"The GOAT Black City" The Official: ATL Discussion Thread
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learned that the hard way
daemonova
hit it, & I didn't go Erykah Badu crazy, #yallmad
On the Red Line: A daily racial transformation on MARTA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
12:08 p.m Wednesday, April 26, 2017 AJC Homepage
AJC HOMEPAGE
This article is part of the AJC's new RE: Race reporting project, which is dedicated to covering both the tensions and the opportunities created by racial and ethnic change in Atlanta and Georgia. Author Melton Bennett responded to a request to readers from the AJC to talk about a time when they felt like an outsider.
Melton Bennett of Cumming. (Photo contributed) The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionMelton Bennett, Cumming
Taking the MARTA train from the mostly white northern suburbs down to the airport captures a cross section of the racial makeup, and divide, that exists in Atlanta.
As my fellow white passengers and I pull out of North Springs station, we add more white passengers at the next few stations as we pull toward Buckhead. As we enter the heart of the city, African-Americans begin entering the train, and at Five Points, the racial makeup of the train has flipped to predominantly African-American.
I watch as the African-American passengers entering the train look for seats next to other African-Americans, and I watch white passengers seek out other white seat mates. I see the uncomfortable looks of white people who think the black kid dressed like a gang member is going to sit next them, and then the sigh of relief as he passes by.
Mostly, it is then that I notice differences between the people who joined me at my embarkation and the people who have joined in the city. It’s not uncommon for me to watch an impromptu hip hop performance as the train treks south, a performance replete with phrases about violence, sex and race.
The language changes, with poor grammar and offensive profanity being expelled by these groups of passengers, speaking loudly to be heard by everyone, almost as if they must exhibit some cultural difference to a captive audience to make sure they are seen and heard.
The behavior can seem aggressive, with the occasional comment from one of the African-Americans, “Man, we gotta chill. These crackers don’t like that [expletive].” I absolutely feel like an outsider. There is nothing I can say. There is nothing I can do.
Inside, I want to tell them that we are all alike, that sharing constructive conversations and experiences is what builds a bridge to understanding. The hard-core profanity, the unsavory references to females and the derogatory names for white people just force the bridge to be longer.
Of course, this does not represent all African-Americans, in the city or even on the train, but this is not an uncommon experience on my MARTA journey. As I trek down the city, I see the racial differences, see the divides, hear the pain in the rap songs and conversations.
As the train crosses Auburn Avenue, I often wonder what MLK Jr would like to have experienced on the MARTA train in 2017.
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White people that come from the 6th district are the best White Georgia has to offer. The people that get on in the South Line neighborhoods are not the best of Black atlanta. There is going to be disparity. You can't Compare Woodward Academy kids to kids that go to McClarin or Tri-cities. That aint fair.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A MARTA train at North Springs station on Georgia 400, the northernmost stop on the system’s Red Line. Credit Curtis Compton/CCOMPTON@AJC.COM AJC File PhotoThis article is part of the AJC's new RE: Race reporting project, which is dedicated to covering both the tensions and the opportunities created by racial and ethnic change in Atlanta and Georgia. Author Melton Bennett responded to a request to readers from the AJC to talk about a time when they felt like an outsider.
Melton Bennett of Cumming. (Photo contributed) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Taking the MARTA train from the mostly white northern suburbs down to the airport captures a cross section of the racial makeup, and divide, that exists in Atlanta.
As my fellow white passengers and I pull out of North Springs station, we add more white passengers at the next few stations as we pull toward Buckhead. As we enter the heart of the city, African-Americans begin entering the train, and at Five Points, the racial makeup of the train has flipped to predominantly African-American.
I watch as the African-American passengers entering the train look for seats next to other African-Americans, and I watch white passengers seek out other white seat mates. I see the uncomfortable looks of white people who think the black kid dressed like a gang member is going to sit next them, and then the sigh of relief as he passes by.
Mostly, it is then that I notice differences between the people who joined me at my embarkation and the people who have joined in the city. It’s not uncommon for me to watch an impromptu hip hop performance as the train treks south, a performance replete with phrases about violence, sex and race.
The language changes, with poor grammar and offensive profanity being expelled by these groups of passengers, speaking loudly to be heard by everyone, almost as if they must exhibit some cultural difference to a captive audience to make sure they are seen and heard.
The behavior can seem aggressive, with the occasional comment from one of the African-Americans, “Man, we gotta chill. These crackers don’t like that [expletive].” I absolutely feel like an outsider. There is nothing I can say. There is nothing I can do.
Inside, I want to tell them that we are all alike, that sharing constructive conversations and experiences is what builds a bridge to understanding. The hard-core profanity, the unsavory references to females and the derogatory names for white people just force the bridge to be longer.
Of course, this does not represent all African-Americans, in the city or even on the train, but this is not an uncommon experience on my MARTA journey. As I trek down the city, I see the racial differences, see the divides, hear the pain in the rap songs and conversations.
As the train crosses Auburn Avenue, I often wonder what MLK Jr would like to have experienced on the MARTA train in 2017.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White people that come from the 6th district are the best White Georgia has to offer. The people that get on in the South Line neighborhoods are not the best of Black atlanta. There is going to be disparity. You can't Compare Woodward Academy kids to kids that go to McClarin or Tri-cities. That aint fair.
Breh we see these hoes everyday... Go outside
Go outside when i'm in NY?
We see hundreds of them everydayWhat type of cracka shyt is thisOn the Red Line: A daily racial transformation on MARTA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
12:08 p.m Wednesday, April 26, 2017 AJC Homepage
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AJC HOMEPAGE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A MARTA train at North Springs station on Georgia 400, the northernmost stop on the system’s Red Line. Credit Curtis Compton/CCOMPTON@AJC.COM AJC File PhotoThis article is part of the AJC's new RE: Race reporting project, which is dedicated to covering both the tensions and the opportunities created by racial and ethnic change in Atlanta and Georgia. Author Melton Bennett responded to a request to readers from the AJC to talk about a time when they felt like an outsider.
Melton Bennett of Cumming. (Photo contributed) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Melton Bennett, CummingTaking the MARTA train from the mostly white northern suburbs down to the airport captures a cross section of the racial makeup, and divide, that exists in Atlanta.
As my fellow white passengers and I pull out of North Springs station, we add more white passengers at the next few stations as we pull toward Buckhead. As we enter the heart of the city, African-Americans begin entering the train, and at Five Points, the racial makeup of the train has flipped to predominantly African-American.
I watch as the African-American passengers entering the train look for seats next to other African-Americans, and I watch white passengers seek out other white seat mates. I see the uncomfortable looks of white people who think the black kid dressed like a gang member is going to sit next them, and then the sigh of relief as he passes by.
Mostly, it is then that I notice differences between the people who joined me at my embarkation and the people who have joined in the city. It’s not uncommon for me to watch an impromptu hip hop performance as the train treks south, a performance replete with phrases about violence, sex and race.
The language changes, with poor grammar and offensive profanity being expelled by these groups of passengers, speaking loudly to be heard by everyone, almost as if they must exhibit some cultural difference to a captive audience to make sure they are seen and heard.
The behavior can seem aggressive, with the occasional comment from one of the African-Americans, “Man, we gotta chill. These crackers don’t like that [expletive].” I absolutely feel like an outsider. There is nothing I can say. There is nothing I can do.
Inside, I want to tell them that we are all alike, that sharing constructive conversations and experiences is what builds a bridge to understanding. The hard-core profanity, the unsavory references to females and the derogatory names for white people just force the bridge to be longer.
Of course, this does not represent all African-Americans, in the city or even on the train, but this is not an uncommon experience on my MARTA journey. As I trek down the city, I see the racial differences, see the divides, hear the pain in the rap songs and conversations.
As the train crosses Auburn Avenue, I often wonder what MLK Jr would like to have experienced on the MARTA train in 2017.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White people that come from the 6th district are the best White Georgia has to offer. The people that get on in the South Line neighborhoods are not the best of Black atlanta. There is going to be disparity. You can't Compare Woodward Academy kids to kids that go to McClarin or Tri-cities. That aint fair.
By the way a bit off topic but do you guys know if its true that women in North Carolina are underrated in terms of wife material and being loyal chicks? I saw someone mention their dad said they underrated in another atlanta thread in the past.
I'm not talking anything about physical looks or anything. I'm only asking cause I can't wait to go to Atlanta but i know it would be dumb to look for a girl to cuff up there. I was just asking about the carolinas when i decide im gonna slow down after experiencing fun in atlanta for a while
daemonova
hit it, & I didn't go Erykah Badu crazy, #yallmad
- she aint bend over though
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can't front though, she was trippin before the whites got on the train, but she went super saiyan after that
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Same situation too, whites came out from an event @ Phillps, & she went crazy, "saying I can't stand u white folks, etc..." then she strips
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this happened to me at omni Marta station once in 2003, can't front, she was nice, crack had not gotten to dem T and As yet
- she aint bend over though
This happens all over the country....they dont want blacks living,working or hanging out,they simply cut off the transportation...or set a police force to harrass you to let you know your not welcomed
....folks think cops need better training,but they are doing what they are trained to do
All i can say is the women i seen in NC are in fact underated in terms of looks
And i was in Greensboro in what i think may have been kindve the hood?some places you dont feel like u in the hood,but when u tell people where u at thy tell you its the hood
I was only there a few days,but fine women was everywhere
....i went into a walmart on my way out of town and fine,classy looking chicks was all in that thing.I had just came from ATL,but i swear the fine ones in NC were badder than the fine ones i seen in ATL....nobody believes me,and it may have been a fluke,and im sure overall ATL probaly wins....but for me to be in NC for that short ammount of time,rained in most of the time,to see the ammount of fine ones i seen,i was impressed and suprised NC
That was years ago though,they probaly all moved to ATL by now
