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The Breakroom: Selfie Protests, Holler And Dash, Casinos In Georgia
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The Breakroom gang joins host Celeste Headlee to weigh in on the week's news. The panel includes Georgia State University professor Eric Segall, writer and blogger Jessica Szilagyi, Natalie Pawelski of Cater Communications, and Emory University professor Falguni Sheth.
BREAKROOM TOPICS:
1) People gathered all over the world for last weekend's Women's March. All together, more than 3 million people participated in the march nationwide. In Atlanta, some 60,000 people turned up, including Congressman John Lewis. At the event, he described this global gathering as gratifying:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAsRsbWgrXs
Will this march result in any concrete action? For instance: will voters turnout for midterm elections?
2) Saturday’s protests were loud and visible. There’s another type of protest going on that is less conventional. A large group of ex-Mormons are posting selfies on reddit to show their defiance of the church.
Many of the photos show people doing things like drinking beer and coffee, revealing shoulders and thighs, and celebrating same-sex relationships. A lot of people hate selfies, but do you think they can also have power in an activist movement?
3) One issue likely to spark more protest is immigration. President Trump made good on a campaign promise this week to tighten U.S. borders. Multiple media outlets are reporting that more action is coming. Immigration’s effects on Georgia can be seen in many areas, including education. For example: Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta has nearly 400 international students from 21 countries. That makes Clark Atlanta one of the most diverse HBCU’s in the nation. Is increasing enrollment of foreign students a good way to help keep smaller schools afloat?
4) There’s a new chain of fast-casual restaurants targeted to millennials that’s coming to Atlanta. The new restaurant chain is called Holler & Dash, and it’s an offshoot of Cracker Barrel. The new restaurant focuses on biscuit sandwiches and modern Southern fare. Will this attract millennials? Will you try it?
5) One business idea that’s coming under heavy criticism would bring more gambling to Georgia. A bill filed in the state legislature would create a new gaming commission that’s similar to the one in Nevada. The commission would issue up to two casino licenses, with one in Atlanta. Would you support that?
6) Another story about money has caught the attention of federal investigators. On Wednesday, Atlanta city contractor Elvin Mitchell pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in a bribery and money laundering scheme. The FBI says Mitchell paid more than a million dollars in bribes to get city contracts. Do you think city government runs on a lot of pay for play, or do you think this is an isolated case?
7) In Atlanta, there have been several dog attacks recently. One of them killed a kindergartner. Experts say poorer neighborhoods can have problems with roving dogs. Do we need to tighten restrictions on dog ownership and control?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VVIuJHMGrQ&t=171s
8) Despite a growing petition on the White House website for President Trump to release his tax returns, Trump says it’s not happening. Here’s counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway speaking on ABC’s “This Week”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYhdFVYYnZQ
Conway later tweeted that Trump will not release his tax returns until an audit is completed. Do you care if the president releases his tax returns?
9) A writer for Saturday Night Life was recently suspended after she tweeted a joke about Trump’s young son, Barron. Many people have risen to the writer’s defense because she was tweeting from her personal account. Was SNL justified in suspending her?
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