Can't get out fast enough... (Atlanta, College Park: homes, neighborhoods, school)

[I'minformed2]

Originally Posted by Original_GA_Peach

I was born in Atlanta and raised in Cobb County. Now I live in Newnan, GA. Both sides of my family have been in GA since the 1600s. Things have changed so much that I can't wait to get out of here. Here's my point...my family is moving to Wisconsin as soon as we sell our house. It's a gorgeous log house. Anybody ready to move in now???

I can't believe what's happened to our lovely Southern culture...it's the saddest thing.

Signed,
The Original GA Peach...now sadder and wiser.

lol just so I understand. You were born and raised in the south and don't like how northerners moving to the south have killed southern culture.... so you're moving to the North?

[back2GA]

To tell the truth Anonymous, this was not a "personal" discussion on race. This happens to be a thread where everyone preferred NOT to be "PC" or "vague". So there you have it...EVERYONE'S own personal truths and experiences regarding living in the Atlanta area. And since the point was brought up about honesty and real opinions, race issues did happen to come up a few posts back.

Nevertheless, I pray that the negative experiences that others and myself have had (whether black,white, hispanic or whatever) in the short time that I have been here does not basically "sum up" the Atlanta area. You can't make everybody happy no matter what you do to the area. So for those who like it, stay. For those who don't like it, leave. And for those like myself who are undecided as of now, only time and personal experiences will help us determine whether we want to live here for a while.

Thank you everyone for sharing your opinions and personal experiences and God bless!

[xxman777]

Originally Posted by i'minformed

lol just so I understand. You were born and raised in the south and don't like how northerners moving to the south have killed southern culture.... so you're moving to the North?

Amen. .

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by back2GA

:On the flip side, because I am black, it is expected (by other blacks) that I should listen to hip hop and "act and talk black". Which I guess I don't. Soooo a black person like myself is an outcast on both sides. On one end I am not "black enough" and on the other end I'm just black.

This is one of the problems that happened to a black couple I knew who TRIED to enroll their children into public schools here.

Their kids were raised to say, "Please, thank you, you're welcome, excuse me, etc". They do their homework and household chores first before being allowed to do anything else. They both made nearly all straight A grades. They were ridiculed and slandered by other black kids for their grades and politeness. They were called "Uncle Toms" and "Black whities" (whatever that is). The parents moved their kids to another school and the exact same thing happened.

The second time, they went to the school to talk to the teacher. The wife told me that the teacher literally looked at her and said, quote: "Your daughter - she be just too polite, which is why she get made fun of". Yes, the grammar is correct. A TEACHER said this. No more comments on the public schools here - you get the idea. They sent their kids to a private school and had much more success, and eventually moved out of state.

jammocaz: Yours was a typical response. Someone expresses what they see via observations and life experiences in a city, and you call it "racist remarks". I do not believe that anywhere in this thread you have seen anyone say anything to the effect of, "All black people everywhere are ...." or "Black people all do....", or use the N word or anything else. The fact is, that Atlanta is a messed up city. The black community "as a whole, but not including everyone" in Atlanta is messed up. Black people from other areas of this country who have spent time here will tell you this... whites/hispanics/asians don't need to say it!

Bill Cosby has been going around giving lectures about the problems facing black kids in certain urban environments, and Atlanta has been used as an example - so of course, he was called a racist by many. How can Bill Cosby be racist towards blacks (?). That's another topic. The point is, some people look under rocks for racism - you're going to run out of rocks. People have opinions that are just as valid as yours. If theirs are left alone and yours isn't, maybe it was YOU who made a racist remark?

It's not just the black culture - Atlanta is an "extreme" city on all counts. The southern whites want to dress up in old Confederate uniforms and march around waving rebel flags. The gay community wants to do leather/drag in parades, the blacks act like ghettos-R-Us, the Baptists try to rule them all. Just face the fact that every group in Atlanta has a very visible, very loud, and very stereotypcial fringe element, and it makes the city as a whole, crappy. The so-called "more normal" of each group, sits back, shakes their heads, and does nothing.

Time to speak up. Time to tell the trash from EVERY group we don't want them here anymore. Go mess up Charlotte or something. We want the 1970s Atlanta back.

[backfist]

Greg

I'm not sure I understand where you're coming from. On the one hand, I commend you for staying in Atlanta and not running away. And it seems that you are demanding better from all citizens. At the same time, you seem to be hyperfocused on the fringe of various groups. I mean, you just wrote a 7 paragraph post about those whom you find undesirable, yet barely a sentence about virtuous young people. That speaks to a preoccupation with the worst at the expense of the best.

I don't presume to know your background (you may have stated it, and I apologize if you did) but I'm Black and over the age of 40. I know the Black community from within, and have seen it grow well beyond ghetto and hip hop. As such, this part of our community has never been a fixation. Why? Because there's so, so much more. Too much and too many for even you to hold up as the example that we should aspire to be. My point, I guess, is that it would be rather arrogant and naive for me to select my desired white person and then hold them up as the example to which I expect other whites to conform. Same thing Black-wise.

I'll bet you if you got to know the Black community from the inside, rather than from a safe distance, you'd see a whole different Atlanta.

[peace2u]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Well, I fully agree with any statements made that Atlanta has basically gone to Hell, but I'm not sure about the comment about "southern culture". Atlanta hasn't had a "southern culture" for what... 35 years? It's been a city of transplants since then (or before).

It's also a matter of opinion. One person's "culture" is another person's "hell". I mean, recently a women from Gwinnett County who is a long time southerner tried to get Harry Potter books banned from schools because as she said, "It teaches kids witchcraft" - quoting the Bible all the way. This is what SOME people see as "southern culture". Others see sweet tea and grits. All a matter of perspective.

As far as Atlanta is concerned, yep, it's doomed.

Atlanta has two problems, and before anyone decides to jump on this perspective, it's a *personal opinion* - it's not politically correct, and you do not have to agree:

Problem 1: There is NO growth control, and too many governments. You have multiple satellite cities in the immediate area, each with their own governing bodies - many of which are still white good 'ol boy types who pad their pockets with under-the-table payouts from contractors who want to "build build build" in the area. As a result, Atlanta is a poster child for sprawl. A year or so ago, several mayors from around the U.S. visited Atlanta so they could see what NOT to do, to avoid our sprawl and traffic problems.

Problem 2 - Reverse racism: On the flip-side, the actual city of Atlanta is simply a larger version of pre-Katrina New Orleans. Black mayor, black fire chief, black police chief, majority black city council and city managers. They have the black version of a good 'ol boy system, and have done so since the mid-70s. As a result, over the years Atlanta's crime rate has soared, infrastructure is horrible, and the public school system has in some cases been compared to the same environment as a prison (dangerous). Police are afraid to do their jobs, because if more blacks than whites get into trouble with the law, marches and protests cite "profiling", so, a lot gets unreported or worse, ignored.

I won't go on - you get the idea. White idiots running the burbs who won't work together to make the whole metro area run more smoothly... black idiots in the city who can't see beyond a ghetto mentality.

I repeat... Atlanta is doomed. Get away while you can. You will be assimilated.

I believe I would have taken these comments as racially offensive atlantagreg. I believe that one should be able to converse about issues plaguing Atlanta or any community for that matter with omitting race. If there are problems with a city all people residing plays a role in the development of their communities. If you make an argument of strictly black and white it clearly displays prejudice. The fact that you call whites and blacks both idiots make it appear you are neutral. What about addressing the issue that you speak of without mentioning race. I am curious, you lived in the community of Atlanta for so many years how come you did not run for public office or get involved in a way that would control some of the issues you speak of? you may have been involved, who knows? Why the take the easy road and blame others? If you are not a part of the solution then you are the problem.

I have visited and conducted business in Atlanta on several occasions and feel Atlanta is a wonderful city. As a white american I take offense to any human being calling another an idiot, black or white. I could see how that would be viewed as hateful. Atlanta is a vibrant and wonderful city that is experiencing growth pains as the rest of the country.

[jammocaz]

atlantagreg,

as if your comments were not of the typical response to actually coming with a sound solution to Atlanta's (so called) problems. I do not deny that Atlanta has some problems. I feel that everything that you offered to this discussion has been very negative. All I hear is complaining no real solutions. I think it is disrespectful to come on here and make generalizations about any group or ethnicity. As far as your comments about Bill Cosby He sounds as if he comes from the same generation that you come from.

Bill Cosby is so remove from reality that he should sit down and enjoy retirement. Bill does not have enough education to handle or speak for the interest of an entire group of people. You understand where i am coming from? Bill Cosby is in no position to judge anyone? Just because he gave so many dollars to prestigious black colleges is pretty pointless. It is okay to give money to colleges, what about contributing early on so that these children can actually make it to college? That is another topic. Back to Mr. Cosby. He is in no position to pass judgement on anyone. Mr. Cosby should address his own affairs and his children that he had outside of his marriage. Mr. Cosby teaching family values is kinda ridiculous?

Besides Bill Cosby made his fortune on glamourizing inner city youth? Example, Fat Albert? These kids got into mischief and talked street slang? How is it what he did back in the day any different than today? get out of here, please. As far as Bill Cosby speaking about the black community is falling on deaf ears. tell him to take a hike with his self righteous attitude!! What he speaks about is a cultural phenomenon. Example, baggy pants and cursing in public, thug attitudes, lack of motivation for education, etc These examples can be compared to any racial group in America? Not just black? Well the most popular rapper in Hip Hop is White (eminem) you know if you wanna go there? Do not be so quick to blame any of these children. These kids learn from all of us. Somehow us as adults have failed our young to some degree. That is another topic!

I have been involved in many after school programs, community involvement, activism in my young life and let me tell you I am offended that you do not give merit to those who make contributions to the benefit of society every day. I am in the trenches everyday and there are some great strides being made and some ideas that need to be revamped. So, I do not sit on my rump talking about how great yester years were. I am out in the world securing our future. The problem in this country there are so many ideas how this country should be run, but a lack of motivation when duty beckons.


later.

[anonymous]

I understand where greg is coming from. And I understand that if you live in Denver or Iowa or Vermont or anywhere not in the deep south, that you'd have a difficult time understanding where he is coming from.

Also, "If you are not part of the solution, you're part of the problem" sounds like some sort of fascist mantra. I don't want to be part of "your" solution or "your" problem. I just want to live without getting shot or mugged because I have the wrong color skin and I'm in the wrong neighborhood.

Source:city-data.com
College Park - 82% black, crime index 1002.3
East Point - 78% black, crime index 610.4
Riverdale - 67.4% black, crime index 665.6
Clarkston - 55.7% black, crime index 330.1
Decatur - 30.5% black, crime index 274.1
Duluth - 11% black, crime index 130.9
Kennesaw - 9.9% black, crime index 133.6
Roswell - 8.5% black, crime index 177.6
Alpharetta - 6.5% black, crime index 284.0

You draw your own conclusions. So, are these numbers "racist"? Am I a "racist" for compiling them?

[jammocaz]

You draw your own conclusions. So, are these numbers "racist"? Am I a "racist" for compiling them?[/quote]

no just ridiculous.
you can quote statistics all day long. it really means nothing. numbers are skewed data.


I have listed all counties in georgia. What you will find surprising is areas such as Muscogee, Chatham very significant numbers for larceny (burglary, theft, etc) the numbers coincide with the categories. These areas that are listed are predominantly white areas with significant levels of crime. So what is your point. These numbers are as accurate as of April 2006. These numbers are reported by counties to the both state and federal governments. Me a fascist, that i am not. i am a realist. posting with an anonymous ID speaks volumes.

[jammocaz]

my stats based on counties:

Here are more recent details of crime offenses in every county of georgia
Number of crimes by offense
County Murder Rape Robbery Assault Burglary Larceny Vehicle Theft
Appling 0 0 1 2 7 15 1
Atkinson 0 0 1 0 1 2 0
Bacon 0 0 0 0 2 17 0
Baker 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Baldwin 0 1 1 4 30 86 7
Banks 0 0 0 1 19 28 1
Barrow 0 0 0 38 35 101 14
Bartow 0 0 5 7 49 196 36
Ben Hill 1 0 0 9 33 67 6
Berrien 0 0 2 6 3 16 0
Bibb 1 5 33 38 207 619 109
Bleckley 0 0 0 4 2 12 3
Brantley 0 0 0 1 10 21 9
Brooks 0 0 1 11 10 30 2
Bryan 0 0 1 2 11 35 2
Bulloch 0 1 2 2 29 138 6
Burke 0 0 1 14 8 35 11
Butts 0 0 0 0 8 31 11
Calhoun 0 0 0 0 8 10 0
Camden 0 1 0 9 30 76 2
Candler 0 0 0 0 3 17 1
Carroll 0 7 6 26 67 231 28
Catoosa 0 0 6 12 25 140 4
Charlton 0 0 0 1 0 6 0
Chatham 1 11 63 66 276 683 123
Chattahoochee 0 0 0 1 3 7 1
Chattooga 0 0 0 2 3 9 0
Cherokee 0 1 2 7 9 121 11
Clarke 0 6 14 24 71 329 13
Clay 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Clayton 0 2 57 47 260 581 236
Clinch 0 0 0 1 1 1 1
Cobb 2 13 63 76 295 878 204
Coffee 0 2 0 7 46 165 12
Colquitt 2 1 4 11 52 114 7
Columbia 0 2 2 4 23 152 5
Cook 0 0 3 9 9 29 1
Coweta 0 0 4 7 46 93 20
Crawford 0 0 0 0 10 13 1
Crisp 0 1 2 2 26 68 0
Dade 0 0 0 3 1 12 4
Dawson 0 0 1 2 5 18 4
Decatur 0 0 3 7 16 104 4
Dekalb 3 12 196 80 820 1096 750
Dodge 0 0 0 7 13 16 5
Dooly 0 0 0 0 3 4 0
Dougherty 0 1 29 20 149 273 44
Douglas 0 2 4 17 61 272 26
Early 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Echols 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Effingham 0 1 1 1 12 54 8
Elbert 0 0 1 4 21 32 0
Emanuel 0 0 0 0 10 11 3
Evans 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fannin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fayette 0 0 1 1 19 85 8
Floyd 0 1 6 12 79 234 20
Forsyth 1 1 2 13 39 160 14
Franklin 0 0 1 2 14 35 6
Fulton 6 26 321 415 982 1161 801
Gilmer 0 2 0 2 5 0 6
Glascock 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Glynn 2 5 7 4 66 403 19
Gordon 0 1 0 2 12 71 7
Grady 0 0 2 9 12 32 4
Greene 0 0 0 2 9 27 9
Gwinnett 5 12 62 88 467 1918 262
Habersham 0 1 0 6 33 56 5
Hall 1 3 7 17 91 285 39
Hancock 0 0 0 1 3 4 0
Haralson 0 0 0 0 20 34 19
Harris 1 0 0 2 11 20 4
Hart 0 0 0 4 12 20 2
Heard 0 0 0 2 7 11 2
Henry 1 0 4 21 58 259 38
Houston 0 4 2 22 101 320 11
Irwin 0 0 0 0 12 24 2
Jackson 1 1 0 12 19 69 8
Jasper 0 0 0 2 3 7 2
Jeff Davis 0 0 0 3 2 41 3
Jefferson 0 0 0 1 6 17 1
Jenkins 0 0 1 4 0 2 0
Johnson 0 0 0 0 3 1 0
Jones 0 0 0 1 10 34 1
Lamar 0 0 0 5 0 13 1
Lanier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Laurens 0 1 2 8 16 117 4
Lee 0 0 2 2 7 42 1
Liberty 0 0 4 15 48 146 9
Lincoln 0 0 0 2 2 3 0
Long 0 0 0 3 10 6 0
Lowndes 0 5 15 27 77 274 21
Lumpkin 0 1 0 1 7 29 3
McDuffie 0 1 1 0 4 15 0
McIntosh 0 0 0 2 1 10 2
Macon 0 0 2 8 6 14 1
Madison 0 3 1 6 10 58 0
Marion 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Meriwether 0 0 1 1 8 17 4
Miller 0 0 0 1 3 14 1
Mitchell 0 0 1 5 10 38 2
Monroe 0 0 0 0 12 26 2
Montgomery 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Morgan 0 0 0 0 10 14 0
Murray 0 0 0 4 19 47 7
Muscogee 0 3 38 32 194 870 121
Newton 0 0 2 6 37 96 14
Oconee 0 0 0 1 2 34 4
Oglethorpe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Paulding 0 3 1 19 33 134 29
Peach 0 0 1 5 11 26 6
Pickens 0 0 0 1 1 5 1
Pierce 0 0 1 1 1 19 0
Pike 0 0 1 3 3 5 1
Polk 1 1 2 10 32 107 21
Pulaski 0 0 0 1 2 3 0
Putnam 0 0 0 3 16 17 3
Quitman 0 0 1 1 4 7 1
Rabun 0 0 0 0 2 5 2
Randolph 0 0 0 1 6 6 0
Richmond 1 13 37 10 236 635 125
Rockdale 0 2 10 39 48 198 24
Schley 0 0 0 1 0 4 1
Screven 0 1 1 3 8 13 0
Seminole 0 0 0 0 2 8 1
Spalding 0 2 7 12 44 158 18
Stephens 0 0 0 1 7 19 11
Stewart 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Sumter 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Talbot 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Taliaferro 0 0 0 0 1 4 0
Tattnall 0 0 0 2 6 17 0
Taylor 0 1 0 0 2 2 1
Telfair 0 0 0 3 2 5 0
Terrell 0 0 0 6 8 11 2
Thomas 0 0 6 6 52 107 12
Tift 0 2 1 29 30 111 5
Toombs 0 0 0 6 9 24 1
Towns 0 0 0 0 9 8 3
Treutlen 0 0 0 0 5 5 1
Troup 0 3 5 16 40 264 8
Turner 0 0 0 1 1 6 2
Twiggs 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Union 0 0 0 2 5 0 2
Upson 1 3 1 13 20 67 1
Walker 0 0 0 3 27 153 11
Walton 0 0 2 3 29 55 13
Ware 0 1 2 5 25 94 3
Warren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Washington 0 0 5 10 15 40 2
Wayne 0 0 2 30 7 27 0
Webster 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wheeler 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
White 0 0 1 3 11 28 6
Whitfield 0 1 3 24 53 225 49
Wilcox 0 0 0 2 0 3 0
Wilkes 0 0 0 4 3 9 2
Wilkinson 0 0 0 3 5 9 1
Worth 0 0 0 4 10 22 2