Killer Mike Blogs About Black Leadership In Atlanta…Do You Agree With Him?
Atlanta rapper Mike Bigga, formerly known as Killer Mike, has recently blogged about pressing political issues coming up in his hometown.
Mike has been known for being one of the few socially-conscious rappers and this isn’t the first time he’s spoken his mind regarding politics…. This time, however, he touches on a controversial subject that many people may or may not agree with.
For those who are unaware, the city of Atlanta will soon be holding elections for a new mayor who will take the seat of current African American woman Shirley Franklin. Atlanta is not only the home of the Civil Rights movement, but it has also long been known as an economic center and hub for wealthy and successful African Americans, whether they be politicians, business men or entertainers. The city is home to Morehouse College & Clark Universities, both of which are Historically Black Colleges. The mayoral spot in Atlanta has been filled by an African American since 1973 and now, for the first time in 36 years, Atlanta may have a white mayor…. but is this a bad thing? Mike thinks so:
Next week for the first time in my life I may be faced with living in an Atlanta with no black mayor and I, in my heart of hearts, feel that if my city falls under white Republican leadership after this upcoming election, it will set Atlanta’s black businesses and opportunity back 36 years.
The socialites, black Hollywood, fashion-oriented mind state that the city’s new occupants have is a real problem for Atlanta. More people know who Lisa Wu Hartwell is than Lisa Borders and that’s a piss poor shame.
The backbone of Atlanta’s success in being the Mecca of black business and gateway to the south has been the strong African American politicians, educators, business leaders and an active political voter base. Even prior to the 70s blacks were active on these fronts. Since Maynard Jackson won the 1973 mayors race and awarded 23 percent of city contracts to black business we have enjoyed a much different reality than the rest of America’s chocolate cities. We, like plenty of other chocolate cities, have had our share of corruption and all the other controversies but for the most part our city has thrived. Black politicians work with the white corporate business community for the betterment of both communities. Blacks get city contracts, and build multi-million dollar corporations (see Herman Russell construction). Coke, Delta and John Wieland homes keep their head quarters in the city and provide jobs. Because the tax base is strong and the politicians have built a symbiotic relationship with the right white money we have been able to keep all our sports teams in the city. That keeps tax dollars in the hood so if (Michael) Vick goes that’s cool but if the Dome goes to the burbs that’s a problem.
Atlanta’s young and black take this freedom for granted. Those who recently moved here have no historical view of the importance of having a black political agenda that benefits us, so voting does not hold an important place in their personal agenda. We all have become spoiled and taken this city for granted. We assume it will ways be cool, the clubs will always be open and that music and fashion will take us to freedom. They will not.
If we lose Atlanta we lose the chocolate city that works. We lose what we think we got in Barack Obama- black leadership that works above and beyond the political nonsense that has crippled great potential leaders like Kwame Kilpatrick.
The two leading black candidates are Kasim Reed (former state rep. endorsed by Andy Young) and Lisa Borders (city council president endorsed by the Black Leadership Forum). Both are young, have vision, understand Atlanta’s legacy and would make powerful Mayors. However they run the risk of splitting the vote and handing the office to Ms. Norwood.
Since there will probably be a run-off election because there is no clear majority leader in votes we will have to vote again in December, it is a paramount importance that the person with less votes, bows out and supports the person who got more.
Atlanta natives and new comers please get off the bullshit! This wonderful chocolate city has the potential to make 30 more years of black millionaires, educators and strong political leaders. Let’s not squander that with who’s-fugging-who-talk, who-shops-where-talk or Gucci and O.J.-bashing. We know better, so we gotta show’em better. VOTE! See ya’ll at the polls. -It’s Bigga!
P.S. I know some will scream racism but I don’t care. I voted for Barack because I have lived under black leadership my entire life and I know that we are as good and bad as any other race in politics. I however know how delicate the racial dynamic is in the city of Atlanta and I know what it takes to maintain that fragile balance so I offer no apologizes. Deal with it. In the word of a prominent Black Atlanta Business Man Big Al “Boy If I died today God know by living in Atlanta I have already experienced a black heaven!” Amen.
I myself do not know who all is even running for mayor…. But should Atlanta really elect a mayor based upon race? While a white-run Republican Federal Government ran our country into the ground for 8 years, Shirley Franklin has run Atlanta into the ground. Crime is up… Deficits are up and police, fire and health care system funding are low. The Atlanta area is home to some of the most home foreclosures of any metro area, only being surpassed by cities like Detroit and other mid-western cities. The unemployment level in Atlanta has often seen a higher percentage rate of unemployed than the rest of the country. Is this the black leadership we really want?
I do commend Mike for his blog and it will definitely have me doing my homework on the candidates. I just want to make sure that people do their own research before voting… I’ll admit right now that I do not know anything about any of the people running for mayor, but I would like to encourage people to find out the candidates’ stance on issues and look at their track record before voting in ANY election. Don’t vote for someone simply for a racial issue…. Or you may get a Ray Nagin like New Orleans did.
Big ups to Mike though. There is never anything wrong with people getting involved in an educated debate!
-Trill Chris
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