The daughter of legendary Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson
solidly endorsed Georgia
state Senator Kasim Reed as — by far — the most qualified candidate to become the
next mayor of the city of Atlanta.
Brook Jackson Edmond, who was 6 years old when her father became the first
African American mayor of Atlanta
in 1974. Jackson transformed Atlanta into a prosperous international city and powerful magnet
for talented African Americans nationwide.
Edmond says Reed, a Democrat, best
exemplifies the leadership qualities that characterized her iconic father.
“I like Kasim Reed [best] of the three candidates. And when I look
at all three of the candidates, Kasim has more examples in his résumè [and] in his
history, than any of the other candidates,” Jackson Edmond says. “Even from the
[Georgia] state Senate he’s
been able to affect positive change for the citizens of Atlanta. He’s been most productive of the
three candidates in creating change that has helped the city.”
In an extremely contentious and racially divisive contest that
has captured the attention of the nation, Jackson Edmond says Reed possesses
the intangibles to shepherd the beleaguered city and state out of the economic
doldrums and place it on sound fiscal footing. She says Reed’s august résumè also demonstrates consistency in creating and
strengthening sociopolitical and ethnic coalitions across this demographically
diverse city.
“I see a man who has been tested and who is prepared to
assume the awesome responsibilities of leadership,” she continued. “I see a
principled man with the intelligence, strength and compassion to keep our city
safe, while at the same time inspiring our youth to choose excellence over
apathy and hope for the future over the despair of the past. Finally, I see a
man who will make government responsive to the people and keep Atlanta on a course that would have made my
father proud.
Jackson Edmond expressed dismay over two strong African American
candidates (Reed and City Council President Lisa Borders) running against the
lone white candidate, Mary Norwood, effectively splitting the black vote.
“I wish there was a little bit more coordination in the
African American community in that we didn’t run two African American contestants
against one another. If [the city’s African American intelligentsia] are
interested in the African American community maintaining an African American
mayor — if that’s what people want, then our community has to work together to
make sure that two strong African American candidates don’t cancel each other
out. That’s what is happening. There are other cities where that has happened.
So there is history out there for us to learn from.”
Regardless of who wins, the city is entering into a new phase. And Jackson
Edmond believes Reed would best lead Atlanta
through that transition. –terry shropshire
