The race for the Atlanta mayor's position, as discussed in a previous blog, has come to a conclusion: the African-American Kasim Reed has come out on top, with less than a 1% lead in the votes. Reed is the fifth consecutive black mayor for Atlanta. But this race has highlighted the failing Atlanta politcal machine. The city has a history of electing blacks to politics, and whites to business ventures. However, the population is increasing, the white community in particular, and the newcomers are unaware of the customs. Also causing the failing politcal machine is that the black politcal community is not as united as it once was, and more whites than ever are running for politcal office.
The changing of the dynamics of Atlanta's politics are a good thing, I feel. It's 2009, for goodness' sake. The candidate that best represents the beliefs of his constituents should be elected, no matter what race they are. The lasting political dynasty of African-American mayors in the city was a very close call for this race, and who knows what will happen the next time the mayoral seat it up for grabs?
Thats interesting that the whites are mainly in buisness and not to much in the government. I would be surprised to see a bigger white presence by the next elections due to the population and how close this race was. Its great to see we elecet people not color though!
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