Fall Brings Something Sweet to Atlanta

Every second weekend in October, a street in Atlanta that is historically known as the African-American mecca of black business, churches and social institutions transforms into one of the largest and liveliest street festivals in the southeast. On the anniversary that it was declared a national historic site, organizers come together to celebrate Sweet Auburn’s historical achievements by hosting the Sweet Auburn Heritage Festival.

The Sweet Auburn Heritage Street Festival is a place where tourists and natives from all over came to taste the slow-cooked barbecue, hot-fried catfish, and tasty Jamaican flavored dishes. It’s a place where up-and-coming artists come to display their new musical tracks and try to hypnotize audience members with their trendy dance moves. It’s a place where street vendors come and to sell everything from the newest African-American street novel to the latest knock-off designer hand bags.

William Floyd is a native of Goldsboro, N.C. and currently an Atlanta resident. He said that he likes the Auburn Festival because it gives him an outlet to showcase his work.

Floyd has a tall and lanky like figure. He towers over most people at a height of 6’4”. Originally, Floyd had plans for a career as a professional basketball player, but reconsidered his pro-ball career later on in college. Floyd eventually left college to pursue a graphic arts degree at Atlanta’s Art Institute of Design in 2003.

Floyd said he loves to paint and he specializes in creating pop art pieces like the ones he has on display here today. Floyd’s art work is unique, refreshing, and fun. The big, bright, bold colors make Floyd’s art work distinct and memorable. The small 6 x 6 inch display boards feature paintings of popular rap artist, black dignitaries, or famous African-American historical figures like Louis Armstrong, a piece that Floyd describes as his favorite.

“I get inspired by different people, different places, I like to hear different people’s stories.”

Floyd said he sells most of his work online at his website, but likes that change of scenery that festival gives him.

“I like to come out and get to see people face-to-face, it gives me a chance to connect with my audience and find out what they like to see.”

Students Stand together to Defend Public Education Rights

Today, students from Georgia Students for Public Education and the Progressive Student Alliance hosted a protest rally inside the GSU campus courtyard where students voiced concerns about Georgia State’s recent tuition hikes, student fee increases and budget cuts.

At the rally, students spoke candidly about education budget concerns using a bullhorn. Some students shouted chants, some used profanity, others passionately expressed personal their testimonials, in efforts to bring awareness to the recent financial changes concerning higher education. Students also boasted a giant report card that yielded all F’s. The mock report card was representative of protesters feelings towards Georgia legislators. Spectators of the rally were also encouraged to fill out similar report cards that would be delivered to the state capital later in the day.

Walker Berhart, a senior at Georgia State and member of GSPHE said that GSPHE decided to answer the call to action back in July.

“ I haven’t been affected personally besides the mandatory tuition hikes and student fee increases, but I am worried that the recent changes could continue and become permanent,” Berhart said.

This will be the second time this year that activist have organized nationwide to exercise their right to defend public education. The first National Day of Action took place earlier this year on March 4th 2010, and involved some 32 states around the nation including New York, California, Maryland, and Illinois.

The call to action was prompted by the media coverage concerning national budget cuts, rising tuition, hiring and salary freezes, teacher furloughs, teacher and staff layoffs, changes of academic policy and curricula, substantial changes in workload, and the increasing repression and harassment of immigrants in high schools and universities.

Rallies to defend public education are scheduled to take place all over the nation today. Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, and the University of Georgia, are just some of the Universities that are scheduled to have similar rallies.

If you missed the rally at 12:15 p.m. on the campus court yard today, you’ll have another chance to express your concerns to legislators this afternoon when organizers meet again at Woodrow Park at 4:30 p.m. for a brief rally and then march to the Capitol to present report cards to legislators at 5:30 p.m.