Rename Atlanta's airport, panel is urged (racial politics alert)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | August 3, 2003 | D.L. BENNETT

[El Conservador]

Maynard Jackson, Atlanta's first black mayor, cast a huge shadow Tuesday over his white predecessors as the campaign to rename Atlanta's airport developed into raw racial politics.

"This really shouldn't be about what the white business establishment would allow," said state Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas, a former Atlanta City Council member. "It's really what the strength of the African-American community will allow. What will we stand for? The real deal is we stood too long silent. Atlanta is being gentrified every day. So, while you do still have a majority, as Maynard would say, use the power you have today."

Some of the speakers during a two-hour public hearing at Atlanta City Hall used words like diversity and inclusiveness. But many refused to sugarcoat their sentiments.

Overwhelmingly, they said to remove the name of William B. Hartsfield and replace it with Jackson, creator of a landmark affirmative action program. Hartsfield, who served as mayor for two decades and championed Atlanta as an aviation center, was either forgotten or dismissed as a symbol of Atlanta's racist past.

Barry Ringold of Atlanta cut straight to the heart and urged the city's black mayor and majority-black council not to be afraid of representing black Atlanta.

"Do the right thing," Ringold said. "Stand up for the people that put you there."

Ivan Allen Jr., who spent eight years guiding Atlanta through the civil rights era, rated only passing mention during the first public hearing by the Atlanta Advisory Commission. The 17-member panel is charged with finding an appropriate way to honor Jackson and Allen, who both recently died. Another session is scheduled for Aug. 26.

The session drew an overwhelmingly black audience of about 75 people, including City Council members, state representatives and Jackson's widow, Valerie, and children who sat front and center. They didn't speak to the commission but applauded many of the speakers. About a third of the audience spoke.

Afterward Jackson said she was gratified to see that her husband had touched so many lives. She supports replacing Hartsfield's name at the airport.

"I thought this was a no-brainer," said John Evans. "People try to satisfy everybody. It can't happen. The City Council ought to stand tall and rename the airport Maynard Jackson International Airport."

Several speakers told the 17-member panel to disband and urged the City Council to act unilaterally and rename the airport to honor Jackson.

The session was an eye-opener for the advisory committee members who got a taste of Atlanta's racial politics and what's in store for them over the next few weeks as they head to making a recommendation in September.

A.D. "Pete" Correll, CEO of Georgia-Pacific, is co-chairing the panel.

"Nobody said this would be easy," Correll said, "but nobody said it would be this hard either."

Carey Duncan of Grant Park urged the combination name Hartsfield-Jackson.

"I urge you don't play the race card," Duncan said. "We are one race, the human race."

[El Conservador]

Race politics in action...

[swilhelm73]

Well, how about a compromise? How about Atlanta's Clarence Thomas Airport. Has quite a ring to it doesn't it? And he was born in GA...

[lilylangtree]

Thought the black man that worked in the Carter Administration was the first black mayor. Unfortunately, can't remember his name.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I think the name 'Georgia' should be changed, since it is named after King George II of England, because he is a dead white male...

Also, tehe name 'Atlanta' should be changed because it is a Greek word meaning 'Huntress', I believe, and that indicates the slaughter of innocent animals who should have the same rights as Humans...

[skr]

Just another excuse to spend taxpayer money needlessly.

[El Conservador]

Followup on this debate...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/957690/posts

[Dixielander]

Absolutely. In Memphis they've renamed streets that had perfectly good and long-standing names, after Negroes. I think its pathetic that they have to resort to such renaming to feel important. On the other hand, they've named segments of the expressways and other streets after Caucasian politicians whose names I'd like to forget. I don't like changing street names period, and I don't like naming streets after people. If they want to honor someone, let them erect a statue, fountain, etc. but not at taxpayer expense.

I shudder to think that some day some clown will attempt to name one of our streets "Clinton Ave." Yuk!

[Lion Den Dan]

Most likely, without the influence of William B. Hartsfield, there would be no airport for these Negroes to claim for their dishonor.

[longtermmemmory]

So the racist decision to change the airport from the white man Hartsfield, is ok? If these were white politicials and they suggested changing a black name there would be riots in the street. Dumb dumb dumb.

The code for atlanta's airport is ATL are they going to change that too...

[zygoat]

I think they could borrow West Virginia's prominent senator for this one. After all, he seems to enjoy a spotless reputation in race relations and is running out of things to name after himself at home.

[El Conservador]

What if it's after DeWitt Clinton???

[Do Be]

If white people were smart they would start changing all the Martin Luther King roads and streets back to what they were before. Let the blacks pitch a tizzy. Who cares. It's just a ploy they use to express their racism.

It's no different than giving in to Muslims because they threaten acts of terrorism. We saw how well that worked. It's only since we've decided to stand up against these threats that any good is going to come out of it.

Appeasing blacks is no different than appeasing terrorists.

[Dixielander]

What if its after DeWitt Clinton?

Makes no difference. No streets, airports, buildings should be named after people, dead or alive. Because all men have feet of clay so to speak, they have detractors as well as supporters and admirers. Although I'm totally anti PC, I think that public buildings, structures, etc. should have neutral identifications.

[TankerKC]

Since Delta’s hub is in Atlanta, I suggest “Gityotravelon” Airport in honor of this Delta ad.

[TankerKC]

Clintons in Memphis!

[SwatTeam]

Why not name it Peachtree? Lots of things in Atlanta are named that. And it is non-gender, non-race and makes you think of pretty things.

[varon]

How about "Black @ss" airport????

Or, MOFO International ;-)

[skeeter]

Andrew Young.

[Rummyfan]

Andrew Young..... another winner along with Maynard Jackson.