Atlanta Housing Woes

 

Stories for African Americans

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Atlanta Housing Woes

In the not-so-distant past, Atlanta prided itself on being a city where everyone could find a decent place to live, regardless of income or socioeconomic status.

One could transition from one end of town to the next without giving it much thought.  Baby boomers and Generation Xers rented apartments or bought homes wherever they pleased, even if it meant leaving the inner city behind.

With today's sky-high rents and rising mortgage rates, Atlanta has become less accessible, especially for the poor and middle class, who are being priced out of the American dream. Some blame a housing boom fueled by the upwardly mobile and a desire among suburbanites, who hate being stuck in traffic, to return to the city they once fled because of school desegregation and rising crime. Neighborhoods are being redeveloped, but not in the interest of those struggling to make it.

So, what must Atlanta and other growing cities do to fix their housing problem? Since every American deserves to live in a home they can afford, the private sector must be pressured to build communities within their price range. Georgians, regardless of background, need a place to call their own.  It's the right thing to do.

The government could also partner with businesses to help shoulder the cost of building affordable housing. The mayor of Atlanta, for instance, has collaborated with companies to create mixed-income properties for seniors and low-income residents. Where public housing once stood are loving communities for everyone to enjoy. Tax-credit apartment buildings are also on the rise in the city. Those who qualify pay below-market rent rates, with the federal government picking up the rest. This is a win-win for all involved.

Atlanta still has a long way to go in solving its housing crisis. Because most public housing has been demolished in the city, many of the poor have been pushed out to surrounding areas, which may no longer be feasible since these communities have suffered a similar fate in recent years.  Added to the equation are poor elderly homeowners who are being priced out because of rising property taxes, and the mayor and council must deal with them. With these and other pressing issues on their plate, local governments have their work cut out for them. 

Update: Nearly ten years later, the housing crisis in Atlanta has worsened. The monthly rent for a modest two-bedroom apartment is roughly $1,500, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for low- to middle-income earners to afford. Moreover, the average price for a newly constructed three-bedroom home ranges from 300 to 400 thousand, depending on location, which has future homeowners doubtful of the possibility of home ownership.

December 20,  2018

The Memorable 70s, Part 1: The Music

 The 1970s are described as a wild, wacky decade that pushed societal boundaries. After a rollercoaster experience, Americans breathed a sigh of relief and said goodbye to a unique time in history. 

Emerging from the 1960s, the country yearned for change. People let their hair down and prepared for what was to come. 

Music transformed significantly; new genres emerged, such as funk.  Funk, characterized by an eclectic mix of horns, drums, and vocals, originated among African American artists in the late Sixties, but gained widespread popularity in the Seventies, with Dayton, Ohio, as the epicenter. The city produced such memorable funk bands as The Ohio Players, Slave, Faze-O, Heatwave, Lakeside, and Zapp, featuring Roger.  Incredibly, they crossed paths as they set the standard for future groups. They topped the charts and sold out arenas for most of the decade.

By the late Seventies, funk, known for its syncopated electric bassline and strong, danceable rhythmic groove (1), had begun to influence music across the country, notably in the South. The group Brick, which got its start in Atlanta, garnered national attention with hits like "Aint gonna hurt nobody," "Dazz,"  and "Dusic," which struck a chord with listeners.  On Soul Train, they explained their knack for "making up words," such as "Dusic," to enhance their sound, and they were far away from the rest of the country. 

 The Commodores, a renowned funk and rhythm and blues group from Tuskegee, Alabama, recorded the 1976 smash hit "Brick House, which is still a staple on Southern R&B radio stations nearly fifty years later. The South was off and running with its brand of funk; the rest of the country was close behind.

Other funk bands included Earth, Wind & Fire, George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, The Gap Band, The Bar-Kays, The Isley Brothers, Tower of Power, Kool & the Gang, The Average White Band, Wild Cherry, and Switch, among others. Many of them continue to make music and have had an enormous impact on R&B, Rap, and other musical styles. Funk also spread to distant shores, including Africa and England, until the early Eighties.

Go-go, a funk subgenre, emerged in the 1970s in the District of Columbia. Created by  musician Chuck Brown, it is "defined by its heavy, syncopated percussion, nonstop groove, call-and-response vocals, and live performance focus." Go-go also has roots in the Blues and R&B music scene and is enjoyed today in the nation's capital.

 As funk was being celebrated for its iconic sound, Disco Music made its way onto the scene, and it was more than just an art form. It had a huge impact on fashion, dance, and everyday life. The media and nightclubs strongly supported this new style of music, which originated in Latin, African American, and LGBT dance halls in New York City in the late 1960s, and took the nation by storm in the 1970s. Disco clubs also sprang up nationwide, with the infamous Disco ball hanging from the ceiling. America was ready for something new.

Black female vocalists played a central role in disco's success, dominating with its characteristic features: soaring vocals, prominent bass lines, and flashy dance moves. (2) The late Donna Summer, who was hailed as the Queen of Disco, released numerous top-charting and heartfelt tracks such as "On the Radio," "Hot Stuff," and "Last Dance." She was known for getting into the groove by swaying her hips during live performances and in videos. In 1978, Gloria Gaynor recorded "I Will Survive," which not only ruled the airwaves but is considered the Disco anthem that resonated with marginalized groups. Lastly, Thelma Houston's iconic release, "Don't Leave Me This Way," propelled her to disco royalty. 

A list of Disco performers from the Seventies includes KC and the Sunshine Band, The Tramps, Sister Sledge, Carl Douglas, Van McCoy, The Bee Gees, ABBA, Rose Royce, GQ, the outstanding Cheryl Lynn, Chic, The Village People, and A Taste of Honey, among countless others, who listeners could not get enough of.

Traditional soul, pop, and R&B musicians jumped on the disco bandwagon, as it was the most popular genre. They were guests on music programs like Soul Train, American Bandstand, and The Midnight Special. (3) Their work remains timeless.

Unfortunately, in the late 1970s, disco suffered a fatal blow. Disgruntled bystanders publicly burned disco records and trivialized the genre's contribution to popular culture, forcing it underground as dance music. Disco was later banned on most radio stations, and music labels refused to sign Disco legends, to the dismay of its fans. Although short-lived, disco gave us something to feel good about as America faced tough times.

In addition to funk and disco, other genres that had been around for generations transformed in the 1970s, changing the musical landscape. At the beginning of the decade, pure Soul, as it was often called, infiltrated urban radio with a sound unlike Motown, Stax, or Chess Records of the 1950s and '60s. Notable artists included The Chi-Lites, Sly and the Family Stone, The Originals, The Dramatics, War, The Blue Notes, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, and Memphis star Al Green, among others. Many Female singers, such as Sylvia Roberson, Betty Wright, and Gene Night, also contributed to 70s soul.

Soul music in the Seventies was heavily influenced by Philadelphia. Key artists were signed to the renowned Philadelphia International Records and other local labels, giving rise to the Philadelphia sound, known for its lush orchestral arrangements and smooth vocals, according to Wikipedia. Artists included Hal Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Spinners, The O'Jays, The Delfonics, Teddy Pendergrass, The Stylistics, Blue Magic, Billy Paul, The Manhattans, The Main Ingredient, Barbara Mason, John Oates, and many other successful acts that made the label famous. Their music impacted generations. 

Along with soul music, rhythm and blues developed a new sound in the 70s, challenging the past. Gone were the restraints of the '50s, the rawness of the '60s; a relaxed version of the genre emerged, capturing the nation's attention with artists like Gladys Knight and the Pips, Issac Hayes, The Spinners, and The O'Jays. Other top performers included the Jackson Five, Commodores, Isley Brothers, Barry White, Marvin Gaye, and Kool and the Gang, among countless others.  They were regulars on the musical programs Soul Train and American Bandstand.

Rhythm and blues in the mid-to-late 1970s often featured younger musicians or newcomers who focused on love songs and relationships.  Groups such as Brothers Johnson, Slave, and Switch, popular among African American youth, emphasized romance or falling for that special someone. Additionally, Hall and Oats' smash recording "Sara Smile" and Heatwave's "Always and Forever" were mimicked by black boys everywhere. Lastly, G. C. Cameron's hit song "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" became the motto for the 1976 graduating class in predominantly black high schools after serving as the backdrop for the motion picture Cooley High, a coming-of-age film for black youth at the time. They remain timeless classics.

Other notable rhythm and blues entertainers from the latter half of the 1970s included Mass Production, Peaches & Herb, Ashford & Simpson, The Silvers, Cheryl Lynn, Nile Rodgers and Chic, DeBarge, Rose Royce, GQ, The SOS Band, Enchantment, and many others who made the Seventies worthwhile. R&B radio has kept its memory alive. 

Like other music genres, the Seventies saw rock music undergo a radical transformation while forging an emotional connection with many listeners. (2) Rock evolved from rock and roll in the mid-to-late 1960s to a more complex, diverse, and sophisticated sound, which carried over into the new decade, according to music critics. It also abandoned its R&B roots for a new identity. In the early 1970s, soft rock played a key role with unforgettable artists such as Carol King, Carly Simon, The Carpenters, and Jim Croce, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash. Many others made a name for themselves or captured the times, like Chicago, The Bee Gees, and Helen Redding, who, in 1972, recorded the unofficial women's anthem "I Am Woman." 

During the 1970s, rock music branched into six distinct subgenres: soft rock, hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock, arena rock, and punk rock. However, it was not one-size-fits-all; artists experimented with different sounds and were classified as either British or American rock groups. They found a home on newly created FM rock stations and late-night shows like Don Kirshner's Rock Concert and The Midnight Special, and also had a loyal following among young white male college students. 

Rock bands were numerous, with something for everyone. For instance, groups like the Eagles, Boston, Chicago, Genesis, the Doobie Brothers, and Kansas appealed to a mainstream audience, whereas The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, and AC/DC found success among hardcore fans. Others gained acceptance among a wide range of listeners. Rock continued to transform into the Eighties, and welcomed groundbreaking artists from around the globe and a sound that made the decade one of a kind.

Seventies music not only provided us with great memories but also had a major impact on popular culture. Disco, for instance, was associated with platform shoes, bell-bottom pants, and wide-collar shirts for men.  Moreover, the Afro hairstyle and dance moves, such as the Bump and Robot, were synonymous with the Soul and R&B music scene.  Braided hairstyles were also popular among black teens on the dance floor from New York City to Albany, Georgia. Additionally, funk inspired young African American men to join high school and college bands or start a group. Lastly, Rock fans, especially white male youth, decorated their rooms with posters of their favorite artists and proudly displayed their likeness on T-shirts. It was an interesting time to be young.

Today, musical groups and artists who stir hearts and become icons are a thing of the past. The interest is there, but the talent may be lacking. For those of us who lived in that magical decade known as the 1970s, we will never forget the music that made us smile, dance all night, buy humongous speakers, and crowd record shops in search of the latest masterpiece. We listened to awesome radio and played records in living rooms and nightclubs, which were oases of fun that kept us going.

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Different paths to success

Historically, black men have been a visible presence on college and university campuses in pursuit of the American dream. They come from diverse backgrounds and have studied a wide range of subjects, from education to engineering, before returning to their communities to make a difference. Their ancestors hoped that they would get a quality education after being denied one during slavery. 

However, today, the number of black men in higher education has dropped to an all-time low, and the reasons may be self-evident.

 African American men account for nearly half of all students enrolled in trade schools across the nation, according to federal data. It represents a sharp increase in recent years, due to the rising cost of higher education, job prospects after college, and a renewed interest in skilled trades, such as plumbing, wiring, and construction, which can afford a young person a comfortable life. These jobs not only provide stability but also benefits and competitive pay to help start a family, which many men desire.

These men have dispelled the myth that everyone must attend college, as it is not for everyone, not because they lack the intelligence or endurance to earn a degree, but because they have chosen a different path in life. They aren't saying higher education is not important or hasn't played a significant role in building the black middle class, but what about starting a business, on-the-job training, or taking advantage of the internet? A career in the military is also an option, and investing in the Stock Market. They also recognize the importance of financial literacy, such as building credit and spending wisely, which can lead to homeownership and generational wealth. Thus, pushing the narrative that college is the only way to succeed may be counterproductive for men in general, as a world of opportunities awaits them.

Although many black men have achieved their goals without attending college, the dramatic decline in the number of African American men enrolling in higher education still must be addressed for obvious reasons.  For instance, there is a severe shortage of black male teachers to serve as role models for black boys and help put them on the right track. There is also a critical need for African American doctors and nurses, particularly in urban and rural areas, which medical schools like Morehouse School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College are desperately trying to fix. Reaching out to black boys by visiting schools, Boys Clubs, and inviting them to campuses to experience college life could help turn the tide. 

Meanwhile, panic is not the answer; these young men are carefully weighing their options for what they would like to do with their lives.

Politics 1968 (August 2024)

Fifty-six years ago, another U.S president announced that he would not seek or accept his party's nomination for a second term in office. Lyndon B. Johnson, the 35th president of the United States, withdrew during the bitterness of the Vietnam War and protests at home, which tested the office of the presidency.  Six months later, at the Democratic National Convention, the torch was passed to his vice president, a man deserving of the honor.  

Although Vice President Hubert Humphrey had not competed in the Democratic primaries during the contentious 1968 election, he was the darling of party bosses, who believed he was best suited to take on the Republican nominee. Humphrey, however, was a talented leader who had dreamed of big things long before being thrust into the national spotlight. 

Hubert Horatio Humphrey, born in the small prairie town of Wallace, South Dakota, entered politics in the 1940s while a professor of Political Science at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  After an unsuccessful run for mayor of Minneapolis, MN., in 1943, he played a major role in the 1944 merger of the Democratic and Farmer-Labor Parties of Minnesota to form the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) for hardworking Minnesota (1) He also joined Roosevelt's 1944 reelection campaign, which took place at the height of World War II. This effort resulted in a successful bid for mayor of Minneapolis in 1945, with Humphrey securing sixty percent of the vote. 

As mayor, Humphrey focused on crime and labor issues, while also promoting civil rights. He appointed a long-time ally to reform the police department and crack down on lawlessness in the streets of Minneapolis, which were steeped in anti-semitism and bias against African Americans. He also aided the city's small but significant black population by setting up the Fair Employment Committee to "prohibit racial discrimination in the workforce" among other anti-discrimination and pro-labor initiatives. (2) In 1947, Humphrey won reelection "by the largest margin in the city's history up to that time." (3)

During his final year as mayor, Humphrey attended the historic 1948 Democratic National Convention. Racial discrimination grabbed center stage as Democrats struggled to include a pro-civil Rights plank in their platform. When President Harry Truman and his advisors "shelved" the idea for fear of antagonizing Southern segregationists, Humphrey delivered an impassioned plea for his party to be on the right side of history, stating, "To those who say, my friends, to those who say that we are rushing this issue of Civil Rights, I tell them we are 172 years (too) late! To those who say this Civil Rights program is an infringement on states' rights, I say this: the time has arrived in America for the Democratic Party to get out of the shadow of states' rights and walk forth right into the bright sunshine of human rights." (4)

As a result of Humphrey's powerful message, Democrats adopted a pro-Civil Rights platform with Truman's backing,  as Southern segregationists walked out, and ultimately nominated their own candidate for president.

Following his appearance at the 1948 Democratic National Convention, Humphrey was elected to the United States Senate from Minnesota on the Democratic ticket, where he continued his fight for Civil Rights and other important issues. He was the "lead author of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and introduced the first initiative to create the Peace Corps." (5) He also chaired the Select Committee on Disarmament during the Cold War Years. 

Senator Humphrey, who had run unsuccessfully for president in 1952 and 1960, was chosen by President Lyndon B. Johnson as his running mate in the 1964 election. Upon accepting the honor at the historic 1964 Democratic National Convention, which hinged on Civil Rights, he was pressured by the president to encourage the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, led by Fannie Lou Hamer, and whose delegates were democratically elected, compared to the statewide segregationist Democratic Party, to accept an at-large seat with no voting privileges against his better judgment. Not surprisingly, the MFDP refused the offer and returned to their home state to continue fighting for social and economic justice. 

After he was elected as Johnson's vice president,  Humphrey's problems only escalated.  He was reportedly excluded from official White House business, not awarded any special assignments, and often ridiculed by an overpowering Johnson, a treatment viewed by historians as a carbon copy of the way Johnson was allegedly treated as Kennedy's vice president.

 In addition to being ostracized by the president, Humphrey was compelled to back the unpopular Vietnam War, antagonizing his liberal base as demonstrations flared up around the country. 

As the war raged on in March 1968, President Johnson shocked the nation by announcing that he would not run for a second term in office.  With a chance at redemption, Humphrey declared his candidacy. However, he opted not to run in the primaries and set his sights on the convention, which proved to be a winning strategy.

At the convention, the party was fractured among supporters of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, who had been assassinated two months earlier, Senator Eugene McCarthy, who led in the delegate count, and those loyal to the president. However, the party establishment brokered a deal that gave the sitting vice president the nomination. In a crowded hall, Humphrey called for unity and laid out his hopes and dreams for America as protesters clashed with police outside over the Vietnam War and a loss of confidence in government. 

When the Fall campaign approached, Humphrey lagged far behind former Vice President Nixon in the polls, who had lost a close election to President Kennedy eight years earlier.  Humphrey gradually broke with the administration's policy on the war in Vietnam over the objections of the White House and supported social reforms, which bridged the gap considerably.  Unfortunately, it was not enough as Nixon cruised to victory in the Electoral College to become the first president elected since the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

After losing a third try for the Whitehouse, Humphrey returned to the United States Senate in 1970 from his beloved Minnesota. He even ran in the 1972 Democratic Primaries but lost to South Dakota Senator George McGovern. He remained in the U.S. Senate until 1978, when he passed away from bladder cancer, leaving behind a rich legacy on human rights. 

References: 

1. Wikipedia 

2. Wikipedia

3. Wikipedia

4. Wikipedia

5. Wikipedia

Strengthen not eliminate Social Security

Social Security, created in 1935 as a safety net for Americans in their golden years, has been a target of Republicans for generations. During the Reagan administration, Congress was pressured to raise the age requirement for collecting full benefits and reduce the amount paid to recipients. Moreover, President George W. Bush advocated privatizing Social Security, and Mitt Romney famously called it a Ponzi scheme. Despite Republican opposition, the plan has survived intact for the future.

If the GOP dismantles Social Security or relegate it to the states or private sector, it will be destined to fail, and the death knell of the party as Americans rebel. 

Unlike in the past, few companies offer employee pension plans, forcing Americans to rely heavily on Social Security or savings when they retire. Today, most pensions are provided in the public sector for those lucky Americans.  Now that the Trump Administration and Republican-controlled legislatures are fighting to eliminate retirement packages for federal and state employees and replace them with a 401 (k), the future looks bleaker. 

 The 401 (k) retirement system was introduced in the 1980s as a safety net for Americans, alongside Social Security.  The employee contributes a percentage of his earnings, which the employer matches. The downside is that it is not mandatory and, in most instances, is based on the Stock Market. Additionally, many companies fail to offer a 401 (k), and for those that do, employees are allowed to borrow and replenish it, which could spell trouble for the future. 

The truth is that many Americans are facing financial uncertainty about the future, and will not go down without a fight if Social Security is drastically modified or eliminated. Because of record inflation, high rent, and balooning mortgages, citizens are guaranteed to pack town hall meetings, picket Congress, and engage in violence if Republicans make good on a promise since the Sixties to do away with this cherished government entitlement. They will also show up at the polls in large numbers to reject the GOP.

Instead, Social Security should be strengthened, along with a mandatory national savings program, like that proposed by President Obama.  It would soften the landing pad of retirement and give Americans something to look forward to when they leave the workforce.

Trends in Georgia Higher Education: Update from February 12, 2017

 African American students in Georgia have always looked forward to attending a historically black college or university in the University System of Georgia.  Many have enrolled as first-generation college students or followed a path set by their parents.  However, due to a recent phenomenon in higher education in the State, this may no longer be the case.

Historically black State institutions of higher learning in Georgia may be forced to combine with predominantly white public colleges and universities to streamline services if the Board of Regents has its way. It could spell the end of one endangered HBCU's motto of "education on a personal level."

Only Albany State University, one of three State-supported HBCUs in Georgia, has seen its mission altered thus far. It recently merged with Darton State College in 2015, a predominantly white institution located on the city's Westside, with ASU serving as its flagship campus. With expanded course offerings in nursing,  biology, and education, it is a force to be reckoned with in Southwest Georgia.  The two campuses recently combined their athletic teams to serve a student body of nearly 8,000 men and women.  It should translate into jobs in an economically strapped area.

Savannah State University,  the second of Georgia's three State-funded HBCUs, is being considered for a merger with Armstrong State, a public, predominantly white university also in Savannah.  With the consolidation of similar institutions already finalized by the  Board of Regents, these schools may not escape their fate despite being located on Georgia's booming coast. However, unlike Albany and other places where downsizing has become the new normal on the college level,  Savannah boasts old money capable of fighting such a move all the way to the State capital.  If not, it could lead to an educational powerhouse in the State's oldest city, with better opportunities for those in the area. 

Lastly, historically black Fort Valley State University, the state's only other public HBCU, may be spared for obvious reasons. There is no compatible institution within proximity that hasn't been combined or lost its independence, such as Macon State College or Middle Georgia State College in nearby Cochran.  In addition,  African Americans in Georgia will insist that at least one state-sponsored HBCU remain intact to welcome students from challenging backgrounds.

The reaction around the state has been mostly positive, which could bolster post-secondary education in the state.

Update:  Armstrong State University in Savannah recently merged with Georgia Southern University, fifty miles away, leaving Savannah State University intact. The Board of Regents has also decided to merge nearby East Georgia State College in Swainsboro with Georgia Southern University in Statesboro for economic reasons.

A Crucial Decision

 America is electing a new president, and two major contenders are vying for the office. One has distinguished herself as a leader for women's rights. Many characterize the other as a charlatan with his best interests at heart. The country will have the opportunity to turn the page or get mired in the past. 

By choosing the latter, the nation risks repeating ideas that failed or being further divided by a man who evidently chose style over substance. 

Trump, the man seeking a non-consecutive second term in office, has vowed to destroy the country from within by rebuking his opponents and setting the stage for a culture war with various institutions at his disposal. To that end, he will rely heavily on the Supreme Court, which he packed with conservative ideologues during his first term and those in his inner circle unwilling to tell him no.

Trump may also employ the federal judiciary to halt criminal actions against him. For instance, Trump will nominate judges who can manipulate the system, or he will bank on the recent Supreme Court ruling, which granted him immunity from prosecution in matters involving official White House business or Constitutional duties. If interpreted correctly, nothing the former president is accused of should meet the guidelines. Conservatives have often petitioned the courts to overturn longstanding precedents, such as with Roe v. Wade. Trump will pick up the mantle if granted four more years in office. 

There is also worry that if granted a second term, Trump will govern recklessly with no guardrails. Even though there is a system of checks and balances, Trump, with a possible Republican-controlled Congress and a Conservative-leaning Supreme Court in his pocket, could introduce legislation detrimental to the country, such as overturning Brown v. Board of Education, the Voting and Civil Rights Acts, Miranda v. Arizona, and Loving v. Virginia. A total abortion ban may also be on the docket, as well as police immunity in cases involving brutality or officer wrongdoing.  Lastly, Trump may take extreme measures on immigration, even for those entering the country legally, such as travel bans.

The past should be a guide to Trump's leadership style. The forty-fifth president is betting the country has amnesia or is blindsided by the inflation he laid the foundation for. He gave tax breaks to those who didn't deserve them and flatlined the economy with his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the supply chain is suffering due to corporate greed and mistakes made by the previous administration. Trump inherited stellar economic conditions but squandered them.

When Americans go to the polls, they should reflect on how millions lost their lives to COVID-19, how corporations were given the green light to overcharge consumers, and how controversy rocked the Whitehouse four short years ago, which created the situation we find ourselves in today.