Weekly Café Society Topic

  • Why are mental health clinics important for communities? With six of the twelve clinics closing, what kind of an effect will this have on the patients who need them? What are the advantages and disadvantages of privatization of the clinics?

  • Where do you stand -- why should or shouldn't rich people pay more taxes? How would taxing the rich solve some of the government's financial burdens? What are some alternatives to taxing the rich?

  • How can we ensure that distributors who label their clothes "fair trade" practice a sustainable and just model? What is the benefit of labeling items and products? Why does it matter where our products come from? What role does the American consumer have in advocating or requiring fair treatment of workers and sensitivity to the environment in the making of the products they purchase?

  • Why is it important to know if foods have been genetically modified? What are the risks of consuming genetically modified foods? What are any benefits of growing GMO crops for individual consumers or producers? Do you want to avoid products that contain GMOs? Why or why not? What effect does harvesting GMO crops have on our agriculture and environment?

  • How useful is a guide like this and how will it influence your decisions about where you eat? How effective is this guide as a tool for changing working conditions at restaurants? What power does a consumer have to change where our food comes from?

  • How can we evaluate teachers in a way that is fair to everyone? What qualities define a successful teacher? Why are our schools failing? What resources do teachers and schools need to be better equipped to teach?

  • How can we evaluate teachers in a way that is fair to everyone? What qualities define a successful teacher? Why are our schools failing? What resources do teachers and schools need to be better equipped to teach?

  • With over 84 million viewers to date, what's behind the mass appeal of the "Kony 2012" video? How does or doesn't the campaign create effective social change? What can be done to give voice to Ugandans and raise further awareness? What should informed activism look like?

  • How is (or isn't) owning a home a declaration of independence? Why aren't younger people buying more houses, and are there reasons other than economic insecurity? What effect will less house ownership have on the real estate industry and the economy? How is the American Dream changing for younger generations?

  • What is the connection between telling one's story and fighting for one's rights? How have different groups been silenced from telling their stories? How have women and others broken this silence? What can we learn from the stories of Afghan women?  

  • How does NATO and G-8 impact our every day lives? How will the summits help or hurt Chicago? What do you think about the new city ordinances tightening protest rules? Where do you plan to be on May 19-21?

  • How will the Governor's plan to close state facilities affect you? What are the pros and cons of the budget plan? What are possible alternatives to Quinn's plan? Where do you stand on Quinn's controversial plans to close Tamms and Dwight Correctional facilities?

  • How is Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High addressing the inequality in food access in its community? What are the benefits of students and communities coming together to grow their own food? What are some other innovative solutions to overcoming food deserts?

  • If less Americans believe in marriage, does that mean love is becoming obsolete or just the institution? Should marriage be equated with love? Why or why not? How is love being redefined in America?

  • How is Austin Polytech setting new standards in public education? How can schools connect with community needs? How can we ensure that every student is given the same opportunity to excel and find work after graduation? What challenges might schools face when partnering with local businesses and industries?