How will the City of Atlanta change if it keeps losing blacks? (Clayton: neighborhood, schools)

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

Maybe if you are caucasin this is true but such a statement with concern to minorities, especially blacks is laughable!!

As usual, you're making a simple assumption that all minorities think the same way. I can tell you for a fact - they don't.

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

This is a question that I have asked many times myself yet NO blacks seem to want to answer this question with any form of rationality. I mean if whites came into an all black area and suddenly became the majority and then voted out ALL of the blacks in office and made a complete joke out of every aspect of that county I would be the first white guy calling these jokers out. I would also be placing the blame for such a debacle on the white fools that voted these clowns into office just because of their skin color! I know that many other whites would be doing the exact same thing. I just can't understand why blacks are so reluctant to place the blame on other blacks when they are cleary corrupt and useless.

I think the majority of Blacks feel the exact same way you do about Clayton County - possibly more so. And I think the failures with those in power and the voters that chose them are heavily discussed in and often detested in the Black community.

Just because Blacks don't say this to you doesn't mean they do not feel this way. I just think that many Blacks do not decry the fault of the Blacks that caused the ills in Clayton county to white America because deep down, I think many feel that it is easy for non-blacks to stereotype an entire race by the actions of a few or a certain segment of the population. And that is definitely what most Blacks DO NOT want.
Not trying to justify anything here, but for example, how often do you here ANY white person decry their (once) racist fathers or grandfathers who participated in lynchings and fought to uphold Jim Crows laws. We know in the south that many white Georgians know and love elder family members who've vehemently participated in the subjugation of blacks in as little as 40 years ago... whether they know it or not. I myself know a few whites whose parents vehemently protested against integration and actively participated in white flight for shear fear that Blacks were moving in... But they wouldn't likely complain about the foul transgressions of their parents, uncles, aunts, and other forbearers to Blacks because that behavior reflects the general attitude of an entire race, or at least a system that openly supported that mentality. Similar to how Blacks are often STEREOTYPED as being childish and shiftless... and to tell you (whites) that a certain group of Blacks actually was childish and shiftless may inadvertently cause the whole race to look bad...

Basically, in a round about way, I'm saying I agree with you 100%. But I'm also giving an explanation as to why many blacks do not run to whites to vent about the ills of the Black community...

[BringBackCobain]

There is also another way it could change that some have overlooked. For years many of the black leaders of Atlanta only acknolwedged "black Atlanta" - which was acceptable to city residents due to how large the black percentage was (in 1990 Atlanta was 68% black).

Examples of this? When asked mayors like Bill Campbell or Andrew Young about Atlanta's History, they usually would only acknowledge post-1960s and Civil Rights... and would ignore the Civil war or pre-1960s. Atlanta's Music? always hip hop or R and B, never southern rock. Atlanta's Food? Always soul food. Atlanta Tourism? King center, king home, Auburn Ave., never cyclorama or carter center. Festivals? always black arts, jazz, etc. never Chinese festivals or irish festivals. Atlanta Culture? Black culture.

Now, im really not putting any fault towards this, because it makes sense in a city that is almost 70% black. But once that number gets below 50%, city leaders will simply have to acknowledge the interests of the other demographics in the city.
History becomes civil rights AND civil war.
music becomes outkast AND the black crowes
food becomes sould food AND mexican food
tourism becomes ebenezer baptist AND the wren's nest
festivals become nbaf AND chinese new year
and atlanta culture becomes a culture of the many races that live there.

some may find this offensive, but its the truth. and some city leaders have been worse than others. But for those who doubt this, ask yourself if you could really see Shirley Franklin advocating moving the cyclorama near centennial park.

[Reelist in Atlanta]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22
Maybe if you are caucasin this is true but such a statement with concern to minorities, especially blacks is laughable!!

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

As usual, you're making a simple assumption that all minorities think the same way. I can tell you for a fact - they don't.

Ahhh, where were you for the last 18 months Mr. Deacon?

- Reel

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

History becomes civil rights AND civil war.

Everything that you're saying makes sense. But this comparison can get kind of touchy. Most blacks view the south's role in the civil war as exceedingly reprehensible... thus the great migration.

Juxtaposing these two ideas can easily be interpreted as the south's wrongs (civil war) and the south's moral overcoming and achievement (civil rights). But for those who proudly support the attitude of the south during the civil war (confederate flags and all) is kind of like a slap in the face to many blacks.

Not saying that all southern whites from the civil war to the 60's were racist, but a whole lot were. It was just the culture of the time. I know that there's a lot more to white american southern culture than slavery and racism, but unfortunately, it's a pretty big part of it...

Similarly, it's hard for Germans to celebrate their heritage and bravery during WWII and not be associated with Nazi's and the extermination of Jews...

Check out the satirical movie, "Confederate States of America".

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

As usual, you're making a simple assumption that all minorities think the same way. I can tell you for a fact - they don't.

I tell you what, when blacks STOP voting for the Democrats in such HUGE numbers, 90%+ then your statement will hold water. Until then I will stand by my original statement!

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by equinox63

I think the majority of Blacks feel the exact same way you do about Clayton County - possibly more so. And I think the failures with those in power and the voters that chose them are heavily discussed in and often detested in the Black community.

Just because Blacks don't say this to you doesn't mean they do not feel this way. I just think that many Blacks do not decry the fault of the Blacks that caused the ills in Clayton county to white America because deep down, I think many feel that it is easy for non-blacks to stereotype an entire race by the actions of a few or a certain segment of the population. And that is definitely what most Blacks DO NOT want.
Not trying to justify anything here, but for example, how often do you here ANY white person decry their (once) racist fathers or grandfathers who participated in lynchings and fought to uphold Jim Crows laws. We know in the south that many white Georgians know and love elder family members who've vehemently participated in the subjugation of blacks in as little as 40 years ago... whether they know it or not. I myself know a few whites whose parents vehemently protested against integration and actively participated in white flight for shear fear that Blacks were moving in... But they wouldn't likely complain about the foul transgressions of their parents, uncles, aunts, and other forbearers to Blacks because that behavior reflects the general attitude of an entire race, or at least a system that openly supported that mentality. Similar to how Blacks are often STEREOTYPED as being childish and shiftless... and to tell you (whites) that a certain group of Blacks actually was childish and shiftless may inadvertently cause the whole race to look bad...

Basically, in a round about way, I'm saying I agree with you 100%. But I'm also giving an explanation as to why many blacks do not run to whites to vent about the ills of the Black community...

You make some valid points but you must understand that when non-blacks see what becomes of places like Clayton that were once nice area's with good schools and very little crime the same old sterotypes that allot of non-blacks have are reinforced. Valid or not that is reality, and when elections are held and the same fools that have made such a mockery of that county are almost re-elected it doesnt look good. What looks worse is the silence that was heard from the black leadership when the schools were about to loose accrediation. There silence on the voter turnout was also shocking! I mean when only a small fraction of registered voters come out in Clayton county it shows that the majority could care less what happens there and it shows!! Sorry but that just doesnt happen in very many places! I just see a BIG double standard when it concerns blacks voiceing outrage to other blacks yet will scream from the tallest mountian if they see the smallest misdeed by a white.

[DPAT]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

I tell you what, when blacks STOP voting for the Democrats in such HUGE numbers, 90%+ then your statement will hold water. Until then I will stand by my original statement!

IMO, Political alignment is largely based on economics. What you see in the large percentage of blacks that vote Democratic may simply be a function of the large disparity in wealth distribution. As the percentage of blacks with generational wealth increases, my bet is that you will see that 90% you mentioned decrease right along with it.

[Andrei63]

[SIZE=3]I have some offer for all make Constitutional convention about denominate ANY race type definitions and privileges in all laws and official rules for entire United States. Do you like this Racial benefit is real now. I'm Russian minority)))))))))[/SIZE]

[Merin]

Originally Posted by DPAT

IMO, Political alignment is largely based on economics. What you see in the large percentage of blacks that vote Democratic may simply be a function of the large disparity in wealth distribution. As the percentage of blacks with generational wealth increases, my bet is that you will see that 90% you mentioned decrease right along with it.

I used to think that way until election night when they showed the percentage of Democratic voters, with higher incomes. Remember how we all of a sudden became Arugula eating elitists? I voted democratic when our household income was 60k a year and still do with it being over 3 times that much now. My life experiences and social beliefs drive my vote, not my income.

In regards to the previous poster who says black folks generally think alike because we vote democratic, that's just nonsense. Blacks only recently started voting democratic, mainly because of the Civil Rights bill. I have found , in my family and personal experiences, that we vary on many issues.