Matthew Cardinale papers

Collection

Identifier: Y012

Staff Only
Not requestable

Scope and Contents of the Papers

The Matthew Cardinale papers, 2002-2012 (bulk 2007-2008), reflect Cardinale's activities as a journalist and activist in the Atlanta area. Along with print copies of the Atlanta Progressive News, the papers include photocopies of personal scrapbooks documenting Cardinale’s work and stories about him, 2006-2012.

The bulk of the papers consist of materials documenting events surrounding the demolition of public housing communities in Atlanta, particularly the Palmer House, Bankhead Courts, Hollywood Courts, and Bowen Homes communities. These papers include demolition applications with handwritten notes; petitions, resolutions, and letters prepared by resident association leaders and sent to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development; and other records and correspondence from 2007-2009.

In addition to housing, topics covered in the Cardinale papers include the Atlanta BeltLine, 2010-2011; draft environmental impact statements for the nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle, along with handwritten notes, 2007-2008; HB 397 drafts and notes regarding the Georgia Open Meetings Act and Georgia Open Records Act, 2011-2012; ACLU of Georgia spy files document, 2006; and material related to electronic voting machine controversies in 2006.

Dates

Creation: 2002-2012
Creation: Majority of material found within 2007 - 2008

Creator

Cardinale, Matthew (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use. Access to some folders containing sensitive or personally identifiable information is restricted for 75 years from the date of creation. Researchers must consult an archivist before accessing this collection.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

Biography of Matthew Cardinale

Matthew Cardinale moved to Atlanta at the age of 24 from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Shortly after arriving in Atlanta, he founded the Atlanta Progressive News as an online publication in 2005, introducing a print edition in 2006. He is an advocate for low-income people and those experiencing homelessness, and he has written a personal memoir about how he became an advocate for affordable housing (Tales of Audacity at the Turn of the Millennium, 2018). Both as an activist and as a journalist, he has advocated for transparency in local government. Cardinale earned a BA in Sociology and Political Science from Tulane University (2003), an MA in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine, a Master's in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans (2005), and a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University (2018).

Extent

1.2 Linear Feet (in 3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Matthew Cardinale founded and edits the Atlanta Progressive News. His papers, 2002-2012, include materials created and gathered over the course of his activities as a journalist and political activist. A large portion of the papers concerns the demolition of public housing communities in Atlanta.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in alphabetical order.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Born-digital content, consisting of PDF files on three CDs, is found in folder 5 (Environmental impact statements, 2006-2011) and may be accessed in the Special Collections and Archives reading room. Access to born-digital files requires an appointment and at least 48 hours' notice.