Race as Factor in Atlanta Mayoral Runoff Election

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Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 00:01:16 AM CST

The racial dynamics are likely to intensify now. Indeed, racial rhetoric has dominated Atlanta runoffs going back to 1973, when Maynard Jackson became the city's first black mayor five years after Martin Luther King Jr. - Atlanta's favorite son - was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn.

By running ads depicting Norwood as a Republican in disguise, Reed has already used coded references to race. Norwood has also subtly "racialized" the campaign, using, for example, obviously black voices in radio ads, says Oglethorpe University Prof. Kendra King.

"By running this attack on Norwood as being a Republican who would set the city back, [Reed] is ... speaking directly to the idea that this candidate may be a danger to the city and to black interests," says Michael Leo Owens, a political scientist at Emory University here.

The strategy may well be effective, adds Mr. Owens. "The black political elite don't want to be associated with ... running to keep a white mayor out. But in a runoff, the [likelihood] of Atlanta deciding to extend the legacy of electing black mayors will probably play out."

I was impressed with third-place finisher Lisa Borders who from my observation tried to  run a very unifying campaign. I think Norwood thus far seems to have effectively crossed racial lines more than Reed. I do not believe that Reed or Norwood themselves are pushing the racial overtones and divisiveness that may be at play. However, reports are that many community leaders are playing the race card in the city that is suppose to be Too Busy to Hate.  

We saw some very extraordinary changes in demographic voting patterns during the 2008 election. Even in Jefferson County there were some predominately white precincts in which President Obama won. However, in order to move into what has been deemed the post-racial society we have to do better. I am not advocating voting for someone of the opposite race to simply prove a point. I am asking us to think about not using race as a discriminatory factor at the polling place.