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Jazz 91.9 WCLK | Membership Matters

The Local Take Talks Midterms With Dr. Maurice Hobson

Join me Saturday morning at 8am on Atlanta's Jazz Station 91.9 WCLK for community engagement on The Local Take as I talk with Dr. Maurice Hobson, professor of African-American studies at Georgia State University and author of The Legend of the Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta. 

I spoke with Dr. Hobson the day after the midterm elections where the Georgia gubernatorial race was still too close to call.  Close to 57% of registered voters participated in the midterm elections. The House of Representatives went to the Democrats and Republicans still control the Senate, Supreme Court, and White House. 

Dr. Hobson provides historical context to what's happening today.  He speaks about voter suppression used to disenfranchise marginalized communities that began after Reconstruction. He also shares the story of Primus E. King, who sued the Muscogee County Georgia Democratic Party in 1944 when he was denied an opportunity to vote in the Democratic Primary. 

We speak about the political correctness of the past and how racist "dog whistle" terms are now actually "bullhorn" calls. The current suppression of voters is based on the old suppression of voters.

Our conversation turns to history repeating itself and the changing demographics of our nation. The most racists states in the USA are Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina.  These were the states that had the largest number of African American residents. 

I ask Dr. Hobson what the close race in Georgia means and what the future might hold.  He speaks to the young voters who may be disappointed but encourages everyone to come back and vote gain. 

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For more information on the Georgia Gubernatorial Race