Micronations, Southern Identity, Suicide, Cindy Wilson

This summer, 27 so-called micronations gathered in Dunwoody, Georgia for MicroCon 2017. A micronation is defined as a small, self-proclaimed entity which claims to be an independent sovereign state, but is not acknowledged as such by any recognized sovereign state, or by any supranational organization. Vice News produced a documentary from the convention, which featured many micronations based within Georgia. We get the inside scoop from Vice Media Video Producer Oliver Noble. We also discuss the legitimacy of micronations with Ryan Lenz, Senior Investigative Reporter for the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Intelligence Project.”

The South is a proud place. Southerners are notorious for their love of their heritage and culture. But following the events in Charlottesville this summer, it’s becoming more difficult to separate the South from its roots in racism and white supremacy. We talk about this growing identity crisis, and what it means to truly be from the South, with Chuck Reece, Editor of The Bitter Southerner; Regina Bradley, Professor of African Diaspora Studies at Kennesaw State University; and Sam Burnham, curator for the blog “All The Biscuits In Georgia.”

The rate of suicide in rural America is climbing. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds those in rural counties are about six percent more likely to die by suicide than those in cities. We talk about this troubling trend with Andy Miller, Editor for Georgia Health News. Asha Ivey-Stephenson, Behavioral Scientist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also joins us.

From time to time, GPB records live video sessions with local bands in our Performance Studio. It’s part of a project called “GPB Music Presents.” Last year, we welcomed Cindy Wilson of the B-52s. She is currently on tour promoting her new solo album “Change.” We take a listen to some audio from that performance ahead of a Cindy Wilson show in Athens on December 1. 

Tags: Rural Suicide  South Georgia  Micronations  Southern Identity  Cindy Wilson  B-52s  OST Full Show  Athens  Atlanta  Georgia