Written by Alexander Ashcraft- AADM Journalism Team . Photos by Daniel Borremans
On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) took action by rally support for a resolution addressing racial inequities in housing, economic opportunity, and youth development for Black and minority communities in Athens.
The AADM Proposed Resolution highlights systemic disparities and outlines actionable steps to create a more equitable community. Focus areas include:
- Housing: Addressing discriminatory housing practices and ensuring access to affordable, safe housing.
- Economic Justice: Promoting job opportunities, equitable wages, and support for minority-owned businesses.
- Youth Equity: Providing resources, mentorship, and programs that empower youth from underserved communities.
Unfortunately, despite the packed city hall, Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission failed to pass racial equality resolution
“A resolution is not an ordinance, not a budget allocation, not a policy proposal – it is a vision.” Commissioner Myers is correct in this sentiment. Resolutions do not carry the power of an ordinance, but they do carry the power of establishing a path forward to ordinances, and the power of establishing the vision that Athens-Clarke County Government stands with people of color.
Progress does not end with a resolution. As expressed by Mokah-Jasmine Johnson, co-founder of the Athens-Anti Discrimination Movement, “this resolution[…]empowers you. It is a beginning, not an end.” Unfortunately, with a 6-3 vote to table the resolution for 60 days, the resolution cannot see a beginning until at least two more months, and that is assuming that 60 days is sufficient time for the Commission to tailor the resolution into an ordinance.
By tabling the resolution, Commissioner Taylor claims that the community can create a promise with more weight, or “teeth”. And while Commissioners Taylor and Thornton both agree that the resolution is a great start, how can one agree that an item is a ‘great start’ if it is delayed and not allowed to start? Tabling the resolution allows for it to be molded into an ordinance, that is true – but is delaying during such uncertain times the proper answer?
This is doubly important in a community containing a large university. The influx of students often pushes out people of color from their homes in favor of more student amenities. “Linnentown is happening over and over and over again”, according to Commissioner Link. If the Linnentown Resolution passed unanimously by the Mayor and Commission in 2021 accomplished the goal of renaming Finley Street to Linnentown Lane and garnering more attention to the plight of Linnentown, then how can AADM’s racial equity resolution truthfully be condemned as toothless and nothing more than a virtue signal?
To learn more you can watch the video from February 4th, 2025 Mayor and Commission’s meeting.
