The Art and Effectiveness of Authentic Canvassing in Atlanta

By Genesiss Hollins

"STOP COP CITY!" protestors yelled in my face as I exited Kroger, grocery bags in hand. At the time, I didn't fully grasp their anger or the implications of their message. Why would I oppose a facility meant to improve police training and reduce crime, especially since crime in Atlanta seemed to have worsened since the pandemic? Two years later, I came to understand their frustration. 

I was canvassing in Vine City in September this year when I realized the depth of the issues affecting communities like this. Residents of Vine City were eager to talk about the challenges they faced: severe food deserts, lack of neighborhood development, gun violence, and over-policing. It was a stark contrast to the glossy, progressive image Atlanta officials promote.

Atlanta pitches itself as the city of dreams, harmony, and civil rights as it is home to many pivotal civil rights icons. Yet, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, there are more than 35 food deserts within Metro Atlanta. Atlanta is pitched as a city that is progressive and a safe haven for all, yet it has one of the worst police scorecards for police brutality in the country. Why does this matter? It matters because Atlanta voters are waiting for someone to acknowledge a harsh truth: Atlanta has a deep-rooted classism issue that disproportionately and systematically marginalizes low-income families of color, perpetuating social and economic inequalities. 

 Gentrification & Displacement Inequities 

It's crucial to address the rapid gentrification happening across Atlanta's urban  areas when canvassing because it's displacing countless low-income families of color. Gentrification has become a hot-button issue in local Atlanta politics. City officials are torn between attracting major corporations that bring revenue to the city and ensuring the financial well-being of the residents who elected them. Unfortunately, the latter often loses out in political decision-making. As corporate developments and luxury housing projects are built in historically Black neighborhoods, long-time residents are being forced out due to rising property taxes and rent. 

Gun Violence & Police Brutality 

Canvassers must address gun violence and police brutality in Atlanta. I'll never forget the children I met in Vine City during canvassing efforts. A few of them were playing in a nearby park and seemed genuinely intrigued by the work we were doing. After canvassing, as we wrapped up, my colleagues and I witnessed the police wrongfully detain a youth just a block away. It was a harsh reminder that, for these kids, the presence of law enforcement doesn't equate to safety. Instead, it's often a source of fear and trauma. It's critical that we're empathetic to the mistrust in political systems because it often stems from negative experiences.

People in underserved communities like Metro Atlanta are fed up. They're tired of being ignored and exploited by political leaders who claim to champion equality but fail to address the everyday struggles of their constituents. For canvassers working in Metro Atlanta, this is crucial to understand. You cannot approach voters with vague promises of progress while ignoring the harsh realities they face. Atlanta voters are weary of being used for political gain only to be left in worse conditions. It's time to confront the uncomfortable truths about the city's classism and work toward real solutions that address the systemic inequalities affecting low-income families of color. 

Genesiss Hollins is a Democracy Fellow in Georgia, working with the NAACP to mobilize Black voters.