The Center for Social Solutions is committed to establishing concrete solutions for our four initiatives. While these issues are relevant across the entire nation and in all corners of the world, it is also useful to examine their local presence in a specific location. Doing so can help us to better grasp the fact that no community is immune to these problems, and provide clarity when assessing the larger-scale version of these issues.

 

Today’s focus is the Slavery and Its Aftermath initiative and its themes. To learn more about the lasting effects of slavery in Michigan, take a look at the content below.

 

Read

“Lewis Cass supported slavery and Native American removal. Michigan lawmakers want him out of the U.S. Capitol” by Lauren Gibbons, MLive

Lewis Cass has long been an influential and revered figure in Michigan’s history, but his oppressive views on slavery and Native American rights have many calling for the removal of his statue in the U.S. capitol and the erasure of his name from buildings across the state.

 

“Fund for Black farmers raises thousands to boost land ownership” by Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press

Access to capital has been one of the biggest barriers for Black farmers in Detroit. By providing funds for Black farmers to purchase land, community organizations hope to increase the availability of fresh produce in their community and help alleviate food insecurity.

 

“Gov. Whitmer mandates implicit bias training for all Michigan health professionals” by Rod Meloni and Dane Kelly, WDIV Local 4

In light of the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on minority communities, Gov. Whitmer will be requiring health professionals to undergo implicit bias training as part of an effort to address racial injustices.

 

“Civil rights groups sue Detroit over water shutoffs” by Sarah Cwiek, Michigan Radio

Water shutoffs due to unpaid bills disproportionately affect Black communities in Detroit. Civil rights activists are calling for Detroit to end watershuttofs permanently and ensure that water is affordable for low-income residents as part of the fight against racial injustice.

 

“Controversial Detroit facial recognition got him arrested for a crime he didn’t commit” by Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press

Lawmakers in Michigan are calling for a ban on facial recognition technology that studies have found frequently misidentify people of color.

 

Watch

“Detroit Police Chief James Craig” by Stephen Henderson, American Black Journal DPTV (2020)

Host Stephen Henderson talks with Detroit Police Chief James Craig about the effects of COVID-19, Black Lives Matter protests and the opportunity for change and reform in the future.

 

Listen

“Flint poet laureate Semaj Brown on the healing power of poetry in the current era” by April Baer, Stateside (2020)

Flint’s first poet laureate Semaj Brown discusses her works on racial injustice and how art and language can help in dealing with racial trauma, especially in today’s world.