Only Blacks Need Apply
In my lifetime, I remember written and unwritten signs that said only whites need apply. In the current mayoral race in Atlanta, an African-American group has distributed an email saying the reverse: only blacks need apply to be mayor.
The population of Atlanta is 57% African-American. For decades, the city has had a black mayor. In the current election, there are several black candidates and one prominent white candidate. The fear expressed in the racially charged email is that blacks will split their votes among the black candidates, allowing the white candidate to win.
The email has created quite a political and racial storm in the home town of Martin Luther King, Jr,, who longed for a day when people would be judged by character instead of color. Some African-Americans have blasted the email. Thing is, if a white group had distributed an email calling for whites to rally around a white candidate in order to defeat a black one, there would have been calls for the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the violation of the civil rights of black candidates and of Atlanta’s black citizens in general.
I was called to task recently by a reader who took offense at my post suggesting that the race card was tattered and should be packed away. I was told I didn’t understand. Perhaps not.
With the election of Barack Obama as President, however, it seems to me that our country has a chance to build a racial environment based on character. Racism won’t go away, but it will be lessened. In order for that to happen, both blacks and whites must agree that white and black racists won’t control our society — not in elections, not in workplaces, not anywhere.
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About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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THANK YOU , John Phillips! I consider Atlanta my hometown and with my two grown children, son-in-law, 3 granddaughters, a sister and family and a brother and family still there, I visit often! I am appalled that this is still a possibility with today’s political environment! Perhaps I am naive, but your posting was so very true, if a white group did this, I would hate to think what the repurcussions would be! Of course, the powers that be, will never address this! But thanks for standing up for what you believe!.