How will the City of Atlanta change if it keeps losing blacks? (White: crime rate, school)

[DPAT]

Originally Posted by Merin

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.

Your point is well taken, and to a large extent I agree. The only thing I would note is that a sudden change in wealth won't easily lead to the change in voting. A large part of our political views are shaped early in life and we have a tendency to hold on to that (my parents are democrats so I'm a democrat thinking). The "new-wealthy" may still hold as democratic. However, the generational wealthy may not. In other words, I bet if the wealth of those democrats is passed on through a few more generations, those great great grandbabies may start thinking red. There's a difference between growing up middle or lower class and then making it, and growing up knowing nothing but privilege. The spheres of influence will be different throughout life. They will (presumably) grow up in different neighborhoods, attend different schools, join different societies or clubs, etc. By the way, I'm just guessing on this topic - I don't mean to sound as if I'm speaking authoritatively... just in case that's how I'm coming off.

[gt6974a]

Originally Posted by ImissAnalog

And if you peole DO think it will change, how?!

It'd be more White?!?

[Huckleberry3911948]

1st black flight post i have seen ever. is this for real?

[Merin]

Originally Posted by DPAT

Your point is well taken, and to a large extent I agree. The only thing I would note is that a sudden change in wealth won't easily lead to the change in voting. A large part of our political views are shaped early in life and we have a tendency to hold on to that (my parents are democrats so I'm a democrat thinking). The "new-wealthy" may still hold as democratic. However, the generational wealthy may not. In other words, I bet if the wealth of those democrats is passed on through a few more generations, those great great grandbabies may start thinking red. There's a difference between growing up middle or lower class and then making it, and growing up knowing nothing but privilege. The spheres of influence will be different throughout life. They will (presumably) grow up in different neighborhoods, attend different schools, join different societies or clubs, etc. By the way, I'm just guessing on this topic - I don't mean to sound as if I'm speaking authoritatively... just in case that's how I'm coming off.

So true!! LOL!! My Great grandparents were actually upper middle class. They voted republican!!!

[dimpelss]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

The population of Atlanta has more than doubled in the past 20 years...and that's new residents of all races. White people, black people, asian people, etc. have all been flocking to Atlanta.

The percentage of white residents in the city of Atlanta increased from 31% in 2000 to 35% in 2006 - a numeric increase of 26,000. New black residents have been locating in the suburbs more often, and black residents of the city have been increasingly making the choice to move outside of the city limits. It's been an obvious trend with white metro residents to move into the city...that's what is causing the white increase/black decrease. It's really just a shift in the choices people are making about where to live - nothing else.

This is a decent article titled "Atlanta and the Urban Future" from July 2008...
Governing: Atlanta/July 2008

Finally someone who has answered this question with sense.

[dimpelss]

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.

You are so simple minded that's all I have to say.

[dimpelss]

Originally Posted by Merin

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.

I think it's nonsense also because a few days before Obama got elected I had to have repair service just so happen two of them came, one was Blk and the other Hispanic. The blk guy was not voting for Obama, I'm glad you made a comment about this.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Merin

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.

Actually, starting with FDR and New Deal...

[equinox63]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

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.

I understand... it is an unfortunate remnant of a prejudiced culture regarding minorities... This is why many Blacks say they have to work twice as hard as whites just to be viewed as equal by the larger society...

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

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 doesn't look good.

True, but I thought they fired the superintendent and their constantly having town hall meeting about the incident packed with angry parents and residents. Just because it's not broadcast on the news doesn't mean that nothing is happening and no one cares...

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

What looks worse is the silence that was heard from the black leadership when the schools were about to loose accrediation.

Like who? Who is Atlanta's Black Leadership?

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

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!!

I thought they fired the old superintendent and hired another, then he was immediately fired as well... True, they may have bad judgment in choosing their elected officials. But does that mean that they do not care? Who should one vote for when all the candidates are full of hot air?

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

Sorry but that just doesnt happen in very many places!

True indeed. It doesn't happen often in both Black American and White American communities. Similarly, the few times that it does happen, it happens in both Black American and White American communities.

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

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.

Like i said in my first reply, how would you know if they are voicing outrage to other Blacks if you are not one of those Blacks? The reason why you hear outrage over the smallest misdeed of a white is because you are white and it's meant for you to hear. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but many blacks don't run to whites to fix their problems for the issues i mentioned earlier... even if they are seemingly doing a poor job of handling the issues on their own. They may not be running to channel 2 (although some are) but i'm sure if you pick up a recent local Black publication, you'll see the outrage that you are looking for.

I live in Dekalb county and i frequently hear vehement commentary about Clayton's School System, as well as Dekalb's. Remember the backlash from Clayton residents when they first started kicking residents out of housing projects in Atlanta and they started moving to Clayton county - thus exponentially increasing the crime rate? You may not. But after all the complaining and protesting to Atlanta gov't, they still came, schools still suffered, crime still increased, etc. So there are more factors than whether Blacks are concerned... Even with effort, it takes A WHOLE LOT - a unified effort on various fronts - for Blacks to get what they want and deserve... Now unity, that's another story...

[Merin]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Actually, starting with FDR and New Deal...

Thats right, I guess I was just thinking about how Johnson got over 90% of the black vote because of the Civil Right act. But you a right, I totally forgot about the New Deal.