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Column: “Atlanta” dips into Black Surrealism in season premiere

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Column: “Atlanta” dips into Black Surrealism in season premiere


Be aware: This text contains mentions of suicide and home violence.

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The wait is lastly over for followers of Donald Glover’s “Atlanta”, which returned final month after a four-year hiatus. The FX sequence was delayed as a consequence of scheduling conflicts and the continued COVID-19 pandemic that halted productions throughout Hollywood. 

Although the season has merely begun, “Atlanta” has welcomed us again into its weird surrealist world — and I’m all for it. 

“Atlanta,” which premiered in 2016, follows the lives of buddies Earn (Donald Glover), Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), Darius (LaKeith Stanfield) and Van (Zazie Beetz). A significant plot level of the present — based mostly in Atlanta —  are Paper Boi’s aspirations and work in establishing his rap profession. 

Glover acts in, created, produces and writes the present alongside his brother, Stephen. 

Season three, which premiered with two episodes on March 24, takes viewers to Europe throughout Paper Boi’s profitable worldwide tour. No matter expectations viewers could have had in regards to the story plot upon watching are rapidly disrupted by occasions which might be equal components horrific, uncomfortable and hilarious. 

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The primary episode is a dreamscape retelling of the tragic story of Devonte Hart, a 12-year-old Black boy who was photographed hugging a police officer that later went viral in 2014. 

Because the picture circulated on Twitter, studies revealed that it could have been staged by Jennifer Hart, the white girl who adopted him. In 2018, Hart drove her spouse, Devonte Hart and his 5 different Black adopted siblings off a cliff. 

Following their deaths, quite a few studies surfaced that Jennifer and Sarah Hart bodily and emotionally abused their adopted youngsters. 

The episode exhibits the fictional model of Devonte Hart transition into a brand new dwelling after a combat along with his organic mom. He rapidly grows suspicious of his adoptive moms who undercook their meals, do not use washcloths and make their youngsters work the backyard for the produce they promote. 

The murder-suicide occurs after the Hart character kills a social employee who visited the house. 

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The physique of Devonte Hart was by no means discovered, however he’s presumed useless. Within the creativeness of “Atlanta” writers and present’s script, he manages to flee the automotive earlier than it crashes and returns to his mom. The episode blends horror and actuality, which serves as a figurative and literal nightmare that wakes Earn from his sleep. 

After Earn wakes up, there is no such thing as a return to regular within the second episode. As he and Paper Boi put together for a present, they discover themselves within the midst of the celebrations for Sinterklaas — the Santa Claus of the Netherlands. 

Sinterklaas is similar jolly, gift-giving bearded man we’re conversant in, however within the Dutch custom, he’s accompanied by a helper named Black Pete. Adults and kids that costume up as Black Pete don a layer of blackface, an afro wig, giant pink lips and golden hoop earrings. 

With our personal historical past of minstrelsy and blackface in America, it’s unsettling to see the follow so normalized, regardless of the context. This occurs to Earn and Paper Boi, who encounter folks in blackface on the road, of their resort room and within the live performance venue, which is stuffed to the brim with white faces painted black. 

In an particularly hilarious and poignant second, the live performance promoter, enraged after Earn tells him that Paper Boi refuses to carry out, chases him out into the venue foyer and fights a white man in blackface that he errors for Earn. 

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The 2 episodes, whereas horrifying and unusual, aren’t fantastical. They’re steeped in very actual — albeit exaggerated — conditions that spotlight the absurdity and awfulness of racism. “Atlanta” mixes ridiculous, scary and uncomfortable moments to create a surrealist depiction of racism at its most mundane and excessive ranges. 

Surrealism is a style that performs with the unnatural and incongruous, and has been integrated in movie, artwork and even literature. “Atlanta” has been positioned in a cohort of surreal motion pictures and TV exhibits, together with Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” and “Sorry To Hassle You” — each of which starred forged member LaKeith Stanfield. 

The present balances the horror of the previous and weird of the latter and embeds it in a seemingly on a regular basis expertise of its Black characters. 

These media texts have additionally been referred to as the resurgence of Afro-Surrealism, which author and activist Amiri Baraka describes as the mixture of surrealism and “the Black aesthetic in its precise up to date and lived life.” 

Afro-Surrealism or Black Surrealism finds its roots within the Black Arts Motion of the Seventies, and brings collectively the terrifying, mystical and comedic to permit artists to critique the illogical, monstrous and hilarious parts that animate racism. 

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Devonte Hart’s story was scary — and is even scarier as a result of it really occurred. Incidents of blackface are much less frequent now, however think about a metropolis the place the follow is so normalized that you just see it in all places you flip. 

And what’s most unsettling in regards to the episodes is how a lot fact there may be to them.

The third episode — launched final week — was not as putting as the primary two, which felt akin to a fever dream, nevertheless it nonetheless carried the essence of Black Surrealism that I believe Glover and his group wished to realize. 

I’m to see how the rest of the season goes and I’m down for the experience — unusual and all. 

@_zarialyssa

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opinion@dailytarheel.com

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Atlanta, GA

Chase Chrisley named as suspect in assault incident at Atlanta sports bar

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Chase Chrisley named as suspect in assault incident at Atlanta sports bar


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The Chrisley family is facing more legal headwinds. This time, middle son Chase Chrisley is the subject of police concerns.

The “Chrisley Knows Best” star was named as a suspect in a “simple assault” incident at Twin Peaks sport bar in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood on Monday night, according to a police report obtained by USA TODAY and confirmed by the Atlanta Police Department on Wednesday.

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USA TODAY reached out to reps for Chrisley for comment.

Police say that the alleged victim claimed Chrisley “became really drunk” inside the restaurant and bar franchise, which boasts locations around the U.S., and “started to act very disrespectful and belligerent.”

After he was allegedly asked by the victim to leave the location “multiple times,” the police report says Chrisley “slapped him in the face twice” after he previously “refused to leave and started acting more belligerent.”

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According to the report, the alleged victim was not injured in the incident and “refused medical attention.”

Chrisley was the star of USA Network’s “Chrisley Knows Best,” which aired for 10 seasons, with its most recent episode broadcast in March of 2024. The spinoff, “Growing Up Chrisley,” which followed his life with sister Savannah Chrisley, aired for four seasons between 2019 and 2022.

The Chrisley family, once ratings gold, has faced legal trouble in recent years

After a rapid rise to fame for TV’s Chrisley family with ratings gold, their swift downfall followed.

Chrisley’s parents — family matriarch and patriarch — Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley, who portrayed themselves as real estate tycoons in the South on their USA Network shows, are both serving prison sentences after a jury in June 2022 found them guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks in Atlanta out of more than $36 million in fraudulent loans, defraud the IRS and commit tax evasion.

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In September, a federal judge ordered Julie Chrisley to continue to serve her seven-year prison sentence for tax evasion and bank fraud, upholding her own 2022 ruling.

The couple’s children — Chase, Savannah and Grayson, as well as granddaughter Chloe and Todd’s mother, Faye Chrisley — were slated to return to television with a new unscripted docuseries, according to an August 2023 press release obtained by Variety and Deadline.

The show, which has yet to be released, would follow the family as they adjust to life with their parents behind bars.

At this summer’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, youngest daughter Savannah Chrisley received criticism after arguing that her parents’ separate sentences were a case for criminal justice reform throughout the country.

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Contributing: Charles Trepany, KiMi Robinson



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Atlanta, GA

NBA: Trae Young's buzzer-beater seals win for Atlanta Hawks against Utah Jazz

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NBA: Trae Young's buzzer-beater seals win for Atlanta Hawks against Utah Jazz


Trae Young scored a dramatic buzzer-beater to earn the Atlanta Hawks a thrilling 124-121 win over the Utah Jazz in the NBA.

The game looked set for overtime when Collin Sexton’s three-pointer for the Jazz made it 121-121 with four seconds remaining at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

But Young replied with a stunning effort from the half-court line just before the final buzzer sounded to signal end of play, earning victory for the Hawks.

Young finished with 24 points – including 10 in the fourth quarter – and 20 assists for Atlanta, while Lauri Markkanen matched his season-high 35 points for the Jazz.

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In Denver, Jayson Tatum top-scored with 29 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets 118-106.

Kristaps Porzingis added 25 points for reigning champions Boston, who stay second in the Eastern Conference.

Russell Westbrook scored 26 points and nine rebounds in reply for 2023 NBA Championship winners Denver.

The Dallas Mavericks ended a five-game losing run with a convincing 118-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Quentin Grimes came off the bench to score 23 points and nine rebounds for Dallas, who were without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving because of injury.

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Anthony Davis scored 21 points and LeBron James added 18 for the Lakers, who drop one place to sixth behind the Mavericks in the Western Conference.

Zion Williamson’s comeback from injury was not enough for the New Orleans Pelicans, who lost 104-97 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Williamson scored 22 points on his return after missing the previous 27 games with a hamstring injury, but Anthony Edwards’ game-high 32 points helped Minnesota to victory.

Elsewhere, the Charlotte Hornets ended a 10-game losing run with a 115-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Nikola Jovic top-scored with 20 points as the Miami Heat beat the Golden State Warriors 114-98 in San Francisco, while the Houston Rockets beat the Washington Wizards 135-112.



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Atlanta, GA

Server at Atlanta‘s Mary Mac’s Tea Room shares stories of waiting on former President Jimmy Carter

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Server at Atlanta‘s Mary Mac’s Tea Room shares stories of waiting on former President Jimmy Carter


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – For nearly 40 years, Marion Mims has served customers at Atlanta’s iconic Mary Mac’s Tea Room.

She has waited on a number of celebrities over the years, but none bigger than former President Jimmy Carter.

“When he came in and I waited on him, I almost started crying. I said I get a chance to wait on Jimmy Carter,” Mims said.

It’s a moment in time, Mims will not soon forget considering she waited on him many times. She remembers it like it was yesterday.

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Mims said Carter would sit at a round table back in the day when it was in the middle of the Atlanta dining room next to The Carter Center mural on the wall.

“He loved it. He loved the picture,” Mims said.

Carter also loved to order the fried chicken and vegetable plate with a side of Southern hospitality.

“I put my hand on his shoulder, and I said what can I get you to drink baby. I called him baby. I call all my customer’s baby,” Mims said. “He loved that. He just smiled.”

Mims said all the servers wanted to wait on Carter when he came in and not just because he was a gentleman, but because he was a good tipper.

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“I think the first time, I got $50, and the bill wasn’t that high, and I think one of the other servers got like $100 from him,” Mims said.

LIFE AND LEGACY OF JIMMY CARTER

Perhaps the real reason Carter loved to dine at Mary Mac’s was his special recipe for “Carter Custard,” which he gave the restaurant. And in his honor, it’s back on the menu this week only.

“It’s real peanuty, really, really peanuty,” Customer Crystal King said.

And just about as unique as Carter’s custard is on the menu at Mary Mac’s Tea Room are the number of photographs of the former president on the wall. He takes up more room than any other celebrity or dignitary and in one, he left a personal note.

“Thanks for putting the custard on the menu. This will be a great boost to my campaign. Love, Jimmy” the note dated February 1976 reads.

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“He was really down to Earth, he was real down to Earth,” Mims said.

The Carter legacy will live on at Mary Mac’s and Mims is just grateful to have been a part of it.

“He’s really going to be missed. He’s really going to be missed,” Mims said.



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