I’m not even from Atlanta and I knew the Hackronym for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
It’s only now that Google has become aware of the old joke Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta?
Google has removed the inaccurate featured snippet in response to questions from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We’ve looked into it and acted quickly to address the issue,” spokeswoman Crystal Dahlen said Wednesday evening.
The derogatory saying is steeped in a racist history, as demonstrated by another article from the AJC archives.
Reporter Frederick Allen wrote about hearing the phrase while covering a massive racial protest march in Forsyth County in January 1987. He couldn’t forget the image of “a furious young white woman, the tendons in her neck strained and popping, her features distorted with rage, shrieking at the marchers, ‘Do you know what MARTA stands for?!?’”
Allen wrote:
“Anyone white who has lived more than a month or two in these parts has heard a fair bit of racial humor, including the longstanding joke about the “real” acronym for MARTA — Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta. It is supposed to be only mildly offensive, a naughty commentary on the belief that Atlanta’s public transit clientele is largely black.
I never did find it terribly amusing. But now, after hearing that young woman spit it out, rat-tat-tat, as though it were some pointed weapon in a war for white supremacy, I never will be able to hear it again without shuddering. Nor any other supposedly harmless quip that plays on race.”
Attempts to change MARTA’s name are still around. Earlier this year, state Sen. Brandon Beach unveiled a proposal that would include calling an expanded regional transit system, to include MARTA, “The ATL.”
!snip!
ht/JC Lady
ATL?
All The Losers?
Because any term they came up with wouldn’t be similarly twisted?
Also, Streisand Effect.
African Transit Line.
That was easy.
LOL!!!
“…the belief that Atlanta’s public transit clientele is largely black.”
It”s beyond belief. It’s a fact.
Born in 1960 in Atlanta. I grew up in the “burbs” on the NE side of Atlanta. Even as a kid, I remember well the white flight to the N and NE side of town.
I also remember when MARTA first came into existence…..and…..the politically incorrect acronym was highly accurate back then.
It has been cleaned up a lot over the years, but then….it HAD to be cleaned up. It has always been used as a quick means for low lifes to get quickly across town and for normal people to get in/out of the downtown area without having to drive in that AWFUL traffic.
There is no denying it has it upsides and downsides.
As to the original point…..as a born and bred person from the area, it will ALWAYS….first and foremost….to me….be known by it’s politically INcorrect moniker 🙂
allah’s transport line
african travel limo
african trawler liner
Chiggerbug, you from Dekalb or north Fulton? I’m from Brookhaven.
Heard about this late 70’s early 80’s from a relative who moved there, nothing new. People will always come up with a derogatory explanation for any acronym. In SF there is BART
EVERY town has this acronym thing. It’s hilarious.
And I thought africans was what black people wanted to be called. What’s the prollem?
BTW, in Las Vegas, the CAT bus runs on the strip.
Some call it the California Assholes Tour bus.
See? Something for errbodeh.
I first heard that from a college professor – in NC – 32 years ago! 😛
Having grown up in the Atlanta area I can vouch for the fact that it is not inaccurate. There are certain times when white people can use MARTA and even then few do, and you don’t feel particularly safe unless in a group.
How about this: NAACP = Negroes Against America’s Core Principles.
Just sayin’.
Many years ago and Asian friend shared a hackronym for “Pontiac”. Can’t share it here.
“The derogatory saying is steeped in a racist history,..”
No, it isn’t. It is demonstrably accurate and unerringly true. Don’t try to foist that shit on somebody lives in the area and has used the system a bunch. Like me.
Never had to show a handgun even once as a deterrent to Obama sons on the trains and a short sword just the one time.
Many years ago an Asian friend shared a hackronym for “Pontiac”. Can’t repeat it here.
Adios, Technical Leprechauns!
Another case of a lost sense of humor.
I’m guessing they’d also find this old joke racist too:
How do you prevent black kids from jumping on their beds?
Put Velcro on the ceiling.
That joke just wouldn’t work for Caucasians. Or Asians or even, ah, Native- Americans, aka Indians. But there’s nothing racist about it.
Is it racist if I said two white women wouldn’t be any where close to being as funny as Diamond & Silk doing their shtick? Or that no white woman could do what Esther Anderson did as Aunt Esther? Some looks only a black woman can do. I’ve never laughed at any of these wonderful ladies. I laugh with them.
Lighten up. Enjoy life. It’s more fun when you don’t bitch about the small stuff.
There’s plenty of bigger things to be offended about that needs fixing.
Poor Old Ni**er Thinks It’s A Caddilac
Wait till they find out what Pontiac means….
ThirdTwin I was born and raised in Chambered, but now live in SC.