By Cheryl Smith
I hope you’ve paid attention to the chatter following the “bombshell” announcement by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has decided not to seek another term this Fall.
Full disclosure. I have mad love for the Mayor.
On a number of fronts our lives parallel: roots in Crawfordville, GA; attended Florida A&M University; Journalism majors; pledged the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and, we are both mothers, but not by birth.
So, some may want to stop reading now because “Cheryl is going to be biased” and to those critics, I have two things to say: first if you think the majority of stuff you read and see does not have biases embedded within, well I say “chile please” and; secondly, the longer I live and the more I have to live with things like COVID, Trump, and self-haters who tear their people down, I say, “don’t come for me unless I send for you!”
In three words: I’m not apologizing. In another eight words, I’m sick of people tearing Black women down.
We’re too strong, weak, mean, angry, et al. I can’t go on because I get sicker with every adjective.
Black women catch hell from all sides and angles and then the ones who should be the most supportive are the biggest damned critics!
OTHER WOMEN! No, let me call it like it is — OTHER BLACK WOMEN!
Which brings me to my truth.
It was frustrating to hear and read comments as folks far and wide speculated about why Mayor Lance Bottoms would not seek another term. There was talk about President Biden, a large drugstore chain job, pursuit of another office, etc. Atlanta’s rising crime rate, jail issues, investigations of previous administrations, and more were fodder for those needing something to say. There was also talk of her being “tired, angry,” and yes, “salty.”
In her video, the Mayor talked about challenges and triumphs. She definitely had to face some situations that no one could have prepared her for because there’s no one else alive who has encountered a pandemic of the magnitude of COVID-19 and it is so disingenuous to hear people try to reason that COVID -19 is not having an impact on everything.
It’s been challenging for leadership and I know folks have to have something to do, so they speculate. It makes them feel good inside.
But haven’t you learned anything from the death of actor, humanitarian Chadwick Boseman.
Da 5 Bloods co-star Clarke Peters, following Mr. Boseman’s death, said he recalled seeing his co-star being pampered on the set and thinking, “maybe the Black Panther thing went to his head.”
Mr. Peters said he regretted those thoughts, because at the time he didn’t know that Mr. Boseman had been battling colon cancer for the past four years.
We don’t know Mayor Lance Bottom’s journey. What we do know is that she has some serious receipts and if you do the homework her legacy is intact because she has served
in numerous capacities throughout her lifetime and prayerfully she has many more decades to go.
Heck, if she wants to put her law degree to work to serve, joining the likes of Atty. Ben Crump; or if she wants to put that J-School degree to work, doors are open even right here at Texas Metro News; or if she wants to stay home with the children; teach at FAMU’s Law School or she can go back to the bench as a judge; assume a leadership post with Delta Sigma Theta; or, become a college, preferably HBCU, president; it’s her life, her journey.
Get yourself some business, because when your time is all said and done, will it have been spent talking about what others have done or will you have done something worth celebrating or sharing in history books?
Wow!
Yes, I am here in Texas with enough issues of my own as I am sure I am going to be accosted by some unsuspecting person who comes for Fort Worth Mayoral Candidate Deborah Peoples as she faces a candidate in a runoff election where if elected she will become the Cowtown’s first Black female mayor. Heck. First Black mayor!
Unfortunately Ms. Peoples, is dealing with some of the same hateration where folks just have something negative to say.
I’m not saying don’t criticize. What I am saying is “know what you are talking about.” Bring receipts or shut up.
If you want help living a life without regrets: you can begin by pledging to stop being so damned judgmental!
Mayor Keisha is living her life. Live yours.
Who Is Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms?
Keisha Lance Bottoms is the 60th Mayor of Atlanta.
A daughter of Atlanta, Mayor Bottoms is committed to realizing her vision of One Atlanta – an affordable, resilient and equitable Atlanta – which stands as a model city for both commerce and compassion.
A lifelong public servant, Mayor Bottoms is the only Mayor in Atlanta’s history to have served in all three branches of government, serving as a judge and City Councilmember before being sworn in as Mayor.
Leading with a progressive agenda focused on equity and affordable housing, Mayor Bottoms serves as Chair of the Community Development and Housing Committee and the Census Task Force for the United States Conference of Mayors.
Georgia Trend magazine named Mayor Bottoms the 2020 Georgian of the Year.
Among Mayor Bottoms’ notable accomplishments to date include the establishment of the City’s first fully-staffed Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the appointments of a LGBTQ Affairs Coordinator and a Human Trafficking Fellow, the citywide elimination of cash bail bond, the closure of the Atlanta City Detention Center to ICE detainees, and the rollout of the most farreaching financial transparency platform in the City’s history – Atlanta’s Open Checkbook.
In 2020, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights (LCCR) Under Law awarded Mayor Bottoms the Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate Award in recognition of her equity-driven leadership to help guide and protect marginalized communities.
In October, Mayor Bottoms was named one of Glamour’s 2020 women of the year. Mayor Bottoms was honored as a BET 100 Entertainer and Innovator of the Year in 2020, and named Smart Cities Dive’s 2020 Leader of the Year.
Under Mayor Bottoms’ leadership, the City of Atlanta led the historically successful staging of Super Bowl LIII, which included unprecedented community benefits – a $2.4 million renovation of John F. Kennedy Park on Atlanta’s Westside, more than 20,000 trees planted throughout the community and the seamless coordination of 40 federal, state and local public safety agencies.
A product of Atlanta Public Schools, Mayor Bottoms graduated from Frederick Douglass High School and received her undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University. She earned herJuris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law.
An active member of the community, Mayor Bottoms is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Jack and Jill of America, The Links, Incorporated, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She has also served on the board of Families First and shares her personal story of adoption and advocates on behalf of adoption and foster care.
Mayor Bottoms is the daughter of Sylvia Robinson and R&B icon Major Lance. She resides in historic Southwest Atlanta with her husband, Derek W. Bottoms, their four children- Lance, Langston, Lennox and Lincoln, and their family dogs Ace and Zeus.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login