Brookhaven Communications Director Fired (Atlanta: promotional, cost, rating)

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

...for suspected racism.

When having pictures taken to represent the residents of Brookhaven for the Cherry Blossom festival, the photographer brought in two teen female models: one black, the other Latina. Upon seeing the models, the communications director Rosemary Taylor told the photographer that the models “were not the type of people the City of Brookhaven wanted representing them.” Then another official asked the models and photograher to leave.

What "kind" of people did she mean? Girls? Teens? Blacks? Hispanics? Do they not respresent the people of Brookhaven?

So much for Atlanta being "diverse."

Brookhaven Communications Director fired because of remarks made at Cherry Blossom Festival | The Brookhaven Post | Brookhaven, GA

Maybe because one of the models had lots of makeup and a low cut blouse?

No telling what the director was thinking.

[ATL Golfer]

Great thread.

Back on the subject, to be fair, Brookhaven is about as diverse as North Forsyth...unless you consider the slice of Buford Hwy they annexed.

Obviously that is a dumb comment she made. Obviously is was stupid to hire models (for what?). Typically when you hire models the company supplying the product (model) will ask what you want.

[Ant131531]

Chicago is known as one of the most racist/racial-tension cities in the country. Don't throw stones in glass houses.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by ATL Golfer

Great thread.

Back on the subject, to be fair, Brookhaven is about as diverse as North Forsyth...unless you consider the slice of Buford Hwy they annexed.

Obviously that is a dumb comment she made. Obviously is was stupid to hire models (for what?). Typically when you hire models the company supplying the product (model) will ask what you want.

Odd part is that the photographer was doing his own shoot, not one for Brookhaven. Strange that he would meet the PR director while doing his own work.

[ericsonga]

Originally Posted by bu2

Odd part is that the photographer was doing his own shoot, not one for Brookhaven. Strange that he would meet the PR director while doing his own work.

My understanding that he was working on multiple projects at the same time. The models were for another project. However, both projects required shots taken at the festival. He wasn't going to use the shots with the models for Brookhaven.

I don't want to pass judgment, but it's hard to think of anything other than the worst of what this woman meant with her words. I pray that it is not indicative of the atmosphere the City of Brookhaven is trying to impose. I lived in Brookhaven at the the time of the vote for city-hood and voted in favor it. I've sometimes second-guessed myself for the vote that I cast.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ericsonga

I pray that it is not indicative of the atmosphere the City of Brookhaven is trying to impose.

The article says they fired her for these comments.

What are you going to do when an employee pops off with inappropriate remarks? Reminds me of the fire chief circulating a book condemning gays and lesbians as sexual perverts.

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Chicago is known as one of the most racist/racial-tension cities in the country. Don't throw stones in glass houses.

Yes, Chicago is segregated and has issues with racism. The difference is, Chicagoans both black And white are honest about the segregation and we don't deny that it's an issue and will have open discussions about it.

Atlantans on the other hand like to deny it and pretend the city is diverse when Atlanta is very much white on the north side and black on the south side, just like Chicago is.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by ericsonga

My understanding that he was working on multiple projects at the same time. The models were for another project. However, both projects required shots taken at the festival. He wasn't going to use the shots with the models for Brookhaven.

I don't want to pass judgment, but it's hard to think of anything other than the worst of what this woman meant with her words. I pray that it is not indicative of the atmosphere the City of Brookhaven is trying to impose. I lived in Brookhaven at the the time of the vote for city-hood and voted in favor it. I've sometimes second-guessed myself for the vote that I cast.

I can think of lots of other interpretations. Maybe she wanted family shots. Maybe she wanted "wholesome" images instead of "glamour." Maybe she wanted older people (i.e. not teens-maybe 20s-30s-40s-50s).

But its doubtful they would have fired her so quickly unless they believed it was based on racism.

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by bu2

Maybe because one of the models had lots of makeup and a low cut blouse?

No telling what the director was thinking.

If it was a white teen--and more specially, a blonde--in make up and a low-cut blouse, do you think she would've said the same thing?

Both models are clearly minorities.

[atlantagreg30127]

You can stop bickering now. As in - NOW.

Thank you.