c Boyd Lewis/Atlanta History Center
Hosea Williams, the "wild man" of SCLC, called Young the "token Republican" among Dr. King's staff. Young's negotiating skills with white mayors and sheriffs "sealed the deal" of agreements reached with local governments in the South. SCLC strategy had Hosea led the initial rallies, then Dr. King arrive on the scene, press corps in tow, to lead the big march and all concluding with Andy at the bargaining table.
Hosea once remarked: "Andy can do more with white folks than a monkey can with the peanut." But the more impatient troops of the movement complained Young was sometimes too close to the white businessmen and politicians to bring about massive social and economic improvement for black Americans.
As Atlanta mayor, he openly courted the businessmen and championed their causes. As a consultant, his brushes with scandal involving clients BCCI and Wal-Mart disappointed many followers.
Andy Young is easily the most complicated surviving civil rights leader.
