and you still harp on Mary Norwood. Although Mary and I share the same skin color I dont know anything about her, nor care to. However I do know that Lisa Borders is a respected business leader, which counts for something when you are managing a multimillion dollar budget as the Mayor of Atlanta. Can Kasim even balance his checkbook? Your silence is deafening. Do you only answer the posts you want to? I’m not trying to pick a fight(because I’d win), I’m just trying to get you to explain why anyone else should vote for him. What has he done?
Woodie
August 30th, 2009
9:57 pm
Maynard Jackson got elected because he was color-blind. Whomever we get to serve as Mayor must be color-blind. If Norwood is the best choice, then that’s who I’ll support. I would NEVER vote for someone because of their race. Anyone who does is racist. It’s that plain and simple.
Ask A Native Needs Dr. Phil
August 30th, 2009
9:59 pm
Your anger is now showing. I would love to play poker against you some night because you obviously can’t hide your emotions. Remember, count to 10 when you get angry.
ATL Handicapper
August 30th, 2009
10:00 pm
The Vote-O-Meter has given several mayoral election forecasts over the past few weeks, all of them on Creative Loafing. It currently believes that if the election were held today, Norwood would be at 42%; Reed and Borders at 27%; Spikes – 3%, and all others at 1%. Norwood is holding on to her base but is not making gains and shows signs of strain. Reed and Borders are neck-in-neck with the results of the Turpeau memo yet unknown. Spikes is getting decent coverage but is not yet building tangible support.
Humored
August 30th, 2009
10:03 pm
JDE, Kasim Reed has practiced law for close to 20 years and is currentl a partner at Holland and Knight law firm, one of Atl’s silk stockings firms and one with offices across the world. Given his age, he’s actually accomplished a lot. Borders has worked for others just like Reed and climbed the ranks much the same way. The difference between the two is Reed has an actual legislative record to stand on.
BTW, I strongly doubt you are a white man or that you live in Cobb County. Forgive me if I’m wrong but I don’t believe you. Now you tell me something that Borders has accomplished that makes her more qualified than Reed and thank you for leaving Mary Palin, I meant Norwood, out out of this discussion.
Ask A Native
August 30th, 2009
10:03 pm
Needs Therapy: what’s holding me back from moving forward? And why should I care about what contracts you do or don’t win in the city if Atlanta? I could care less about your perceived plight, why don’t you use some of that privilege you attained by birthright to strong arm some of those contracts? Cause you know, those “disadvantaged minorities” don’t have a clue about construction anyway.
My people have been deduced to “reservations” and menial handouts from “anyone/anything that doesn’t have pigment in its skin.” You got damned right I don’t like your kind. I suppose I will just have to get over all of it, though. At least we have casinos and what not, right? Spare me your ‘woe is the white man’ rants. You had a 400-year head start, too bad. And when this economy turns around, and your great-White-hope mayor elected, I’m sure you’ll be back in business in no time.
Ask A Native
August 30th, 2009
10:06 pm
I should totally seek the therapy of Dr. Phil, cause the white man can fix any and everything “wrong” with people of color, right? Keep proving my point.
AeroNautica0909
August 30th, 2009
10:07 pm
I am totally embarrassed to live in the Atlanta metro area or Georgia by looking at these posts. I see more bigoted, racist, culturally insensitive material posted here than I’ve ever seen in any other medium where commenting is allowed. As a college student, I am disgusted by the lack of maturity shown by all that are posting here. This is supposed to be a CONSTRUCTIVE commenting forum. If the comments on here is indicative of the thoughts of the voting populace, the City is doomed.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
10:09 pm
Chris D , nice try at skirting around the issue…I guess using guilt as an answer was your only play.
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
10:11 pm
“Strong Black Woman” wouldn’t know satire or sarcasm if it punched her in the mouth. Oh wait, her strong black husband probably does that already.
I don’t care about you, your husband, or his salary. It does not take care of my livelihood. And I’m pretty sure I scored some coke down in the west end in the 80s before it became readily available here in Dunwoody. See, the Blacks ARE good for something!
Birth Of A Nation.
Humored
August 30th, 2009
10:11 pm
JDE, I guaruntee you can’t beat me in a debate about Atlanta politics. I actually, missed your last post. You are obviously either an outsider (yeah right) or a Borders plant. Everyone know Lisa is big-development’s candidate and she was a marketing and external affairs officer in her former capacities and didn’t sit at the helm of any of the companies she worked for. She doesn’t even lead now, she raises money with her influence and then turns it over to the Grady board.
If you are who you say you are read more on the candidates and stay out of it. If you are a Borders plant then ask her to give you a raise because we’re in a recession and you are doing an excellent job.
Strong Black Woman
August 30th, 2009
10:18 pm
STW, Are you getting upset. BTW, as a stay-at-home mom with a psych degree I can tell byour language that you’re a man. Again, what street did you live on in the West End. I’m a Spelman grad and the West End was not a slum as you stated in th 70’s and 80’s.
Ask a Native
August 30th, 2009
10:19 pm
Jeny wrote:
“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).
I hope and pray Mary Norwood is elected Mayor. Maybe, just maybe, she can clean this cesspool and retore confidence in Atlanta government. Then and only then, will Atlanta be able to draw new businesses and *good* jobs to this city. There is NO need for the likes of Mayor Franklin, Bill Campbell, Andy Young and so many other black “leaders” being on the take, lining their personal pockets and checkbooks at the expense of all Atlantans. They should all be in jail right alongside Bill.
My kids are in high school. As soon as they graduste in 4 years, I am SO out of here. I’ve already sold the house. We’ll be renters until they graduate, so that we’ll be free of this hell hole city. If you’re white in Atlanta, you sure as hell don’t count (at least not since 1973). And in case you forget it, blacks make sure you know your place….”
That last sentence has so much irony in it that I can’t take it! HA! Doesn’t feel too good to feel as if you’re being OPPRESSED AND SHUT OUT, does it “Jeny”?? Good riddance when you do go, you certainly won’t be missed.
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
10:21 pm
And Chris, I have looked at a minority perspective. I work with three Ethiopians who talk about this all the time. I’m just expressing the minority perspective that I have come to after hearing many long conversations about it. There is a large attitude gap between a “Native African” who comes to Atlanta and an” African American” who was born here. Same race. To me, it’s less of a black/ white issue and more of an attitude issue.
DirtyDawg
August 30th, 2009
10:23 pm
Thank God somebody here has said what needed to be said…aeronautical0909 – a college student, and I assume a Tech student, has nailed it. The vile, hateful comments paint a sad picture about, at the least, those that are posting here tonight.
Some of us thought that the election of Barack Obama did indeed signal that perhaps we have transcended race – at least in the majority of the country. And, hopefully, we have. But you can be sure that racial prejudice reins supreme in the metropolitan area of Atlanta…hope you folks are proud because you’ll be ridiculed by the vast majority of Americans for years to come…and forget about any corporation of significance bringing their people here – not because that the city isn’t run well but because the area and state are riddled with narrow-minded, bigoted, xenophobic, homophobic racists.
And as for those liberal Democrats that couldn’t run a city – you talking about William Hartsfield…Ivan Allen, Jr….Sam Massell? Those liberal Democrats?
Strong White Woman
August 30th, 2009
10:23 pm
SBW: I’m not at all upset. I am thoroughly amused that-
A) you STILL don’t get it
B) you continue to harp on your possessions as if I give a rat’s behind
C) you think you’re smart
You should demand that Spelman give you your money back. Your Psych degree (or your husband’s six figures) couldn’t buy you a clue.
Marcus Cornelius
August 30th, 2009
10:27 pm
The bottom line is the African-American culture is a failed one. It feeds on fear and conspiracy and is led by demogogues and moral reprobates. Blacks who associate themselves with black culture are doomed to failure as the culture continues its slow evolution.
Srong Black Woman
August 30th, 2009
10:27 pm
STW, I actually do get it and we’re playing the same game. I’m just being more truthful in my approach, you simpleton!!
Humored
August 30th, 2009
10:31 pm
JDE, are you there? Did I answer your question?
jimmy candela
August 30th, 2009
10:31 pm
if black ppl dont want white ppl around atl fine! white ppl need to boycott atl dont spend money in atl! if u live outside of atl in u work in atl dont spend money there bring your lunch and tell your co work to do the same!!see how fast atl will fall if white ppl stop spend money there!! boycott atl tell everybody!!!! BOYCOTT ps and ajc doesnt say something about black racist boycott them ajc to!!
Ask A Native
August 30th, 2009
10:32 pm
“And Chris, I have looked at a minority perspective. I work with three Ethiopians who talk about this all the time. I’m just expressing the minority perspective that I have come to after hearing many long conversations about it. There is a large attitude gap between a “Native African” who comes to Atlanta and an” African American” who was born here. Same race. To me, it’s less of a black/ white issue and more of an attitude issue.”
This guy is more ignorant than I gave him credit for! “I asked three Ethiopians! Therefore I know the plight of Black Americans! It’s true! It’s true!” There it is again. Same race??? The ancestors of African Americans were from WEST AFRICA, dunce. What could an Ethiopian possibly know about the plight of African Americans, or even the plight of their enslaved ancestors? NOTHING. Absolutely NOTHING. Since you like asking questions, ask those Ethiopians if they think they are of the “same race” as Blacks. You might be surprised by their answer. Actually you might not, since you’ve already had “long conversations” with them about Blacks. I can only imagine the context.
While you’re at it, Parzival, please do all people of color a favor and stop trying to figure us out. Continue living in your sheltered ethnocentric world, I swear it suits you.
Ask A Native
August 30th, 2009
10:35 pm
LOL@ “jimmy”. Or, you could just move to Gwinnett/Forsyth with the rest of your brethren and be angry from afar (smile). This is becoming hilarious! The whites are up in arms because the blacks don’t want them around? Who would have thought it could be? LMAO!
George BUSH
August 30th, 2009
10:38 pm
This should be an issue based discussion but i guess we still have a loooong way to go..glad i am in TEXAS now
Strong Black Woman
August 30th, 2009
10:58 pm
What failed? STW, you didn’t live in the West End. You’re more than likely not even female. Thankd for calling me a monkey, that makes you SEEM real intelligent.
Face it, you’re all upset because Bush and Cheney screwed us to hell and now a beautiful black family sits in the WHITE HOUSE and the bi-racial husband/father is doing a good job of cleaning up the frat boy’s and draft-dodger’s mess. Atlanta’s the same, Mary Norwood isn’t more qualified than Reed and Borders y’all just want everyone to believe she is so you can see a white person in the mayor’s office.
If that’s all you want put up a more qualified candidate.
Ramzad
August 30th, 2009
11:00 pm
As all these diatribes and counter diatribes have roared on, it has become clear to me that you are all idiots- white and black.
You both should be talking about how you are going to rescue this country from marginalism and average performance. Have you ever wondered why everybody want to drive a BMW- even those who are park it if front of somebody’s broken down apartment building?
Have you ever wondered why we have to go to Sweden when we want a good expensive machine while we “intelligent Americans” spend most of our time figuring out how to redesign Twinkies? Have you wondered why the Cash for Clunker program became a fat welfare check to Toyota and Honda?
The blacks ca’nt see that they need to get educated, stop killing each other, stop breaking into each others houses, stop spewing out unaffordable children, stop throwing trash around, stop getting loud an aggressive over nothing, stop supporting crooked politicians- in other words start bringing respectability back to black culture.
White folks have little choice but to stay on blogs and yell at blacks,
because they don’t want to be around blacks. Fact is that many blacks don’t want to be around blacks. Black people it is hard to engage anybody constructively if they have good reason to believe that they will be killed if they get too close.
The whites need to see that it is not just they that are worthy people. It is not just they that want a good education for their children. The whites need to see that it is not all black people that are criminals and thugs. The whites need to see that Obama had a white mama, so Obama can’t be possibly racist against whites. The whites need to see that using the police and the justice system as an illegal billy club against blacks only create more criminal blacks when the get felonies (for things that whites would walk for)and can’t get jobs.
So; while you two groups of imbeciles are yelling against the fence Atlanta burns.
AeroNautica0909
August 30th, 2009
11:13 pm
DirtyDawg… thanks for supporting me with your comments. I’m a Southern Polytechnic student (school is in Marietta) but I live in Stockbridge. Whenever I see the AJC have commenting open for blog entries or other news stories, it annoys me to see these racist, bigoted, culturally insensitive commentary by people. Living in the area for 4 years, I am aghast at the continuous impertinent commentary that is unleashed by people. If most people think remotely close to more than half of these posts, the City AND the metro area is doomed.
LongShot
August 30th, 2009
11:22 pm
Ramzad, shut up!! You know nothing
RacistCrap
August 30th, 2009
11:23 pm
Atlanta is 95% black or white with a little hispanic brown thrown in. What Atlanta need is a share of the diversity that Gwinnett and Cobb have (both more diverse than Atlanta). Funny how the white suburbs are more diverse than the city of Atlanta. I hope the hispanics take over Atlanta and end this racist crap.
robertcowart
August 30th, 2009
11:23 pm
check the taxi cabs companies the towing co that had to hav minority owners to get a permit eldrin bell beverly who was maynard former driver verno jones who wanted to fire all white mgr in dekalb county airport contracts shirly you know what i mean there are a lots contracts that have been adwarted becaused thwey there name only but not to people who were qualified yellow cab university cab checker cab bill cambell it not what i kown i do fo you what kown you do for me HERMAN CAIN PLEASE MOVE TO Atlanta run for mayor and get tax locally then nationally how many %%%% have there been made saice him and bacause of him jusr curios alots i guess i will respond later thanks
PAT FROM ELLENWOOD
August 30th, 2009
11:25 pm
Real Mark and dirty dawg get it right. Shirley Franklin has been the best mayor we’ve had in a long time. She has tackled many of the challenges no other mayor before her would ever touch. This mayoral race and the city council districts should reflect the electorate. Everyone that has a vested interest in Atlanta being the best city in the south should research all the candidates, their records (or lack thereof) and elect people to move the City of Atlanta forward. Let’s not make this about Aaron Turpeau or a memo. This is another wedge issue. What about public safety, education of our children, quality jobs, water, sewage, environment and transportation. The folks that sit home every election cycle are probably the ones that are writing the hateful messages and don’t even live in the City of Atlanta. i don’t live in Atlanta but I work in downtown Atlanta. The folks that are really interested in the truth will educate themselves and vote accordingly. As an African American female, I am supporting a white candidate in one of the city council races because he brings fresh ideas and solutions that make sense and has no baggage. If there is more than a 45% turnout, I will be surprised. Atlantans barely came out for President Obama!
LongShot
August 30th, 2009
11:26 pm
You too aeronautic 0909. This comment blog is no place for those who come on here talking all peace-like and whatnot. This here post is for race-baiters, bigots and prejudicizers! We have a right to our free speech, guns and our religion
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
11:28 pm
Ask A Native: I’m sorry…let me further discuss…Have you ever been enslaved? Do you know anyone who has? I Just want to know how you understand it so much more than me? My people were enslaved by the Romans, but I don’t pretend to know about it anymore than another black person that could read about it.None of us have been enslaved, so we really don’t know.
Do white people treat Ethiopian black people Different than West African Black People? Are you from West Africa? I’d love to hear, because Nigerians I work with (as well) tell me horror stories about Sierra Leone. Black people (from) America have a discrimination towards lighter skinned black people. All I’m saying is that Native Africans also have a discrimination towards “African Americans.” I work with MANY on a daily basis (not just Ethiopians). It’s not a skin color issue with them though, it’s an attitude. They think “African Americans” are soft. I’m just telling you what I hear all the time..
vote4change
August 30th, 2009
11:37 pm
I voted for Obama because I felt that he was the candidate that could change the terrible path America was on, and I will do the same here in Atlanta. People this is easy, write down the issues that you feel are most important (safety, water, taxes, color)…………match them to the candidates running for office……..ta da…………….you have YOUR pick for mayor, not anyone else’s pick, but yours.
Busted
August 30th, 2009
11:38 pm
Parzival, you are a clown! You don’t know the half, there are African Americans that are alive today that have close relatives that were in slavery, sharecropping and jim crow. My grandmother is 95 years old and her grandmother was a slave, so she has a personal account of what occured in those times and besides, the oppression of blacks didn’t end in 1866 it continuesd and it has taken on different forms overt and covert.
This doesn’t give some blacks an excuse for the bad behavior that some exhibit. Everyone knows that on the whole African Americans are quality people and the same for whites.
AeroNautica0909
August 30th, 2009
11:45 pm
LongShot…I’m not trying to be a mediator. I’m also not questioning your right to free speech, guns and religion.. that is entirely up to you and everyone else here on this forum. However, there’s a certain level of decorum that needs to be maintained. This forum has become a grossly uncivilized discussion. No wonder why this country can’t move beyond racial and class issues… we don’t know how to hold a civilized discussion about it!
This forum has gotten to be completely irrational. I find it truly repulsive when grown adults cannot set aside differences to have a civilized conversation. I’m sure I can find a couple of my buddies on campus and can have a civilized discussion on the same issue that is being discussed here than more half of the people that has commented on this forum already… and that would be a damn shame.
With that said, if people want to engage in an uncivilized discussion, then so be it. We will never be able to progress as a city and a region if this type of mentality continues.
AeroNautica0909
August 30th, 2009
11:46 pm
Now I gotta get to bed so I can get up for work and class tomorrow…good night everyone.
Reader
August 30th, 2009
11:51 pm
Any native Atlantans have any complaints about Andrew Young and Maynard Jackson? I think not. So the last 25 years have not been an issue in this city. Bill Campbell made a mess, Shirley tried to clean it up, but on the heels of recession, she had a problem. Just like the rest of the state of Georgia and this country. So I can safely say, Shirley Franklin had a good 8 years, not great, not the best, but it was just good. We had our issues with crime and a serious upswing in the economy under Andrew Young and Maynard. So nobody can say this city was horrible over 25 years. Yall just pouring fuel on a fire for the sake of just saying something stupid.
Will
August 30th, 2009
11:51 pm
Idiots
Parzival
August 30th, 2009
11:56 pm
Ask a Native, I’ve never stripped anyone of their land, nor have I enslaved anyone, created Jim Crow laws, or any of the other Racist things you said based on my skin color. However, because I was born white, I have to live with the fact that people like you will assume those things. You’re a very good example of the reverse racism that all whites have to deal with. If I were to say to you that all the other races hate black people, I’d be on the news and have Jessie and the Rainbow Coalition having a march against me. For you though, because you are black, it’s OK to be racist. That is the problem. There is a double standard that black people feel is justified…but’s it really just sets the whole race issue back.
Parzival
August 31st, 2009
12:11 am
Busted, Slavery is a horrible thing. All races have dealt with it. I just think that we all need to move on and quit using it as an excuse. This is the richest country in the world. If you have ambition and drive you can make it. At what point do we all move on from the most recent horror of slavery (350 years ago) ? Seriously. I’m A LOT more worried about the Genocide in Darfur and Sierra Leone than the horrible plight that black people have in the richest country in the world. I’m sorry if I sound like an ignorant redneck, but damn, what else do we need to give black to succeed here? Other Black people come here and have no problem.
ramzad
August 31st, 2009
12:14 am
LongShot: I like your handle. It means that your probability of making anything of yourself is close to zero (0).
Stay there. You are no threat.
Ray
August 31st, 2009
12:19 am
In a way this does not surprise me as it is the same group of people who live in the Cascade area who still think they still have the influence to decide elections. People have figured out that they are only out for themselves and the poor are only used as pawns for them to run new social programs and get paid bloated salaries to do it. The poor end up with nothing – remember the empowerment zone where they sepnt over $4 million in administrative salaries in just a few years withoug providing any meaningful services?
Their comments and opinions were not solicited by any of the candidates and I hope no one makes an opinion about any of the candidates based on their inflammatory, self-servings opinions. They have little regard for the poor and needy they are trying to inflame with this memo.
The other can of worms that this Cascade group has opened is they have never promoted an African American any darker than the current mayor.The mayor should be elected on who is best qualified rather than the race or complexion of the candidate.
Todd
August 31st, 2009
2:23 am
We don’t need a Vanilla city or a Chocolate city- we need an effective city. I am a white citizen of Atlanta and we need to all get together…all colors…and elect the best person who will represent us as a city in the most effective way. All this fight about color is to keep us off the real discrimination…wealth, power and the sparse few who have it.
Todd
August 31st, 2009
2:23 am
We don’t need a Vanilla city or a Chocolate city- we need an effective city. I am a white citizen of Atlanta and we need to all get together…all colors…and elect the best person who will represent us as a city in the most effective way. All this fight about color is to keep us off the real discrimination…wealth, power and the sparse few who have it.
M.T.
August 31st, 2009
2:41 am
Well Said M.T.
Unfortunately, many African-Americans have been blind to this painstaking truth for so long. This Cascade-Elitist-Group has always looked out for other lighter-skinned-blacks like themselves. The color of complexion means everything to them. Their mission is to maintain this trend. This sad thing is, they’ve all seemed to have forgotten their original roots.
M.T.
August 31st, 2009
2:52 am
Well Said….. Ray!!
JDE
August 31st, 2009
3:06 am
You got me Humored.I concede. Excellent Points on Kasim Reed. Although I tend to be skeptical of lawyers who get into politics. I had to to bed last night and missed your posts but am reading them now at 3am. Yes I am a whitey who lives in E.Cobb/Marietta. But I own property in Atlanta and have a vested interest in seeing the city thrive, not survive.
Stinky Sullivan
August 31st, 2009
5:28 am
It doesn’t matter if the next mayor will be white or black…all that matter is how attractive the woman is. Then again, when you’re as good looking as I am women of all shapes, sizes and political classes want to “get to know you.”
SS
Allyana Ziolko
August 31st, 2009
5:35 am
1) Maynard Jackson was an EXCELLENT mayor. He would sit in Shoney’s on Piedmont Road once a week and you could walk over to his table and tell him anything about Atlanta that was on your mind. He listened; he responded. 2) The notion that black people will vote for a person because of their skin color is insulting. Most people vote for the person they think will do the best job. There is a percentage of black people who will vote for color, just as there is a percentage of white people who will vote for color.
Mike
August 31st, 2009
6:14 am
“All I can say is… God help us all when Shirley Franklin is gone. She is the only one of the entire group who makes me proud to be from Atlanta.”
I just spit up my coffee. I don’t know what’s more troubling–the fact that ANYONE is proud of Shirley Franklin or that you can’t find anything else redeeming in the city.
JD
August 31st, 2009
6:30 am
Longshot, why RAMZAD has to shut up? i think he is telling the serious “troof” (truth)! The problem is, we as African Americans don’t want to face the fact that we are really a screwed up people that are in desperate need of emotional help. Think about it, anytime you bleach yourself, straighten & weave your hair, and then let foreigners sell it to you; something is wrong with us! We have alot of emotional baggage that persist to this day as a result of our experience. The only way to heal ourselves is to recognize this fact and to not let Willie Lynch win.
E. Anderson
August 31st, 2009
6:59 am
I agree with M.T and Ray. It’s not a secret Shirley is one of the most significant and influential members of the Cascade-Elite-Group.I find it appaulling that Shirley had the audacity to talk about Bigotry.
Take a walk around City Hall. There aren’t too people of a darker complexion in positions of leadership under her adminsitraton. For that matter there aren’t many darker blacks working around the Mayors Office.
Atlanta is broke down due to the hand-picked unqualified worms that was put in positions of leadership based on their lighter complexions.
Shame Shame Shirley! That’s really calling the kettle black.
BigRed
August 31st, 2009
7:08 am
Rednecks unite. We will overcome!
LaQweesha Kwanza Smith
August 31st, 2009
7:23 am
Enter your comments here
LaQweesha Kwanza Smith
August 31st, 2009
7:24 am
Who my baby-daddy?
Nativeson71
August 31st, 2009
7:27 am
Please read the book “Where Peachtree meets Sweet Auburn”…this 600page novel, a document of history, not fiction, will bring everyone up to speed on Atlanta politics. It is a real eye opener for me…maybe you too?
Old Dawg
August 31st, 2009
7:52 am
For over 35 years, black politicians, their families and friends have fed heavily at the Atlanta money table. They have taken advantage of the majority black population and gotten elected simply because they are black. For all this, Atlanta has suffered greatly. Were it not for the capabilities of white business leaders working behind the scenes with and for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations, who knows how bad it would really be?
Articulate (read non-ebonic) blacks not originally from Atlanta have come into the city and seized the opportunity to get elected by native blacks who think these interlopers are actually going to do something for them. Wow!
Now, these same out-of- town blacks and their Black Agenda are a surprise?? As Barney Frank, said last week, “What planet have you been living on?”. Short of a miracle, Atlanta will continue to have a black mayor and black leadership. Face it people, race is a powerful card in this political poker game. It trumps everything else.
Pat
August 31st, 2009
7:55 am
Per usual, any column that brings up race brings the Klanners and mouthbreathers out of the woodwork.
newA
August 31st, 2009
8:16 am
Looks like Reed is quietly creeping up in the polls…
dgroy
August 31st, 2009
8:21 am
The thing that worries me here is not whether we elect another black mayor…….it’s whether that black mayor, if elected, will continue, as has been done since MJ, to appoint persons to positions that they are not qualified to hold just because they are black. To the next mayor, think about Atlanta more than anything else, even more than getting your college room mate an important position in government because you like him/her. Run Atlanta like a business and get rid of all those suspect employees who don’t ever seem to get anything accomplished and can’t get the job done correctly. It’s time for the creme of the crop to come in and make Atlanta Great Again……..yes, I said again……it hasn’t been great since before the 70’s.
Jason King
August 31st, 2009
8:44 am
This is why we need a ‘change’ in Atlanta: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/grant-park-127351.html
The Late Maynard Jackson
August 31st, 2009
8:44 am
My family and I do not steal from White people only poor Blacks. In that way we are almost Republicans.
Native Atlantan
August 31st, 2009
8:46 am
dgroy, I agree that the city needs a mayor that will do a great job regardless of their color. However, when you mention political favors and unqualified persons being hired, please don’t pin this on the black mayors of Atlanta, this goes on everywhere and has for a very long time. Black people get jobs because they are black but believe me, as a black man there are plenty of white people that get jobs simply because they are white.
indthinker
August 31st, 2009
8:52 am
every black person i know said that this was an asinine letter and the reason that someone would even think that it would be okay to write it justified a need to clean out Atlanta. ms. borders is a fine person, but she is well connected to the political machine.
Black Latino Council
August 31st, 2009
8:55 am
Okay everyone take a deep breath – and stay focus the bottom lie the mayoral race has been lack luster and that will be to Norwoods favor. but while you are talking black and white – the race is gonna be so close that the candidate that can capture the gay vote,hispanic/latino vote and do not forget the senior vote….The candidates and citizens should not get caught up in this smoke and mirrors politics and just stick with and message and reaching all atlantans- It’s about ECONOMICS…SHOW ME THE MONEY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$AND HOW TO GROW MY BUSINES
hryder
August 31st, 2009
8:55 am
Most of the above demonstrates B.S.(male bovine excrement), M.S.(more ….), and PhD.(piled higher and deeper).
Elise McClintick
August 31st, 2009
8:58 am
Atlanta should have a Black Mayor. It’s a Black City. I’m 60 years old, a fourth generation Atlantan, a fifth generation Georgian. I left Atlanta (DeKalb County) after two home invasions having lived in my home for 27 years. Knew if I stayed there I was going to be murdered. Anyone who ask me if I miss Atlanta, my answer is always the same: “Atlanta is a very dangerous city. You can die there.”
lil elvis
August 31st, 2009
9:01 am
Just think.. In a few years we’ll be worse off than Detroit.. Way to go BLF
Corey
August 31st, 2009
9:05 am
Will electing a white mayor cause more young blacks to stop giving birth to children they can’t afford nor emotionally equipped to raise? Will electing a white mayor cause black kids to stay in school, study hard and graduate? Will electing a whitle mayor cause black men to marry their children’s mothers? Will electing a white mayor make young black males think twice about car jacking, home invasion, assaults, slinging dope, muggings, shooting or smash and grabbing? Will electing a white mayor cause blacks to do away with self hate? Will electing a white mayor cause homelessness in downtown to disappear? Will electing a white mayor stop blacks from killing each other? Will electing a white mayor cause young black males to pull thier pants up and stop peppering passersby with with vulgar language while grabbing their crotches? Electing a white mayor will not cause the irresponsible to suddenly become responsible. Electing a white mayor will not replace a loving, two-parent, stable home. Electing Jesus mayor will not remedy these ills. We can only educate ourselves on the issues and trust we make the right decision in the voting booth come election day. Frankly, I’m unimpressed with any of the leading candidates. I live in councilman Shook’s district; he does answer e-mails. I wish he would run.
Dana
August 31st, 2009
9:05 am
This article is a perfect example of how far down the right side of the bell curve this country is headed. Each of you needs to consider the impact race has on our daily lives, including the implications of race at the workplace. There is no chance for honest dialogue about race, since any white person who shares an opinion is deemed racist, while a black who makes the same comment rationalizes it as simply “that’s how we are”. Racism falls on all edges of a sword.
Atlanta 1
August 31st, 2009
9:06 am
Well, didn’t read them all – but read enough. Clearly there are a lot of people on this blog who need help. “Black people shouldn’t be elected office”. Black people are more reacist than whites. “400 years of oppression”, etc.
Folks, you have more in common than not. You should be pulling together, not against.
This comes from a 50 year old straight white guy who was born in this city. Pull together or this city will never live up to it’s potential.
Vick=Dog killing thug
August 31st, 2009
9:23 am
just goes to show that the real racism in today’s America is the never ending hatred that the black folks have for the whites. Same story. different punch line
Monique
August 31st, 2009
9:26 am
Altanta is a black city and needs a black mayor to look after our interests! We can’t count on white leaders to take care of the needs of the African-Americans in this city!! We’ve suffered too long with white people running things. Like President Obama says—change is needed!
JB
August 31st, 2009
9:29 am
I’m voting for Mary Norwood because it is clear to me that her ego is not controlling her desire to be Mayor of our city. If I feel like a candidate is unlikely to be able to control the power the comes along with an elected office they do not get my vote. Just look at some of the problems our past Mayors have experienced due to their inability to control themselves when given some power.
JB
August 31st, 2009
9:31 am
Monique is a racist !!!!
Charles Lee Ray
August 31st, 2009
9:32 am
Are you people serious, It sounds like a bunch of 5th graders posting these childish comments, grow up, all of you Black and White.
m
August 31st, 2009
9:40 am
VOTE CHANGE!!!!!!!!!! VOTE NORWOOD!!!!
BamaFan
August 31st, 2009
9:42 am
I personally would like to have an effective leader and I don’t think skin color has anything to do with it. People should be more focused on the leadership than the “race.” If Norwood is the woMAN, then so be it. I feel it takes a lot of strength to run this city.
BamaFan
August 31st, 2009
9:45 am
Monique, your comments are very ignorant and this comes from a black man.
dgroy
August 31st, 2009
9:50 am
Native Atlantan: I’m not talking about everywhere else……I’m talking about Atlanta. Look at the record of hiring in top level positions and the poor performance that these people have had…….look at the top positions in city government, starting with Shirley, and look at the sorry, sorry state this city is in. Atlanta is hiring blacks for these positions just because they are black, even though there might be a white wanting the job that is more highly qualified…..that just doesn’t make sense and it’s called extreme “Racism”. Before “MJ” Atlanta was the city “Too busy to hate”……and look at what we’ve become……for shame, for shame and it all comes right from the top. Like I said before, I don’t care whether the mayor is black or white, just so they straighten out the mess that has been Atlanta since 1970.
JB
August 31st, 2009
9:52 am
Thanks BamaFan. I am also black and I am tired of ignorant black people who still think that the white man is holding us back. Nobody can hold you back but yourself and until these ignorant black people realize that they will continue to segregate themselves and play the race card. The late Senator Kennedy did more to help black people than any black leader and as you all know he was white.
BILLY
August 31st, 2009
9:54 am
SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE??? THIS WAS THE SAME TALK THAT WHITES DID IN THE 40s 50s & EARLY 60s.SO FOR THE WHITE PEOPLE NOW TO HEAR THIS TALK HURTS THEM.WELL!! JIM CROW DID THE SAME TO THE NEGRO DURING THAT TIME.WE KNOWINGLY VOTED FOR WHITE PEOPLE THAT TURNED THEIR BACKS TIL IT WAS ELECTION DAY AGAIN…..SO WHAT,THESE STUPID PEOPLE GOT CAUGHT WITH THEIR MEMO.
Grant Park Girl
August 31st, 2009
10:02 am
We need City representatives that care. Maybe a white mayor for a while would get this city cleaned up. This is the trashiest place I’ve ever lived. The City employees are rude. Crime is out-of-control – everyday I come to work and wonder if my door is going to be kicked in while I’m away. The taxes are getting to be astromonical and are certainly not in line with the value of our properties today. The school system (I don’t have children, but have to pay those Fulton County taxes) sucks from what I hear. Oh, not to mention the sewer project which is driving the rats up into the city streets and into our houses. As soon as I can get a decent price for my house, I am out of here.
Hef
August 31st, 2009
10:08 am
“Black Mayor at all Costs”, that statement just pushed race relations back ten years- and for what?
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.
ean in nc
August 31st, 2009
12:57 pm
these are the same people who don’t think twice about publishing and distributing The Black Pages – a phone book with only Black businesses – absolutely racist.
Statue of Liberty and Justice for All
August 31st, 2009
1:02 pm
Well, if justice is for all then certainly the it must be ringing forth on historic Auburn Avenue. I will be casting my vote for Mary Norwood or Kasim Reed. As I hear and review the candidates objectives and goals for Atlanta, I do not believe that Lisa Borders has the best interest of all Atlantans. I sense that she will perpetuate her agenda and that of her friends, associates and family over and above the residents of Atlanta for her personal wealth and fame.
I witnessed a wooden platform established in a rush outside of Wheat Street Towers Senior Center a few weeks ago that was supposely sponsorded by metro Atlanta clergy men and women to show their support to Borders. It was held outside in the weltering heat of 90 degrees and residents from Wheat Street Towers were unaware of what was taking place on the outside. Morders announces that ther grandfather built Wheat Street Towers and he would have wanted her to make the announcement of her candidacy on the grounds of Wheat Street Towers. This building that was built over 38 yers ago has never had any renovation done on the infrastructure. There have been reported floods in the building as of September 2008 and thereafter. There have been an alarming rate of reported illnesses from airborne asbestos in the building, mold, mildew, black mold and fungus. The water is turned off an average of 10 time per month due to mechanical failure or pipe failures. The crime rate inside of the building is so alarming that the management company had to bring in the Atlanta police department on site. There is a change of management companies every three years and they continue to get worse and worse with the current one as probably the lowest. If you look high enough on top of the building is a tower placed on the inferior roof and the Borders families profits ffrom the cell phone company that installed this tower that reeks and emits radiactive material in the bodies of the senior residents.
I agree with Lisa Borders that her grandfather built Wheat Street Towers and was proud of that accomplishement. I feel that if Rev. Borders was alive today, he would be embarassed of the presence of his beloved Wheat Street Towers on historic Auburn Avenue.
Impress the great city of Atlanta by bringing the crown jewel known as Wheat Street Towers back to its opulent days of glory where we were proud to live at Wheat Street Towers. Because of the conditions known to occur in and around Wheat Street Towers, the person known as Lisa Borders needs to address that immediately and the candidate needs to make it her top priority to address the ills of Wheat Street Towers if there is any truth to the rhetoric that she touts in her sppeches that she wants to do great things for Atlanta, why not start at your grandfathers foundation.
Tray
August 31st, 2009
1:02 pm
Blacks have it easier than whites now, nice try.
What discriminations currently exist? Is there anything a WHITE MAN CAN DO THAT A BLACK CAN’T?? I need an example!
I can list something a BLACK MAN CAN DO THAT A WHITE MAN CAN’T-they can go to college on the United Negro College Fund!
WHERE’S THE DISCRIMINATION???(toward blacks, cuz i see it towards whites)
Let me save you some time. ANYTHING you list that a white can do that a black can’t is a lie, just call Sharpton and Jackson and you’ll be able to do it! So, discrimination NO LONGER EXISTS TOWARDS BLACKS, hell, you got a president, is that not enough proof that you can do whatever as long as you apply yourself. OH, wait, that’s why blacks get thte short stick-Most don’t apply themselves!
James
August 31st, 2009
1:03 pm
Stand Up White America!
Nick
August 31st, 2009
1:08 pm
If there is one thing that this string of comments has made apparent, it’s that many folks from Atlanta (and the surrounding metro area) would rather play the blame game than deal the hard problems. It’s easier to judge the performance of previous administrations (both before and after Maynard Jackson) on race than confront the issues of poverty, crime, and corruption. We’re so busy arguing about who gets the captain the ship, that we’ve failed to notice the iceberg.
But a bad politician is still a bad politician, regardless of skin color. If things are bad in Atlanta, then it is the fault of the current administration. Blaming it on the political leadership from 30 years ago or a hundred years ago is irrelevant.
For those of you who can’t past the idea of a mayor’s skin color, I suggest you elect someone with an Asian background. Our national debt already exceeds $13 trillion dollars overseas and nearly 82% of all products we consume are already manufactured in Asia. We might as well hand them the keys to the car they already own. Let someone else run the city into the ground for a while…
Ali
August 31st, 2009
1:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Ali
August 31st, 2009
1:17 pm
I wanted to share this so that folk will be clear: this is not for dramatic effect. There are numbers of groups who are actively recruiting to commit serious acts of violence against there fellow citizens purely on the basis of color. It is a naive notion to believe that racism no longer exist….
More and more members of the “mainstream” veterans groups, the ones that run posts serving alcohol, are contacting me about the racist diatribes they hear everyday.
Any honest American is aware of our history, a divisive one, and how far we have progressed. However, with our first African American Commander in Chief, we are seeing an explosion of extreme racist behavior at posts run by the American Legion and other groups.
Why isn’t this being addressed at a national level? Why are members who are offended, afraid to speak openly? How widespread is this? From what we are told, very. How serious is the behavior? From reliable reports, incidents of racism go from continual references to our “N” president to as extreme as can be imagined, perhaps to the point of constituting actionable threats.
The movement is not only these “conservative” veterans groups but actually within “conservative” sectors of the active duty military as well with sites like http://www.newsaxon.org and racist personal webpages springing up daily.
Were this kind of talk coming from a group standing outside a feed store in Kansas and not from a group mandated by Congress to represent veterans, it wouldn’t be as serious. That national organizations tasked with representing veterans, millions of whom are not “white”, are unwilling or unable to address a growing pattern of illegal behavior within their organizations is unacceptable in this day and age.
Ray
August 31st, 2009
1:20 pm
Atlanta is 57 percent black and 36 percent white. The ATL is a black city as far as population goes. As far as wealth and business, well, sadly the number skew towards the white folks. A city is only as good as the business that supports it. I want a white mayor and white city servants because it is white money that runs this city. Why do you think Buckhead wants to leave the city? It’s about money. I wish this was not an issue, but when a mayor is beholden to a racial majority and not business, which is the case in Atlanta, then something will suffer. To think that a white candidate could walk into a black church that has supported black candidates for 30 years and walk away with any support in nonsense. This city votes its color. It is time to vote for who holds the money.
JB
August 31st, 2009
1:31 pm
I agree that we need to keep our eye on these extremists groups who are preaching hate not only against blacks but anyone who believes in equality for all. We are hearing about them more now because we do have a black leader, however, what are we going to do in our own neighborhoods where blacks are killing each other. I am confident to say that I believe more black people kill other black people more often that these “crazies” kill black people. We are our own worst enemy. Why aren’t our black leaders denouncing the crime we committ on each other and marching in our own neighborhoods.
Ali
August 31st, 2009
1:32 pm
I am providing these links if permissible in order to let folk know that violent and hateful racism is still virulent an active. Perhaps, this is the reason that Jewish groups, Hispanic groups, African-American groups and other ethnic communities feel they have to look out for their interest in this society.
http://www.splcenter.org/images/dynamic/main/The_Second_Wave.pdf
the following came from:
http://www.veteranstoday.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7873
More and more members of the “mainstream” veterans groups, the ones that run posts serving alcohol, are contacting me about the racist diatribes they hear everyday.
Any honest American is aware of our history, a divisive one, and how far we have progressed. However, with our first African American Commander in Chief, we are seeing an explosion of extreme racist behavior at posts run by the American Legion and other groups.
Why isn’t this being addressed at a national level? Why are members who are offended, afraid to speak openly? How widespread is this? From what we are told, very. How serious is the behavior? From reliable reports, incidents of racism go from continual references to our “N” president to as extreme as can be imagined, perhaps to the point of constituting actionable threats.
The movement is not only these “conservative” veterans groups but actually within “conservative” sectors of the active duty military as well with sites like http://www.newsaxon.org and racist personal webpages springing up daily.
Were this kind of talk coming from a group standing outside a feed store in Kansas and not from a group mandated by Congress to represent veterans, it wouldn’t be as serious. That national organizations tasked with representing veterans, millions of whom are not “white”, are unwilling or unable to address a growing pattern of illegal behavior within their organizations is unacceptable in this day and age.
Tiffani
August 31st, 2009
1:34 pm
Ok Atlanta…(whew!)…first, some people are posting stuff just to make others react. You have no way of knowing the race of a person just from the comments posted. Secondly, why don’t we all stop focusing on the race or nationality of people and just focus on who the most educated, best qualified, most intelligent candidate is in all elections. Personally, I feel that there are several good candidates in the mayor’s race, but I intend to vote for Mary Norwood. She has the best ideas and is the most organized. I think she will hit the ground running…and…whether you believe it or not…I am African American. Race matters not. I want the best for this city and for my children. And as for this Black Agenda memo…there are racist people of every shade…but not all members of a race feel this way. Stop blaming the ugliness of a few on the many.
Ali
August 31st, 2009
1:34 pm
sorry about the double post
Kevin
August 31st, 2009
1:40 pm
I’ve lived in the city for eight years, and I’ve watched the quality of life go steadily downhill. And I do mean steadily.
The city can’t even balance its own books. That reprehensible, and completely unacceptable.
For the sake of demographics, I’m 38, white, well educated, dual-income, no kids. I don’t ask much for the city in return for the enormous property taxes I pay. And I’ve absolutely had all I can stand with the string of administrations that have raped the city.
So, yes, I’m voting for change. I don’t care if the opposition candidate was Indian, Russian, or Chinese. My only voting criteria is the candidate is smart and he/she has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the last 35 years of governance.
To quote the Joker, this town needs an enema . . . to relieve the past 35 years of constipation.
AJC Management
August 31st, 2009
1:45 pm
We should release the names of members of this group.
InTownGal
August 31st, 2009
1:47 pm
This memo is disgraceful and just plain crazy!!!
I’ve lived in town for 10 years, and have loved it—until recently. Crime is more prevalent than ever, services are virtually nonexistant, the city doesn’t even repair sidewalks, all while property taxes were voted to go up AGAIN (30306 has one of the highest tax brackets in the state). I’m TIRED OF IT!!!
It is no surprise that those who voted for the rise in prop taxes are those who represent lower income areas and they are councilperson(s) Smith, Young, Archibong, Fauver, Moore, Martin, Sheperd, and Mitchell Those who voted against the rise in property taxe were: Hall, Winslow, Shook, Muller, Maddox, Norwood, and Willis. Keep these names in mind during reelection! The fact that the African American constituency can still cry racism in a city that has had a black mayor (for over 35 years) black city council persons, black police chiefs, etc. really gives me the giggles.
If you are black in Atlanta and you can’t “make it” then you can’t make it anywhere baby!!!! They don’t call it the black mecca for nothin’
GO MARY!!!!
CP
August 31st, 2009
1:58 pm
Enter your comments here
I don’t understand the refrence to a white or black candidates. Aren’t we suppose to be equals as candidates? Everyone needs to stop making a racial issue out of everything and let the people vote for who WE think might do the best job……
Owl Gore
August 31st, 2009
2:12 pm
Why do Democrats play the race card? When Obama played it in with the belligerent Harvard professor (Skip Gates) case, his numbers on HealthCare and his overall approval tanked. Normal Americans are sick of the race card.
JB
August 31st, 2009
2:16 pm
InTownGal — just so you know, you’re right, the city does not repair the sidewalks if it is on private property, they lay the sidewalks but it is the responsibility of the property owner to keep them maintained. If one in front of your home is damaged and someone trips and hurts themselves you can be held responsible.
Linda
August 31st, 2009
2:18 pm
If the AJC had any kind of journalistic integrity it would do a series on the 2-Ton Elephant in the middle of the Atlanta living room, BLACK RACISM. I have lived here 15 years and have seen many instances of discrimination against whites by blacks.
The word is also getting out that Atlanta is becoming the Detroit of the South and this will hamper growth. Everywhere I go outside of Atlanta I meet black people who consider this town the “black mecca” (Blacklanta). New slogan: “Atlanta, It’s Not For White Folks Any More!”
I talked with a white female executive recently who was considering a move to Atlanta and I told her she was the wrong color to advance her career here. She said, “Linda, my black executive friends have also told me that.”
This black racism, unless recognized and dealt with as severely as white racism, will turn this town into a ghost town for the coming generation. A town that discriminates against whites is a town with no rights!
J.S
August 31st, 2009
2:20 pm
Herman Cain for mayor, A black republican candidate that everone can support.
cjamesatl
August 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
Mayor Franklin wouldn’t look so bad if her administration would just do their jobs. Sure, the person at the top has ultimate responsibility, but you need to drill deeper into ‘the system’ to find the real problems. An overbloated payroll of ‘civil’ workers in jobs where there is no accountability for their lack of job performance. Just try calling any city department to get an answer for something, and all you get bounced from one person to the next, then ultimately back to the first person you started with.
I see police officers who are paid to protect and serve, consistently violating traffic laws themselves, and not actively enforcing the law.
I see 12 workmen standing around a pothole, while two others actually do the work.
Need I go on?
Tray
August 31st, 2009
2:21 pm
@Tiffani and evryone else who wonders why ‘we can’t just pick the best for the job, regardless of race…’
The answer to that question is quite clear. Deep down inside, where the ugly truth lies and we all want to ignore it, in that little part that really knows the facts…
If we vote for the ‘best’ candidate, it will be the white one, sorry, but true. Now, how can you vote for the best, and NOT be called a racist…? Remember, if you vote for the best, and they happen to be white, you’re a racist-it’s that simple.
So to answer your question, i vote by race, because i vote for who is best (in this scenario). unfortunately the other side will see it as racism, because it’s either their way, or the highway, which sounds like the Democrats way was well.
Where has the last so many years under BLACK leadership gotten us?? NO WHERE!
Stu Dio
August 31st, 2009
2:31 pm
I’ve been looking for gainful employment since 2006. I guess I’m the wrong color and I don’t have breasts. And until I darken and get hormone injections I won’t be able to get a job in this town.
I love Atlanta
August 31st, 2009
2:34 pm
I am sick of this crap. This is BS. I am going to vote for Norwood for sure now! Good job Turpeau, you have only rallied the white people to really go back up Norwood now.
If this were a white person that distributed this memo about having a “white agenda” all hell would break loose. I am tired of this “I’m black” double standard. It’s time that people just equalize darnit. This is crap. These black people saying this crap need to wake up and realize the civil rights movement was 50 years ago. Blacks have more rights than white people in Atlanta now and some are still not happy.
Hell, I am a white student who can’t even qualify for 90% of the scholarships because I am not a minority, well neither are blacks in Atlanta so why are they eligible. My family is more broke than most of their families….UGH screw people like you TURPEAU! You are the racist one and those at CLARK ATLANTA!!!!!!!!
GO VOTE NORWOOD, I HAVE CONVINCED 47 PEOPLE SO FAR AND I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SHE IS IN OFFICE AND THERE IS NO “AGENDA” BASED ON COLOR!
InTownGal
August 31st, 2009
2:37 pm
JB,
yes, I know. When we moved in to our home within the City of Atlanta 3.5 years ago we had the sidewalk replaced at our own expense as it was impassable. We are still trying to renovate the house along with paying around 5,500 in property taxes! We have yet to get our 2009 property tax bills as the morons can easily vote to raise it, but not calculate it.
Although I love living in the city, the benefits are not outweighing the expense. Many of my neighbors are saying the same thing. People are tired of being weighed down and paying for others who do not pull their own weight within the city limits. People who you want to stay in the city will leave b/c either they are just over it, or simply can’t afford it. Look at Sandy Springs, Milton and now Buckhead.
I don’t mind paying my fair share to be a citizen and participate, but my “fair share” is more than what I’m comfortable with at this time. It is time for a change at city hall. If the economy were better, a for sale sign would adorn my front stoop.
Uncle Tom
August 31st, 2009
2:44 pm
I suppose I too can divulge from the ACTUAL subject of this whole article and talk about what seems to be on people’s minds-racial equality. One thing I notice being in my late twenties is the fact that it seems as if people older than my age group (let’s say 40+), don’t seem to think much of the “disparity” between certain groups of color.
To “Tray”: “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’”
Well, I’m sorry to say but most folk my color (I’ll let you guess) care for not only people of the same skin tone, but other ethnic groups as well. Besides, I don’t care what color a person is, if I despise the person I despise the person, not the color of their face. As far as your depiction of Black people not ‘wanting to work for the white man’, well unfortunately most people have no choice. It just so happens-through whatever acts of mankind-that MOST companies are owned by individuals who have, let’s say, a pale skin tone. But alas, those who are set in their ways seldom change…
Union Worker
August 31st, 2009
2:47 pm
I will be voting for Norwood. I always support the “party,” but this is too much. STOP PLAYING THE RACE CARD!!!!
Uncle Tom
August 31st, 2009
2:47 pm
Sorry, I meant to say “take a detour” from the ACTUAL subject…
Tray
August 31st, 2009
2:52 pm
Those set in their ways seldom change…hmmm…wonder what way i am set in. Oh, i must hate blacks because i am racist!
Uncle Tom and others-I had no scars of racism until I moved to Georgia! I only began disliking blacks when i was treated like crap by them FIRST! THAT IS THE PROBLEM OF MY GENERATION!
I am 30 and owe all of my hatred of other races to the blacks in Georgia. Maybe if i wasn’t treated like butt by them first, i’d feel different. But alas, BLACKS IN ATLANTA HAVE LIVED UP TO THE STEREOTYPES THAT ACCOMPANY THEM! If they want people to think differently about them, ACT DIFFERENTLY!
Bozo
August 31st, 2009
2:54 pm
Black, white, brown, purple – it ain’t about the color folks, it’s all about the money – the have’s and the have not’s!!
WOW
August 31st, 2009
3:02 pm
As a non black/white amamazed to read some of the posts.
JB
August 31st, 2009
3:10 pm
InTownGal,
I hear you. I live Intown also (Fulton Co.) and pay a bundle in taxes but can’t seem to find a road where I’m not dodging huge potholes all the time. We need change in our local govt.!!!
Jose Gonzalez
August 31st, 2009
3:12 pm
Dont worry…..we Mexicans will be taking over really soon. We breed like rabbits and do not contribute anything back to society. We have already passed blacks as the #1 minority. But soon we will replace whites. America is great. We sneak in and have babies and the American taxpayer foots the bill. Plus we send most of our money back to Mexico so its a win-win for Mexicans. Suckers………
AJC Management
August 31st, 2009
3:18 pm
The blacks hate the mexicans. Isn’t that strange. A group that has suffered racism is now racist themselves against another minority group. Spectacular.
Native Atlantan
August 31st, 2009
3:21 pm
Having grown up in the downtown area, for several decades, I have witnessed the transition in Atlanta government from majority white to majority black. Many of the higher level, long time black City of Atlanta employees got their jobs via the quota system of having each department contain a certain percentage of blacks. Some were promoted to Fire Chiefs or Police Captains after only being on the department 3 years. Test scores for promotion weren’t even considered. Now the City has become a work program for blacks and they have no accountability. No one there ever answers their phones. Always goes to voice mail and never get a call back. That is why all the blacks are so worried about having a white mayor take over the city government. With the quota system gone, maybe the most qualified people can get the jobs.
JB
August 31st, 2009
3:23 pm
We as taxpayers need to hire an outside auditor to come in and audit the city books. We would find so much waste in spending it would make us ill to think about it. Shame on Shirley for not doing this before taking the easy way out…..raising taxes. She is more concerned with her own agenda than the city of Atlanta.
Corey
August 31st, 2009
3:30 pm
Tray, the United Negro College Fund is for the schools so that they may remain financially solvent, not individuals. If the Unitied Negro College Fund worked the way you think it works then I would not have gone into debt to enroll in the University of South Carolina back in the seventies. I’ll be glad to enlighten you on black history if you wish to learn. By the way, the UNCF is from private donations – not your precious tax dollars.
Uncle Tom
August 31st, 2009
3:32 pm
LOL @ “Mexicans taking over.” That’s probably a very true analogy, but I show respect for them just like I would any other nationality.
@ Tray once again: I’m only a couple of years younger than you are and am sorry to hear (or rather read) that you feel that way toward an entire race just because of the perceived treatment some have given you in the past. I’m sure if we met in person and sat down over a few cups of Earl Grey (or Darjeerling) tea and talked things over, I could change the way you felt about us.
not surprised
August 31st, 2009
3:33 pm
I’m not a bit surprised. I work for a federal law enforcement agency where some managers keep a spreadsheet named “black agents”. They have little meetings at each other’s homes and conspire to help the people on that list get ahead. Affirmative action? More like the racism they are so quick to accuse everyone else of.
Been here too long!
August 31st, 2009
3:36 pm
I say publicly identify these CAU people and then fire them from their government jobs!
JB
August 31st, 2009
3:50 pm
http://johnlewis.house.gov/
Contact Congressman John Lewis with your complaint.
I’m curious to see if he’ll even acknowledge this racist act.
Change
August 31st, 2009
3:51 pm
African-Americans need to keep voting for other African-Americans, since the system is biased against minorities! The white power structure is constantly attempting to keep the minorities down, so they can keep getting richer! Change is here and must continue–the struggle is still on!!!!
Tombigbee
August 31st, 2009
3:54 pm
**“I think it was bigoted,” Franklin said**
Who would have ever known?
InTownGal
August 31st, 2009
3:58 pm
JB & Others,
We need financial accountability at City Hall! Mary Norwood has called for external auditors to review the books which she freely admits have gone unchecked for years. She is in favor of 100% transparency–let’s hope this is not an empty campaign promiss though.
Go to: http://www.marynorwoodformayor.com
She also has a facebook page, is on twitter, etc. If she would privatize the airport (which would bring in millions) she would surely have my vote. Would love it if Herman Cain would run OR Clark Howard!
Shaniqua Alize Jenkins
August 31st, 2009
4:05 pm
If the media is soooo biased toward blacks, and if there would have been hellfire if the memo came from whites (which I’m not entirely convinced it didn’t) then why does this continue to be overlooked?
http://www.google.com/search?q=great+white+hope+blunder&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS276US278
Summer Love
August 31st, 2009
4:08 pm
Shaniqua,
I am able to see the headlines but unable to see any of the articles’ links. It appears that they’ve all been removed. Hmmm, gee I wonder why?
Allan
August 31st, 2009
4:08 pm
GaTecherrorist said, “and they expect ONE to run the country? obama = One Big A$$ Mistake America” I also say that and Bush & Cheney was a Big A$$ Mistake! McCain & Palin (psycho-babble) is another Big A$$ Mistake!
Tombigbee
August 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
You white folks just crack me up—move into a black city and try to take over. Power struggles are ugly–get used to it. Welcome to the Dirty South.
Tom
Glad Not Living IN ATL
August 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
After decades of racism agains people of lighter skin, why would the city and Fulton county suddently stop that practice? It’s quite evident this form of racism has the city where it is now, 1/2 way down the tiolet.
Why would the voting public suddently get smarter about the idiots they chose to lead. As long as you keep dividing people by imaginary colors you will get the same results. Crimes such as robbery and Murder will increase, the city will continue to shrink, and its residents will reap what the have sewn.
I used to work in the city often in my business, now I turn down all business within its boundries. You can keep your murderous city, your leaders whose only qualifications are their dark skin, and everything thing else within it’s boundries and drag it with you down the sewer.
Rev. Al Sharpton Jackson Frakhan Bin AL-Skyhook
August 31st, 2009
4:21 pm
The mexican better stay out of the ATL. They need to go find their own city to shakedown and run into the ground. ATL is ours, baby.
JB
August 31st, 2009
4:23 pm
Thanks InTownGal. You are right about the airport !!!
Red Neckerson
August 31st, 2009
4:24 pm
Why are ya’ll always killing each other?
Red Neckerson
August 31st, 2009
4:27 pm
AllBlack is also AllStupid.
Bubba
August 31st, 2009
4:29 pm
I’m a white male baby boomer born in Alabama,. raised in Georgia, and in Atlanta all my adult life. I don’t care if the next mayor is black, white, green, purple or chartreuse, male or female. I just want somebody who is honest, competent, focused on cleaning up the mess, improving public safety, and providing excellent “customer service.” Whoever appears most likely to do that will have my vote.
JB
August 31st, 2009
4:30 pm
Change –
You are funny. Our black leaders are using us for votes and laughing all the way to the bank.
A new type of black leadership—or political leaders who happen to be black—is becoming part of the American political scene. Though journalists and political pundits talk about the generational change in black leadership, what’s really happening is also a widening of class divisions among blacks, a trend in American society in general but occurring at a faster rate among black Americans. This new generation of black leaders, who feel that racism is less a potent force and who appear to be less committed to government policies targeted toward the poor and minorities, might not necessarily represent the views of black people in poor and working-class communities. As a result, we’re seeing a shift in the political landscape that black politicians inhabit.
Red Neckerson
August 31st, 2009
4:37 pm
Screw Atlanta. Let ‘em have that crime ridden ghetto. I’m going back to Detroit or DC, one.
Red Neckerson
August 31st, 2009
4:39 pm
Sha’ Kwangelo Malik Al OrangeSherbert – what up, cuz!
Black Power
August 31st, 2009
4:55 pm
Herman Cain? LOL! He’s just an uncle tom, in the pocket of the white establishment in Atlanta and says whatever Neal Boortz tells him! Atlanta needs all black leaders! The white people have been in power too long!
Whatever
August 31st, 2009
6:56 pm
Welcome to our world black people. This is part of the responsiblity that comes along with your man being in charge. You will not hear 2 white professors writing a memo like this because they know better. We have had our man in charge and know what comes along with that responsibility. Racism will not be tolerated in any form or fashion now that the ball is in your court or we will be the first to yell just like you have done in the past. Your careers are at stack so be careful of what you say….we learned that lesson long ago. WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD OF EQUALITY.
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 31st, 2009
7:24 pm
Jumbo Galloway, democrat mediawh@re, has cut off debate on his own blog. He posted that 2 Clark profs penned the memo, then eliminated the discussion portion. How ’bout this, we use this page to to discuss the issue and his blog:
Clark Atlanta profs claim ownership of ‘black mayor’ memo
5:21 pm August 31, 2009, by Jim Galloway
Two academics from Clark Atlanta University, political scientists William Boone and Keith Jennings, have claimed authorship of the memo that has roiled the race for mayor.
The two say that accusations that the memo is racist — Mayor Shirley Franklin used the word “bigoted,” and two African-American candidates have condemned it — are “patently false.”
A joint statement from Boone and Jennings was just published by the Newsmaker Journal, the same outfit that distributed the original memo suggesting that African-Americans line up behind Lisa Borders to block the election of a white candidate, Mary Norwood.
Several news outlets, including WABE-FM (90.1FM) and this one, also have obtained copies of the claim to authorship.
Boone is a respected voice in state and local politics, frequently quoted by this newspaper. As a matter of fact, Boone is quoted in an Associated Press article that just moved across the wires, though he is not specifically identified as one of the two authors of the controversial memo.
ajc.com has posted the AP article:
”Blacks do not return to the polls in a runoff, historically,” said Clark Atlanta University political science professor William Boone. ”It’s going to be very interesting. This is the election that some folks had talked about was coming.”
The AP article then mentions the demographic changes that Atlanta has undergone:
In addition, blacks may no longer feel obligated to elect a black mayor, Boone said.
”You have a young generation of blacks — not native to Atlanta — who don’t necessarily see that as something that has to happen,” said Boone, who is part of a group that circulated the racially-charged e-mail. ”They may be staking their vote on matters more critical than race.”
Here’s the statement that appears over the names of both Boone and Jennings this afternoon:
Race and the Mayor’s Race in Atlanta
The recent suggestion that it is somehow racist to highlight an agenda that promotes the interests of African American voters is patently false. It is a red herring that polarizes debate about electing the most qualified candidate for Atlanta’s next mayor.
The need for African American voter and taxpayer interests to be addressed by all candidates is just as legitimate as it is for candidates to respond to issues raised by the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Stand-Up, Central Atlanta Progress or any Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU).
News coverage to date of an analysis presented to the Black Leadership Forum has been incendiary and misleading. To correct the record, Aaron Turpeau is not the author of the memo, nor is anyone associated with the Black Leadership Forum.
We are the sole authors and we stand by our academic analysis, with the exception for the error regarding the political affiliation of Mr. Spikes and Mr. Thomas, for which we have apologized.
Furthermore, the reported assertion that our statement was written on behalf of any candidate or to instruct African Americans how to vote is flatly wrong. African Americans in Atlanta have been voting for decades and are quite capable of making up their own minds.
Make no mistake, we do not work for any of the candidates. We have held no formal discussions with any of the campaigns and have made no contributions to any of the campaigns.
In our statement we presented views that have been articulated in various parts of the community. As we argue in the statement, African Americans should “critically evaluate all candidates” because “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.”
However, these key quotes from our document have been excluded from media coverage and by individuals who apparently have not read the document.
We stand by our belief that “a black agenda would enable African American interests to be respected by any administration.” The interests of African American voters are just as legitimate as other Atlanta voters, and the notion that we must apologize for highlighting those interests is absurd.
William Boone, PhD
Keith Jennings, PhD
Cynthia Tucker McKinney
August 31st, 2009
7:25 pm
Let’s chat…..
Boone-Jennings
August 31st, 2009
7:26 pm
Yeah we, want, to; debate.
University of Racism
August 31st, 2009
8:33 pm
These two racist buffoons have PhDs and teach at a university? LOL!! What an embarrassment, even for a low rent school like clark atlanta! These two are probably “eminent scholars” at that mickey mouse school! Racism at its finest, but it’s OK when you are black!!!!!!!!!
mitsu
August 31st, 2009
9:19 pm
This is sickening,I grew up in Atlanta during 1954-1991,left it,but when organizations were mentioned,not only did you know who was a part of it,you’d knew their agenda.
Metropolitan Summit Christian Leadership Conference of the sixties lead by The Rev.Joseph E.Boone,Julian Bond,my father Mack Moseley,etc.the cause was genuine.
Now since leaving Atlanta and reading this cramp, it’s sickening.
Grow up Atlanta, and the people in it.
Stop this divide,run on merit,and the truth if you still have it in your Heart.
RMoseley
BravesFan79
August 31st, 2009
10:10 pm
If yall think “black leadership” is terrible here…. yall should do some research on the downfall of South Africa since the end of white leadership (aparti).
Jumbo
August 31st, 2009
10:40 pm
Where are the libs? Defended this crap as before.
Obama voter
August 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
It is ok for black to be racist. If you have a problem with that or with any other black elected official that is a democrat, then you are racist.
BravesFan79
August 31st, 2009
10:42 pm
I would never teach my children racism. But i would teach them the truth about the worthlessness of most young black men. Its clear from the families to the churches that your more intelligent black women are running the black communities now!
I love you black women, and have actually dated several beautiful black women that prefered WHITE men…. because lets face it, we just treat our women better, and offer a better future!
Did yall know Femicide was one of the top killers of black women in the US?
Did yall know that over 70% of the Black women with AIDS got it from a black man that was unaware he had the disease? And that black men are 33 TIMES more likely to carry HIV??
MSNBC
August 31st, 2009
10:43 pm
That is what we have been saying, Obama voter.
BravesFan79
August 31st, 2009
10:46 pm
What i think should be a bigger deal than this stupid memo is the fact that the AIDS Crisis is being covered up because of people being scared to sound “racist”. There was actually a article in the paper the other day talking about how terrible a job Atlanta has done fighting AIDS. DUH! Time to tell the TRUTH… .regardless of who’s feelings get hurt.
AJC Management
August 31st, 2009
10:47 pm
BravesFan79, is a liberal poster. He/She posts from the same IP address and always pushes the left side of things. This post demonstrates the intolerance and racism of the left. You leftist/democrats are sick. You are racist. You are liars. We will investigate this further.
AJC Management
August 31st, 2009
10:49 pm
Bravesfan79 comments have been forwarded to Rainbow Push and Al Sharpton’s group. Hate is not to be tolerated.
BravesFan79
August 31st, 2009
11:09 pm
Actually as a poor white person im a independent. I support quality men like Obama and love black women, yet realize that most young black men are worthless and feel sorry for black women because of their lack of “quality” to choose from.
Im a 5 time survivor of violent crime in Atlanta as i worked the streets (back before all the projects were torn down), and yes EVERY time it was a black male who i had to outsmart to save my life. So what am i? A Racist… or a Realist?
Vote RON PAUL!
AJC Management
August 31st, 2009
11:09 pm
Kiss my white ass!
AJC Management-NAME HIJACK ALERT
August 31st, 2009
11:14 pm
The post attributed to AJC Management was not from the previous poster of the same name. Rather, it was the same liberal poster that pushes racism. This exchange will also be forwarded for investigation. Management is off till the a.m..
Britney
August 31st, 2009
11:17 pm
For the record this entireblog has been reported to the proper civil rights groups.
AJC Management
August 31st, 2009
11:21 pm
Actually after doing our research BF79 was correct.
We apologize, as a liberal white guilt newspaper we are unable to be totally honest about the AIDS crisis in Atlanta among black males. After all, just like the NAACP, wed much rather hide the ugly truth and watch thousands of unknowing women catch AIDS than to seem “racist”.
Boone-Jennings
September 1st, 2009
12:29 am
AJC Management is wrong. Blame Bush. If Bush could invade a country then he could stop aids. Minister Farakahn told us that it was the whites that brought aids upon the blacks. Bush made black males irresponsible. Bush made sure that this country would never ever elect a black president.
Steve
September 1st, 2009
12:36 am
VOTE NORWOOD!!!!!!!!
Dante
September 1st, 2009
8:24 am
I am very disappointed with the bigoted comments by African Americans on this message board. Shame, shame.
Blacks In Union!
September 1st, 2009
8:38 am
The black man is constantly being kept down by the white racists in power—we must stand in union to keep our rights and freedoms! We must vote to keep our brothers and sisters in office!
Teela
September 3rd, 2009
10:48 am
Ramzad: Says it all and hits the baseline. Ever think of running for public office?
One of the best social commentaries I have read on this blog.
South Africa Fan
September 3rd, 2009
6:35 pm
BravesFan 79 doesn’t know wht he/she is talking about in regards to South Africa!!
I’m late making these comments because I just returned from South Africa where I spent almost a month visiting Johannesburg, Capetown, Robben Island, Durban, Praetoria, St. Lucia, and Infolozi Park, 150 miles south of Mozambique. We were so impressed with the beauty of the country, the building of the infrastructure, and the unbelievable animals, BUT THE PEOPLE IMPRESSED US THE MOST! Apartheid didn’t end until 1994, but the progress they have made in building up their country is phenomenal!
These natives genuinely have good reasons to be very angry, yet they aren’t! Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu have been exemplary role models and have enabled the country to make tremendous improvements. Their leadership focused on leaving the misery behind them and working together to improve their country. They no longer are continuing the anger and fighting, but are focused on the positives. The government is working hard to develop a strong middle class and government housing while moving people out of the tin shack cities and into jobs. We visited Soweto, the major ghetto area, and were impressed with the building and progress we saw, as we ate lunch with the natives there. Most importantly we were very impressed with the PEOPLE who are no longer angry and fighting a war that ended only 15 years ago. We found this to be true in every city that we visited! The children were excited to be going to school, WALKING the distance on the roads in their uniforms. The men were knowledgeable about our sports teams and player statistics and asked many questions about the professional basketball players in particular.
South Africa won the World Rugby Cup and will host the Soccer World Cup in 2010. They are working hard to be ready for this big event and preparing for it has energized the country! Of course, parts of the big cities aren’t safe after dark, but neither is Atlanta. They still have a long way to go, but after only 15 years, the natives have made great progress considering that under Apartheid the 10% white Afrikans governed the 90% blacks until 1994. They have left their anger behind and improved their country. WE NEED TO DO THE SAME HERE! AFTER ALMOST 150 YEARS THE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE TO POSITIVELY AFFECT CHANGE AND TO GET RID OF THE RESENTMENT OF THE PRESENT GENERATION WHO NEVER WAS PART OF OUR HISTORY!
FUNGAZI.COM » Blog Archive » A Censored But Amazingly Significant Indicator of Current American Racism
September 3rd, 2009
6:50 pm
[...] Black mayor first memo [...]
patrick
September 16th, 2009
8:40 pm
Corruption in City Hall did not start with the election of Maynard Jackson. When black politicians took over Atlanta City Hall they wanted to play by the same rules as previous administrations. Having struggled for so long to gain entrance to the kitchen, they weren’t going to let anyone tell them the cookie jar was off limits. Aaron Turpeau knows that the ability to make deals and bend rules is a form of political power. This is true in Chicago, New York, and every other big city. I wish Mary Norwood or Lisa Borders or whoever lots of luck in trying to change that mentality and that way of doing business. My money is on the same old song and dance for a long time to come.