The CEO's are not just annointed the title and great salaries. The have made many sacrifices, worked long hours( no such thing as a 40 hr. week), made the right decisions and have risen to these ranks. The same people you say are doing the lions share of the work will at some point rise to these leadership ranks. Without the possibility of achievement through hard work you become a soviet union. Humm. Communism does not work.

We should work with every one seeking to help create positive change on all levels. Yet, I feel that we should work with and support the organizations that are here with us all the time working to fight and heal the wealth gap in America. Black populations are among the poorest in the nation and we lead the nation in incarceration, when the economy falls we feel it first. So I say we should support SCLC, NAACP, NAN, Black Panther Party, Nation of Islam and other civil rights and nonprofits organizations that are already out here fighting and not run to some new cause which have no real plan of action, no real goals and no track record as doing anything for black people. Yet, I ask America to look and take heed "It was for taxation without representation that started the American Revolution" It was all about money, freedom and the creation of a new government came 2nd and we were still slaves in America even after all this as a nation of black people. Freedom did not come by law until the Emancipation. Then due to state laws, poll taxes, separate but equal laws and voting rights laws, we still did not see freedom until 100 years later. This was the start of our civil right fight. So, I ask you to take a closer look. What is all this really about? I think they should join us in our fight as we have been fighting this fight from the first day the first slave ships landed in this country. What is all this really about?

I hear you John but I must ask you this: Why is the median household income of a family headed by someone with a bachelor's degree hoovering around $80,000 while the CEO is making on average, according to Standard & Poor's, $11 million a year in compensation??!!!? Are you saying the CEO is THAT much smarter and harder working?!?
With all due respect, John, the CEO is the figurehead and spokesperson but he or she doesn't make the company; the employees, at all levels, make the company what it is.
Sorry, but I think there is no need for $11 million a year (average!) comp packages while the vast majority of working U.S. residents are just getting by....

Hard fact: Blacks make up 11% of the US population, 80% of new unemployment cases, 75% of new HIV cases, 69% divorce rate, 80% of single parent families, account for 70% of gun related deaths, etc, etc. Obama was a fluke, once the real American people saw him for what he was, a spineless crybaby, they want him out. I agree with the good Reverend. Stick to the stuck you've already got that ain't working, no point in adding a new one.
We all know Black people don't like to vote (unless it's made ultra-convenient for them), don't volunteer their time, don't give back to the community or give their money for that matter. It's no wonder why your neighbors look like trash, and you want to move into ours?
And to you uppity Negroes, don't feel like you've done something because you gave a hundred dollars or two to a political campaign. Get in the big leagues with us where you spend thousands getting your candidate elected. Why do you think we've got Georgia locked down when almost half the state is Black? Think about it. Signed ~ a fiscal conservative.

In 2002, Georgia passed legislation that provided the highest standards of protection for consumer seeking home loans. Then, in 2003 with new political leadership, the banking industry organized to lobby to strip the Georgia Fair Lending Act of its most essential consumer protection measures. Standard & Poor's directed a letter Georgia General Assembly warning they would discontinue rating home loans originating in Georgia. With Georgia's reliance on the homebuilding industry and financial services, the General Assembly acceded to Standard & Poor's threat.

Eight years later Georgia has among the highest and most intractable foreclosure rates in the country. Additionally, Georgia has had the greatest number of bank failures since the onset of the mortgage-induced recession. And, if we wish to look at Southwest Atlanta, zip code 30310 has been home to the among the highest incidences of mortgage fraud, enabled by a lack of oversight and enforcement. Considering the recent history of the banking and financial services industry, it is no wonder that regular American citizens have decided to take a stand to draw attention to this problem and the jobless economic recovery.

The Great Recession is what happens when vested financial interests exert too much influence on democratic processes.

Link to S&P letter: http://www.mortgagebankers.org/NewsandMedia/PressCenter/32153.htm

I'm sorry but I'm european and native american, white, and I found Hunter's comments disgusting and racially stereotypical. This mindset is what I want my country to be aware of, the same that caused the problems we face. Thank you Sharon for linking all the points as symptoms of a greater problem. The mindset is "oh it will never work so why even try" has got to go as I am trying to make progress, this ideology drags worse than the gravity of the mire that caused the #occupy movement.

I have participated in #OccupyAtlanta's general assembly and yes, although it is a painfully slow yet deliberate process it is what we have to work with now, as well as the organizations that were noted above. These people are aware that the movement needs the support of Atlanta's black community, and are taking measures to outreach to that community. To Reverend Lionel and any other person who would distrust this movement for reasons that there already exists organizations addressing the same cause: all of these organizations were once young and sprung from a nations sense of unrest with inequalities. There were other organizations at that time too. The #occupy movement invites these organizations to participate, while maintaining their autonomy. My question is that if these organizations were educating the youth of our nation then would the youth feel the need to form their own movement?

Thanks d.

To everyone who thinks I'm a racist, well I'm not. Just because we don't see eye to eye doesn't make me a racist. You have to see it from my position, we realize ours is a dying breed and I have to do what I can to defend against it. Now I accept that Blacks are here, and very likely against your will as you were brought over as slaves. But the Mexicans with their drug cartels and gangs don't belong here, they're making it worse for all of us - if you have a brain at all you have to agree.

As for the stats I stated, not one person here has refuted them, not one. And like I said, it's a free country, if you want to get out there and stand in the park or on the streets of Buckhead be my guest. The statement I made was I just don't see Blacks doing much of it, unless you're Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson or one of those clowns trying to get the shine. Face it, they only show up when cameras are around - what do they really do for your communities on a daily? Radio talk- they get paid for it. TV? They get paid for. Appearances? They get paid with endorsements and such.

And the Klan reference, I'm not a Klansman nor would I ever be but what I find interesting is how Blacks, Hispanics and any other minority group can form a "blacks only" school, club, civic group or whatever and y'all get all up in arms if we do the same. And you can't make the argument that we're the majority anymore.

Lastly, if Black don't crack, who says White ain't right?

Hi Hunter, Thanks for sharing your view. I don't know your race but it sounds like you are white. So, if that is correct, I would like to ask you what do you think it means to be "racist?" I ask because I have encountered quite a few white Americans over the years who are very sensitive about whether they fit into that category. So, if you are still checking into Cascade Patch, I would really like you to share what you think the term means. I will not attack you, if you do not attack me or the other nice readers here. I'm really just looking to dialogue. Thanks, so much, for being candid and for sharing. Peace to you!

In my humble opinion Hunter is stating what I have been telling my friends for years: Many whites are afraid that they will no longer be in the majority in this country!! That is the seemingly inherent basis of their racism. Even as so-called Christians, many of them hate people that they have NEVER met. They know that their ancestors have been uncommonly cruel to Blacks, Native Americans, Hispanics, etc. and are afraid of what will happen when they lose "control". They are afraid that we will teach our young (like the Jewish community does) to NEVER forget our past......and we must continue to teach them. The basis for so much of this animosity and hatred is FEAR.

People think that if you are richer, you work harder. That is not so. I work 14 hours a day and on the weekends with no compensation. A lot of rich politicians/CEO's get their money from their dads (Mitt Romney, Donald Trump), and were able to grow their money. But for the average folk, we don't get that kind of break.

Ms. Poe, as editor of your site I find your question of my race inappropriate and whether or not I'm a racist offensive. I was only making a comment on reported stats available anywhere online. The only person here who bothered to address the stats is the good Reverend but even then the best he can offer is 'everything is skewed.' Hogwash.

Why do you label me a racist because I don't believe in mixing races when I've heard many Blacks say the same thing? Why do you label me a racist because I want the illegals to go home? I'm not against all Mexicans but face it, there ain't enough jobs for plain ol' Americans as it is, we don't need anybody here who ain't paying their share taking our jobs.

As for the SCLC, Revend, I recall this guy Rev. Hutchinson in the news who sounds like the biggest snake/ loser under the sun. You guys clearly don't have your stuff together, so ask yourself, how could any organization model themselves after you? As I understand, you were founded by Dr. King, right? Well, I'm sure he's rolling over in his grave at the disgrace his organization has become. Same with the King family, look at all the backstabbing, bickering and fighting they've shown in the news over the past couple of years. Who are they a model for? And the NAACP takes up every black cause known to man, not every case is a cause worth fighting.

This is how most of us (Whites) really feel, don't hate the messenger 'Brother.'

Mr. Wetherford, I've a message to your ignorant display. We are ALL African descendents. So, through pure logic, "you guys" refers to you, too !!! If we all held the same hatred belief as "your kind", we would all have a death sentence. Also, in reference to Martin Luther King and this historical weekend is this historical quote: "If a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live." If I saw, a truck barreling one hundred miles per hour torwards you. I would die for you. Would you die for me? The bible says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lays down his life for his friends". This is what the non-violence protests of Dr. King were based upon. What is your excuse for your remarks and behavior? Always Let the good outweigh the bad. Ask God to open your heart to hear, my brother !!

I was going to make a few comments regarding Mr Weatherford, but I dont believe in spitting in the wind or putting lipstick on a pig in the futile hopes of making the pig "unpiglike." If this gentleman is simply not pushing buttons to get a rise out of others, then no amount of dialogue will save him from his hellish view of race relations and the world around him. I wish him well and hope he will see (if he hasnt yet) that luckily most people will not judge him for his ignorance; nor will they assume all whites hold to teh same primitive beliefs.

Typical 'pass the buck' mentality that keeps y'all down. Again, I ain't said nothing that ain't true. The worst I've said in any of my comments was John Lewis is ugly...he is. I didn't attack anyone here but everyone wants to gang up on the 'white man'. Blame it on 'whitie'.

Well I have you know, I befriended the only Black in my neighborhood some years back. But it didn't have anything to do with race. Where you guys miss the point is it's not about race- it's about money, it's about power, it's about class. We disagree because I don't believe in throwing money at a problem, nor do I believe in just giving money to poor saps who don't want to work for a living like I have to. Old people, sure, that's a little different. But if you're under the age of 65 and you don't wanna work, you deserve to live in the streets and pillage for what you get.

And Glen, buddy call me ignorant all you like. From where I sit you are the ignorant one if the definition of ignorance is 'the condition of being uneducated or uninformed'; just how many of your white friends do you think would tell you the hard truth about how they fell? How many would tell you they or their family members still use the N-word around the dinner table? Or put it this way, how many of your white friends do you tell the hard truth about Blacks to?

I'm no slouch buddy and certainly no pig. Old middle-aged white men will rise in the South again. Please continue your voting habits. Don't count us out!

Mr. Weatherford,
If you look back over the e-mails here, you will understand that your comment about the physical appearance of John Lewis—a Cascade Heights resident and friend of many in this community—is what started what you are now describing as "gang up on the white man." As for my note, I asked about your race because it would be wrong of me to assume that you were white. I did that out of respect to you. And I asked you to tell us what you believe a "racist" is; I never called you a racist. In closing, I actually appreciate people like you (whatever your race) because you aren't afraid to say what you feel. Thanks for sharing your view with us!