Highlight Magazine 2022 General Election Edition

Economic Development

Community

TRANSIT?

Equity

Your Health

Fight

Increased

Your Finances

Safety

from the editor

Claims that voter turnout in the 2020 election were based on the degree of polarization by President Trump. But today's polls illustrate that voters are just as active today as they were in 2020. Considering how strategic politicians are on how they engage with voters in their start up busi nesses or churches. They understand with rising conflicts and economic turmoil within our communities, many of Georgians are intentionally considering who they are voting into office. Even if it means going against the grain of tradition, to partner with those willing to give or respond with access to resources and more presumably beneficial, rights based, common good policy. With choices like a growing economy or civil rights more voters are considering their options this elec tion.

Back in 2020, America was at one of its biggest political divide with Georgia at the forefront of its change. I remem ber people walking the streets of Georgia demanding justice for those dying at the hands of police. This tragedy helped lead citizens to elect President Biden. So much was promised to Georgians since, and–though the Democrats had an agenda in DC–not much has changed for those that turned out and voted them in office. Divi sion has become so common that housing and food insecurities are overlooked. Politi cians spend time accusing and investigating everyone in Georgia except those responsi ble for historical gentrification, inflation, and lack of quality healthcare. Simply put, many don’t know who to trust. How can a Black Democratic District Attorney investigate local community leaders yet not show up for Black parents in Georgia that wait for justice after their kids were killed by police?

When asked how have Democrats supported voters in Georgia, lack of com munication and divide on the local level tend to be the response. Even when citi zens wanted access to police departments, elected officials felt tearing down monuments was enough compared to legislation and funding that could've helped those at a disadvantage. Ironically most officials that adopted that ideology aren't even serving in office anymore. This continues the status quo across the country in which votes are rewarded with symbolic gestures rather than proper communication, financial, and political equity. It shouldn't take everyday citizens eight calls from six different people in different cities to reach any level of

Democrats, especially if their rivals don't miss those calls.

When asked how they have sup ported voters in Georgia, Republicans automatically get push back for not stepping up to provide healthcare a hug necessity for Georgians, putting many in financial risks during the pandemic. They get push back for Glynn County's former Republican Dis trict Attorney Jackie Johnson violating her oath and obstructing the Arbery case. They are accused of being tainted by the GOP leader, President Trump. After all, as Pres ident Trump’s son, Eric, said of his father, “He has fundamentally changed the party. There is no longer a Republican Party, this is the Party of Trump.``

There are many reasons as to why this election is so divided. Our politicians have a problem with pushing ideology over democracy and only levying that privilege to outside corporations and developers. I encourage voters to engage politicians seeking election and request to be pre sented with researched plans in exchange for support. Don't just take to the Tik Tok dances or trendy songs, get out to events and follow up on what is being done. Put them to the test and ask which departments, policy, and organizations politicians plan to work with to address local and state issues. Document it and give feedback on how to improve the collaboration–not just the feel good moments.

I understand some don't want to get involved with politics because they believe the solutions offered aren’t sup portive enough to them. So, why vote? We can't only leave the direction of our state to outside interests without local guidance. I was once one of those people, but now I ask questions to learn what I don't know about politics and its role in our daily lives. Plato's warning of the penalties that come to those refusing to participate in politics is being ruled by their ethical and moral inferiors. This election is up in the air. We have to demand collaboration that includes locals in the transformation of our state. Georgian's decided the 2020 presidential election, so don't be afraid to get out and demand what you need to turn out again in 2024.

Thanks for reading, Ron Carson Jr.

Publisher

Ma g a z

Stacey abrams democratic candidate for georgia governor

Transportation has a big impact on where people live and work. How does the current infrastructure of Georgia's transportation system contribute or detract from its economic output? Why?

Georgia's transportation system in its current state detracts from our state's economic output because roads and bridges are decaying. This creates barriers to trucks and other freight moving across the state. Currently, there are 374 bridges and over 2,260 miles of highway in poor condition. Georgia's lack of working roads inhibits connectivity between communities looking to thrive. Conversely, when communities connect by highways and bridges in good working conditions, they have an opportunity to do more business with ease.

Public transportation is also necessary for working people to get to doctors' appointments and for children to get to and from school. Therefore, we must make sure that all communities, including rural communities, in Georgia get their fair share of federal and state funding to improve trans portation infrastructure and public transportation systems.

Making sure that people can get where they need is essential for all Georgians to thrive. As governor, I will ensure that we get the appropriate dollars from the federal and state governments, repair roads, bridges, and waterways, and strengthen our local transportation systems so that our people can get to where they need to go safely and quickly.

What role do you believe private and public partnership play in developing affordable housing? Which organizations would you collaborate with to take action if elected?

I have a plan to address the four central housing challenges impacting Georgians across the state — afford ability, inventory, gentrification and homelessness. I believe public-private partnerships are essential to addressing these issues. For example, almost half of Athens’ renters are rentburdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income on rent. Across the state, nonprofits have worked to address the housing crisis where the state has not.

As governor, I plan on increasing the state funding available to address housing tenfold, creating a state Hous ing Trust Fund. This Fund will subsidize elevating and scaling best practices that are happening locally in partnership with nonprofits. These solutions include local rental assistance programs to help families avoid eviction and homelessness, programs to help people buy their first homes, local housing opportunity bonds to raise money for affordable housing, and acquiring and rehabilitating existing affordable housing properties, among others.

As governor, I plan to amend the Georgia Fair Hous ing Act to prohibit discrimination based on the source of income. Also, I will clarify that localities are allowed to take steps to protect homeowners and tenants, including local fair housing ordinances or tenant protections such as requiring inspections of single-family rental homes. For my complete housing policy plan, please go to staceyabrams.com/policy.

Do you believe more police officers patrolling equal safer communities? What will you do to further ensure safer communities without violating human rights? Why?

I support law enforcement and believe they serve a vital role in keeping our communities safe. But creating safer communities also requires us to support communitybased solutions and ensure accountability for bad actors. I have a comprehensive plan to ensure that we tackle public safety, address violence and advance criminal justice reform in Georgia. I will work to tackle the fundamental causes of violence and poverty, address gun violence, take steps to reduce recidivism and support re-entry for those released from prison. As governor, I will partner with Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Program (GA POST) to fortify training standards that address using force, de-escalation, and crisis intervention. Additionally, I will work to provide and maintain a statewide database of law enforce ment officers dismissed for violating standards to help other law enforcement agencies make informed hiring decisions. I am the only candidate with a comprehensive plan to ensure both safety and justice in Georgia and encourage everyone to read my full plan at staceyabrams.com/policy.

What can be done to expand Medicaid/Medicare for citizens? Could we even pay for it with state funds? Is this fair to those not covered by Medicare?

Expanding Medicaid will be my first priority as gov ernor. Medicaid expansion will bring $3.5 billion in federal funding to Georgia annually. This is funding that the current governor has refused for the last four years. Medicaid expan sion will provide coverage to 500,000 more Georgians, lower the cost of healthcare, and keep hospitals open all over the state. In the last four years, six hospitals have closed under Brian Kemp’s watch (with the sixth set to close on November 1) and more hospitals are at risk of closing across the state if we do not expand Medicaid.

Medicaid expansion benefits everyone, regardless of insurance status, because it will bring 64,000 jobs to all regions of the state. And it is not a partisan issue, Demo cratic and Republican-led states across the country have expanded Medicaid. Georgia can be one of those states if we have a governor with the will to do right by our people.

How do you plan to address taxation in Georgia? Why?

Our state’s economy and tax code have left too many people behind, and the next governor must ensure that all working Georgians enjoy a decent standard of living. Rather than pass tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest, as governor, I will create an earned income tax credit that will let more than 1 million working families keep more of their hard-earned wages, with the largest impact in rural counties. Additionally, I will keep money in the pockets of working families by using Georgia’s $6.6 billion budget sur plus to invest in the fundamentals: education, healthcare, housing and earning a good living. And I will do it all without raising a single dime in taxes.

brian kemp

republican governor seeking re-election

Transportation has a big impact on where people live and work. How does the current infrastructure of Georgia's transportation system contribute or detract from its economic output? Why?

Georgia's world-class logistics infrastructure con tinues to be one of the leading reasons our state has been named the Top State for Business for a record-breaking nine years in a row. With the nation's fastest growing port in Savannah, the busiest airport in the world in Atlanta, an expansive rail network, inland ports, and major highways, you can truly make anything and send it anywhere in the world from right here in Georgia. As governor, I will con tinue leveraging state resources to support these economic assets and champion policies that keep our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

What role do you believe private and public partner ship play in developing affordable housing? Which organizations would you collaborate with to take action if elected?

As governor, I have overseen the distribution of nearly $100 million in grants to address homelessness and housing insecurity. Our administration has partnered with several entities in the nonprofit community to ensure Georgia is a state where all people can succeed, no matter their walk of life. I will continue working alongside the pri vate sector, nonprofits, state leadership, local partners, and members of the General Assembly to achieve that goal if I am honored to serve a second term.

Do you believe more police officers patrolling equal safer communities? What will you do to further ensure safer communities without violating human rights? Why?

Yes. As governor, I have been proud to stand with our men and women in law enforcement. Working together, we ensured Georgians could demonstrate safely and peacefully during civil unrest in the summer of 2020, and we protected property and small businesses from vio lence and looting caused by bad actors.

Throughout my first term, we have passed legisla tion to stop rogue local governments from defunding law enforcement and toughen penalties for violent criminals, gang violence, and street racing. Under my leadership, we established an anti-gang task force at the GBI and a gang prosecution unit in the Attorney General’s office to go after dangerous criminals.

As Georgians witness rising crime in our capital city, I have created a Crime Suppression Unit - made up of state and local law enforcement - to step in in Atlanta and communities throughout the state to crack down on crime.

Thanks to that team’s efforts, we have recovered hundreds of stolen weapons, impounded stolen vehicles, and taken hundreds of wanted criminals off the streets.

Public safety is one of the highest responsibilities of public service, and Georgia families can rest assured that I will continue to stand with the brave men and women in Georgia law enforcement and work alongside them to keep our citizens safe.

What can be done to expand Medicaid/Medicare for citizens? Could we even pay for it with state funds? Is this fair to those not covered by Medicare?

Throughout my first term, Republicans have passed more than 52 healthcare bills aimed at creating affordable and accessible health care. Under the Patients First Act, we created two waivers to cover more Georgians, provide a pathway off the failed promises of Obamacare, and increase private sector competition to drive down costs.

These efforts have gotten results. Since signing the Patients First Act, Georgia has nearly tripled the number of health insurance carriers offering plans in the individual market, and premiums statewide have dropped an average of 12 percent. In 2019, 74 percent of Georgia’s counties only had one carrier offering insurance in the individual market. In 2022, that number has plummeted to 2 percent.

The Biden Administration is playing politics and halting the complete implementation of those waivers, but we aren’t backing down. I will continue to work alongside leaders in the General Assembly to make healthcare acces sible for the first time to hundreds of thousands and more affordable for millions more.

How do you plan to address financial stability/taxation in Georgia? Why?

Every day, families across our state are facing the consequences of 40-year-high inflation caused by failed policies and leadership in Washington. Because Georgia reopened first, we've been able to use record revenues to help Georgians fight through that with a $1 billion tax refund, suspending the gas tax since March, and signing the larg est income tax cut in state history. If I am re-elected, I will continue working with the General Assembly to enact real economic relief through another $1 billion tax refund and a property tax rebate that will save the average Georgian 15 to 25 percent on their property taxes. I will also continue to champion the pro-business policies that have created good-paying, quality jobs in communities large and small across Georgia. We can't fix everything Washington has broken, but I will continue doing my part as governor to put more money back into hardworking Georgians' pockets and generate greater economic opportunity.

Alisha Thomas Searcy

How does the current infrastructure of Georgia's education system contribute or detract from its educational output? Why?

Our current education infrastructure lacks an overall plan for children birth through post- secondary. This is largely due to a lack of leadership and vision from the current adminis tration. From an early learning standpoint, far too many parents lack access to high quality and affordable childcare preventing them from participating in the workforce. This has had a 1.75 billion dollar impact on our state’s economy. We need to invest more resources in early learning opportunities as well as assist ing families in being able to afford such services. This will not only bolster the economy but also ensure our youngest learners are ready for our k-12 system.

Once our students matriculate through our k-12 system, we must also have a plan that goes beyond college. Too many of our students lack access to viable pathways to post-secondary opportunities. Additionally, while we boast higher graduation rates than ever before, if students can’t read or do math because they’ve been passed along, that diploma isn’t worth what we think. Tackling this challenge requires vision, sound policy solu tions, and a sense of urgency to connect the dots of birth to post-secondary. This must be done in collaboration with public and private institutions. Given my background as a former policy maker, nonprofit leader, former superintendent, and parent of three school age children, I am uniquely prepared to connect the dots and ensure all our children birth to post-secondary have access to opportunities that will help them meet their greatest potential.

What is your take on legislation to ban divisive concepts from being taught in state schools? How will this impact students in their overall education?

I am opposed to this legislation. I applaud the AthensClarke board of education for refusing to pass a policy that ultimately disempowers teachers and pits them against parents. We know that CRT is not taught in our k-12 system. This legis lation is a distraction for the many issues facing our students, families, and educators. What is most frustrating is that of all the issues my opponent could have tackled as the sitting State Superintendent, this is the only policy he pushed and ultimately passed with the State Board of Education. As a parent, I want the State Superintendent to focus on learning loss, mental health, teacher pay, literacy, special education and much more. It’s one of the reasons I am running for State School Superintendent. Our students and teachers deserve a State School Superintendent who has the right priorities.

I want our students to know our nation’s history, the good, the bad and the ugly. I want them to understand who they are, their connection to the world, and ways they can contribute. I believe our job in the education system is to develop critical thinkers and world citizens. In order to do this, they must learn facts and history.

How do you plan to improve student achievement in Georgia and what examples are you using as a foundation to address these issues?

I am the only candidate in this race who has experience closing achievement gaps for students. I am the only candidate who has run a system of schools, raising our elementary state

Democratic Candidate for state school superintendent

score from a 43 to 85, middle school score from a 65 to 81 and teacher retention rate from 25% to 75%. As an experienced superintendent, I will use my knowledge and training to imple ment what we know works. High quality teachers and curricular materials, ongoing support and feedback for teachers to assist them in improving their craft, strong relationships with parents who must be partners in the education system, and a delivery system that is meaningful and relevant to students. We must stop trying to deliver a telegram education to this TikTok generation. Another critical piece to addressing the decline in stu dent achievement is establishing a universal literacy system across the state. Currently, all 180 plus districts are left to deter mine their own reading instructional practices. Some districts are using research-based practices. Some are not. An effective State Superintendent understands that when only 30% of our 4th graders are reading at are above proficiency, something must be done immediately to address literacy. If elected State School Superintendent, I will work with districts to develop a shared vision for Literacy in our state, secure materials that provide training and support for teachers, conduct ongoing evaluation of our practices, and offer materials that all districts can access. This will ensure that all students, regardless of their zip code, have access to high quality reading instruction. This must be a major priority of the state and the Georgia Department of Education. As parents, educators, and community leaders, we should be deeply concerned about this.

Which state resources will play a role in your position to address the mental health of students if elected? Why?

As parents, my husband who is a retired State Trooper and I are deeply concerned about school safety. As Superinten dent, I would work with districts to help them identify resources to invest in mental health services for both students and edu cators. Bibb County Schools have done a tremendous job in collaborating with mental health agencies in their county to provide mental health resources for their students in every one of their schools. I will work to create a statewide network of mental health resources that schools and systems can access to provide services to students, educators and families.

Mental health and social emotional support for our students is critical in curbing violence. In addition, I will partner with law enforcement agencies to bolster their physical presence while also building relationships with schools and community. We must make school safety our first priority while also acknowl edging that our children are coming to school with significant social challenges. And those challenges must be addressed so our children can be healthy and whole.

Do you believe more police officers in schools will make them safer? How will you further ensure safer schools without over policing students? Why?

This is an issue that I struggle with. I believe that the presence of officers can serve as a preventive measure to keep students and staff safe. At the same time, I would not want to contribute to the school to prison pipeline in ANY way. I think it is possible to train officers in schools to be able to treat students as children rather than adults, empower them to build meaningful relationships with students, while also serving as a presence to keep everyone safe. I believe this also must be balanced with providing mental health resources.

Janice laws-robinson

Explain some of the problems you hear clients having with insurance companies. How do you plan to address these issues if elected?

The main problems Georgians are facing with insurance companies are the outrageous rate increases and lack of accountability in paying claim their claims on time. Rates have skyrocketed and insurance companies are making a killing while hardworking Georgians struggle to make ends meet. As the next Insurance Commissioner I am committed to confronting these issues head-on.

Explain the “dual rate” and “file and use” systems and what insurance companies can do with them throughout the year? What will you do as insurance commissioner to implement better practices within the state?

The job of the insurance commissioner is to regulate the industry. Right now, the insurance rates in Georgia are out of control because we don’t have a commissioner who is fighting for us and looking our best interests. That is a Problem! Every Georgian deserves affordable auto insurance regardless of their zip code or credit score. I will use the powers of this office and my decades of experience in this field to challenge insurance companies, press lawmakers to cap annual rate increases and stop predatory underwriting practices.

Share your experience in discovering, preventing, and holding insurance companies accountable from taking advantage of citizens. Where are the consumer vulnerabilities in interactions with insurance companies? Why?

As insurance commissioner, I will challenge insurance companies and press lawmakers for change. Requiring Insurers to show proof each year that their algorithms and external data does not unfairly discriminate against consumers on factors that have nothing to do with risk. Additionally, require that they send explanations to consumers anytime any adverse action or dismissal takes place. This will help reduce discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, or gender expression, which is illegal. Other areas in question is the use of credit scores, social media habits, locations, purchasing habits, home ownership, educational attainment,

Democratic Candidate for comissioner of insurance

occupation, licensures, civil judgments and court RecordsAll of which opens the door to discrimination.

How do you maintain relationships with insurance companies? What do you think of HB 1013? Are there any changes that you would present to this piece of legislation?

I support HB 1013 in its current form and look forward to working to serve all Geogians. Mental Health support is long overdue and I’m ready on day 1 to do my part.

Insurance Commissioner John King lobbied legis lation that allowed insurance policies from outside the state to be sold to Georgians’? Does this access actually help? Why? What is your plan to get rates down? All the republican workarounds have failed. It was very clear that the number one way to expand access and close the coverage gap is to Expand Medicaid.

What’s the difference between the 2018 and 2022 campaigns?

Yes, I was the Georgia Democratic nominee for insurance commissioner in 2018, and even in 2018 I was pointing out that we needed an insurance commissioner ready to fight for Georgians, and many agreed with me which is why narrowly underperformed Jim Beck who won the race and was almost immediately indicted after taking office and had to resign. The point is after living through the pandemic more people now understand that we need someone fighting for consumers in this seat.

During the pandemic many Georgians saw how having health insurance meant the difference between them and their loved ones being able to see a doctor and not die due to covid. Geogians also saw how their jobs could be decimated overnight due to an unexpected pandemic and how having some financial cushion could be what keeps your family from becoming homeless. Both of these things are supported by having a great insurance commissioner to make sure that insurance works for the consumer and that you keep more money in your pocket to be able to save for your family’s rainy day. More people understand this now and they understand how current leadership has let all of us down. They are ready for better leadership and I am the only candidate in this race that can deliver that leadership.

William boddie

Democratic candidate for labor commissioner

Share your experience in discovering, preventing, and fighting labor fraud?

When responding to your question, I would like to focus my response on wage theft and worker misclassifica tion. Regarding, wage theft I would like to create a taskforce with the Georgia Attorney General’s office to help identify violations of wage theft here in Georgia to refer to the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour (WHD) so that a federal investigation can be conducted and penalties levied by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Now, when we focus on worker misclassification in Georgia, we see that it has been a serious issue that has effected Georgia Working Families with receiving proper compensation for work performed, access to affordable healthcare, retirement benefits, and employees having the ability to join a labor union. This is exactly why we need a change both in leadership and in ideology at the Georgia Department of Labor. Current Labor Commissioner Mark Butler has not done his job in addressing worker misclas sification in Georgia because he has not properly equipped his GDOL officials with the resources needed to protect work ers from powerful companies that are exploiting their labor, as 1099 independent contractors instead of W2 employees based on their mandated work schedules and duties.

As far as discovering and advocating for change on wage theft and worker misclassification, I have worked very closely with workers, worker organizations, and leaders in the Labor Union community on these very issues. Together with Labor, I have conducted press conferences, participated in town hall discussions, and supported legislation in the Georgia General Assembly.

I worked closely with Labor leaders and bi-partisan fellow legislators to pass House Bill 389, which imposes far greater financial penalties for employers who misclassify their workers. Now, fines for companies with less than 100 employ ees are capped at $2,500 for each misclassified employee, while fines for companies with 100 or more employees are capped at $7,500 for each misclassified employee.

What challenges are businesses facing when it comes to labor taxes?

Now, this is something that I have personal experi ence with. As a small business owner myself, I know the challenge of properly accounting and paying labor taxes and various other fees that come with trying to file and pay labor taxes yourself as a small business owner or a retaining payroll companies to file legally required report filings on behalf of your company.

For large corporations, it's not such a daunting prospect because they have the financial resources to hire entire HR departments. For small businesses, that usually is not

the case. So, the challenges that small business owners face are threefold: understanding the laws that affect them and their workers, having the revenue to pay both wages and taxes while continuing to profitably operate their business, and proper accounting.

It is always the responsibility of business owners to educate themselves on the laws they must adhere to, but the government should to serious efforts to make that information readily available, understandable, and reasonable to comply with. The Small Business Administration offers quite a lot of helpful resources to help small business owners understand and comply with the relevant laws. To be clear, the Georgia Department of Labor does not set tax rates, but the Department of Labor needs to play a larger role in promoting the programs and resources that it and the Small Business Administration offer as it pertains to the taxes that businesses in Georgia must pay. As Labor Commissioner, I will go even further, proactively creating programs that help to educate business owners and remind them of relevant requirements and deadlines.

What have you learned in your career that equips you as a labor commissioner?

The Labor Commissioner needs to have skills as a manager of large organizations, skills at interpreting policy, skills as a mediator of different, often competing groups, and skills as an effective communicator with the public. I have had ample time to practice my skills with policy, mediation, and communication in my six years as a Democratic state representative in a Republican-controlled legislature, but in those six years, I didn’t just practice without results - I succeeded, passing 27 bills, by working with Democrats, Republicans, constituents, grassroots organizations, and local elected officials to pass legislation that carries public interest instead of partisan fights. As an attorney, I have managed a staff of my own for more than 10 years, and when taking on higher profile cases, I have had to grow my staff even further. However, the job of Labor Commissioner requires more than these skills.

The Labor Commissioner must also have the rela tionships to be able to make progress on the issues affecting Georgia workers and small business owners in a wide variety of communities all across this state. If I had not learned how to advocate for issues affecting communities all across Georgia, I would not be endorsed by Georgia Working Families Party, the Georgia AFL-CIO, Georgia Equality, NARAL, GALEO Impact Fund, and elected officials from every corner of the state. That matters because the issues in rural Georgia are as complex and impactful as the issues impacting voters in metro Atlanta. Issues at our ports are as complex as issues at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and without local relationships, the Labor Commissioner will lack critical context needed to truly solve the problems that are raised across the state.

Politics an d friendship

A Facebook post by: Troy Copeland

If you wiki "kalos kagathos," you'll learn that the term refers to what classical Greek thinkers/philosophers considered the highest potential for gentlemanly (or what would come to be known as courtly) virtue--something very much like, if not identical to, the chivalric ideal. That's quite interesting on the level of meaningful coincidence. After all, I just finished my second march through Le Morte D'Arthur a few weeks back.

There's so much to say about that text--some of which I'm going to wait and share as circumstances inspire or permit. I listened to it this time. Having lost my con versational companionship for morning walks (we're still friends. I don't know exactly why she decided she'd had enough, but I think it had something to do with the fact that I inadvertently incited her to a two mile rant up and down steep hills about why I'm so relentlessly critical of dialecti cal materialism and Marxist political ideology in general). Regardless, it turns out that Audible and the high, fine words of the ages suffice. I mean, okay, I've got Malory's huge volume in one or two versions on my shelves, so I would also, upon returning home, actually read and take notes and reflect on sections that struck me most.

That's what summers are for when you're a teacher, right? Summer for teachers is what winter is for nature--a turning inwards, a revisiting of the depths, a rejuvenation of the roots, a rekindling of the fire. It's when Tiresias shows us the way back to where we started and we wander (pun) on the "wine dark sea" of how many journeys we can make "there and back again" before at last quitting the deep and walking so far inland as to make our home among those who know nothing of oars or sails. Anyway. Apologies. In essays of this sort, I tend to digress. So, my mornings have been regaled with lectures on the history of philosophy from this eminent Oxford pro fessor—Dr. Daniel Robinson--of late. Again, I've enjoyed reading my choice of philosophy along with other forms of literature since I began to come of age. But I also enjoy hearing what acknowledged titans have to say about things concerning which I've had leisure to develop my own opin ions. I always learn something even if I spend at least some of the time questioning or outright refuting much of what I know folks are getting at without explicitly saying so. The other day, though, Robinson was talking about Aristo tle's emphasis on friendship in his ethics and politics. Here again is a topic so entirely ripe and right that I'll likely write about it going forward as circumstances encourage and permit. I'll do so more explicitly than I have here. I feel a bit compelled to it. However, for those who know me, I've always been talking about Aristotelian, Platonic, and Chris tian notions of the good. Textually--I didn't say institutionally or historically, but textually--they are so complementary and/or interchangeable as to seem almost one and the

same when it comes to the centrality of meaningful rela tionship to everything that healthy, life affirming reality/ civility can be.

Regardless, the lecturer goes on about how, accord ing to Aristotle, real friendship is only possible between people who share an unequivocal esteem for virtue. They both have to be utterly committed to virtue in order to care about each other beyond the degree to which they are merely utilities--tools--for each other's material and/or psy chological needs. They have to be committed to bringing out the best in each other--to helping facilitate the poten tial presented by not only who a person most wants or is inclined to be (they might want to be "assholes" or rapists or serial killers or white supremacists, for example) but, as I said above, who they can or should be according to what we might reasonably agree is the best or most life affirming elements (dare I say principles?) of our shared human heritage and nature.

I was just over half-way through a mile when the speaker paused to try and explain what a fellowship or companionship or camaraderie of that sort would look like. People can't be their best selves--they can not be virtuous--in isolation, Aristotle argued. They need the companionship of other virtuous souls--a community or fellowship of such persons. Says he, "it would be like an order of chivalric knights. Like the Knights of the Round Table, even."

Indeed, sir? Well, the gentleman does work for Oxford, after all. And Oxford is England. Even so, there are so many problems with that analogy. I recall my own youthful idealization of The Round Table and cringe. And, yet, in the end, there's so much right about that analogy. King Arthur's knights were highly flawed if not, in many instances, terrible individuals. But what they were and what they accomplished as a community, mythical as it was, was resplendent. They struggled and died to bear the ideal. And the ideal was what Arthur spoke of when he called The Order of the Round Table "an image of the mighty world."

And that’s what gets me. That’s the crux of the ideal. Imagine a republic sustained by a veritable aristocracy and nobility of virtue. Imagine what kind of politics—what kind of pursuit and practice of citizenship and the commitment to mutually constructive discourse that would entail. As I understand Aristotle’s emphasis, it would mean that we each were pursuant of ends contributing to the very best possible life for all others—whatever, within reason and available resources--that might be. It would be the opposite of a politics of self-interest except for the degree to which one were wise and virtuous enough to recognize how what is best for the common good—the “general welfare” as our founding philosophers, Madison and Hamilton, put it—is ultimately, indisputably, good for one’s self.

Sexual misconduct in the workplace

As moral threats intensifies to overturn historical laws that preserves Women’s Fertility Rights — Equal Employment Opportunity Rights is a topic of avoidance this political season.

Collectively, we inherited “protections” under the amended 1967 Civil Rights Act, and following amendments and the late Honorable Thurgood Marshall’s legacy serves to remind us, “The process of Democracy, is one of change. Our laws are not frozen into immutable form, they are constantly in the process of revision in response to the needs of a changing society.” Since the pandemic, the entire world has changed.

As history lives to tell, when given the opportunity, men will not kneel, nor follow the gentlemen’s creed when called to action, to kill, or fight back against the rise of the Feminine Equality Movement. They will stand to declare, “Fellow men, we all bleed the same— Join in!”

Soon, massive workers will be enlightened to establish new laws to preserve Equal Employment Opportunity Rights, as ongoing allegations and career assignation runs rampant in working class communities. All is fair in Love and War.

Be it on the battlefields or boardrooms of our executive military branches, which was my experience during my nearly 20-year Navy career— or the sporting, music and entertainment industries, and educational institutions— sexual misconduct, or false allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior, are making headlines throughout major professional organizations; predominately targeted against men, which is my keen observation.

It is high-time board members, stockholders and employees properly address the root cause of such systemic unethical behavior in the workplace; including lawmakers. Before it shames and further stains the very fabric that preserves our inherited Civil and Human Rights, and measured advancement of our capricious Democracy.

In my memoir, “Broken Silence, a Military Whistleblower’s Fight for Justice,” I highlight the calamitous challenges of overcoming decades of sexism, discrimination, and other brazen forms of adversity throughout my Navy career. Rising from the enlisted ranks to earning a promotion to Lieutenant Commander, Supply Corps Officer— making history in becoming the “first” in more ways than one. Soon after my promotion to Lt. Commander, in mid-summer of 2006, I hit the glass ceiling and became a targeted Whistleblower.

My story is a modern-day Scarlet Letter story of how I was singled out to

be prosecuted, later convicted and sentenced to serve 60 days in the brig, for alleged adultery (as a single person) and was discharged from the Navy, just months shy of earning my hard-earned retirement pension. The blatant retaliation came after I blew the whistle on defense contracting fraud involving my former bosses’ mismanagement of the Pentagon’s war budget.

Today, the harder I continue to fight for justice, in upholding the Constitution, the more I experience ongoing retaliation as a Disabled Veteran. My ongoing advocacy is to promote “Unity and Equality” in a globally diverse workplace— Ensuring executive management upholds Constitutional Laws that governs equal employment rights of all employees.

While Georgia moves forward, in establishing landmark legislation towards immeasurable advancements of Civil and Human Rights protection, we should take full advantage of this momentum, in a landmark initiative and final passage of the Equality Act. Should legislators consider adopting and expanding Great Britain’s 2010 Equality Act policy: which protects people against discrimination, harassment or victimisation in employment, and as users of private and public services, based on nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

As America expands its international and immigration business policies, it is only fair to establish similar employment regulations, so American and foreign employees are protected against Civil and Human Rights abuse, no matter their foreign service assignment, or personal job location.

During the Global Pandemic Recovery efforts, as workers prepare to return to work, no one deserves to return to a hostile work environment, after enjoying certain liberties afforded in their home country, or remote workplace. This includes protection from exposure to “corporate-condoned” sexual misconduct behavior.

The world is rapidly evolving and the time to act is NOW, to preserve Equal and Human Rights. Not just women’s rights, workers, people of color, or the above-mentioned categories in Great Britain’s Equality Act policy, but extend these birthrights to our “unborn” babies, no matter their “birth

Submitted by: Sy’needa Penland a Poet, Author, Publisher, Navy Veteran and Human Rights Advocate.

2022 Classic City Championship

The Clarke Central Gladiators hosted the Cedar Shoals Jaguars for the 55th Classic City Champion ship. The Gladiators halted The Jaguars 40 - 0. After an explosive play a brief fight occurred as the game was nearly over. Upon ending I noticed neither team had met in the middle to shake hands. Both teams instead retreated to their locker rooms. Although I don't know a good reason for the coaches refusing to participate in this tradition other than to avoid another fight. Historically it is commonly known as the East Side vs. West Side rivalry. But it does represent some thingdeeper within our community. We will discuss this further in our sports edition hosting athletes in the Athens football community. Photos: RLC

Now is the time: Shouting fire in a crowded theatre

On Friday, October 14, Mon2 and DJ Chief Rocka hosted a Album release party at Creature Comforts Brewery. Showcasing local artists featured on Now Is The Time: Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater. This project is present-day protest music intended to be the catalyst for changes that need to happen. This eight-song compilation consists of 12 Athens Hip-Hop artists, two Athens poets, and other community leaders. This project is presented by ATHfactor-Liberty Entertainment (ALE) in conjunction with the University of Georgia Willson Center for Humanities & Arts. Photos by: Ade Erinfolami

Ready! Set! GO! Refresh! board training

The Athens Area Community Foundation part nered with Good Works, LLC to launch a signature board leadership training program, consisting of four separate workshops to encourage more com munity members to join boards. Hosting leaders, executive directors, non profit staff, and board chairs to discuss common practice within organi zations. Having tough conversations and learning how to build trust and communication. Joining a board isn't easy, to learn more go to https://ath ensareacf.org/ready-set-go-refresh/ Photos: RLC

grand opening: Youth Force Innovation Hub

October 20th, 2022 Athens Boys and Girsl Club hosted a group of students, community leaders, educators, and parents to celebrate the opening of the Youth Force Innovation Hub at the Georgia Square Mall. This program is a collaborative between the Boys and Girls Club and Zaxby's founder Zach McElroy. Offering access to virtual reality, intro photography / videography production, and drone operation. Presenting students with strategies and options to post-secondary education, technical skill training, and moving directly into the workforce.

Photos: Ade Erinfolami.

2022

General election Ballot

Highlight Magazine intends to provide readers information needed to vote on November 8th, 2022. This can didate directory is a call to action for readers to reach out to about the issues they want addressed.

Candidate Name Office Party Contact

Stacey Abrams Governor Democratic staceyabrams.com

Brian Kemp Governor Republican briankemp2022.com

Shane Hazel Governor Libertarian shane@shanehazel.com

Charlie Bailey Lieutenant Governor Democratic charlieforgeorgia.com

Ryan Graham Lieutenant Governor Libertarian graham4ga.com

Burt Jones Lieutenant Governor Republican burtjonesforga.com

Brad Raffensperger Secretary of State Republican rossmykeisha@gmail.com

Bee Nguyen Secretary of State Democratic maraformayor.com

Ted Metz Secretary of State Libertarian patrickfordistrict1.com

Chris Carr Attorney General Republican chriscarrga.com

Jennifer Jordan Attorney General Democratic jen4ga.com

Martin Cowen Attorney General Libertarian cowenforgeorgia.com

Tyler Harper Commissioner of Agriculture Republican tylerharerga.com

Nakita Heminway Commissioner of Agriculture Democratic nakitahemingway.com

David Raudabaugh Commissioner of Agriculture Libertarian Jointdecisionforgeorgia.com

John King Commissioner of Insurance Republican votejohnking.com

Janice Laws Robinson Commissioner of Insurance Democratic Janiceforgeorgia.com

Richard Woods State School Superintendent Republican woodsforsuper.com

Alisha Thomas Searcy State School Superintendent Democratic searcyforsuperintendent.com

Bruce Thompson

William Boddie Jr.

Commissioner of Labor Republican brucethompsonga.com

Commissioner of Labor Democratic boddieforga.com

Emily Anderson Commissioner of Labor Libertarian (404) 914-0897

Houston Gaines State Representative District 120 Republican houstongaines.com

Mokah Jasmine Johnson State Representative District 120 Democratic mokahforgeorgia.com

Melanie Williams State Senator District 43 Republican melanieforgeorgia.com

Tonya P Anderson State Senator District 43 Democratic tonyaforgeorgia.com

Raphael Warnock

Herschel Walker

US Senator Democratic warnockforgeorgia.com

US Senator Republican www.teamherschel.com

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