Your morning jolt: Cracker Barrel and the Atlanta race for mayor
Ten years ago, a young African-American low on his law firm’s pecking order was drafted into the legal defense of Cracker Barrel restaurants.
The chain peddles Southern cooking and country crafts to interstate travelers. At the time, Cracker Barrel also stood accused of serving up other Southern traditions as well, most notably discrimination against black customers.
The lawyer in question, Kasim Reed, is now running for mayor of Atlanta. Reed’s involvement in one of several Cracker Barrel lawsuits was noted this week by Atlanta Progressive News, a liberal Web site that has endorsed rival Mary Norwood.
The information was clearly intended to chill Reed’s labor support and — never mind the Rev. Joe Lowery’s endorsement on Wednesday — send shivers up and down the spines of black voters.
The 1999 case Reed was assigned to involved wage, not racial, discrimination. It quickly went to mediation.
“I was brought on to make Cracker Barrel better,” Reed, 40, said this week. His campaign spokesman noted that this summer’s alleged assault by a white man on a female African-American soldier at one of the chain’s restaurants was caught on video — because of settlement provisions agreed to by the company during this period.
Reed offered a second line of defense as well. As a junior associate for a firm that specialized in defending companies in employment disputes, just four years out of law school, he had no choice. Refusal carried only one consequence.
“You would be fired,” Reed said. Though he may have been a legal foot soldier, the case didn’t involve chump change. The owners of Cracker Barrel told stockholders that they had set aside $3.5 million for settlement costs and legal expenses.
It is Reed’s second argument that may be more compelling.
The point of racial politics is to reduce a complicated, mottled issue to the simplicity of black and white. But the marvelous thing about the South is that its politics are anything but simple, especially when it comes to race.
In 1983, after two terms, Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first black mayor, took a job with a Chicago law firm — having been rejected by Atlanta’s big outfits. The hostility from the city’s white business community was that thick, said Bob Holmes, author of a new Jackson biography.
Twenty-five years later, having paid his dues in Atlanta firms, an African-American lawyer –who cut his teeth on employment discrimination law and keeping corporations out of trouble — is seeking the office of mayor.
If that is not progress, it is certainly irony. (Reed is now on leave from a different firm, Holland & Knight, where he developed a specialty in entertainment law.)
Lawyers will tell you that there is an inconsistency to the argument that, while even the most brutal murderer should be allowed the company of a lawyer, a corporation isn’t entitled to competent representation, however expensive.
Nor would any attorney allow that sitting beside a client constitutes an endorsement.
More important, those who argue that racial justice shouldn’t be a matter for arbitration have several decades of history to catch up on. Issues of race have always been negotiated — sometimes quite skillfully.
Several days ago, former Gov. Roy Barnes stood with Reed at the state Capitol, under the bronze nose of Tom Watson, the late 19th-century Georgia politician who advocated both white supremacy and rural free delivery.
At the endorsement ceremony, several references were made to Barnes’ 2001 initiative to remove the Confederate battle emblem from its prominent spot on the state flag.
No mention was given to the fact that, perhaps more than any individual in the state Capitol, Reed was responsible for subverting plans by Sonny Perdue, the Republican who replaced Barnes, to hold a statewide referendum asking voters whether the battle emblem should be restored.
The year was 2003. The legislation setting up the vote on the ’56 state flag cruised toward approval. But the governor, to close a gap in the state’s $16 billion budget, had also proposed a tobacco tax increase. And in the Senate, Republicans were 10 votes short.
On the last day of the legislative session, Reed quietly rounded up the 10 Democratic votes needed. Interestingly, his own was not among them. He held those votes in his pocket until Perdue agreed to a gutted version of the statewide flag vote, minus the Confederate battle emblem.
Because it involved a tax hike, the trade has not been a favorite topic of discussion among Republicans.
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132 comments Add your comment
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
7:42 am
Krooked Kasim, but Galloway loves him, so the spin is in Reed’s favor… Working for the man.. but ya’ll love him. Rock on, Atlanta. Racism is alive and well.
BeClear
November 19th, 2009
7:48 am
Can Galloway just go ahead and announce he is supporting Kasim Reed.
AJC HA!!!!
November 19th, 2009
7:52 am
Wow…..AJC spinning something into Reeds favor what a surprise. There is a reason the AJC is known as the franklin pr machine. Sorry if anyone else had done this it would be a huge deal. Sorry anyone that says opps sorry I was young and had no choice is a liar. What about ethics, personal beliefs, and standing for what is right. This mearly shows what reed is all about….Imagine him as mayor…..well I know I shouldn’t have given all those lucrative contracts to my friends, but I was a new mayor and had no choice.
Political Nothing
November 19th, 2009
8:04 am
JIM GALLOWAY OFFICIALLY ENDORSES KASIM REED
PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, GALLOWAY WILL FILL EVERYONE IN ON HIS INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ENDORSEMENT LATER TODAY.
Mary
November 19th, 2009
8:06 am
Norwood’s paid bloggers are upset that Galloway wouldn’t hand them the election with a bogus story from the crappy Atlanta Progressive News LOL. I guess that’s what you have to do if you can’t win the election based on your candidates merit.
Counter Thought
November 19th, 2009
8:10 am
This is far from an endorsement from Galloway, but surely you wouldn’t expect him to endorse Mary Norwood even if he was making an endorsement. She has to depend on numbskulls like Ralph “I’m unemployed..pay me” Long and Able “just give me a piece of chicken from the Beautiful” Mable.
Matt
November 19th, 2009
8:11 am
Time for Change at APD…
“Officers lied to a judge to get a search warrant for Johnston’s home. They shot her six times, handcuffed her, planted drugs in the house, and then tried to coerce a witness into telling their fabricated story. he event caused a deep breach of trust between police and citizens.”
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1579776
Vasher
November 19th, 2009
8:12 am
Ahhh….did Galloway hurt the feelings of Norwood’s bloggers? Suck it up! You need to make sure your candidate shows up on election day. We all know she has a bad habit of disappearing.
Old Georgia
November 19th, 2009
8:18 am
I’m tired of the blacks getting a pass…they’ve destroyed this city. These people can’t run a Church’s Chicken, how do you expect them to be able to run a city? Mary Norwood all the way!
Kasim Reed for Mayor!
November 19th, 2009
8:22 am
I find it funny how Norwood had the luxury of staying above the fray in the general election, but as soon as things got tough for her, she’s disappearing and her supporters are playing victim. Give me a break! I guess ya’ll thought you were just going to walk into the Mayor’s office…not so fast. Kasim Reed has something to say about that.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:29 am
Wow why is somebody useing my blogg name I am all the way for Kasim Reed..Norwood supporters are dirty and trashy.
Look I already voted early for Kasim Reed
This is the Real Mary Norwood Mess Up.. Ha Ha Ha Norwood is going to lose
Disgusted in Atlanta
November 19th, 2009
8:35 am
How come all the black leaders are endorsing Reed? If all the white leaders endorsed Norwood, the black community would be charging racism. Don’t try and tell me this race isn’t about race because it sure is. Come on Atlanta wake up. But guess what you get what you vote. So if you don’t vote, don’t complain. Get off your butts and get out and vote for the best candidate regardless of race. Otherwise, quit your complaining.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:35 am
Ha Ha Ha look who got that the real facts about Cracker Barrel,,,,,,Norwood is putting out lies about Reed the true just been told. Thanks Jim Galloway…
Vote Early for Kasim Reed
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:35 am
By the way, me and my midtown Georgia Equality people are voting for Kasim, he’s the only one who cares about our lifestyles. See you all at Blakes!!
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:38 am
Look Digusted in Atlanta Reed did not only get black endorsement he also got white endorsement….Check your facts before you put lies out there
Rachel
November 19th, 2009
8:39 am
Nice spin, Galloway.
Would some journalist out there take a look into Kasim’s “entertainment” clients? I would like to know more about his role in peddling violent, misogynistic “music” to our children.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:43 am
Rachel you racist get off the blogg…Tell your children stop listening to the radio. Ha Ha Ha another lie against Reed
Early vote for Reed
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
8:51 am
Norwood is paying bloggers to come on here to attack Reed supporter..
Teela is one of the bloggers she is paying
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:51 am
The lawns are growing and the trees need pruning. Any you probably have a “staff” meeting to go to, so really, we don’t want your opinion. You already voted and your messy comments aren’t are only hurting your candidate. Have fun though.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
8:52 am
You seem to have an identity crisis. Go have some coffee and think about yourself.
Jackalope
November 19th, 2009
8:54 am
So Reed can defend Cracker Barrel but Norwood goes to BOTH a Democratic and Republican convention and she gets skewered. Oh, and Reed can not pay his taxes for 8 years too. Good job Galloway – what does Reed’s brother have you promised an airport contract?
Teela
November 19th, 2009
8:58 am
Rachel: I would like to hear more about this, and other questionable things that have been floated around about Reed.
We need to know more about this man….besides Galloway’s spin.
Jim Galloway, I know you work for a fish wrapper, but I thought better of you before. You bias is really showing.
No matter…the candidates will stand or fall on Dec. 1st. The people who try to intimidate posters here are just trifling and ignorant folk. The only thing they can keep yelling is “racist”. and it’s just a word that turns right around on them. Always has.
And they make Reed look ghetto.
Vote for Norwood Dec. 1st. Vote for a change.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
8:58 am
How much these bloggers getting paid. Wow Norwood bloggers useing Reed supporters blogger names…Look Norwood bloggers is scare…They running out of lies against Reed. Norwood is no where to be found and she begging the Gays to support her wow this tell you something about Norwood she is not to be trusted.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
November 19th, 2009
8:59 am
Norwood can go to whatever convention she’s ELECTED to attend as a delegate…Her problem was lying about whether she recalled if she voted for her cousin, draft-dodging, closet-queen, George W. Bush, WHO COMMITTED 9/11!
She is a liar. True Atlantans cannot condone this bald-faced lie, to our faces, by a woman who squired around an oft-married radio tycoon until she was past childbearing. What would that teach our daughters if we then made her elect?
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:05 am
So true Will Jones i told these Norwood supporters that she is a lier and a undercover Republican I am strictly demoncrate.
Vote early for Kasim Reed
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:07 am
Teela you are the ignorant person on here and Teela is getting paid by Norwood to attack Reed supporter. Teela you need to look in the mirror and ask yourself why you really supporting Norwood.
Michelle
November 19th, 2009
9:09 am
@Will-
And what would it teach our sons if we elected a wealthy, childless playboy Mayor? In all his success as an attorney and elected official, Kasim hasn’t found ANY one “worthy” of committing to? Are there no women in Atlanta who meet his elite standards?
jconservative
November 19th, 2009
9:09 am
You folks are guilty of shooting the messenger.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
9:10 am
I personally make Kasim Reed’s lunch and dinner, wish I could make his breakfast and fix his suits also.
Jackson Machine
November 19th, 2009
9:14 am
Kasim Reed has been endorsed by the Jackson Machine. To help Kasim, we are going to start a honorary voting program. That’s correct your dead aunt and uncle can vote for Kasim Reed, all you have to do is forward their full name, date of birth and social security number to the Reed headquarters. After the election we will have a drawing for a free minority contract at the Jackson Airport. Trust the Jackson Machine to do what’s RIGHT.
Blow
November 19th, 2009
9:16 am
Mary Norwood for mayor, enough with the blacks making a mess of the city
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:18 am
Look at all the Norwood paid bloggers and staff are attacking Reed on here. This tell you why Norwood campaign in shamble look at Teela got around 5 names on here she go by. Teela is a racist white woman who get paid by Norwood
Terri
November 19th, 2009
9:18 am
this mess is funny
common sense aint common
November 19th, 2009
9:21 am
these norwood supporters put some extremely ignorant comments on here. & racists are gonna believe what they wanna believe, regardless of how absurd or illogical it is
RACHEL- why do u assume that kasim represents rap artists in his entertainment law practice? is it becuz he’s black? as an entertainment lawyer, he could be representing opera singers, songwriters, clowns, painters, etc. don’t be so quick to stereotype black people dumb azz.
and as far as his endorsements, kasim has been endorsed by MANY people, some w/ brown skin & some w/ white skin.
Person with bad grammar
November 19th, 2009
9:21 am
DEAR MARY NORWOOD MESS UP and MARY NORWOOD PAYING BLOGGERS,
Please… I am begging you to use proper grammar when posting things on this blog. You are represening yourself as a Kasim supporter. Do you understand that the more you type the less and less credible the points you make are?
This for example….
So true Will Jones i told these Norwood supporters that she is a lier and a undercover Republican I am strictly demoncrate.
Ok, “lier” is spelled LIAR.
instead of “she is a lier and a undercover Republican”
You should replace a with an.
Demoncrate is spelled Democrat.
I am a Kasim supporter, and I am telling you that it is painful to read your posts.Suggestion: Copy and paste your posts into Microsoft Word and make sure you set it to spell check and grammar check what you want to say.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:21 am
Terri this is real funny when Norwood staff is getting paid to attack Reed on here.
Early vote for Reed
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:22 am
Teela how much Norwood paying her staff to attack Reed on here
Paul Jissou
November 19th, 2009
9:22 am
“African-American?” What about “European-American” instead of “white?” Why are you so scared to write “black????”
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:24 am
I really forgot how speak grammar correctly and really am the same person I am as Mary Norwood mess up. Vote black for Kasim Reed. I wish I was employ.
Inman Park Truth
November 19th, 2009
9:26 am
Blow, Old Georgia, and Disgusted in Atlanta: Your overt appeals to rascism are disgusting. Neither candidate has made any effort to be racially divisive, yet you clearly only care about the candidates based on their skin color. Is it really impossible for you to trust an educated, successful black man? I had really hoped this city had come farther than that in the past several decades, I’m disappointed to see I was wrong.
p.s. You’re also completely wrong about Kasim’s endorsements, he has also been endorsed by Roy Barnes, Jim Martin, Nan Orrock, and enjoys the support of many many other white voters, like me, who are not as obtuse, petty and backwards as you are.
Mary Norwood mess up
November 19th, 2009
9:28 am
Whatever, this our board, we control this. We will make uninformed ignorant point cause we no better role in life going good.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:30 am
Teela I understand your reading my post I am here to tell the trueth about your candidate Norwood. Teela it funny how you on here to attack me and also Reed we would see if Norwood is going to win this race.
Look Teela you a racist white woman who dont live on the SW side of Atlanta
Teela you looking lonely in Norwood campaign office
Blow
November 19th, 2009
9:32 am
Norwood pays bloggers and other media outlets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Counter Thought
November 19th, 2009
9:34 am
Is this really the best you can do? Someone endorses a candidate other than the Machine candidate, and this is what they get, lies on a blog? Was Kasim entitled to ALL the endorsements? Rev. Lowery and Andy Young don’t have enough juice to make up for two “defecters” (as you see it)?
I guess the rights to free expression and to vote your conscience only extend to Black politicians when they go with the anointed candidate.
blow
November 19th, 2009
9:34 am
and she will win !!!!!!
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:35 am
Thanks Inman Park you better be quiet because Norwood staff on here will attack you they getting paid big money with tax paying money to attack Reed on here and his supporters. Ask Teela how much she get paid.
She would tell you she get paid by commission everytime she post against Reed and his supporter.
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:37 am
Just vote black Kasim Reed. These white folks racist and are scared to vote for true quality candidate and dey all pay for bloggers everytime they speak. Vote Kasim Reed.
atlantagirl
November 19th, 2009
9:39 am
http://hklaw.wordpress.com/2009/01/03/hk-kasim-reed-lawyer-for-the-rich-and-racist/
Norwood paying Bloggers
November 19th, 2009
9:40 am
Teela are you lonely what time your lunch break today want you go to 5 point an pass out fliers for Norwood
Terri
November 19th, 2009
9:42 am
It’s really interesting how this blog can bring out some of the worst. Has either candidate talked about the sewage system in depth yet with a real plan? Just asking….