Curbing legal Immigration; Who gets to tell the story?

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a protester dressed as the Statue of Liberty

Peace Washington joins protesters gathered on the steps of the Texas Capitol while State lawmakers begin a special legislative session called by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Immigrant rights groups plan to increase protests of the new law that allows police to inquire about peoples' immigration status, while LGBT activists bitterly oppose "bathroom bill" proposals. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

GUESTS: Harry Holzer, Maori Karmael Holmes, Michael Premo

President Trump announced his support for legislation that would significantly curb legal immigration.  The RAISE Act, a plan put forth by Republican Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue, would use a merit-based system to decide who to admit into the country. It gives extra weight to more highly skilled workers who are fluent in English.  We start this hour looking at the proposal and how it would affect the economy with HARRY HOLZER, professor of public policy at Georgetown University who previously served as chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Then, we’ll talk about who gets to tell certain stories. There’s controversy surrounding the Game of Thrones writers developing Confederate, an alternative history series in which American slavery was never abolished. Also, the film Detroit directed by Kathryn Bigelow has received criticism because of its white director and screenwriter, its subject matter and missing role of black women. We’re joined by MAORI KARMAEL HOLMES founder of the Black Star Film Festival and MICHAEL PREMO, co-founder and executive producer at Storyline, to discuss the relationship of filmmaker and story.

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