What city will replace Atlanta as the new black mecca? (Duluth: theatre, private schools)

[AlGreen]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

Yep, which is why the term "Black Mecca" is exclusive and outdated. It comes from an era when blacks were the only minority group moving here in large numbers. The more accurate/inclusive term would be: "Black/Asian/Hispanic Mecca."

Give it a rest already. The term "Black Mecca" is not meant to exclude any other race or even place blacks on some sort of pedestal. It only signifies that, historically, Atlanta has been a hub for blacks to excel and make names for themselves. Other minorities will continue to flock to the city, but none will have the history, presence, or influence that blacks have in Atlanta. So sorry if that troubles you.

Despite slowed growth and the dwindled economy, Atlanta remains a black mecca. There's not much you can do about that.

[AlGreen]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, not to mention that Atlanta has also been a huge white Mecca. Obviously far more whites have moved here than any other ethnicity.

I'm afraid some of you don't seem to fully understand the word. You have to look at what the actual Mecca is to Muslims. It's a destination and capital.

Atlanta is not a popular city in white/mainstream America. It is a popular city to black Americans.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

That article is simply a theory. What of the fact that Atlanta has only been majority black since 1970? Surely this "Black Mecca" thing would have never come to pass if this article's theory held true.

DC has been majority Black since around the same time, so obviously this "theory" has merit. And as the article stated, you see the exact same dynamic in Boston and it will be no different for Atlanta and African Americans. You expect all of the history and cultural and educational institutions associated with African Americans in Atlanta to simply vanish if/once the city's population becomes 51% White? Will all of the Black entertainers and business people that have helped to give the city clout in their respective sectors simply move away? That makes no sense whatsoever.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by AlGreen

Give it a rest already. The term "Black Mecca" is not meant to exclude any other race or even place blacks on some sort of pedestal. It only signifies that, historically, Atlanta has been a hub for blacks to excel and make names for themselves. Other minorities will continue to flock to the city, but none will have the history, presence, or influence that blacks have in Atlanta. So sorry if that troubles you.

Right. "Mecca" refers to much more than just population growth, although that's a precursor. Although in the future other groups like Asians and Hispanics may amass certain types of clout, it will be a long time before they do so in the way that African Americans have historically done, and even then much of that won't/can't be replicated because the conditions that made Atlanta a Black mecca don't exist today, at least not nearly at the level that they used to. Plus, I think a few other cities make much better cases for being Asian (e.g., SF, LA, Seattle, NYC, etc.) or Hispanic (LA, NYC, Miami, Dallas, etc.) meccas. Meccas by definition aren't ubiquitous.

[BringBackCobain]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

DC has been majority Black since around the same time, so obviously this "theory" has merit.

So what? It's still just a theory of the future. No one can guarantee what kind of dynamics will play out once blacks become a minority.

And as the article stated, you see the exact same dynamic in Boston and it will be no different for Atlanta and African Americans.

What makes you so sure Atlanta will be like Boston? That's talking about an ethnicity. And I really don't think the Irish cultural influence is that strong in Boston. That's really more of an opinion.

You expect all of the history and cultural and educational institutions associated with African Americans in Atlanta to simply vanish if/once the city's population becomes 51% White?

No, but they will no longer be the sole consideration. If anything, Atlanta will be like Chicago. The city is a "Black Mecca" due to its cultural and educational institutions for blacks, but it's also an "Asian Mecca" and "Hispanic Mecca" in its own right as well. Simply calling it a "Black Mecca" describes only one sub-culture, and stopping there doesn't paint the whole picture.

Will all of the Black entertainers and business people that have helped to give the city clout in their respective sectors simply move away? That makes no sense whatsoever.

No, but they won't have the same clout. They will have to share it with other groups.

[BringBackCobain]

Originally Posted by AlGreen

Give it a rest already. The term "Black Mecca" is not meant to exclude any other race or even place blacks on some sort of pedestal.

Maybe it's not meant to, but that's the effect it has. Singling out one race always has that effect.

It only signifies that, historically, Atlanta has been a hub for blacks to excel and make names for themselves. Other minorities will continue to flock to the city, but none will have the history, presence, or influence that blacks have in Atlanta. So sorry if that troubles you.

Again, speaking in absolutes about the future shows that you are the one who is troubled. And your exclusive attitude is so obvious. Why won't those groups have history? Asians first began arriving in Atlanta in the 1940s. Atlanta was not even 100 years old then. Why won't those groups have presence? Presence is simply large numbers, and going by growth rates alone, Hispanics will soon outnumber blacks. And they won't have influence? Atlanta's Asian population has already established the city as a national center of influence.

Despite slowed growth and the dwindled economy, Atlanta remains a black mecca. There's not much you can do about that.

Like a child who doesn't want to share his toy with other children, demographic destiny will force you to share Atlanta with other groups. Besides throwing a temper tantrum, there's not much you can do about that.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

..And I really don't think the Irish cultural influence is that strong in Boston...

You're wrong.* It is very influential.























*as usual

[RandyWatson13]

Originally Posted by aries4118

You're wrong.* It is very influential.














*as usual

lmfao....

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by BringBackCobain

So what? It's still just a theory of the future. No one can guarantee what kind of dynamics will play out once blacks become a minority.

We can make very reasoned hypotheses about such. As I stated, Black history, culture, and institutions will not suddenly vanish if/once Atlanta's Black population hits 49%. The King Center, AUC, Sweet Auburn, etc. will not disappear into thin air.

What makes you so sure Atlanta will be like Boston? That's talking about an ethnicity. And I really don't think the Irish cultural influence is that strong in Boston. That's really more of an opinion.

There's really no practical distinction to be made between race and ethnicity in this particular context. And yes, the Irish cultural influence is still very palpable in Boston. That's a generally accepted premise and very few Bostonians would relegate that to the realm of opinion.

No, but they will no longer be the sole consideration. If anything, Atlanta will be like Chicago. The city is a "Black Mecca" due to its cultural and educational institutions for blacks, but it's also an "Asian Mecca" and "Hispanic Mecca" in its own right as well. Simply calling it a "Black Mecca" describes only one sub-culture, and stopping there doesn't paint the whole picture.

How exactly is Atlanta an Asian mecca or a Hispanic mecca? What sort of entrenched institutions and culture relative to Asians and Hispanics are present in Atlanta to the degree that they are not in most other U.S. cities?

And the "Black mecca" appellation is not intended to paint the whole picture. Again, people are misconstruing the label due to their own discomfort (or maybe this is the reason).

No, but they won't have the same clout. They will have to share it with other groups.

They've had to do that with Whites for the longest time already. That's nothing new. But relative to Hispanics and Asians, the Black presence in sectors like entertainment, business, politics, education, etc. has been solidified for some time now and several other cities already have an edge with Asians and Hispanics when it comes to that whereas Atlanta is still tops for African Americans.

Atlanta won't be known as a Black mecca forever, but it will still be known as such for years to come.

[NuclearDensity]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Wouldn't it be nice if someday cities could be described as good destinations or places to live without having to consider such things as racial composition?

Excellent question and response rcsteiner!

We don't hear questions like "What city will replace San Francisco as the new U.S. Chinese capital" or "What city will replace Boston as the new Irish homestone" or "What city will replace Miami as the new Cuban vitality center.

Instead of dividing humans into categories based on extremely small DNA characteristics such as hair color, eye color, and skin color ... we should present and support positive aspects of ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Location is important to each individual because your immediate environment directly impacts you and those who are close to you. So let's hear some positive ideas and support beginning with yourself and reaching outward.

In my opinon, it helps to follow this hierarchy:
1. Take care of yourself first, so you can then help others who are close to you.
2. Then help your immediate family - then extended family.
3. Then help your immediate community/neighborhood.
4. Then help your city - Atlanta, Sandy Springs, etc.
5. Then help your county - Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, etc.
6. Then help your state - Georgia.
7. Then help your country - The USA.
8. Then help neigboring countries - Canada, Mexico.
9. Then help the rest of the world.
10. Then help neighboring planets and star systems (Klingons, Vulcans, Alf, etc.) ;-)