#MIDTOWN MADNESS 3 METRO SKIN#

Some 80% of Americans now live in cities. Corporate entities, and the mayor, were also responsible for the tragic loss of the Peachtree/Pine Homeless Shelter. Examples include the privatization of portions of downtown Atlanta and some being forced out of their homes in historic black neighborhoods due to the Mercedes Benz Stadium. Under Mayor Kassim Reid corporations have received too much leeway. The task of the next mayor of Atlanta should be to embrace all Atlantans - black, white, colored, native born, immigrants and the homeless. Heather Gray is producer of the 'Just Peace' program on WRFG Atlanta and she is the founder and editor of the 'Justice Initiative' web page Personally, I'd like to see Keisha Lance Bottoms succeed and hopefully continue carry our beautiful city forward with the dignity and compassion she embodies. I am pleased with Kasim Reed's diplomacy, especially his skill in keeping the the protests from becoming riots by keeping a cool head and treating those in his charge with respect. This election my money is on the n*ggas who keep ATL alive no matter who's executing an anti-Black capitalist agenda. Is there a Black candidate in the Black mecca who will not further Black distrust in electoral politics? Or are we forced to put our hope on the back of Cathy Woolard because she's bringing a real policy plan? If Black youth mattered in this city, Black leadership would be held to much higher moral standards. Classism is the Black elite running on community benefits and affordable housing while cutting backdoor deals with developers. It ignored Keisha Lance Bottoms when she had a conflict of interest with the sale of Turner Field and told us 'community benefits would slow down the sale.' White supremacy is six Black mayoral candidates, all democrats, all 'progressive' and Peter Aman championing the race conversation lol. It excused the disrespect Cesear Mitchell shows when we appear at City Hall. White supremacy allowed Kasim Reed to repeatedly sic militarized Police on grieving Black youth.

#MIDTOWN MADNESS 3 METRO SKIN#

With Black skin in political leadership, Black people are still othered as a byproduct of deeply rooted anti-Black white supremacy. A city defined by packaging and selling Blackness to tourist while politically disregarding Black life.

A win for Cathy will be historic and set Atlanta solidly on the path of positive and progressive change. In her years since leaving public office, she has been a tireless advocate for a range of progressive social issues including reproductive justice, LGBTQ rights, HIV/AIDS, the environment and transportation.

That was her legacy as City Council President. As we continue to grow and become more diverse, we need someone who can not only bring people together, but who can get the work done to ensure that our city, our neighborhoods and our region thrive. Cathy has outlined the most vibrant vision for where we need to go to address affordability, transportation and livability for all who call Atlanta home. This election could set the direction of Atlanta and the metro region for decades to come. I'm proud to be supporting Cathy Woolard for Mayor. Jeff Graham, Executive Director, Georgia Equality As a professor in higher education, a passionate student of history and teacher he has fought for funding and resources for public education and for access to higher education for all our children.I know of no more compassionate, courageous or committed leader than Vincent Fort. As President of APAB, the organization of neighborhood leaders, Vincent Fort fought for structural fairness in housing development and for the voice of the people in those neighborhoods to gain significant power. At this dramatic time in the City's life, where unrestrained development spreads gentrification throughout neighborhoods that Senator Fort knows well our city is starving for courageous, intelligent and selfless leadership.Īs a State Senator for 21 years, Fort authored legislation that served as a model for ending predatory lending in other states as well as Georgia. Vincent Fort is the only mayoral candidate who will be the people's mayor. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.Īnita Beaty, recently retired Executive Director of the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, Inc We also asked them to tell us about the issues that are important to them. We reached out to individuals across the city and asked them who they are voting for in the mayoral race and why (or why not).

Midtown madness 3 metro