Issue 4
Issue 4 – Winter 2020
Beautiful Gate ~ Interview with Theresa and Bonita
Amory ZhouIt’s Saturday at Beautiful Gate Church in Ypsilanti. Families and individuals are lined up outside, coming in two-to-three at a time, to get groceries for the week. Many of the folks know one another––they may be neighbors, friends, or just people who see each other…
City Council Ticker 4
Brian GeiringerCity Boards and Commissions During discussion of a Human Relations Commission recommendation to increase diversity in board and commission appointments on Nov 5, Councilmember Somerville suggests creating a report of demographic information from city commissioners through a voluntary survey of commissioners. In a 3-to-3 decision…
Publicly Funded Communal Housing
Jim ClarkA major concern for the at-risk community and homelessness-relief advocates is affordable housing. Access to shelter is extremely important for survival, especially in Michigan winters, and our county resources do a good job with the resources they have. The actual shelter itself may only help…
Action First: Organizing Against Gentrification in Ypsilanti — Interview with Sarah Schulman
Interview between Sarah Schulman, Amber Fellows, Isaac Levine, and Bryan Foley Conversation transcribed by Karlie Ebersole Intro written by Isaac LevinePrivatization At EMU
Colton RayPrivatization hasn’t been spoken about much this year at EMU, at least in public. The administration, going from Housing and Residence Life staff all the way up to the Board of Regents, don’t even use the term. Instead, they prefer the term “partnership.” That way,…
Street Questions
Christine Gliha and Brian GeiringerDespite the cold of late January, we hit the streets on a couple evenings to talk to folks who were out and about in Ypsilanti. Question 1: What will Ypsi look like in 2030? Question 2: Last Saturday, people gathered across the country for National…
8 Questions with Alize Asberry Payne
Desiraé SimmonsAlize Asberry Payne is the first Washtenaw County Equity Officer. She started in her position in July 2019. Given the racial inequities between the 48197 & 48198 zip codes and the rest of the county, I wanted to learn more about how she will approach…
We Must Reject The Hate You Gave
Desiraé Simmons Submitted by Julia BayhaHow many ways do I have to see The hate you give? How many examples are enough So I may simply live? When can I cry uncle and you’ll agree I’ve paid a high enough price to finally be Free? Where can I feel safe?…
Spring’s Symphony
SoulGalaxyGirlWhat’s that wet, willing, wistful wind that’s dancing in the air? It’s Pisces! The season of empathy, fluidity, and bringing the symphony that we’ve been composing since last year’s Spring Equinox to a wonderful heart-wrenching climax. It’s fitting that this season is the realm that…
Barbara Rodman Obituary
David & Gail KuhnleinBarbara Mahase Rodman (July 15, 1927 – November 22, 2019) “left the Fair” peacefully surrounded by family in her final days. She used to have a dream many years ago that she spoke of often. She was at the fair and her son, Davey (1959-1977),…
