Racially Charged Memo Asking to Support Atlanta Mayoral Candidate Lisa Borders Causes Sparks In Mayoral Race

I am appalled to learn that a racially charged memo is making the rounds in Atlanta. A letter, asking to support mayoral candidate Lisa Borders because she is “the best black candidate in the race,” warns that “for the first time in 25 years, African Americans could lose the Mayoral seat in Atlanta, Georgia, especially if there is a run-off.” Say what? This is an affront to all Atlantans and the writer of this garbage needs to apologize. The e-mail entitled "The Struggle for Unity by Aaron Turpeau," who donated $500 to Ms. Borders' campaign. The last time there was a white mayor (Sam Massell) running the city of Atlanta was prior to Maynard Jackson being elected in 1973. Mayor Shirley Franklin started off as a great mayor but she managed to create a firestorm everywhere she went. That's a real shame. She was touted by many as a trailblazer and a potential candidate for higher office.  The memo was written by political scientists, William Boone and Keith Jennings, two academics from Clark Atlanta University. 

The memo also states “time is of the essence … in order to defeat a Norwood mayoral candidacy.” Mary Norwood is a white candidate and is reportedly said to be the front-runner. “We have to get out now and work in a manner to defeat her without a runoff, and the key is a significant Black turnout in the general election,” the letter stated.

Sorry, but the reality is that the last thing we need in this country is such vitriol and race-baiting. I am sure the person who wrote this would be screaming racism had the shoe been on the other foot. Well, if race wasn't a part of the equation in the upcoming mayoral race, Aaron Turpeau and the two college professors he claimed wrote this inflammatory and racist letter, made sure that it will be front and center now. This isn't the way we should be forced to discuss racial matters. This is just terrible and divisive.

Here's a portion of the memo.

Introduction

The debate over the best strategic option for black leadership and the African American community as we approach the Mayoral election in Atlanta has become critical based on the fact that for the last 25 years Atlanta has represented the breakthrough for black political empowerment in the South.

It is debatable to what extent the objective socio-economic and political position of the African American community has improved. At the same time, most would agree that the Jackson breakthrough represented an unprecedented opportunity for black political representation nationwide.

A passionate argument has been made for us to develop a unity of purpose and position, and for that to be defined immediately, given the short amount of time remaining between now and November 2009 election day (two and ½ months from now).

There are unstated assumptions that need to be examined. Perhaps the most critical factor is the lack of an agenda against which to evaluate candidates. An agenda, beyond just electing a Black Mayor, would allow us to move from the margins of the debate to controlling the expectations associated with gaining our support.

Three basic assertions have been made. They are as follows:

1. There is a chance for the first time in 25 years that African Americans could lose the Mayoral seat in Atlanta, Georgia, especially if there is a run-off;

2. Time is of the essence because in order to defeat a Norwood (white) mayoral candidacy we have to get out now and work in a manner to defeat her without a runoff, and the key is a significant Black turnout in the general election;

3. The reasons support should be given to Lisa Borders is: 1) she is the best black candidate in the race who has a chance to win the election because she can attract downtown white support; and 2) based on polling data drawn from a host of sources between May 2009 and July 2009, the numbers suggest Borders is growing stronger as we move closer to the election, while the most recent polling data suggests that the other black candidates are falling further behind over the same period.

READ: Entire Memo Here

The real shame is that had this been written by two white professors, all hell would break lose. The same standards should apply to everyone and these two professors should be ashamed of themselves