Seeing the recent racial conflicts and the rise of hatred in the US, I wanted to share some related incidents here.
In this post, I’ll be talking about Susan DeRose. I wanted to go over how racist people get away with so much hate in this country.
Susan was spewing hate at a time when racial tensions were at an all-time high. And even after so many years, she is yet to face any serious consequences for her terrible actions.
Yeah, there was outrage. But nobody bothered to file a lawsuit. I think people forgot about her antics and quietly moved on.
In today’s day and age, the last thing you should do is forget the people who spread hatred among us.
Let me go over what the Susan DeRose case was:
OK Café Owner Susan DeRose Sparks Debate Over Black Lives Matter Stance
An attorney named Neely Holston, who is also the chief diversity and inclusion officer for Kilpatrick Townsend, has written an open letter in response to the position that OK Cafe Owner Susan DeRose has taken about Black Lives Matter (BLM).
What Now Atlanta (WNA) released remarks from DeRose. In those comments, the restaurateur expressed her opinion on the movement and defended a sign that was displayed at the Buckhead diner that had been there for a long time, and said, “Lives That Matter Are Made With Positive Purpose.”
At the same time that Black Lives Matter organisers were spearheading rallies all over the world to bring awareness to issues of police brutality and systematic racism, DeRose hung the banner at OK Cafe.
The banner, along with a Georgia flag that included the Confederate battle symbol, has been removed from OK Cafe since it was displayed there.
In an email sent to WNA on Wednesday, Holston stated that “[DeRose’s] comments were troubling, and thus far have gone unaddressed.”
A response in the form of an open letter would be something I would like to propose.
Greetings, Susan DeRose!
Your argument for your “Lives that Matter are Made with Positive Purpose” banner, which was posted on June 9, 2020, has been read (and reread) by me, and I conclude that it is not acceptable.
In contrast to what you claim, the words that you have spoken are not “words of peace.” These are words that are used to oppress. You acknowledge that the remarks you spoke were a direct response to “a [Black Lives Matter] protest march that passed by the restaurant.” You also stated that you intended for them to convey a message. When you put a sign about lives of purpose in response to a peaceful march, you had the intention of explicitly communicating that the lives of those who were demonstrating were not lives of purpose, and you were successful in sending that message.
Additionally, your poster sent the message that the lives of black people, in and of themselves, do not have a purpose, but rather that they must do something to earn validation. As a result of reading your statements, it is evident that you have made an effort to rectify those assertions by claiming that your sign and “tea party” were about safeguarding and defending small businesses. However, if you truly desired to convey a call to save all small businesses, it would have been more appropriate for you to have displayed a sign that read, “Dismantle racist systems, not small businesses.” The message that you intended to convey was conveyed in that precise manner.
OK Café is not merely a restaurant to be found in Atlanta; rather, it is a well-established establishment. Students—the minds that are most susceptible to being influenced—eat there every day. The restaurant, together with its sibling establishments, Bones and Blue Ridge Grill, is the location of a large number of business breakfast and brunch meetings. As a matter of fact,
I have personally attended a number of business meetings at these establishments. When local establishments like OK Café passionately resist the current movement to finally deliver long-sought racial equality, it pulls us further away from a country that provides “liberty and justice for all.” OK Café is one example of such an establishment. It is not the absence of tension that constitutes peace; rather, it is the presence of justice, as stated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The fact that you would make an effort to provoke a peaceful march, the objective of which was to seek justice, demonstrates that you do not desire peace but rather that you want things to remain as they are. In addition, Ms. DeRose, is nothing short of unacceptable.
In addition, you make fun of anyone who was upset by your sign by claiming that they are in need of “an education in this country.” Individuals who have been offended by your sign are not the ones who require an education; rather, it is you who requires the education.
To put it another way, here is what a well-educated Black lady who has graduated from both Furman University with a magna cum laude and Duke University School of Law with a cum laude from says: THE DEATH OF A MAN HAS OCCURRED! The very organisation and individuals whose employment it is to safeguard and serve us were responsible for the death of George Floyd.
It was early in the morning when Mr. Floyd was murdered. He was brought down by the camera! That being said, he was not the first person of African descent to be murdered in this manner, and tragically, he will not be the last. In this country, there are many different systems that are created to work for you and oppress me.
One of these systems is the police department. The protests, which you take such a strong stance against, are a reaction to the persistent messages that are coming from this country that the lives of black people are unimportant. That persons of African descent do not intrinsically matter; to such an extent that law enforcement personnel and vigilante civilians carry out the execution of black people in broad daylight and in front of cameras because they are not afraid of the consequences of their acts and do not believe that they are wrong.
After a string of indefensible and excessive uses of fatal force against people of African descent, the murder of George Floyd was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. Despite the fact that you have been a witness to a long and ingrained history of injustice, you have decided to remain silent about it. This event was the turning point within this history. Although it is true that looting is a wrongdoing, you did not hang your sign as a response to the looting. It is true that you put it up so that “it would be on display” for a peaceful march that was going to be passing by.
It is also a symptom of the situation that looting is taking place. According to the insightful observation made by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “a riot is the language of the unheard of.” Our cries of humanity are getting old, and we are sick of people not hearing them (or, in your case, utterly rejecting them).
Your position, along with that of others like you (and by this I do not mean all white people, I mean those who continue to defend and perpetuate the systemic racism that is ailing our country), is that property, which consists of buildings that can be rebuilt, is more precious than a Black life, which cannot be replaced. Consequently, it is imperative that we remind you on a consistent basis that we are also individuals. All of our lives are important. If the United States of America treated every individual as if their life were important, Ms. DeRose, there would be no need to remind people on a regular basis that the lives of individuals of African descent are also valuable.
You are not only “offended” by our reminders that our “Black Lives Matter” movements are taking place, but you also question why we are not “grateful.” The most important point that you make in your letter is that people of African descent ought to be grateful and ought to offer a “shoutout to America” for the crumbs that we have received while white society as a whole continues to devour cake.
As a result of the fact that this is so fundamentally ridiculous, responding to you would just make me appear an idiot. As a result, rather than responding to this or any of the several other tangents, red herrings, and rabbit holes (1) that you have included in your frequently nonsensical ramblings, I will conclude where I began: These are not acceptable terms. Your statements do not constitute “words of peace.” As a result of your comments, oppression, divisiveness, and inequity are perpetuated.
Your article contained only one remark that was even remotely worth reading, and that was the following: “So, I don’t believe what they believe, and if they don’t like that, don’t come into my restaurant.” To put it simply, this is the essence of capitalism. Without a doubt, you are correct; this is precisely what capitalism is all about. That being said, I will never give you another money again.
I promise you that. I hope that anyone reading this letter, who has asked themselves what they can do, how they can transform outrage to action, how they can move from emotion to progress, will join me in refusing to patronize OK Café, Blue Ridge Grill, and Bones. Because what everyday people can do to effect change is to refuse to spend money with or otherwise show support for the systems, institutions, and, yes, even people that perpetuate racial inequality. Ms. DeRose, thank you for the invitation to start with you and the Liberty Restaurant Group.
Sincerely,
Yendelela Neely
The primary rabbit hole down which you lead us pertains to a t-shirt worn by Killer Mike. As they say in South Carolina, where I was raised: “a hit dog will holler.” Meaning you do not take offense at things that you do not feel are directed at you. Your extreme offense at the words on Killer Mike’s shirt shows that you are well aware of your place of social superiority in America’s race caste system and that you understand it was designed to keep you there as a metaphorical “master.” Your “outrage” at Killer Mike’s shirt is concerning, but what is even more troubling is your complete lack of outrage at the systemic racism in this Country.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has had a profound impact on Atlanta, Georgia, serving as a focal point for protests, policy debates, and community activism. The city’s history of civil rights activism, combined with recent incidents involving police violence, has galvanized residents to demand systemic change.
Protest Activity and Demographics
In the wake of George Floyd’s death in May 2020, Atlanta witnessed significant protest activity. Demonstrations were organized across the city, including major events at Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Capitol. These protests were part of a broader national movement advocating for racial justice and police reform.
While specific statistics on protest participation in Atlanta are limited, national data indicates that the BLM movement has mobilized millions across the United States. A Civis Analytics poll from mid-June 2020 estimated that approximately 23 million people had participated in demonstrations nationwide since Floyd’s death.
Legal and Law Enforcement Responses
The protests in Atlanta led to numerous arrests. Data from 11Alive News indicates that during the initial protests, 425 individuals were arrested, with 74% being men. These arrests have had lasting impacts on those involved, affecting employment, housing, and education opportunities.
In response to the protests and calls for reform, Atlanta’s city government has faced criticism for its handling of police violence and reform efforts. A report from Princeton University’s Department of African American Studies highlights decades of inadequate measures to address police misconduct in the city.
Controversy Over “Cop City”
One of the most contentious developments in Atlanta has been the proposal and construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, commonly referred to as “Cop City.” Announced in 2021, the facility has faced opposition from environmentalists, community activists, and social justice organizations.
Opponents argue that the facility will lead to increased militarization of the police and environmental degradation, particularly affecting majority-Black neighborhoods. The movement opposing the project, known as “Stop Cop City,” has organized protests and faced significant legal challenges, including arrests and charges against activists.
Initiatives and Reforms
In response to the BLM movement and public outcry, various initiatives have been proposed or implemented in Atlanta:
- Policy Reforms: Discussions around defunding the police and reallocating resources to community services have gained traction.
- Community Engagement: Local organizations have increased efforts to engage with communities, providing education on civil rights and avenues for civic participation.
- Police Accountability: There have been calls for greater transparency and accountability within the Atlanta Police Department, including the implementation of body cameras and revisiting use-of-force policies.
Conclusion
The Black Lives Matter movement has significantly influenced Atlanta’s social and political landscape. While challenges remain, including controversies like “Cop City” and ongoing debates over police reform, the city’s residents continue to advocate for justice and systemic change. The movement’s impact underscores the importance of sustained community engagement and policy reform in addressing issues of racial inequality and police violence.
