On July 13th, 2024, the Springfield Community Center, Inc., conducted a listening session in collaboration with Brandon Byrd from the New Georgia Project. Out of thirteen guests, ten African Americans over fifty attended, and one guest brought along her bright and lovely 14-year-old granddaughter. Brandon opened the session by introducing himself and the project, followed by a question-and-answer segment. Some of the Q&A from this session will be shared in this post.
Q1. What does power look like for the Black People of Rural Georgia?
Black people have their businesses, a communication network system like the one we used to have with the church network.
Q2. Where do you all typically get your news from?
The street committee, social media, county newspaper, and television. Our meeting base used to be the church. If we can harness social media to be effective, we need various ways to get the news out in case they shut down the radio and social media. We need a method to get the facts out so you can make informed decisions.
Q3. Have you encountered misinformation or disinformation? How were you able to tell it was misinformation?
They used to have a fact check on social media, but I haven't seen it anymore. Look for a reference.
Q4. Have you encountered artificial intelligence (AI)? How does it make you feel?
It tells the power of technology, it increases the scammer activity, it can be used to misinform influential people. Our elected officials must be aware of AI and protect the public using a watermark. Create counterfeit.
Q5. What issues matter most to rural Georgians, and what matters most to your community?
The availability of grocery stores, housing, safe spaces for the youth, and activities for our youth. Being able to protect our neighborhoods from drugs and how to get grants into the community.
Q6. Are rural Black people interested in voting?
They need to realize that it matters or know how important it is. They don't think their vote counts. Our 14-year-old said yes because most people like to have a voice.
Q7. How do we make politics engaging for teenagers?
Social Studies: The history of Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and Social Media can engage teenagers in politics. Instagram is best when a knowledgeable person teaches the truth about Black people.
Q8. How are you feeling about this upcoming election, and why?
I am sick and tired of the arguments people debate. The real agenda is the wealthy people's tax breaks, and the bloodbath put our lives at risk. Power is money.
Q9. If you could change one thing about your city, what would it be and why?
Help people experiencing homelessness, rehabilitation, and mental health facilities, jobs, turning our trades into jobs, laundromat, and car wash; we need to bring revenue back to our county and stop giving to others. Black people have to help each other. Getting them to rehab can be used to help them in court cases. We have to hold our leaders accountable. We don't have access to mental health, and we need that. They are pumping money into programs, but our people need access. One person spoke of his sobriety of 25 years.
Q10. How can we increase power in the county?
We can start as we are in this small group and expand it, get out the word, share it, spread the word, and invite others to the next meeting so we can discuss it.
Q11. What would you say if you had a message you could send to your elected officials?
We think they should be as attractive to our county as the large cities. We were just as happy as the populated cities when they won. Whatever decision you make, think of the people in the community and ask what you all want. Commit to the rural districts, especially in Georgia. We have two Georgias: Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Macon, and Valdosta, so they go there and leave us out. The Black Belt is Hancock, Taliaferro, Jeffersonville, and Louisville. Our elected officials need to make rural Georgia a priority.
Komen