Moderator’s introduction

By Dean Rohrer / NewsArt

Credit: Dean Rohrer / NewsArt

Credit: Dean Rohrer / NewsArt

By Dean Rohrer / NewsArt


Today’s moderator: Rick Badie

Rick Badie joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as an education reporter in 1997. A South Georgia native, he’s covered the region’s immigrant communities, was a feature obituary writer and opinion columnist for the AJC’s Gwinnett edition.

»Join the discussion online today: Weigh in below with your thoughts and opinions.

A recent study shows that many of Atlanta’s poor children, generally, stay poor. Those born into the bottom fifth of the income distribution ladder have a 4 percent chance of making it into the top fifth. Compare this to Salt Lake City, where the corresponding number sits at 11.5 percent, according to the Equality of Opportunity Project. Today’s guest writers, who find our region’s economic immobility unacceptable, weigh the issue.

Guest columnists:

Reduce economic immobility by Michael Leo Owens

American Dream still available by Buzz Brockway

Response to recent conversation from our readers