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The most basic definition of a "mecca" is "a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest" (Mirriam-Webster) or "a place that attracts people of a particular group or with a particular interest" (Oxford). Since we're talking about Black America as a whole here and not just the richest, most educated, most influential Blacks (and it should be recognized that DC has plenty of "ordinary" Blacks too), it can legitimately be argued that the city that more resembles a cross-section of Black America is more of a mecca in the strictest sense. And when you consider the second definition in particular, no other city has been as successful at actually attracting Blacks (for relocation purposes) in the past four decades or so as Atlanta so it does excel on that point.
But then I'm forced to think about how much of that would be true if Atlanta hadn't had such a low cost of living which has always made it an easier choice for most of the Black population which have very modest incomes. Couldn't it be argued that affordability is the primary factor contributing to ATL being our mecca?
Stop, the DC area is still very much chocolate and go-go is alive and well. In Maryland, the black percentage is over 30%, those are deep south numbers. Black DC, just like Atlanta has moved to the burbs... PG is chocolate county, for now.
I didn't say the DC area I said DC but as far as the DMV yes you are correct.
But then I'm forced to think about how much of that would be true if Atlanta hadn't had such a low cost of living which has always made it an easier choice for most of the Black population which have very modest incomes. Couldn't it be argued that affordability is the primary factor contributing to ATL being our mecca?
Certainly that plays a significant role and that can't be denied. But then you have to ask why Atlanta attracted so many more Black migrants over the years compared to other sizable Southern cities which are also affordable and the significance of other factors working in Atlanta's favor (e.g., progressive Black political leadership, a strong and rapidly growing economy, an extensive Black cultural infrastructure, etc) become clear.
Certainly that plays a significant role and that can't be denied. But then you have to ask why Atlanta attracted so many more Black migrants over the years compared to other sizable Southern cities which are also affordable and the significance of other factors working in Atlanta's favor (e.g., progressive Black political leadership, a strong and rapidly growing economy, an extensive Black cultural infrastructure, etc) become clear.
There's no doubt that Atlanta has always led the South in this regard. It would seem that the city proper's small geographic size has secured the Black population as a majority in the past. This has resulted in long standing political clout that sets the groundwork for progress in our community. Meanwhile, in larger cities like Houston, Blacks have always been a minority group with less power in the city, despite being large in number and having a rate of wealth and educational attainment that's comparable to Atlanta.
There's no doubt that Atlanta has always led the South in this regard. My theory is that the city proper's small geographic size has secured the Black population as a majority in the past. This has resulted in long standing political clout that sets the groundwork for progress in our community. Meanwhile, in larger cities like Houston, Blacks have always been a minority group with less power in the city, despite being large in number and having a rate of wealth and educational attainment that's comparable to Atlanta.
I pretty much agree with that, and the same is true of DC with its fixed political boundaries.
I would put Detroit, Philly, Memphis, Charlotte, The Triangle over Houston in that area if you look at these area from the 60s up until now
You're full of it. Houston is Third Honor. I said what I said.
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