The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WHY THIS STORY, AND WHY NOW?
Our racial and ethnic fissures and fault lines seem to surface most notably during political season. But our daily interactions with one another are arguably more important – and more telling – than campaign rhetoric. Today’s examination of the changing demographics in Cobb County kicks off the AJC’s
RE: Race coverage, in which The Atlanta Journal-Constitution delves into how metro Atlanta is rapidly changing. Cobb County, you may be surprised to learn, is the last of Georgia’s most populous counties that is still majority white, and even that will end soon. These profound changes create tension and opportunity as our shifting demographics continue to redefine who we are. So today we’re exploring what it means for a county to“tip”to majority minority. We launch RE: Race, a new kind of coverage designed to explore and explain the issues that separate us, the things that unite us and the conversations we’re having — and, often, not having — about race.
A WORD ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is uniquely positioned to facilitate an honest, informed and fruitful conversation about race in our community. In undertaking RE: Race, we expect that discomfort is unavoidable and necessary; the path to understanding and empathy requires us all to be transparent about our views, experiences and emotions. The AJC pledges to:
Keep hate out of the discussion: Much of the raw conversation about race, especially on the internet, turns mean-spirited. A key part of the mission of RE: Race is to encourage respectful, constructive dialogue, particularly on our websites. Give everyone a chance to speak: A full discussion demands that views, even unpopular ones, from across the racial spectrum are aired. Inclusion is critical to the success of this effort. Operate with transparency: Our goal with RE: Race is to make this community smarter about who we are becoming and how it influences us. That’s our sole intention. Listen: This is a two-way conversation: Your ideas are welcome. If you’d like to get in touch with us, please send an email to race@ajc.com.