London Shara

Atlanta

“I’m very fortunate to still live with my mother, but I never thought I’d be out here looking for a job. This strike has pulled me back into doing Photography, Modeling and Makeup; revisiting my old skills has made me realize that I still got it and hey it’s not so bad, sometimes we gotta go backwards to fling forward. But my heart goes out to my fellow film friends. Some are relaxing, chilling and most are really struggling. We are trying to make it out here by creating our own films, applying to 9 to 5, etc. This is life changing and enlightening.”

Hakim Wilson

Atlanta

“The industry… how it has affected me is kind of bad. I had to move out of my apartment. I’m facing repossession of my car. I’m grateful that I have a few businesses that I can fall back on that will help me but a lot of people don’t. They (Actors and Writers) are in fear of losing their job because of what A.I. is doing to the industry… taking money out of their pocket. So I understand why they are striking but it’s affecting us. They talk about the Makeup Artists, the Actors, the people behind the scenes that are normally vocalized. They don’t talk about the people who are in construction, the electricians and everybody else that are affected by this. When you strike, we get no pay. It’s affecting us in that way. Hopefully, it’s all resolved soon.”

Kenya Morgan

Decatur

“The current duel strikes of the Writers and Screen Actors Guild has affected me significantly because my primary source of income as a costumer in Atlanta’s tv and film industry has completely shut down. The show I was working on since the beginning of May was shut down and I have been out of work for a couple of weeks. So now I am figuring out my way through Georgia’s unemployment process with its own set of challenges. I guess I’m not alone but it’s still hard, though.”

Anthony Gary

Atlanta

“The film strikes have basically brought work for film to a standstill. There’s some indie stuff out there but now you are dealing with slim pickings. A lot of us have found other avenues to supplement our income. Pretty much there is nothing else around except Tyler Perry stuff. Tyler Perry is still going. I don’t know how but they are still going. But I supplement by teaching photography for the City of Atlanta and I’m also a Photographer as well so I am doing different things to keep the money going. It just kind of forced me to be a Photographer more because I don’t have a choice. I mean, I still do Grip work and documentary stuff with PBS. There are some opportunities here and there but they are few and far between.”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

The post Your Voice: As a participant in Atlanta’s tv and film industry and culture, how has the Writer and Screen Actors strikes affected you and your livelihood? appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Reginald Dunson

Atlanta “I think the law should restrict youth from making life altering decisions even if their families are supportive before a certain age. We have laws that govern drinking, laws that govern all types of rational function because anyone under the age of 21 is still considered to be in their formative years and they are very influential. Their emotions are fleeting. They may make decisions based on impulse. So I think that a little bit of time and due diligence never hurt anyone. We have people serving in the military that can’t buy a drink before they are 21. We have people in college that can’t legally go to a club before they are 21. So I don’t think that a person should be able to go and do a surgery, something that is going to have long term repercussions, because they are still at an age of development.”

Sheri Lillie

Atlanta “I believe that anyone should be able to make whatever choice they choose to make about their body. I believe that children, with the consent of their parents, should be able to make whatever choice with their body that the family decides in their household. I have several (personal) views about several different areas of this particular topic but I do not believe that the government should be able to decide anything for anyone’s body. Children, with consent from their parents, should be able to make whatever choices they decide as a household. I do believe, as a loophole, there should be some type of screening process for mental health stability because there’s a lot of different people with a lot of different issues and I believe, at the very least, there should be some sort protection for children in that vulnerable space, to make sure they have the proper help to assist them in making a stable solid decision. But I do believe that there shouldn’t be any type of government restriction on what a family chooses for their child as long as it’s not harmful.”

Karla Bryan

Decatur

“I personally do not think that it should be against the law for minors to get (gender reassignment) surgery. I do, however, think they should go talk to a therapist prior to getting that surgery. Once their mother or father signs off, they should go talk to a therapist and then have that sign off, as well, before getting that surgery completed.”

Denzel Pool

Atlanta “I believe it should be illegal for minors to receive gender reassignment surgery. I believe that, at a young mindset, we are not privy to the information needed to make a permanent change. Therefore you should be able to consent for yourself, not parental consent, to do anything that would have a lasting effect.”

Carla Williams

Union City

“It should be illegal for minors to have gender reassignment even if their parents agree with it because they are minors. Minors don’t have the ability to make those types of decisions at such a young age. There are a lot of other things that are illegal for minors such as smoking and drinking. I think they should be able to experience life and sexuality a little more as they get older and make that kind of big decision then.”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

The post Your Voice: Should minors be restricted by law from undergoing gender reassignment even if their parents agree? appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Darrien Goodman 

Atlanta

“I have the same amount of money in my pocket that I had several years ago. And it’s not that I’m doing less or haven’t really changed, actually I’m investing more money into things related to my business… The things I am investing in are a lot higher investment. So, in a way, the money is the same but my growth is different. My growth is better.”

Olatunde Richardson

SW Atlanta

“I personally believe that I have gained more wealth than I had two years ago, solely due to the fact that  I have started my own business. I am making more than I was before. I was a server and the service industry. Money is not as consistent sometimes in that industry. So that was one of the silver linings with the pandemic, personally for me. I am the proud owner of Tunde’s Tea Shop.”

Ribbie Gueye

Atlanta

“I sell a product called Ribbie’s Body Treats. Right now, because I am an entrepreneur, I make way more money for myself. Working for myself is so beneficial. I can live. I’m happy. It’s amazing. I encourage anyone who has a business to work that business themselves for at least two years. And then, after that, if they have to go and work for other people, they will know how the money works for them and makes them happy. So I’m happy. It’s not about the money. It’s about being completely free and I can do what I want to at any given time and I am just happy about that.”

Jaquavius Hunt

Atlanta

“The economy, to me, is much worse than it was a couple of years ago. Me being a school teacher in the Bibb County School District, it’s hard for me to make ends meet and I get paid salary so it’s difficult. You’ve got to have more than one job unless you are self-sufficient and have your own business and you can thrive in this economy. But other than that, everybody is out here struggling with two or three jobs a day.”

April Avalon

Atlanta

“I am a business owner with April’s Energy Wear and within the last two years, I would say that my wealth has gained because I am applying myself, moreso.”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

The post Your Voice: Do you feel that you have more, less or the same amount of wealth now versus two years ago? appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Dedren Snead

Snellville 

“I feel like there’s a 100% possibility that something like that could pass. Thinking about the importance of Black History and the idea that Black Culture and representation is something that everyone should not only know, but appreciate. But the way that it has been so politicized, especially with Georgia being a battleground state, I could see something like what we see in Florida happening here. We live in the Greater Atlanta area that is very blue but it is an island that is surrounded by a sea of red. So I really could see something like that happening here.”

Tameka Tucker

Tucker

“I don’t think it should matter whether Critical Race Theory is taught in schools because it should be taught by families anyway.”

Ronny Armstead

Atlanta

“No I don’t think so, because there’s too many Black folks talking about Black matters in Atlanta. I think it would be very unusual for them to change that law, the way that people got so much concentration on Black Lives Matter. And I go to a lot of southern towns (outside Atlanta) and they really respect Black Lives Matter since Black folks have been killed. Even in those southern towns, they are changing their sides.”

Sydney Baskett

Smyrna

“I do believe that they would possibly pass a bill to ban Critical Race Theory in Georgia. I feel like our policies and political structure in Georgia is not too far off from Florida and Florida just passed theirs. So… ”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

The post Your Voice: Do you think Georgia would propose a law against Critical Race Theory (Black History) in the same way that Governor DeSantis did in Florida? appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Mark Lee

Stone Mountain

“I’m rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles because I think Jalen Hurts has amazing character. I love his story, from what happened in Alabama to the University of Oklahoma and now with the Eagles. I’m rooting for him.”

Lakethia Albert

Augusta

“The team I’m going for is the (Kansas City) Chiefs because I am rooting for Jaylen Watson, a Lucy C. Laney graduate.”

Franklin Douglas

Buford

“My pick for the Super Bowl is that I really don’t care! I’m going for the Black Quarterback. Both Quarterbacks are Black so figure it out!!”

Eavion Anderson

Atlanta

“I feel like Kansas City is going to win because they got #90 (Taylor Stallworth.) He’s going through the defense. They’ve got a good running back; he’s really fast. But it’s not even just that. I know they have good techniques and I bet money too, so…”

Ledlee Scott

East Point

“I am only watching the Super Bowl because I want to see Rihanna perform. I really don’t care who wins or not because I don’t know what’s going on.”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

The post Your Voice: Who’s your pick for Super Bowl LVII and why? appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Jamele Wright, Sr.

Atlanta

“My perspective is that it is not surprising. The system, the culture, of policing is the same around the country. It doesn’t matter what their physical attributes (race) are, they are being taught the same thing. As far as them being Black and being immediately charged, I think that’s the thing we should be thinking about; all being immediately charged. If that’s what we want to do for one group, we should do that for all groups. It just shows that the system is capable of doing the right thing. So let them continue to do the right thing across the country. Let that be the precedent.”

Christina McQueen

Atlanta 

“It’s a total disgrace. It speaks to multiple cultural problems. A lot of people are speaking to the problems of police culture and that its obvious, considering you can be any color and all roads lead to bad policing. The mother of Tyre Nichols said that they should be ashamed not only for themselves but for their families. And they do have a responsibility as Black men to not turn the same behaviors that our culture has suffered from and beat their brother to death. That was their brother and they betrayed him and they betrayed us.”

Nobella Powell

Atlanta 

“I was shocked that it was Black men that did this awful murder. Now we can’t just say it’s a color thing. I just feel like it’s power. They want to feel power. They have to have power to beat you, take your life. It’s like our lives are in their hands. I couldn’t even watch the video because I know how traumatizing it is. I already feel like I’ve seen so much of it that it’s numb to me. It kind of feels like it ‘oh well it’s just another person.’ I don’t think I could take anymore of us getting killed in the streets.”

Myesha Cotton

Atlanta

“I’m very disgusted. How did you join the system to become the system? I wasn’t expecting it from my kind at all. May the Earth eat you up and spit you out… It was crazy how fast they got indicted. They would not have been indicted as quickly if they were white. We’ve seen it, blatantly on film,  and nothing happens for months and they only get suspended.”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

The post Your Voice: What was your reaction and what are your thoughts on the murder of Tyre Nichols by Black Memphis police officers? appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Yusef Woodruff

Atlanta

“I first saw it from a comedian on Instagram. It was actually very hilarious, seeing what it was perceived as, and it definitely looked like someone was going down… But it’s dope though. I think it is a dope idea but I think the artist should have added more of the arm so it actually looks like you are holding on to somebody. But it looks hilarious right now.”

Chanel Angelique

Atlanta 

“I thought that the sculpture, from certain angles, was not flattering. I appreciate what the artist was trying to do. It’s just that the angle that I initially saw it at was a little bit jarring for me. I had to look at the inspiration photo, at all angles, and I did like it from some angles.”

Charly Palmer

Atlanta 

“I’m an artist. When I first saw the sculpture, I thought it was beautiful. I thought it was powerful. I didn’t necessarily see it from all angles but at no point did I think of anything other than a tribute to The Embrace. But now that I see it, I can’t unsee it. But y’all have got to get your dirty minds out of the way and look at it for what it is: artistic expression.”

Amyiesha Henry

Stone Mountain

“My first impression of the statue was perplexed. I didn’t really know what it was at first. I looked at the 360 of it and it looked like arms holding a butt. It wasn’t until I read an article that I realized it was supposed to pay homage to the MLK family. But once I took a look at it and I looked at the reference photo that he used, I was okay. This makes sense. But disembodied arms was a little bit crazy to take in at first. Once you understand what it is supposed to be about, it’s okay.”

Rashad Andre

Atlanta

“I felt like it was a little bit too artistic depending on the way your eye is fixated on the sculpture, interpreting it as something else. When you’re doing captures of someone, someone’s image and likeness, sometimes it’s better to keep it real simple and not be a little ‘too artistic’ because it can definitely have the wrong interpretation. The intent was probably good but the results kind of missed the mark.”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

The post Your Voice: What was your first reaction to the new MLK Sculpture in Boston and what are your thoughts on it now? appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.