Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 09:21:39

Atlanta Reaching Towards Post-Racial Politics

Tuesday’s runoff election for the mayor of Atlanta pitted a young black candidate running as an outsider against a white activist with decades of experience as a citizen activist. African American mayors have run Atlanta since 1974. This race has been about more than race.

Former Georgia State Sen. Kasim Reed, who is African American, declared victory in Tuesday’s runoff for Atlanta mayor. City Councilwoman Mary Norwood, who is white, has not acknowledged defeat. The vote count as of Wednesday morning was 41,901 for Reed and 41,143 for Norwood, making a recount likely.