We’ve been misunderstood, Clark Atlanta profs say
My AJC colleague Eric Stirgus has just sent a few notes from Paschal’s restaurant, where the authors of the “black mayor first” memo just finished their press conference.
Atlanta mayoral candidate Kasim Reed, is in the midst of his address to 80 or so African-American pastors — at the same venue.
According to Stirgus, Clark Atlanta University political scientists William Boone and Keith Jennings said their memo has been misinterpreted by the media and others — i.e., Mayor Shirley Franklin, Reed and Atlanta City Councilwoman Lisa Borders.
They did not intend to suggest that African-American voters unite behind a single candidate in order to block the election of a white mayor of Atlanta.
Their memo, which made the rounds last week, included these lines:
Time is of the essence because in order to defeat a [Mary] Norwood (white) mayoral candidacy we have to get out now and work in a manner to defeat her without a runoff, and the key is a significant Black turnout in the general election;
….The reasons support should be given to Lisa Borders is: 1) she is the best black candidate in the race who has a chance to win the election because she can attract downtown white support; and 2) based on polling data drawn from a host of sources between May 2009 and July 2009, the numbers suggest Borders is growing stronger as we move closer to the election, while the most recent polling data suggests that the other black candidates are falling further behind over the same period.
However, in their news conference, the two academics said they were not advocating that the Black Leadership Forum support a single candidate.
“We would never suggest such a thing,” Jennings said.
Instead, Boone and Jennings said were trying to address points of discussion within the black community, including assertions that African-American voters should unite behind Borders.
The professors said the memo is not racist, although it has been described as “bigoted” by Franklin.
“We respect the mayor and she has a right to her opinion,” Jennings said.
The professors said the memo was also written to articulate concerns of black residents that the next mayor should address.
The Rev. Timothy McDonald, a member of the group whose deliberations produced the memo, said “there was no endorsement by the Black Leadership Forum for any candidate.”
Not everyone at the scene is buying the distinctions drawn by the academics, Stirgus reports.
One of Reed’s supporters, the Rev. Mitzi Bickers, gave a thinly-veiled response to the memo: “It’s one thing to tell us what to think. It’s another thing to tell us how to think.”
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238 comments Add your comment
Keith
September 1st, 2009
11:58 am
Racism and bigotry are alive and well among Atlanta’s black leaders. I’m sure Dr. King would be proud… NOT!
chuck allison
September 1st, 2009
11:59 am
Are you kidding me? All this means is that Clark Atlanta University has institutionalized racism. Did these two clowns really think anyone was going to fall for this. They must think everyone is stupid.
Walter Adams
September 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
“Time is of the essence because in order to defeat a [Mary] Norwood (white) mayoral candidacy we have to get out now and work in a manner to defeat her without a runoff, and the key is a significant Black turnout in the general election.” Exactly what part of this is not racisim? “ChANGE BEING SHOWN IN IT’S TRUEST FORM HERE PEOPLE!
Who are the REAL racists?
September 1st, 2009
12:02 pm
It says what it says. They SUGGEST a candidate and advocate it because she can beat the white women. Subversive, racists, bigotted and ugly. I guess they didn’t mean for it to get out. Now they are doing the “dance”.
who cares
September 1st, 2009
12:03 pm
Well, we certainly know who REALLY are the Racists. The Black Race. They made a stink of Separate but Equal but it looks ike THAT is exactly what they want. Their OWN BLACK Mayor, their own BLACK organization, their OWN BLACK only Colleges, their own BLACK beauty pageants, their own Black radio stations, their own Black churches, Black Coaches org, their own Black basketball league, their own 100 BLACK men group. Black, black,black! How about a new group-SANTA-Send All Negroes To Africa! We are Americans here-not African-Americans. Americans first!
Very Sad
September 1st, 2009
12:03 pm
Can you imagine the backlash if the authors were white and distributed something similar?
Jason
September 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
Oceania is at war with Eurasia, Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia.
Just because
September 1st, 2009
12:05 pm
Only goes to show you that blacks, too, can be racists. This is just one example. How about ACORN; its agenda is black empowerment. Power to the blacks!
TotallyConfused
September 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Im sure if this same letter was published replacing the word “black” with “white” all heck would break loose and the two “white” professors slammed on national tv or even worse.
How about we actually look at the issues and elect our public officials based on their credentials, their merits, and what they plan to do for our city. Not because of a hidden agenda or the color of their skin.
Thanks Clark Atlanta University of teaching racism to another generation. I thought we were all seeking equality and a better life for future generations! Doctor King is surely looking down in shame on you.
Reggie
September 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Dr. Boone, I understand and respect what you are saying and I share your opinion. We, the African American community need to stand behind one candidate and make sure they are going to do what need to be done in this city. Regardless of the race or sex of the next mayor, there are serious issues to be addressed. With one voice we can make a difference.
jack
September 1st, 2009
12:07 pm
George Wallace claimed to have been misunderstood (he was for “states rights” “not white rights”.)
Racism is racism. There are some (not all, thank God) black people who think ANYTHING they do is ok and that black people can’t be racists, because they think only white people can be racists. Spike Lee even said a black person COULDN’T be a racist (which might be the most racist statement of all time).
The Clark professors have been caught in their web of racism and are now having to tap dance to distract us.
Barack Obama’s election was a statement that shot around the world. America is an imperfect place that elected a person because a majority thought he would make America better.
How refreshing it would be to see black Atlantan’s vote for a candidate without regard to color simply because they thought the candidate would make Atlanta a better place.
Norwood has shown for years that she works with people of all colors to get results that benefit the city. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see a white woman elected mayor in a city with a majority of black voters? Wow.
Native Atlantan
September 1st, 2009
12:07 pm
They must think we as voters are idiots!!! What a bunch of jack @$$e$
Chuck U. Farlie
September 1st, 2009
12:08 pm
Whats up with these old timer black professors, bunch of racist bigots! Bout time they either close the “historically black” schools down or open up “historically white” schools so things will even out, Im tired out hearin this cr@p from these worthless chumps!!!
Typical
September 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
Where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton calling for CAU to fire these racists? I thought so…
GOP Man
September 1st, 2009
12:10 pm
I guess Borfers won’t the benefit she expected out of this memo. The numbers show Reed is very much in this race.
Ralph
September 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
These type of people are the first to scream racism toward others! Then they slip up and open their racist mouths!
In God we all trust!
Rick
September 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
I guess now we know that there are black racist among us too.
Obvious
September 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
Oooh look, a hole! Let’s dig ourselves deeper into it!
Typical
September 1st, 2009
12:12 pm
Oh, Jesse’s at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta to protest the foreclosure sales. Hmmm, combat real racism or try to strong arm a business into changing the legal way they do buniness? No surprise here!
GT1960
September 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Why don’t you just run on YOUR OWN GD MERITS!! You are going to keep pushing this race BS until it backfires right in your face. You are in the process, with your race baiting & power grabbing, of taking race relations backwards 30-40 years. Get out there, campaign, PROVE you are the best for the job and let the chips fall where they may. This sneaking around, gathering votes under the we need to keep the mayor black sounds like what goes on in high schools for the homecoming queen!
CoooolRider
September 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
who cares, tell it like it is my brother! Woohoo, seriously, Americans should get first priority, we were here first, african americans should feel priviledged to even be here, or in other cases treated equally not given special treatment! LOL@SANTA, Ahahahaha, its so totally true, would be great to actually feel proud to be an American again without all this “I want something for nothing and you betta show us respect or else u a racist mane!” Not quite buddy, we all know whom are the true racists in our country!
Tray
September 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Well, we all know now for a fact that black on white racism is alive and well, there just aren’t any consequences for it yet…
Time for me to start the NAAWP…or would that be racist?
the evil rich
September 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Yeah, sure. The only reason for the backtrack is the flack from the memo. We didn’t just fall off the watermellon truck.
Cutty
September 1st, 2009
12:15 pm
Glad I graduated from Morehouse!
jw
September 1st, 2009
12:16 pm
Even more pathetic is that they still don’t get it. I just saw their interview on WSB news and part of their “justification” for the memo is that Atlanta is a majority black city. Applying that twisted logic nationally, maybe we should have someone other than Obama as president.
Ramzad
September 1st, 2009
12:17 pm
Can’t we just get along? Rodney King
Cutty
September 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
Chuck U. There are plenty of “Historically White” schools. UGA, Ga Tech, Mississippi, Florida….. Morehouse graduated a white valedictorian a couple years back. Why should these institutions be closed when they accept students regardless of race, just as the schools previously mentioned NOW do as well?
Alan
September 1st, 2009
12:19 pm
I guess this was really just another “CHANGE” memo…Come Help A Negro Get Elected. The real tragedy is these guys will be given a pass by “progressive” thinking people & media. We live in the era of the double standard. America will never really progress until right is right for all people, and wrong is wrong for all people with equal accountability. These people should lose their jobs, and if they were white they would.
Chuck U. Farlie
September 1st, 2009
12:20 pm
Before ya know if black people are going to be complaining cause hispanic americans want their rights and want to be treated equally, historically mexican colleges will come about, NAAMP, they will start making blacks show them respect or else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!………………… they will be racists, or wait, too late for that!
??
September 1st, 2009
12:22 pm
How did two professor’s comments get associated with Black Leaders in Atlanta? This has nothing to do with the leaders of Atl and more to do with opinions of these two college professors.
Alex
September 1st, 2009
12:22 pm
Jason @ 12:04: “Oceania is at war with Eurasia, Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia.” It is true that political correctness has become the “New Speak” and those that embrace it think they can re-write anything as the truth since the Party can do no wrong. Orwell was just off by 15 years.
Joe
September 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
Hilarious. The real problem with race in Atlanta is the fact that African American’s, such as these idiot professors, have a huge chip on thier shoulder and are actually more racist towards white people because they can get away with it. The true color is coming out – and it black, not white.
ha
September 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
While these professors’ memo was indeed racist, so are those who take this memo and attribute it to an entire ethnicity.
By writing, “Well, we certainly know who REALLY are the Racists. The Black Race.” you are attributing a few people’s ideas unto an entire group. Therefore, you are also racist.
Take the limb from your eye brother.
Mary
September 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
I have lived in the Northeast, Midwest, Texas and overseas. Until I moved to the Atlanta area 15 years ago, I NEVER knew the depth of racism that exists in this area. I am speaking of the hatred (yes, hatred) of whites by blacks that is Atlanta.
This city (Atlanta) has educators with doctorates teaching this hatred. Clark Atlanta needs to terminate the contracts of these 2 men immediately.
There is no misinterpreting what their document says. It is revolting.
clyde
September 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
The two academics are siimply saying that any black that doesn’t vote for Borders is stupid.If you don’t vote black then white wins and the blacks lose.Since the blacks have the majority,why split the vote so whitey wins?Racist?Most assuredly.
Chuck U. Farlie
September 1st, 2009
12:25 pm
Cutty what are you talking about? Those schools you named arent historically white, moron, I doubt with a name like “cutty” you even graduated from grade school. Lemme guess, u left after 4th grade?
GaDawg
September 1st, 2009
12:26 pm
ATLANTA, the ” Detroit ” of the South is alive and well, Why Norwood wants to run is beyond me, she has no chance to be elected in a town that is 60 % plus black AND broke. Let another black have the job, they can’t do any worst than the last 5 have.
Dale
September 1st, 2009
12:27 pm
The same thing should happen to these two “authors” as would happen if they were white. They should lose their jobs. Instead they “justify” what they wrote and say we all “misunderstood” the memo. The thing they seem to do best is “make excuses”. Come on Atlanta, it’s time to get fed up with this type of racism. It seems you are only a racist if you are white, well this proves that racism is alive and well in the black community. Of course, we all know that just by listening to Al Sharpton & Jesse jackson. Where are they during this? Where is the outrage at this racism? They are being very quiet as is the rest of the black community.
Chris
September 1st, 2009
12:30 pm
I am a voter in Atlanta and can’t even tell you when the election polls will be open? I have not seen any info on when to vote? No one is going to feel motivated to vote unless they are told you can help them get a job, feed their family or keep a roof over their head. Securing the basics will win the race for he best one to win or the one who can promise the most at this point with 11% out of work.
Bravisie
September 1st, 2009
12:31 pm
Race relations will never truly get better until you have equal punishment for both sides of this fight.
If these guys were white they would already have their itinerary laid out for their apology 2009 tour.
Another thing that needs to happen is the so-called Black leaders in this country need to come out and denounce these guys. Until that happens (and I am not holding my breath) nothing will ever change.
Mac
September 1st, 2009
12:32 pm
The black leadership in this country is in the same place white leadership was in when MLK started the equal rights movement,DENIAL,white leaders did not want to admitt there racist ways but it was all to obvious. We will not be able reach true equality until the black leaders admitt their racist tactics.
CoooolRider
September 1st, 2009
12:32 pm
LOL@Chuck. These two professors if thats what they think they are, really should be terminated from their contracts, this type of nonsense shouldnt be taken by that university or any for that matter. I wonder if these two guys are buddies with the professor up at Harvard? He is probably laughing about all this right now.
Jim
September 1st, 2009
12:34 pm
Racism doesn’t look any better on black professors than it does on red neck Klansmen. No one is dumb enough to believe their lame explanation. These guys are racist pigs, and should be fired! Can you imagine the outcry from self-appointed black “leaders” and the local and national media if these clowns were white?? Al Sharpton would take up permanent residence here! One thing is certain, though: This racist duo will NOT be fired, or even reprimanded; and they, and others, will succeed in uniting black voters to make sure no white person becomes mayor. Nearly 30 years of electing mayors whose chief qualification was their race have run this city into the ground and almost into bankruptcy. One or two more elections should finish the job!!
Kevin
September 1st, 2009
12:34 pm
If Carlton Brown, the president of Clark, wanted to show true leadership, he would denouce the actions of these professors and fire them immediately.
Mr. Brown, this story has been picked up by the AP and will be read by people around the world. Is this the perception of Clark you’re trying to build?
You will be derelict in your duties as president if you don’t address these racists you employ.
jesus black-bigots christ
September 1st, 2009
12:34 pm
no wonder the black colleges turn out sub standard young adults with little education. the black leadership in the usa should be shamed. jesse jackson’s and al sharpton’s of A- town should be run out of town on a rail. that would include shirley f. martin and malcom would not have taken the bullet had they seen the mess you losers have made for your race.
swampjacket
September 1st, 2009
12:36 pm
These two “academics” and their racial politics are exactly part of what the Obama campaign and election set out to CHANGE! His “bi-cultural experience” allows him to see way above this, and most Black or White folks don’t have that capacity yet. It’s unfortunate that these two are stuck with such an out-dated perspective on race, but not really surprising.
Joe Johnson
September 1st, 2009
12:36 pm
Too bad Clark Univeristy can only hire teachers that aren’t qualified to teach at a real University.
ha
September 1st, 2009
12:36 pm
I grew up in the south, and have lived here all my life. After reading the true thoughts that people share anonymously through these blogs, I have begun to think of moving away.
So many of you racists justify your racism because you view the “other side” as racists. You can’t even see the irony and hypocracy of that. Its not that you are evil, you’re just stupid.
Chris
September 1st, 2009
12:37 pm
Here is the dates! http://www.atlantaga.gov/media/municipalclerk_electioninfo_030309.aspx
he 2009 City of Atlanta Municipal General Election, a non-partisan election, will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at all of the regular precincts and polling places within the City of Atlanta.
At that time, registered voters within the City of Atlanta will vote to fill the Offices of Mayor (1), City Council President (1), City Council Members (15), Board of Education Members (9); and to retain Municipal Court Judges, for terms of four years.
If no candidate seeking election to any office receives at least 50% plus 1 vote, a Municipal General Run-off Election will be held on December 1, 2009, between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for the particular office(s). If a run-off election is required to fill the seat of Mayor, Council President, At-Large Council or Board of Education Member(s); such election will be held at all of the regular precincts city-wide. If a run-off election is required to fill Council or Board of Education Member(s) district seat(s) only, such election will be held at all of the particular precincts within each applicable council or board of education voting district only.
The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day(s).
Publius
September 1st, 2009
12:37 pm
The professors’ denial bothers me more than their silly, predictable memo. It is a curious argument to stand in front of a microphone and simply deny that the memo is what it manifestly is. The tactic requires that the audience suspend rational thought. It basically means we have to play stupid, and as the President can tell you from recent experience, Americans don’t like to be called stupid.
No matter what they say, the emperor just isn’t wearing any clothes in this case. Apparently,their plan is to just deny everything until the end of the news cycle when we will all go back to whatever we were doing before this excrement was shoved under our noses.
But the professors taint the very people they meant to help by their actions.