In This Edition of Global Atlanta Works

Civic Engagement: “Georgia and the Region’s Latino Electorate”

Civic Health Index Findings

National Hispanic Heritage Month 2009: September 15 – Oct. 15, 2009

“Is the Grass Greener Somewhere Else?”- A Response from Peachtree City

Did You Know?

Civic Engagement: “Georgia and the Region’s Latino Electorate”

As one of the fastest growing and most diverse metropolitan areas in the United States, the Atlanta region is increasingly enriched by the presence of people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This diversity creates challenges and opportunities in making sure that the myriad voices are heard, both now and in the future.  In a report prepared for ARC’s Fifty Forward Diversity and Demography forum last year,  it was noted that Robert Putman, in the controversial book “Bowling Alone,”  concluded that the greater the diversity in our communities, the less likely it is for citizens to be actively engaged. 

On the eve of National Hispanic Heritage Month, ARC spoke with Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) and primary author of the report The Georgia Latino Electorate in 2008. “The numbers and analysis in this report indicate a significant Latino electorate that is engaging quickly,” Gonzalez stated. The study found that Latino voters account for an estimated 145,991, or three percent of the electorate in Georgia, as of January 2009. The study also found that the Latino electorate had a higher voter turnout rate (53.8 percent) than the national Latino rate(49.9 percent).  Eighty percent of the 20 metro Atlanta counties surpassed the national Latino voter turnout and 54 percent of the electorate is under the age of 40. Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties account for the largest number of registered Latino voters in metro Atlanta. 

“Immigration is an important issue which has increased voter participation and engagement among the Latino voters,” according to Gonzalez. “As the 2010 election unfolds, candidates and elected officials should consider the Latino electorate seriously because Latino voters are engaged and participate in elections,”,he concluded.

Civic Health Index Findings

There has been significant discourse, both locally and nationally, and broad agreement that whether it is volunteering, voting, community organizing, political advocacy or other indicators, citizen engagement is important. The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) recently released its annual America’s Civic Health Index, based on survey data collected in May, 2009.  The report provides data on the attitudes, behaviors and actions  of citizens related to their civic life. The report describes citizens as, “suffering from a civic foreclosure that is limiting the range and depth of their civic engagement.”  The authors also found that levels of trust in various institutions and political engagement varied greatly between people of different ethnic backgrounds this year.  In the survey, one of the questions asked was, “In your opinion, how strong is the civic tradition of your state?” Georgia citizens, along with those in Illinois and Arizona, were likely to rate their civic traditions as weaker than other states. Texas, Minnesota and Kansas were the top three states.

National Hispanic Heritage Month 2009: September 15 – Oct. 15, 2009

National Hispanic Heritage month celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.  September 15 is the anniversary of independence in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.  Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively.  During Hispanic Heritage Month, a wide range of events and activities, including festivals, will be held in the region.  Many of them are listed in the announcement section of this newsletter. 

There are more than 500,000 Hispanic residents in the 20-county Atlanta region, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.  Gwinnett County, Fulton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County and Clayton County account for more than 400,000 of the total.  By 2050, it is estimated that Latinos will represent 28percent of metro Atlanta’s population and 30 percent of the nation’s population.

“Is the Grass Greener Somewhere Else?”- A Response from Peachtree City

In an earlier newsletter, readers were asked to rate their communities using the indicators from the Pew Research Center’s Social and Demography Trends Projects and share their results for inclusion in a future issue of the Global Atlanta Works Newsletter.  A survey in Peachtree City revealed that 90 percent of the residents stated their city was better or much better than other places they have lived.

Did You Know?

On September 10, 2009, Coronet Way Park was renamed Sara J. González Memorial Park, the first- Hispanic/Latino memorial in the State of Georgia. The dedication, held in Ms. Gonzalez’s former neighborhood of Ridgewood Heights, kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Atlanta.

Photographs and stories from Mundo-Hispanic’s 28 year history will be on display at the Atlanta History Center in an exhibit entitled “Through the Lens of MundoHispanico: Georgia’s Hispanic Community” at the Atlanta History Center, beginning September 16, 2009. “Dancing Through Time: Salsa”, on October 4, 2009 and “Dia de Muertos “ (Day of the Dead ) on November 1,2009  are two special programs offered in conjunction with the exhibit at the History Center. Mundo-Hispanico is the largest Spanish language newspaper in Georgia.

Ken Burns’ new documentary, "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea," includes a segment that highlights little-known contributions of African Americans, Asians and Latinos among the champions of the National Parks System.  The documentary premiers on PBS stations nationwide in late September.