It’s the difference between “cheer” and “join.”
In an effort to make the lyrics of its “Ramblin’ Wreck” fight song more female-inclusive, Georgia Tech fans have proposed a one-word change in the 107-year-old lyrics.
Georgia Tech aspires to the equal respect and inclusion of all members of its community. In particular, great strides have been made towards creating a welcoming environment for women, beginning with their admission as students in 1952. As part of this on-going effort, it is important to modernize the language that describes women's roles in the Georgia Tech community. Nowhere is this more important than in our Institute's traditions, which not only reflect our history, but are a daily reminder of our core values.
The “Ramblin’ Wreck” lyrics, circa 1908, prior to female matriculation:
And put her on the campus to cheer the brave and bold."
The new version Tech students and alumni have been asked to embrace (emphasis ours):
And put her on the campus to join the brave and bold."
A school spokeswoman said the change is being proposed by a group of individuals and not the institution.
Of course, there's already an opposing petition in circulation. But if you want a measure of the female situation at Tech, consider the above photo. It's from this article by our AJC colleague Ken Sugiura, which was then digested and posted on the Tech website in September. The boiled-down version:
A computational media major with a 3.47 GPA, Hillary Degenkolb earned a slice of history, becoming the third woman to lead the Jackets onto the field, and the first since 1988. A high-school cheerleader at the Lovett School who can program in HTML, Java, Python and C, Degenkolb fits the mold of spirited achievers that have occupied the seat before her.
Really? The first since the Berlin Wall fell?
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Heads up, Atlanta police. This could be trouble. A group called the Global Rally for Humanity is pledging to rally at an Atlanta mosque at noon Saturday to protest the Nation of Islam rally in Washington this weekend to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March.
The group said it will peacefully assemble "in force" with weapons on display in front of the Al-Farooq Masjid in midtown. The demonstration isn't restricted to Atlanta. Religious News Service offers a broader look here.
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In Washington, the Democratic response to the leadership turmoil among U.S. House Republicans has contained a strain of mockery. But Democrats, if they wanted, could lend a hand.
As reported in today's premium edition rundown of a crazy day on Capitol Hill, we mentioned to Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta, the prospect of Democrats throwing some floor votes to the Republicans to help elect a consensus, moderate speaker. (Kevin McCarthy withdrew in part because he was in danger of not getting the required 218 floor votes, assuming a Democratic blockade.) Here was Scott's full reply:
"Being practical sometimes does not trump the ideology. And oftentimes that may be a sense of a smart thing because, hey, you've got to get things done. But it may be -- I don't think Nancy would take kindly to that. I just don't."
That's Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi he's talking about, and the response is telling. Even though Scott might personally disagree, he will fall in line behind Pelosi. Republicans have no such figure.
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As the House searches for a speaker, a nation turns its lonely eyes to ... Newt?
The former Cobb County resident certainly wouldn't mind. The Washington Examiner recounts a radio conversation Gingrich had with Sean Hannity:
"Why are you laughing at my idea?" Hannity told Gingrich. "This is a serious proposal."
"I'm not laughing at it. I'm saying to you — I'm trying to be totally honest with you," Gingrich told the host. "If you were to say to me 218 have called you up and given you their pledge, obviously no citizen could ever turn down that kind of challenge. This is why George Washington came out of retirement — because there are moments you can't avoid."
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Georgia's own Ralph Reed and his Faith and Freedom Coalition are organizing a GOP presidential cattle call for Oct. 18 at a church in Plano, Texas. Candidates confirmed so far for the SEC Primary showdown: Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum. Organizers are hoping for more.
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If walking into Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta can feel like walking into a museum, there's a reason. It is one. From Creative Loafing:
"It's going to change a little bit," Maloof says. "It's causing some fear for customers; as if somebody's going into their home and rearranging the furniture."
The property Manuel's sits on and the adjacent parking lot will soon be bought by Green Street Properties. The tavern will maintain 90 parking spaces in the mixed-use residential complex that's slated to replace the parking lot.
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Mark it down. Oct. 8, 2015 was the day that Georgia's constitutional ban on gay marriage officially became inoperative. From the Associated Press:
The ruling is effectively a formality. State probate courts have been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since a June 26 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Georgia's constitution prohibits same-sex marriage and says the state will recognize only the union of a man and a woman as marriage and that same-sex marriages performed in others states are not legally recognized.
In April 2014, gay-rights group Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit challenging that ban on behalf of three couples and a widow.
U.S. District Judge William Duffey on Wednesday signed an order ruling in their favor and saying the Supreme Court ruling means the same-sex marriage ban can't be enforced.
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