The Foolishness of the Young
First the Mckinneys and now Andrew Young. Recently, Young was asked whether Wal-Mart was dangerous to locally owned and operated neighborhood stores. He responded: “Well, I think they should; they ran the ‘mom and pop’ stores out of my neighborhood, … But you see, those are the people who have been overcharging us selling us stale bread and bad meat and wilted vegetables. And they sold out and moved to Florida. I think they’ve ripped off our communities enough. First it was Jews, then it was Koreans and now it’s Arabs; very few black people own these stores.”
When you can morally offend a company such as Walmart? You’ve stepped way over the line. His remarks have caused all kinds of repercussions. Gubenatorial Candidate Mark Taylor has had to do a lot of damage control and distance himself from a Civil Rights icon who was the co-chair of his campaign. He has left Wal-marts employ and has again disgraced himself over issues related to the Jewish community.
Korean and Arab folks are not too likely to be happy with him either.
His comments, combined with those of the McKinney family indicate something about the thoughts of at least a subset of Atlanta’s African American communities. While many more socially mobile Black Atlantans enjoy the more cosmopolitan environment brought by diverse groups, many also feel threatened. There is a clear distrust of Asians and Latinos that runs through the humor of much of the Comic View crowd. Rather than using a common set of priorities (increasing social recognition, end to bigotry, fair access to educational opportunities, etc) to build bridges, there is often just resentment.
What is truly sad here is that at no time in US history has there ever been greater opportunities for all people of color to develop and influence the American agenda. Minority based businesses are opening at record levels, and yet rather than desiring the establishment of community based businesses, too many Black elected officials just want someone to come in and put “those people out of business” even if it means being bought off…and induced to resign… by Wal-Mart.
August 23rd, 2006 at 8:04 am
Andrew Young, meet Internet. Internet, meet Andrew Young.
Gone are the halcyon days of spouting race-bait to a racially-targeted media vehicle, unheard by the rest of the population. That’s basically it. At least he did so on behalf of an employer, and not some nefarious political movement.
Even so, I find it particularly sad that Andrew Young has fallen into the same mold as most of the other half-asses that pass for “civil rights” leaders these days. Honestly, it makes the plantation movement (aka “new cities”) look proper. Although, the idea of Andrew Young pulling a John Rocker is darkly funny. Someone needs to dig up that photo of the ‘come to jesus’ meeting those two had in ‘00.
But then, is there any truth at all to what he said? Let’s at least toss that idea around a bit.
August 23rd, 2006 at 8:04 am
Gah, no previews. Oh well.
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:18 pm
I guess it really gets under the skin when minorities that have been in the country a shorter time period, with fewer funds and have managed to live the ‘american dream’ while you get nowhere in life. The only thing holding back blacks in this day and age is their work ethic. Black athletes, rappers, and entertainers are promoting the quick buck, but they’re also busting their ass to succeed. Bill Cosby is right. The keys to success lie within the black community. Until a significant portion of the population decides enough is enough, their economic station in life is not going to improve.
August 24th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Did he really say that? I mean, really? That’s so appalling.
There are barriers that exist in the US to the success of African-Americans. Some are from generations back that are brought forward. Some of what Bill Cosby said struck me as true, but . . .
whoevever else and whatever else aside, did he really say that? Wow.
August 25th, 2006 at 12:21 am
Why are you asking such repetitive questions? It’s pretty f’ing clear that he did indeed say “that”.
As far as obstacles, Jews have faced some of history’s worst yet for most part, succeed.
People are really getting tired of excuses.
And yes, I really said this.
September 18th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
What a strange culture you live in, in Atlanta. You make sophisticated cities feel as though they’re taking crazy pills…
w