Going Postal August 26 2000

Hand-picked subjectivity
?Greg Land’s characterization of Shirley Clarke Franklin, in the article concerning Gloria Tinubu’s candidacy (“The Outsider,” CL, Aug. 12), as “the hand-picked successor to Mayor Bill Campbell,” was highly unethical, totally non-objective and the worst kind of “cheap shot.” It was an unsubstantiated slur and an exercise of extremely poor journalism. Shirley Franklin is now, and always has been, her own person.

Many, many of us who care about the City of Atlanta, have long recognized her keen intellect, unimpeachable integrity, her experience as an effective manager, her vision and leadership ability and her lack of a male ego. She is able to relate effectively to all kinds of people.

I am among the many who urged her, many times, to utilize her talents and make the great personal sacrifice of running for political office, for the benefit of Atlanta. The utter suggestion that she was picked by the mayor to succeed him is poppycock and would be unworthy of a response, but for the power of the press.

-- George L. Howell, Atlanta

Pity the fool
?I sincerely pity Jeff Berry. The guy is so full of negativity and anger that it is impossible for him to have any compassion for a Republican Party that is trying to reach out to blacks, Hispanics and others who have not felt, for reasons true or perceived, a part of the GOP in recent years (“Fakest Show on Earth,” CL, Aug. 12). (Ironically, it was the Republican Party which freed the slaves while, during the 1950s and ’60s, Democrats like George Wallace and Lester Maddox wanted to keep segregation alive).

Jeff calls the Republican Party the “last bastion of paranoid race exclusion.” What tripe! Those of different races are represented in every level of the Party, from Sunny Warren in DeKalb County to Condaleeza Rice, George W.’s top aid on foreign affairs.

Berry noted that the audience at the Republican convention was “almost 100 percent white.” Well, I don’t know what network he was watching, but on CNN and Fox there were many delegates of color, from the American Samoa delegation to a delegate from Washington, D.C. who was black to several Japanese-Americans representing Hawaii.

The Republican Party is sensitive to the needs of Americans — black, white, Asian, Jewish, disabled, whatever. Their record is not shameful in this area. No matter what the Party says or does, however, Jeff Berry will insist that it is evil. He is obviously poisoned against Republicans. Hey, Jeff, I am Jewish and a proud Republican!

-- Jack Franco Handmacher, Norcross

Outsider-in
?Your article on Gloria Tinubu “The Outsider” (CL, Aug. 12) was very well written and it said a mouthful. If Gloria Tinubu is an outsider then that means the government does not belong to the people any more. It’s all in the hands of special interest groups.

I’ve met Mrs. Tinubu on several occasions and she is warm, intelligent and genuine. I remember her chastising Mayor Campbell and Marvin Arrington about arguing over nonsense issues.

Shirley Franklin gained a lot of experience under Mayor Young. But as an African-American, I must be painfully honest and admit that I won’t vote for Shirley Franklin because she has her hair dyed blonde. I think that is a sign of racial self-hatred, unless she has a medical reason for doing so. That narrows my choices down to two, so Gloria Tinubu stands a very good chance of getting my vote.

-- Lewis Charles, Atlanta

?Never the victim’s fault
?I would like to thank Tavares Robinson for having the courage to share his story in Creative Loafing (“Time to Tell” Aug. 19, 2000). Rape is never the victim’s fault, yet so many victims still struggle with fear, shame and self-blame. He is a very wise young man to know that he has every right to be angry, but no reason to be ashamed.
?Unfortunately, Tavares Robinson’s story is becoming more common. Recent statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted by his/her 18th birthday.
?As the statewide coalition of rape crisis and sexual assault centers, the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA), works to reduce the incidence of sexual assault. We do this by providing technical assistance and training services to the 25 rape crisis centers throughout the state, as well as to law enforcement officers and medical professionals who directly assist rape victims after an assault.
?Rape is a tough issue to talk about. And for many, the recovery process is long and painful, further exacerbated by a society that asks rape victims to keep their stories to themselves. That is why we designate September as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is our hope that through a variety of events we can raise public awareness about the issues that surround rape and sexual assault. This September, our membership has a number of events planned. For information on how you can help, please contact GNESA at 404-659-6482.
?If you or someone you know needs help, there are many resources that provide help to victims of sexual assault, usually at no cost. The easiest way to find the closest rape crisis center is to dial 1-800-656-HOPE or look on the GNESA website at www.gnesa.org.
??-- Claire Pearson, Community Outreach and Media Manager, Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA)?