By Sarah Bently
In 2005, Monroe, Michigan offered no regular services to help the homeless and poor. A large number of needy families existed in the city, but until 2006, they had been largely ignored. It can be assumed these families would have gone on being neglected if not for the hard work of a local man named Jeff Weaver.
A resident of Monroe his entire life, Weaver is an individual who feels strongly about his community. When Weaver learned of all the people in need in his own home town, he was determined to help.
In 2006, Weaver organized a program to feed the needy once a night. His vision of ensuring that those who needed food got access to it every day led him to look at renting a kitchen, but unfortunately, the costs of renting the space and providing the food were too expensive.
Weaver was not deterred, and turned his attention toward his own church. St. Paul?s United Methodist Church agreed to sponsor the dinner one night, but were unable to lend the building other days because of other activities. It was then that Weaver began to raise money and organize, which resulted in the church?s ability to put on a dinner once a week.
The success of what Weaver calls ?God Works? meal program, was astonishing, and with Weaver?s continual efforts, it began to grow. As more people began to show up in need of meals, more people volunteered their time and money to the program. Success of ?God Works,? spread quickly, prompting other local churches to open their doors for a night to the homeless.
Currently, there are seven local churches that offer a meal one night of the week, ensuring that the needy have access to food every day. On any given night. the churches can expect around 150 individuals coming to the meals, and the numbers seem to be growing.
?God Works? success is based solely on the community coming together and offering their services. Thanks to great leadership skills and his strong desire to help, Weaver was able to not only organize the program, but also keep the momentum going.
The members of the community have been offering money and services to provide daily meals to others in their community who are struggling for nearly a year, and Weaver couldn?t be happier.
Those involved in ?God Works? seem to be just as enthusiastic about the program as when it first began. Evans Bentley, a minister at St. Paul?s United Methodist Church, is also a part of ?God Works,? and feels the program does a great service to the community.
?It is a great program,? said Bentley. ?Not only does it help a lot of people, but it brings the community together as well.?
While there are now many citizens and churches involved in the program, there isn?t a single individual who has forgotten the man who started the program. Bentley and many others cite that it is Weaver?s vision, commitment, passion, and his drive that make this program possible. Thanks to the help of Weaver and his community, it seems that, at least in Monroe, God does work.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Hip Hop Effects on America
By Mike Bojanowski
Over the past century, American music has had a profound impact on popular culture, and when a new genre emerges, the music itself seems to be making a statement against the establishment of the time, before becoming the popular music of the day. During the roaring 1920?s, jazz prevailed and angered the elders. In the1950?s, it was rock-n-roll that worried parents, and now, it is Hip-Hop music that is making an impact on youth culture in America.
When a new wave of music bursts onto the scene, it appears to challenge the prevailing moral and ethical standards of the day. It has been said that Hip-Hop music makes a bad impression on youth, and is the cause of violence, drug use, and sexual promiscuity. The music is seen as ?anti-establishment,? and is seen by the nation?s political leaders and educators as the leading reason behind ?youth corruption.?
Hip-Hop, despite being put through the rigor, is not the only genre of music that has been scrutinized and labeled as a supposed ?deteriorate of moral values.? In the 1920?s, jazz was looked upon by proponents of prohibition as the corrupting music of the day, and was believed to be the facilitator of all the social problems that occurred during that time. The same thing happened with rock-n-roll in the 1950?s. It was seen as the ?devil?s music,? and was connected with counterculture movements and sex among the youth. It, too, was blamed for all the social ills of the time, just as jazz was before, and Hip-Hop was after it.
The irony behind the backlash and condemnation that Hip-Hop has received is that the proponents of previous popular music, such as jazz and rock-n-roll, are using the same criticisms against the new genre as their elders did.
?I?m sick and tired of the rap out there,? said Laura Chabot, 49, mother of two. ?It?s bad for our kids, and portrays violence and drugs as cool. I won?t let my kids listen to it.?
Chabot went on to say that her favorite music growing up was rock-n-roll, and named Elvis Presley as her favorite. Presley, who was despised by the elder generation, was a musician who received a lot of political and religious criticisms. Presley, now dubbed as the beloved ?King of rock-n-roll,? was seen as an insolent rebel of the 1950s, who encouraged youth to be just as rebellious and disrespectful.
Today, it is rap musicians are categorized and judged in the same way that Presley was. Rappers are seen as individuals who live flashy lifestyles, make bold statements against the establishment, and are responsible for the violence, drug use, and sexual deviance of today?s youth.
However, rap, just like with rock-n-roll and jazz, has been underestimated in its power, impact, and ability to affect those who may or may not listen to it. A recent example of Hip-Hop?s reverberating message is when rapper Kanye West, who appeared on a benefit show for the victims of hurricane Katrina, made the controversial statement, ?George Bush does not care about black people.? West?s statement made national headlines, but he was only one individual among many to openly and publicly criticize the President and the government for their actions.
West also wasn?t the first rapper to speak out against the injustices that black Americans face. The government?s handling of the poverty situation in America is something Tupac Shakur alluded to in his songs of the early 1990?s, and the conduct of America?s police forces were a central theme of rap of the 1980?s and early 1990?s. NWA was another group who released music that bluntly stated what many in America?s poorer neighborhoods felt about the police forces throughout the country. With the Rodney King beatings in Los Angeles in 1992, the music and criticisms give credence to the argument that the establishment does not care about the low income population of the United States.
?The police are racist,? said Jerome Bates, 20, an Eastern Michigan University student who grew up on the East side of Detroit. ?They profile all the time. Don?t they have anything better to do than mess with us all the time??
The government and rappers have been long-time critics of one another. The government has been known to blame gangsta rap for gun violence and prevailing high crime rates in America?s poorest cities. Rappers are also seen as the ones who exacerbate the dreary state in the ?hoods? of the country.
Rappers, however, see things from a different perspective. As the ones who have lived within the most violent and poorest neighborhoods, they feel the government is simply attacking things that they do not understand or know about. Rappers view the government as being oppressive, and believe they spew out convenient, political rhetoric to appease the middle aged affluent voters that want to blame hip hop for the social problems of the country.
It is because of their popularity and affects on youth and government that jazz, rock-n-roll, and Hip-Hop all have been able to survive. Each genre has been the brunt of social and governmental backlash and criticism, and yet, the music and messages within it have been able to prevail. Every song may not be filled with challenges to social institutions and inspiriting, poetic lyrics, but each genre has had the ability to change perceptions and promote new ideas.
Just like with jazz and rock-n-roll, rap, though still controversial, is slowly becoming much more accepted as part of the music scene. Rappers still aren?t looked upon fondly, but with that label of ?pop music,? rap and Hip-Hop cannot be considered as counterculture, because just like with its predecessors, it has become the culture, and will remain so until the current youth generation comes of age, and a new one emerges to challenge it.
Over the past century, American music has had a profound impact on popular culture, and when a new genre emerges, the music itself seems to be making a statement against the establishment of the time, before becoming the popular music of the day. During the roaring 1920?s, jazz prevailed and angered the elders. In the1950?s, it was rock-n-roll that worried parents, and now, it is Hip-Hop music that is making an impact on youth culture in America.
When a new wave of music bursts onto the scene, it appears to challenge the prevailing moral and ethical standards of the day. It has been said that Hip-Hop music makes a bad impression on youth, and is the cause of violence, drug use, and sexual promiscuity. The music is seen as ?anti-establishment,? and is seen by the nation?s political leaders and educators as the leading reason behind ?youth corruption.?
Hip-Hop, despite being put through the rigor, is not the only genre of music that has been scrutinized and labeled as a supposed ?deteriorate of moral values.? In the 1920?s, jazz was looked upon by proponents of prohibition as the corrupting music of the day, and was believed to be the facilitator of all the social problems that occurred during that time. The same thing happened with rock-n-roll in the 1950?s. It was seen as the ?devil?s music,? and was connected with counterculture movements and sex among the youth. It, too, was blamed for all the social ills of the time, just as jazz was before, and Hip-Hop was after it.
The irony behind the backlash and condemnation that Hip-Hop has received is that the proponents of previous popular music, such as jazz and rock-n-roll, are using the same criticisms against the new genre as their elders did.
?I?m sick and tired of the rap out there,? said Laura Chabot, 49, mother of two. ?It?s bad for our kids, and portrays violence and drugs as cool. I won?t let my kids listen to it.?
Chabot went on to say that her favorite music growing up was rock-n-roll, and named Elvis Presley as her favorite. Presley, who was despised by the elder generation, was a musician who received a lot of political and religious criticisms. Presley, now dubbed as the beloved ?King of rock-n-roll,? was seen as an insolent rebel of the 1950s, who encouraged youth to be just as rebellious and disrespectful.
Today, it is rap musicians are categorized and judged in the same way that Presley was. Rappers are seen as individuals who live flashy lifestyles, make bold statements against the establishment, and are responsible for the violence, drug use, and sexual deviance of today?s youth.
However, rap, just like with rock-n-roll and jazz, has been underestimated in its power, impact, and ability to affect those who may or may not listen to it. A recent example of Hip-Hop?s reverberating message is when rapper Kanye West, who appeared on a benefit show for the victims of hurricane Katrina, made the controversial statement, ?George Bush does not care about black people.? West?s statement made national headlines, but he was only one individual among many to openly and publicly criticize the President and the government for their actions.
West also wasn?t the first rapper to speak out against the injustices that black Americans face. The government?s handling of the poverty situation in America is something Tupac Shakur alluded to in his songs of the early 1990?s, and the conduct of America?s police forces were a central theme of rap of the 1980?s and early 1990?s. NWA was another group who released music that bluntly stated what many in America?s poorer neighborhoods felt about the police forces throughout the country. With the Rodney King beatings in Los Angeles in 1992, the music and criticisms give credence to the argument that the establishment does not care about the low income population of the United States.
?The police are racist,? said Jerome Bates, 20, an Eastern Michigan University student who grew up on the East side of Detroit. ?They profile all the time. Don?t they have anything better to do than mess with us all the time??
The government and rappers have been long-time critics of one another. The government has been known to blame gangsta rap for gun violence and prevailing high crime rates in America?s poorest cities. Rappers are also seen as the ones who exacerbate the dreary state in the ?hoods? of the country.
Rappers, however, see things from a different perspective. As the ones who have lived within the most violent and poorest neighborhoods, they feel the government is simply attacking things that they do not understand or know about. Rappers view the government as being oppressive, and believe they spew out convenient, political rhetoric to appease the middle aged affluent voters that want to blame hip hop for the social problems of the country.
It is because of their popularity and affects on youth and government that jazz, rock-n-roll, and Hip-Hop all have been able to survive. Each genre has been the brunt of social and governmental backlash and criticism, and yet, the music and messages within it have been able to prevail. Every song may not be filled with challenges to social institutions and inspiriting, poetic lyrics, but each genre has had the ability to change perceptions and promote new ideas.
Just like with jazz and rock-n-roll, rap, though still controversial, is slowly becoming much more accepted as part of the music scene. Rappers still aren?t looked upon fondly, but with that label of ?pop music,? rap and Hip-Hop cannot be considered as counterculture, because just like with its predecessors, it has become the culture, and will remain so until the current youth generation comes of age, and a new one emerges to challenge it.
LOCAL FASHION DESIGNER HOPES TO MAKE BIG SPLASH IN DETROIT
By Kristen Grech
Michael Delon Wilson, 25, is a local designer who is working with Pure Detroit Design Lab owners, Shawn Santo and Kevin Borsay, to open the Detroit Fashion Incubator?s (DFI) retail shop. Wilson is the creative director and founder, and is also namesake of the company. Delon Detroit, started by Michael Delon Wilson, is a company that hopes to provide resourceful, creative, uncompromising quality, and stylish apparel, all the while, giving great customer service in a comfortable and appealing environment.
The DFI?s retail shop will also feature other local designers such as Kate Bennett, Paul Patterson, Smantha Bullock, and Dana Keaton. The DFI itself was created as a way to bring together the city?s fashion design community, and help designers build their own businesses.
The two lines that will be presented at the DFI?s retail shop are Delon Prit-Porter and Atelier Delon. Delon Prit-Porter is an upscale, downtown collection with chic details. It is a classic line with modern twists that keep the collection fun and fresh. Atelier Delon is a very extravagant, ?one of a kind? line that fits the specific customer superbly with its intricate tailoring and contoured seams.
In a statement made to the Detroit News in December of 2006, Wilson stated that his fashion is, ?less about wearable art or re-worked vintage garments,? and more about ?sophisticated, well constructed men?s and women?s clothing and accessories.?
While DFI has had its share of skeptics and critics, it is widely known and acknowledged that being a local designer can be tough. Though Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and many other colleges offer programs specifically geared toward becoming a fashion designer, the many years of schooling, the hours of practice on the sewing machine, and the re-making of garments can truly put a damper on any designer. However, regardless of the criticisms and the hours of grueling labor, there are those that feel the efforts and hard work will eventually be noticed and rewarded.
?To design your own clothes is truly a talent. You have to have the creativity aspect, as well as a steady hand when sewing and cutting,? said Eastern Michigan University design student Annie Griffore. ?I have spent many sleepless nights re-doing hems and pleats, but in the end, it?s my passion, and I hope that one day, all the hard work will pay off.?
Michael Delon Wilson, 25, is a local designer who is working with Pure Detroit Design Lab owners, Shawn Santo and Kevin Borsay, to open the Detroit Fashion Incubator?s (DFI) retail shop. Wilson is the creative director and founder, and is also namesake of the company. Delon Detroit, started by Michael Delon Wilson, is a company that hopes to provide resourceful, creative, uncompromising quality, and stylish apparel, all the while, giving great customer service in a comfortable and appealing environment.
The DFI?s retail shop will also feature other local designers such as Kate Bennett, Paul Patterson, Smantha Bullock, and Dana Keaton. The DFI itself was created as a way to bring together the city?s fashion design community, and help designers build their own businesses.
The two lines that will be presented at the DFI?s retail shop are Delon Prit-Porter and Atelier Delon. Delon Prit-Porter is an upscale, downtown collection with chic details. It is a classic line with modern twists that keep the collection fun and fresh. Atelier Delon is a very extravagant, ?one of a kind? line that fits the specific customer superbly with its intricate tailoring and contoured seams.
In a statement made to the Detroit News in December of 2006, Wilson stated that his fashion is, ?less about wearable art or re-worked vintage garments,? and more about ?sophisticated, well constructed men?s and women?s clothing and accessories.?
While DFI has had its share of skeptics and critics, it is widely known and acknowledged that being a local designer can be tough. Though Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and many other colleges offer programs specifically geared toward becoming a fashion designer, the many years of schooling, the hours of practice on the sewing machine, and the re-making of garments can truly put a damper on any designer. However, regardless of the criticisms and the hours of grueling labor, there are those that feel the efforts and hard work will eventually be noticed and rewarded.
?To design your own clothes is truly a talent. You have to have the creativity aspect, as well as a steady hand when sewing and cutting,? said Eastern Michigan University design student Annie Griffore. ?I have spent many sleepless nights re-doing hems and pleats, but in the end, it?s my passion, and I hope that one day, all the hard work will pay off.?
Millions of Children Slipping Through the Net According to UNICEF in Annual Study
By Katie Ochs
According to the United Nations Children?s Fund (UNCF), hundreds of millions of children are suffering from exploitation, discrimination, and are nearly invisible to the world. In an annual report called, ?State of the World?s Children 2006: Excluded and Invisible,? UNICEF reported that millions of children disappear each year, and are trafficked for sex trade or are forced to work in domestic servitude.
UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said, ?there cannot be lasting progress if we continue to overlook the children most in need, the poorest and most vulnerable, the exploited and the abused.? The report also stated children in four basic circumstances are most likely to become forgotten and thus neglected:
? 1. Many children are without a formal identity. In most countries birth certificates are required to enroll in school or receive any other government service. In many Third World countries, more than 50 million children are born each year and are never registered at birth. As a result, these children are not guaranteed education, health care, or other basic necessities.
? Many children are without parental care. In this circumstance, they are often not treated as children. UNICEF reports that approximately 143 million children have one or fewer parents. Thus, many live on the streets and are exploited in numerous ways, and more than a million are being held in jails and prisons, waiting trail for minor offenses.
? Many children are forced into adult roles. Many are involved in wars, and work as messengers, cooks, and sex slaves for armed groups. While many countries have laws against early marriages, UNICEF reports that over 80 million girls are married before age 18. The report adds that 171 million children are working in hazardous conditions such as mines, factories, and agriculture.
? Many children are exploited. Approximately two million are used in the commercial sex trade, where they face sexual and physical violence. An unknown number work as domestic servants to pay off their family?s debts.
?The information in this report is shocking to me,? said Michelle Fox of Manchester, a sophomore at Aquinas University. ?I am a social work major, and I find this information very disturbing. I am hopeful that more information like this is brought to the publics? attention.?
Veneman, who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President George W. Bush, prior to heading UNICEF, said reported that fixing the problem will depend on finding and reaching the vulnerable children in the developing world. She also feels that a massive push is needed to get essential services to those children in need.
Another prevalent issue is the rapid spread of HIV, not only around the world, but especially on the African continent, where one in every 13 children is estimated to be infected with the HIV virus.
?This is really a long term issue that we are looking at. Many people think that Hollywood can do a couple of fundraisers and the Red Cross can do a special fund drive and the problem will be fixed,? said Sarah Everett, Michigan State University junior and native resident of Saline. ?Unfortunately, it doesn?t work that way.?
UNICEF reports that the problem cannot be solved without the participation of governments through legislation, budgets, and other federally funded programs.
?We certainly do not have enough money or resources, but even if we can save one, a hundred, or even a thousand children from these unfortunate circumstances, that would certainly make a difference,? said Ashley Weathers, an education major at Eastern Michigan University and Ann Arbor resident. ?And for those we cannot get to, perhaps seeing others get help will give them hope.?
The UNICEF report stated that many nations must go beyond their current efforts to help fix the problem, and governments must bear most of the burden. The report also indicated that government must increase research, monitoring and reporting, enact new laws and enforce existing laws, build budgets to help combat the issue, and adopt new programs aimed at carrying out these initiatives.
According to the United Nations Children?s Fund (UNCF), hundreds of millions of children are suffering from exploitation, discrimination, and are nearly invisible to the world. In an annual report called, ?State of the World?s Children 2006: Excluded and Invisible,? UNICEF reported that millions of children disappear each year, and are trafficked for sex trade or are forced to work in domestic servitude.
UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said, ?there cannot be lasting progress if we continue to overlook the children most in need, the poorest and most vulnerable, the exploited and the abused.? The report also stated children in four basic circumstances are most likely to become forgotten and thus neglected:
? 1. Many children are without a formal identity. In most countries birth certificates are required to enroll in school or receive any other government service. In many Third World countries, more than 50 million children are born each year and are never registered at birth. As a result, these children are not guaranteed education, health care, or other basic necessities.
? Many children are without parental care. In this circumstance, they are often not treated as children. UNICEF reports that approximately 143 million children have one or fewer parents. Thus, many live on the streets and are exploited in numerous ways, and more than a million are being held in jails and prisons, waiting trail for minor offenses.
? Many children are forced into adult roles. Many are involved in wars, and work as messengers, cooks, and sex slaves for armed groups. While many countries have laws against early marriages, UNICEF reports that over 80 million girls are married before age 18. The report adds that 171 million children are working in hazardous conditions such as mines, factories, and agriculture.
? Many children are exploited. Approximately two million are used in the commercial sex trade, where they face sexual and physical violence. An unknown number work as domestic servants to pay off their family?s debts.
?The information in this report is shocking to me,? said Michelle Fox of Manchester, a sophomore at Aquinas University. ?I am a social work major, and I find this information very disturbing. I am hopeful that more information like this is brought to the publics? attention.?
Veneman, who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President George W. Bush, prior to heading UNICEF, said reported that fixing the problem will depend on finding and reaching the vulnerable children in the developing world. She also feels that a massive push is needed to get essential services to those children in need.
Another prevalent issue is the rapid spread of HIV, not only around the world, but especially on the African continent, where one in every 13 children is estimated to be infected with the HIV virus.
?This is really a long term issue that we are looking at. Many people think that Hollywood can do a couple of fundraisers and the Red Cross can do a special fund drive and the problem will be fixed,? said Sarah Everett, Michigan State University junior and native resident of Saline. ?Unfortunately, it doesn?t work that way.?
UNICEF reports that the problem cannot be solved without the participation of governments through legislation, budgets, and other federally funded programs.
?We certainly do not have enough money or resources, but even if we can save one, a hundred, or even a thousand children from these unfortunate circumstances, that would certainly make a difference,? said Ashley Weathers, an education major at Eastern Michigan University and Ann Arbor resident. ?And for those we cannot get to, perhaps seeing others get help will give them hope.?
The UNICEF report stated that many nations must go beyond their current efforts to help fix the problem, and governments must bear most of the burden. The report also indicated that government must increase research, monitoring and reporting, enact new laws and enforce existing laws, build budgets to help combat the issue, and adopt new programs aimed at carrying out these initiatives.
Michigan's Collegiate Educational System
By Jordan Miko
Encouraging the high school youth of the United States to enroll in college and receive a higher education is a large enough task by itself. In addition to this task, however, is convincing them that the minimum twenty thousand or so investment will be worth it in the long run.
The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) financial aid office, however, has a slightly different view on why it is a challenge to get American youth enrolled in college. Getting the finances organized in order to pay for many years of university education is a tall task, and according to Gretchen Ward at Service EMU, the largest deterrent for aspiring college students is not applying for financial aid early enough, whish results in students not receiving enough money for the following semester ahead of them.
While there is not actually a set deadline for financial aid applicants, there is a roughly measured ?priority deadline? set by the university, and without enough money to cover the costs of classes, a student will have a ?hold? placed on his or her account, which results in the student being unable to enroll in future classes until the outstanding balance has been paid.
Ward went further to say that not only is the collegiate financial aid system large and intimidating, but there is also ?a learning curve? when it comes to navigating the paperwork.
According to Ward, getting an applicant to understand the Fast Track financial aid system and navigate through the EMU web infrastructure to accept loans and register for classes a huge obstacle. However, despite the hardships, Ward reports that the Financial Aid office works very hard to ensure that students get the adequate help they need during the loan application and accepting process.
To get a more broad view of how the collegiate financial aid system is perceived and felt by the students themselves, a poll was conducted, and of those questioned, three stated that financial aid concerns did not influence their choice on whether or not they would attend college. Two other individuals reported feeling that there were occasional mishaps with their financial aid, but by their senior year in college, they had begun to anticipate those problems and planned ahead. Three others reported that they did not have any financial aid concerns, as their college educations were being funded by their parents, and four other students stated that they do not have financial aid concerns, as they never seem to be loaned enough money to cover the entire cost of their classes. Two individuals, however, also stated that their lack of collegiate funding was due in part to tardiness of applying.
While some students admit to being untimely with their applications, the vast majority of road blocks, however, could be avoided by the individual universities financial aid departments. One, simple phone call or e-mail notifying the student of their upcoming financial aid obstacles and ?holds? would greatly reduce the number of students that drop out due to financial aid issues.
America?s collegiate financial aid system is in minor disarray. While not completely beyond redemption, the system is in need of repairs, but not a complete overhaul.
Encouraging the high school youth of the United States to enroll in college and receive a higher education is a large enough task by itself. In addition to this task, however, is convincing them that the minimum twenty thousand or so investment will be worth it in the long run.
The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) financial aid office, however, has a slightly different view on why it is a challenge to get American youth enrolled in college. Getting the finances organized in order to pay for many years of university education is a tall task, and according to Gretchen Ward at Service EMU, the largest deterrent for aspiring college students is not applying for financial aid early enough, whish results in students not receiving enough money for the following semester ahead of them.
While there is not actually a set deadline for financial aid applicants, there is a roughly measured ?priority deadline? set by the university, and without enough money to cover the costs of classes, a student will have a ?hold? placed on his or her account, which results in the student being unable to enroll in future classes until the outstanding balance has been paid.
Ward went further to say that not only is the collegiate financial aid system large and intimidating, but there is also ?a learning curve? when it comes to navigating the paperwork.
According to Ward, getting an applicant to understand the Fast Track financial aid system and navigate through the EMU web infrastructure to accept loans and register for classes a huge obstacle. However, despite the hardships, Ward reports that the Financial Aid office works very hard to ensure that students get the adequate help they need during the loan application and accepting process.
To get a more broad view of how the collegiate financial aid system is perceived and felt by the students themselves, a poll was conducted, and of those questioned, three stated that financial aid concerns did not influence their choice on whether or not they would attend college. Two other individuals reported feeling that there were occasional mishaps with their financial aid, but by their senior year in college, they had begun to anticipate those problems and planned ahead. Three others reported that they did not have any financial aid concerns, as their college educations were being funded by their parents, and four other students stated that they do not have financial aid concerns, as they never seem to be loaned enough money to cover the entire cost of their classes. Two individuals, however, also stated that their lack of collegiate funding was due in part to tardiness of applying.
While some students admit to being untimely with their applications, the vast majority of road blocks, however, could be avoided by the individual universities financial aid departments. One, simple phone call or e-mail notifying the student of their upcoming financial aid obstacles and ?holds? would greatly reduce the number of students that drop out due to financial aid issues.
America?s collegiate financial aid system is in minor disarray. While not completely beyond redemption, the system is in need of repairs, but not a complete overhaul.
Ecorse Creek's Pollutants Under Investigation
By Jacqueline Ventimiglia
The Wayne County Department of Enviornment is currently investigating the condition of several sewage pipes surrounding an area of Lincoln Park near Ecorse Creek.
Sue Thompson, who works for the department, stated that the antiquated sewage system had a history of releasing discharge, and this could, with heavy rain, enable waste to flow into Ecorse Creek, and eventually, into the Detroit River.
The quality of the creek, which passes through nine downriver cities, has been an environmental concern in the area for a long time. It recently received attention for serving as a mass grave for over a thousand of gizzard chad fish.
According to Thompson, the chad was introduced to the area recently, and their death was due to their susceptibility to drastic changes in temperature.
River-keeper Robert Burns, a member of Friends of the Detroit River, agreed that temperature change was the leading cause of death among the chad, but he also credited poor water quality as playing a role in the fishes? demise.
?To call the death of the fish purely natural is a misconception,? stated Burns.
Burns also reported that pollutants, such as gasoline, fertilizers, and animal waste make their way into the storm drains, are flushed into the creek, and eventually, reach the Detroit River.
Burns also believes that in addition to refraining from pouring car fuel down drains that can make their way into the water supply, people should use low phosphorous fertilizer.
The river-keeper also contends that phosphor can help produce algae, and these algae deplete oxygen levels in the water, thus leaving little hope of survival for the bottom feeding organisms.
Bruce Szczechowski, an environmental science teacher at Southgate Anderson High School, agrees. He is an active participant of the Stream Team, a program in partnership with several schools in the downriver area that endorses the improvement of the environment.
Szczechowski stated that highly phosphorous materials can put the entire aquatic food chain in jeopardy.
The Wayne County Department of Enviornment is currently investigating the condition of several sewage pipes surrounding an area of Lincoln Park near Ecorse Creek.
Sue Thompson, who works for the department, stated that the antiquated sewage system had a history of releasing discharge, and this could, with heavy rain, enable waste to flow into Ecorse Creek, and eventually, into the Detroit River.
The quality of the creek, which passes through nine downriver cities, has been an environmental concern in the area for a long time. It recently received attention for serving as a mass grave for over a thousand of gizzard chad fish.
According to Thompson, the chad was introduced to the area recently, and their death was due to their susceptibility to drastic changes in temperature.
River-keeper Robert Burns, a member of Friends of the Detroit River, agreed that temperature change was the leading cause of death among the chad, but he also credited poor water quality as playing a role in the fishes? demise.
?To call the death of the fish purely natural is a misconception,? stated Burns.
Burns also reported that pollutants, such as gasoline, fertilizers, and animal waste make their way into the storm drains, are flushed into the creek, and eventually, reach the Detroit River.
Burns also believes that in addition to refraining from pouring car fuel down drains that can make their way into the water supply, people should use low phosphorous fertilizer.
The river-keeper also contends that phosphor can help produce algae, and these algae deplete oxygen levels in the water, thus leaving little hope of survival for the bottom feeding organisms.
Bruce Szczechowski, an environmental science teacher at Southgate Anderson High School, agrees. He is an active participant of the Stream Team, a program in partnership with several schools in the downriver area that endorses the improvement of the environment.
Szczechowski stated that highly phosphorous materials can put the entire aquatic food chain in jeopardy.
Detroit Residents Go to War with Utility Companies
By Erin Medell
?We have to fight for a fair rate system,? said Russ Bellant, a Detroit histoprian present ant the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization (MWRO) meeting on June 13, 2006.
Bellant has not been alone in voicing dissent toward utility rates in the Detroit area. The MWRO, a grassroots social agency, has been working tirelessly to reduce rates for utilities and to prevent shut-offs for low-income and unemployed residents who cannot afford to pay their utility bills.
Residents who attend MWRO meetings voice their concerns and share stories about their struggles with utility companies. Many residents in affiliation with the MWRO are victims of illness, and as a result, been unable to pay their utility bills. Often, these residents lose their water or power without warning, forcing them to rely on neighbors, or go door-to-door and ask for water and other basic necessities.
The struggle, anger, and feeling of helplessness, however, are not the only things concerning these residents. Utility rates in Detroit became a particular concern for residents when former President Clinton signed the Welfare Reform Act (WRA). Under this bill, welfare recipients were encouraged to find work and refrain from dependence on welfare assistance. Many unemployed residents has previously received assistance with some of their utility costs under the program Vendor Pay, but under the WRA, the recipients found that once they entered the workforce, they received bills for the unpaid portions of their utilities, with payment expected in full.
In October 2002, the utility companies completely cut out the Vendor Pay program, leaving nearly 30,000 Detroit residents to pay their entire bills immediately, or experience shut offs. According to DTE Energy statistics, 9,800 homes were without lights and gas in August 2002, and an additional 20,000 homes were in shut-off status, meaning that they were to lose their gas and electric services shortly thereafter.
According to Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) figures, over 45,000 homes were without running water in 2003, following shut-offs that resulted from their inability to pay. DWSD is a not-for-profit entity, is a direct branch of the Detroit city government, and is also the third largest water and sewer utility in the US.
MWRO organized a front to combat these conditions, and began by working on a request to the United Nations to seek foreign aid for the impoverished residents in Detroit. The MWRO also collaborated with other groups to form a movement to bring back Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), a welfare program that could assuage many of the financial woes Detroit residents face.
Concerning a fair rate system for utilities, a proposal for Detroit city government was crafted by MWRO as well. This also inspired work on a proposal to ban utility shut-offs, and is a proposal that MWRO hopes will influence the sate of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
According to DSWD figures, the average amount billed to Detroit customers in August 2005 was $46.76 per month, while suburban customers were billed an average of $21.47 per month. According to the same data, recent rate increases are a result of outdated infrastructure, expensive treatment regulation, and federal state mandates.
?Due to DWSD success in controlling operations and maintenance costs, a minimal increase is needed to cover the costs of day-to-day operations in the department,? said Victor Mercado, DWSD director.
While the number of residents without water and electricity increases with the prices, the goal of MWRO remains the same. They consistently seek to organize low-income workers, fight for the rights of the disadvantaged, eliminate poverty, and to ?build an army prepared to battle for the economic and human rights of millions of disenfranchised Americans.?
Taylor, MWRO?s fiery front leader, has served as State Chair of the organization since 1993, and is also a member of various boards and committees around the Detroit area, and represents public assistance recipients at the Michigan Department of Human Services offices over case disputes.
Taylor feels that the DSWD is causing un-necessary harm to the residents who are struggling to pay their bills, and in response to the rise in prices and shut-offs, MWRO and several utility clients file a complaint with DWSD. Following the filing, the water issue became even more serious. Not only were Detroit area residents having their water shut off, Highland Park residents also began to experience widespread foreclosures due to their water bills being attached to their property taxes.
The water affordability proposal posed by MWRO has been revised since its original release in 2005. The proposal cites the need for burden-based and fixed credit programs, and also includes a price limit on annual rates. It states that not only would this proposal increase the number of residents with satisfactory living conditions, but that it would also save utility companies money by decreasing disconnection requests, as well as disputes broken by payment plans.
?If you want to help the customers at large in the water department, you need to have a water affordability program,? said Sylvia Orduno, MWRO member.
Orduno also noted that the program?s implementation has been stalled by the attempts of city attorneys that are dissatisfied with the funding required for the program, which is estimated to be approximately $24,000.
According to a recent city council meeting release, Detroit recently approved $30,435.68 for wireless meter testers, and in the mean time, DSWD maintains that it is among the lowest in term of rates for water usage in metropolitan areas. This is particularly significant when it is considered that DWSD, unlike many locales, receives no subsides from property taxes.
DTE Energy was approved for a rate increase that started in October 2006. The company reported that the increase was in response to mandated environmental upgrades and capital investments.
?We understand the impact of rising energy prices on our customers,? said Robert Buckler, President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Energy. ?An we are committed to doing everything we can to operate as efficiently as possible in this challenging and ever changing environment.?
?DTE Energy is committed to working with customers who may be having difficulty paying their energy bills,? added Eileen Dixon, a Media Relations employee of DTE Energy. ?In order for us to help them, it is important that they alert us to their situation before they?re facing service shut off, so we can direct them to the appropriate resources and programs.?
One of these programs, called The Winter Protection Plan, had an estimated 50,000 customers enrolled in the winter of 2005 and 2006, compared to the estimated 25,000 for the winter of 2004. In the mean time, MWRO water affordability proposals are still being considered, and regardless of the high prices and shut-offs, there is still hope that the proposal will be implemented.
?We have to fight for a fair rate system,? said Russ Bellant, a Detroit histoprian present ant the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization (MWRO) meeting on June 13, 2006.
Bellant has not been alone in voicing dissent toward utility rates in the Detroit area. The MWRO, a grassroots social agency, has been working tirelessly to reduce rates for utilities and to prevent shut-offs for low-income and unemployed residents who cannot afford to pay their utility bills.
Residents who attend MWRO meetings voice their concerns and share stories about their struggles with utility companies. Many residents in affiliation with the MWRO are victims of illness, and as a result, been unable to pay their utility bills. Often, these residents lose their water or power without warning, forcing them to rely on neighbors, or go door-to-door and ask for water and other basic necessities.
The struggle, anger, and feeling of helplessness, however, are not the only things concerning these residents. Utility rates in Detroit became a particular concern for residents when former President Clinton signed the Welfare Reform Act (WRA). Under this bill, welfare recipients were encouraged to find work and refrain from dependence on welfare assistance. Many unemployed residents has previously received assistance with some of their utility costs under the program Vendor Pay, but under the WRA, the recipients found that once they entered the workforce, they received bills for the unpaid portions of their utilities, with payment expected in full.
In October 2002, the utility companies completely cut out the Vendor Pay program, leaving nearly 30,000 Detroit residents to pay their entire bills immediately, or experience shut offs. According to DTE Energy statistics, 9,800 homes were without lights and gas in August 2002, and an additional 20,000 homes were in shut-off status, meaning that they were to lose their gas and electric services shortly thereafter.
According to Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) figures, over 45,000 homes were without running water in 2003, following shut-offs that resulted from their inability to pay. DWSD is a not-for-profit entity, is a direct branch of the Detroit city government, and is also the third largest water and sewer utility in the US.
MWRO organized a front to combat these conditions, and began by working on a request to the United Nations to seek foreign aid for the impoverished residents in Detroit. The MWRO also collaborated with other groups to form a movement to bring back Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), a welfare program that could assuage many of the financial woes Detroit residents face.
Concerning a fair rate system for utilities, a proposal for Detroit city government was crafted by MWRO as well. This also inspired work on a proposal to ban utility shut-offs, and is a proposal that MWRO hopes will influence the sate of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
According to DSWD figures, the average amount billed to Detroit customers in August 2005 was $46.76 per month, while suburban customers were billed an average of $21.47 per month. According to the same data, recent rate increases are a result of outdated infrastructure, expensive treatment regulation, and federal state mandates.
?Due to DWSD success in controlling operations and maintenance costs, a minimal increase is needed to cover the costs of day-to-day operations in the department,? said Victor Mercado, DWSD director.
While the number of residents without water and electricity increases with the prices, the goal of MWRO remains the same. They consistently seek to organize low-income workers, fight for the rights of the disadvantaged, eliminate poverty, and to ?build an army prepared to battle for the economic and human rights of millions of disenfranchised Americans.?
Taylor, MWRO?s fiery front leader, has served as State Chair of the organization since 1993, and is also a member of various boards and committees around the Detroit area, and represents public assistance recipients at the Michigan Department of Human Services offices over case disputes.
Taylor feels that the DSWD is causing un-necessary harm to the residents who are struggling to pay their bills, and in response to the rise in prices and shut-offs, MWRO and several utility clients file a complaint with DWSD. Following the filing, the water issue became even more serious. Not only were Detroit area residents having their water shut off, Highland Park residents also began to experience widespread foreclosures due to their water bills being attached to their property taxes.
The water affordability proposal posed by MWRO has been revised since its original release in 2005. The proposal cites the need for burden-based and fixed credit programs, and also includes a price limit on annual rates. It states that not only would this proposal increase the number of residents with satisfactory living conditions, but that it would also save utility companies money by decreasing disconnection requests, as well as disputes broken by payment plans.
?If you want to help the customers at large in the water department, you need to have a water affordability program,? said Sylvia Orduno, MWRO member.
Orduno also noted that the program?s implementation has been stalled by the attempts of city attorneys that are dissatisfied with the funding required for the program, which is estimated to be approximately $24,000.
According to a recent city council meeting release, Detroit recently approved $30,435.68 for wireless meter testers, and in the mean time, DSWD maintains that it is among the lowest in term of rates for water usage in metropolitan areas. This is particularly significant when it is considered that DWSD, unlike many locales, receives no subsides from property taxes.
DTE Energy was approved for a rate increase that started in October 2006. The company reported that the increase was in response to mandated environmental upgrades and capital investments.
?We understand the impact of rising energy prices on our customers,? said Robert Buckler, President and Chief Operating Officer of DTE Energy. ?An we are committed to doing everything we can to operate as efficiently as possible in this challenging and ever changing environment.?
?DTE Energy is committed to working with customers who may be having difficulty paying their energy bills,? added Eileen Dixon, a Media Relations employee of DTE Energy. ?In order for us to help them, it is important that they alert us to their situation before they?re facing service shut off, so we can direct them to the appropriate resources and programs.?
One of these programs, called The Winter Protection Plan, had an estimated 50,000 customers enrolled in the winter of 2005 and 2006, compared to the estimated 25,000 for the winter of 2004. In the mean time, MWRO water affordability proposals are still being considered, and regardless of the high prices and shut-offs, there is still hope that the proposal will be implemented.
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and One Be Lo: Similarities and Differences Among Their Music
By Anthony Devee
Teren Delvon Jones, also known as, ?Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.? is a well known rapper among the underground hip-hop community. Born in Oakland, California, he got his start with his cousin Ice Cube?s backing band, da Lench Mob. As Ice Cube rapped about gangs and the dark side of the streets, Del focused more on humor in his music. His debut album, ?I Wish My Brother George Was Here,? was produced by Ice Cube, and established Del?s spot in the underground hip-hop community.
With songs such as ?Mistadobalina,? one can tell he has a creative, fun approach to his writing, and while he may not have a message to get across, his songs are and have been described by listeners and critics as melodically catchy and memorable, as well as brash, boisterous, messy, gusty, druggy, humorous, and silly.
Another Rapper of the underground community is local Pontiac, Michigan based MC Nashid Sulaiman, also known as ?One Be Lo.? Sulaiman, born Raland Scruggs, converted to Islam after a stay in prison for armed robbery, now creates music that is tense, hypnotic, gritty, literate, and earthy. With self-reflective lyrics, listeners are given a glimpse into the life of not only del, but also the lives of those around him.
While Del may address the same issues, One Be Lo induces thought provoking questions, and has musical arrangements on his tracks that are meticulously arranged to deliver a stronger message. The fan bases of both artists aren?t too different from each other. Listeners of underground Hip-Hop share the same thirst for original beats, words, and delivery, and Del? and One both accomplish this in their music.
In this time of war and poverty, music has the power to bring enlightenment to those who are unaware of the world around them. Words and music are such powerful communication tools, and Del tha Funkee Homosapaien, and One Be Low, are two different artists who convey life that is real, raw, controversial, and ultimately, universal.
Teren Delvon Jones, also known as, ?Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.? is a well known rapper among the underground hip-hop community. Born in Oakland, California, he got his start with his cousin Ice Cube?s backing band, da Lench Mob. As Ice Cube rapped about gangs and the dark side of the streets, Del focused more on humor in his music. His debut album, ?I Wish My Brother George Was Here,? was produced by Ice Cube, and established Del?s spot in the underground hip-hop community.
With songs such as ?Mistadobalina,? one can tell he has a creative, fun approach to his writing, and while he may not have a message to get across, his songs are and have been described by listeners and critics as melodically catchy and memorable, as well as brash, boisterous, messy, gusty, druggy, humorous, and silly.
Another Rapper of the underground community is local Pontiac, Michigan based MC Nashid Sulaiman, also known as ?One Be Lo.? Sulaiman, born Raland Scruggs, converted to Islam after a stay in prison for armed robbery, now creates music that is tense, hypnotic, gritty, literate, and earthy. With self-reflective lyrics, listeners are given a glimpse into the life of not only del, but also the lives of those around him.
While Del may address the same issues, One Be Lo induces thought provoking questions, and has musical arrangements on his tracks that are meticulously arranged to deliver a stronger message. The fan bases of both artists aren?t too different from each other. Listeners of underground Hip-Hop share the same thirst for original beats, words, and delivery, and Del? and One both accomplish this in their music.
In this time of war and poverty, music has the power to bring enlightenment to those who are unaware of the world around them. Words and music are such powerful communication tools, and Del tha Funkee Homosapaien, and One Be Low, are two different artists who convey life that is real, raw, controversial, and ultimately, universal.
Detroit Cultural Center Report
By Amy Clark
Although it was an unexpectedly beautiful October day in downtown Detroit, I spent the day inside.
I spent the day at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and the African American History Museum. I found cold images mixed with inspiration and courage. I saw heartbreaking, frightful things, and yet, I couldn?t look away.
The DIA wasn?t too busy, but I somehow found myself heading straight to the Diego Rivera court. I had seen a small picture of it online and was hoping that it was as incredible as it looked.
Indeed, it was.
The court is bright and the walls are tall. Each wall is beautified by one of Rivera?s murals. The murals, titled, ?Detroit Industry,? were breathtaking. Not because of their size, but because of their detail, colors, and most importantly, their message.
On the north wall, there is a factory scene that portrays workers using all of their strength to produce their product. There is a huge fire at the top of this picture, which the museum indicates is a blast furnace melting metal to make cars. The south wall is also a factory scene, but depicts an assembly line shows workers being watched, either by bosses or the public, and finally, there are the top panels and the upper corners of the court, which portray Rivera?s love for Mother Nature.
The exhibit is very moving in that it shows what seems to be a very true portrayal of the auto industry. The hard work, the bad conditions, and the rich bosses always watching in the corners, are depicted in the exhibit that feels life-like and realistic. In one part of the south mural, long lines of workers are shown with lunch bags, although not everyone has something to eat. They are shown standing a huge parking lot, which makes me assume they are all driving, or are possibly being forced to drive, the cars they produce.
A local woman, whom asked to remain nameless, seemed mesmerized by the top panels of the north and south walls.
?There is just so much going on underneath these pictures,? she explained. ?Yet, they send such a clear and profound message.?
The panels that are located just above the murals depict two women lying down and holding things that come from the earth. Behind them, on hills, are hands reaching out from the soil, also holding things like iron, sand, and coal. Again, Rivera was pointing to Mother Nature and how he believed that everything was derived from the earth.
Although this exhibit was moving, nothing could have prepared me for the emotional rush from the African American History Museum.
Located behind the Detroit Science Center, the museum is one that welcomes people of all ages to view the exhibits. In the main exhibit, there are seven different stations that viewers must follow, but before I could even reach station number one, I was stopped in my tracks.
In order to reach the first station, I had to walk over a bridge. On either side of me were statues of African American people stored in what was supposed to represent the bottom of a slave boat.
They were in shackles, torn shirts, and barefoot, and yet, some of them looked like they were content. I even believe one was smiling, while others had no look of emotion on their faces at all.
After a few moments, I walked left the bridge, and started to read about the history of Africa at station number one. As I walked through the stations, I saw the history of the African American population unfold. It began with slave trading all over the world, then focused specifically in America. Through out each of the exhibits there was hope, but there was also despair. It all seemed so unimaginable.
At one point, while I was looking at the many different and horrible torture devices they used on slaves, a young African American girl, about the age of five, ran up to me.
?That?s what they used to tie them up with,? she said, pointing at the shackles. She then ran away, giggling, to go find her mother.
It broke my heart to see a young girl learning so much about her history, and yet, knowing that once she gets a little bit older, she won?t be able to just laugh and run away and forget what she saw.
Although most of the images I saw were dark and disturbing, I was able to walk out onto the city block and be confident that although many of the displays depicted issues that are still prevalent in today?s society, they aren?t as extreme as they once were. I suppose this is why so many people have hope, because hope creates change, and whether change is positive or negative, it always seems to get the world one step closer to where it needs to be.
Although it was an unexpectedly beautiful October day in downtown Detroit, I spent the day inside.
I spent the day at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and the African American History Museum. I found cold images mixed with inspiration and courage. I saw heartbreaking, frightful things, and yet, I couldn?t look away.
The DIA wasn?t too busy, but I somehow found myself heading straight to the Diego Rivera court. I had seen a small picture of it online and was hoping that it was as incredible as it looked.
Indeed, it was.
The court is bright and the walls are tall. Each wall is beautified by one of Rivera?s murals. The murals, titled, ?Detroit Industry,? were breathtaking. Not because of their size, but because of their detail, colors, and most importantly, their message.
On the north wall, there is a factory scene that portrays workers using all of their strength to produce their product. There is a huge fire at the top of this picture, which the museum indicates is a blast furnace melting metal to make cars. The south wall is also a factory scene, but depicts an assembly line shows workers being watched, either by bosses or the public, and finally, there are the top panels and the upper corners of the court, which portray Rivera?s love for Mother Nature.
The exhibit is very moving in that it shows what seems to be a very true portrayal of the auto industry. The hard work, the bad conditions, and the rich bosses always watching in the corners, are depicted in the exhibit that feels life-like and realistic. In one part of the south mural, long lines of workers are shown with lunch bags, although not everyone has something to eat. They are shown standing a huge parking lot, which makes me assume they are all driving, or are possibly being forced to drive, the cars they produce.
A local woman, whom asked to remain nameless, seemed mesmerized by the top panels of the north and south walls.
?There is just so much going on underneath these pictures,? she explained. ?Yet, they send such a clear and profound message.?
The panels that are located just above the murals depict two women lying down and holding things that come from the earth. Behind them, on hills, are hands reaching out from the soil, also holding things like iron, sand, and coal. Again, Rivera was pointing to Mother Nature and how he believed that everything was derived from the earth.
Although this exhibit was moving, nothing could have prepared me for the emotional rush from the African American History Museum.
Located behind the Detroit Science Center, the museum is one that welcomes people of all ages to view the exhibits. In the main exhibit, there are seven different stations that viewers must follow, but before I could even reach station number one, I was stopped in my tracks.
In order to reach the first station, I had to walk over a bridge. On either side of me were statues of African American people stored in what was supposed to represent the bottom of a slave boat.
They were in shackles, torn shirts, and barefoot, and yet, some of them looked like they were content. I even believe one was smiling, while others had no look of emotion on their faces at all.
After a few moments, I walked left the bridge, and started to read about the history of Africa at station number one. As I walked through the stations, I saw the history of the African American population unfold. It began with slave trading all over the world, then focused specifically in America. Through out each of the exhibits there was hope, but there was also despair. It all seemed so unimaginable.
At one point, while I was looking at the many different and horrible torture devices they used on slaves, a young African American girl, about the age of five, ran up to me.
?That?s what they used to tie them up with,? she said, pointing at the shackles. She then ran away, giggling, to go find her mother.
It broke my heart to see a young girl learning so much about her history, and yet, knowing that once she gets a little bit older, she won?t be able to just laugh and run away and forget what she saw.
Although most of the images I saw were dark and disturbing, I was able to walk out onto the city block and be confident that although many of the displays depicted issues that are still prevalent in today?s society, they aren?t as extreme as they once were. I suppose this is why so many people have hope, because hope creates change, and whether change is positive or negative, it always seems to get the world one step closer to where it needs to be.
New Venue Reaches out to Community, Redefines Entertainment
By Amanda Slater
A new local hotspot is scheduled to open in Westland, Michigan. The new venue, called, ?The Redline Café,? promises to foster a positive environment while providing quality entertainment.
Masterminded by 22 year-old Jon Carlisle, 19 year old Jason Overbee, and local pastor Joe Kinbrough, the venue is open to people of all ages. The café will be a place where local and national rock, rap, techno, stand up comedy, and poetry acts will be showcased on a regular basis. Eventually, the café also hopes to host outdoor activities and car shows in addition to live entertainment. Some of the Redline Café?s unique features include serving specially non-alcoholic drinks, milkshakes, and pizzas, and purposes to be a drug and alcohol free, positive environment.
?Our outreach is giving youth and adults a place to go on the weekends,? said café director Pastor Joe Kimbbrough. ?We want to break down the stereotype of what people think rap, techno, rock, poetry, and stand up comedy is. We want to give a positive spin on these genres, free from drugs and alcohol. We want to show people that you can come and have a good time without all that.?
The Redline Café is unique for a number of reasons. Perhaps one of the most unusual aspects of the venue is that it was pioneered by young people who hope to serve as positive role models for youths attending the café. The café?s general manager, Jason Overbee, was able to witness the needs of community first hand while working as an EMT.
?Working in the EMT field, I saw people shooting drugs in themselves, and kids trying to find a way to make themselves happy,? said Overbee. ?Even now, I see a lot of unhappy teens just walking down the street. I?d like to see teens getting away from drugs and seeing entertainment in a new light, and I hope this club accomplishes that.?
The café also aspires to be a place of community, where individuals can seek help for any need. Redline Café has also integrated an open forum discussion time, during which young people are encouraged to share what is on their minds.
?We deal with real issues,? Kimbrough stated. ?We talk about the choices people make and how they impact their own, personal lives.?
The café, although connected to the Church of Rock, reaches out to all individuals, and a large number of communities, including Westland, Canton, Wayne, Novi, Northville, Livonia, and other near by cities. The venue anticipates hosting three to four bands on a typical night, all of which will be exclusively Christian based. In addition to the positive entertainment, an admission fee that settles between $3 and $5 will be charged, and the proceeds will go toward the Church of Rock and the purchasing of new equipment for the venue, with the remainder being split between the staff in appreciation for their time and dedication.
Redline Café, while having some tentative plans, does have some long term goals and aspirations. Many staff members are hoping to see the community get involved with the venue, and hope that the café can be a place that brings people together and allows for them to feel safe and accepted.
The Café?s doors open at 7 PM, and shows have been scheduled for approximately one Saturday night a month, but are anticipated to increase to every other Saturday at a later date. The café uses ?Kirk of our Savior? Presbyterian church?s building, and is located on Cherry hill road between Wayne and Newburg, next to John Glen High School.
For more information on the café and its events, visit the Redline Café?s official websites: www.myspace.com/redlinecafe and www.theredlinecafe.com
A new local hotspot is scheduled to open in Westland, Michigan. The new venue, called, ?The Redline Café,? promises to foster a positive environment while providing quality entertainment.
Masterminded by 22 year-old Jon Carlisle, 19 year old Jason Overbee, and local pastor Joe Kinbrough, the venue is open to people of all ages. The café will be a place where local and national rock, rap, techno, stand up comedy, and poetry acts will be showcased on a regular basis. Eventually, the café also hopes to host outdoor activities and car shows in addition to live entertainment. Some of the Redline Café?s unique features include serving specially non-alcoholic drinks, milkshakes, and pizzas, and purposes to be a drug and alcohol free, positive environment.
?Our outreach is giving youth and adults a place to go on the weekends,? said café director Pastor Joe Kimbbrough. ?We want to break down the stereotype of what people think rap, techno, rock, poetry, and stand up comedy is. We want to give a positive spin on these genres, free from drugs and alcohol. We want to show people that you can come and have a good time without all that.?
The Redline Café is unique for a number of reasons. Perhaps one of the most unusual aspects of the venue is that it was pioneered by young people who hope to serve as positive role models for youths attending the café. The café?s general manager, Jason Overbee, was able to witness the needs of community first hand while working as an EMT.
?Working in the EMT field, I saw people shooting drugs in themselves, and kids trying to find a way to make themselves happy,? said Overbee. ?Even now, I see a lot of unhappy teens just walking down the street. I?d like to see teens getting away from drugs and seeing entertainment in a new light, and I hope this club accomplishes that.?
The café also aspires to be a place of community, where individuals can seek help for any need. Redline Café has also integrated an open forum discussion time, during which young people are encouraged to share what is on their minds.
?We deal with real issues,? Kimbrough stated. ?We talk about the choices people make and how they impact their own, personal lives.?
The café, although connected to the Church of Rock, reaches out to all individuals, and a large number of communities, including Westland, Canton, Wayne, Novi, Northville, Livonia, and other near by cities. The venue anticipates hosting three to four bands on a typical night, all of which will be exclusively Christian based. In addition to the positive entertainment, an admission fee that settles between $3 and $5 will be charged, and the proceeds will go toward the Church of Rock and the purchasing of new equipment for the venue, with the remainder being split between the staff in appreciation for their time and dedication.
Redline Café, while having some tentative plans, does have some long term goals and aspirations. Many staff members are hoping to see the community get involved with the venue, and hope that the café can be a place that brings people together and allows for them to feel safe and accepted.
The Café?s doors open at 7 PM, and shows have been scheduled for approximately one Saturday night a month, but are anticipated to increase to every other Saturday at a later date. The café uses ?Kirk of our Savior? Presbyterian church?s building, and is located on Cherry hill road between Wayne and Newburg, next to John Glen High School.
For more information on the café and its events, visit the Redline Café?s official websites: www.myspace.com/redlinecafe and www.theredlinecafe.com
Hip Hopness
By Ryan Place
Hip-Hop vernacular has infiltrated modern discourse. As a style whose surging core is based around verbal expression, there was no way the Hip-Hop subculture could avoid entering modern word-stream. Sure, the terms and concepts have mutated over three generations, and yes, the shortsightedness of materialism and excess of groups like Cash Money Records and Three Six Mafia put the kibosh to optimism for many schemin? on the CRÈME. Nevertheless, Hip-Hop terms have squirmed their way into everyday language. Slang is essential to Hip-Hop, and as one of its main stew ingredients, one can?t rebel against the old codes without it.
Before Hip Hop degenerated into an orgy of self-indulgence, thanks to rabid flotsam the periphery swarming, Doug E. Fresh was beat-boxin? with the Fat Boys, house party favorite MC Lyte was on that ill type with, ?I rock the party that rocks the body,? the gumby fade was in full swing, and 50 Cent was watching ?David the Gnome? on Nickelodeon in his shell top Adidas.
Supposedly, the roots of Hip-Hop can be traced back to Jamaican import DJ Kool Herc, who blew up the South Bronx in the late 1970s as a break-beat DJ that could flow to music. However, the true essence of hip hop stretches back a decade earlier to that turbulent year of 1968, when LSD was to be had in abundance, when the Democratic National Convention in Chicago degenerated into savage violence, and when a little known newly formed collective called ?The Last Poets? began rappin?.
Unlike today?s hip-hopsta imposta?s (ie: Paul Wall, Mike Jones, etc.) the Last Poets were actually talented, blending narrative with background chorus and instrumentation. The message, however, remains the same: Revolution and sense of self. As contemporaries of occasional collaborator and hip hop precursor Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets formed in East Harlem, and united in their desire to create a powerful amplifier of social criticism and black motivation.
The Last Poets invented the word ?playas? in 1968 in their song, ?Niggas Are Scared of Revolution,? and it was a word that would come into vogue some 30 years later. The Last Poets and the Watts Prophets were ahead of their time, or maybe too perfect in their role as ?consciousness liberators,? and early Wu-Tang Clan lyrics and styles reflect signs of their influence.
The impact of Wu-Tang?s seminal 1993 masterpiece ?Enter the 36 Chambers? did more to fuse hip hop elements with hardcore realities, but group harmony and the same tale of gritty living echoed throughout . With resident slang-master Raekwon the Chef, who?s album ?Only Built for Cuban Linx? dropped in 1995, and proudly boasts to having more street slang in the lyrics than any other Hip-Hop or rap oriented album in history, the Wu-Tang Clan catapulted gritty East-Coast Hip-Hop to incredible heights around the globe with new terms, great lyrics and sick beats.
After the word ?playa? was added to the Hip-Hop vocabulary by The Poets, it took 15 to thirty years to accrue such gems as shark biters, loopin? samples, droppin? science like an epileptic chemist, cheops the squishy freezepops, flowin?, freestylin?, beat-boxin?, emcee, underground, schemin? on the CREME, beef, burner, dizzles, dragon, represent, seeds, grill, dondadda chicks, diss, playing wit the Asian barbie, shields prophylactic fantastics, chew real slow like a donut bumping waldo, mad flava, eat em alive, get brolic, spittin?, etc. The list is vast, varied, and always evolving.
Hip-Hops original anti-establishment message was spit in slang, and the later focus on status symbols, such as ice, rides, women, clothes, hit hard. The conformity advocated by contemporary artists like 50 Cent, Paul Wall, and Mike Jones has betrayed the true essence of Hip-Hop. Many consider these bezzled out fellows to be more hardcore rap, but traces of old school can be found between the gingivitis infection and after-market custom additions to 64 Impala?s and 79 AMC Pacers.
Hip-Hop birthed rap and hardcore gangsta rap. MC Hammer?s baggy Z-Boz pants fell somewhere in between Arsenio Hall, gypsy Bohemian, and Pee-Wee Herman. Artists became overly occupied with cheap firearms, loose women of ill repute, copious amounts of dope, fashion that encouraged materialism, and fast souped up buggies. Lyrics began to glorify separation of selves, destruction, and deception without apology for the long-term negative effects on tormented psyches.
The line of demarcation between rap and Hip-Hop is blurred. Fin to rewind the track, take it back to Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Afrikaa Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Marly Marl?s Juice Crew are some of the true pioneers Hip-Hop, along with even older influences like early seventies blaxploitation film star and party record favorite Rudy Ray Moore, who created rappin? alter-ego ?Dolemite? back in 1972.
The shift from early Detroit Hip-Hop like Doc Chill, Esham, Mercilous Emir, to later-artists such as J Dilla, Invincible, Big Herk, Tone Tone Henderson, Street Lordz, and Obie Trice is less noticeable since our area has effectively fused a combination of styles, but ultimately, rap replaced Hip-Hop as the more dominant sound.
Rap stole the spotlight, and classic Hip-Hop artists like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul. Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and many others began finding their message and styles to be outdated and played out. Soft lyrics grew more raw, gritty, and carefree, and eighties magic seemed to be replaced by gun-toting tatted-up lunatics heeding their self-destructive tendencies. Tupac?s ?Thug Life? philosophy of being married for life like a Catholic to the ?game? glorified savage violence in the tradition of NWA, Dr Dre, and Snoop Dogg.
Back when Jay-Z used to be Sean Carter, Hip-Hop had gone completely mainstream, which was inevitable due to its rabid popularity. Shortly thereafter, sayings like ?fo shizzle,? ?hit me on the hip playboy,? ?hittin licks, hittin switches all day baby pop,? ?c?mon naw give Blind Timothy a Mean Daniel,? ?Desert Eagle wit the hollow points tucked beneath lackalacka moomoo,? ?off the chain,? and ?merk out wit it? became more and more common with many a white boy getting his face caved in at lunchtime for trying to be down by spittin? E-40 lines. Hip hop freed corny white boys, if only in their minds, from the prison of their skins, and it was a unifying force that brought people of different background and color together.
Hip-Hop is quintessentially an American invention. Song blasts from dilapidated housing projects, such as Queensbridge, Marcy, Killa Hills 10304, Stapleton, Brewster-Douglas, and the crowded slums of NYC, LA, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, SanFran?s Bay Area, DC, Miami, Philly, and East St Louis, caused Hip-Hop to become an international phenomenon.
Having experienced the rise and fall of Hip-Hops? golden era, the downfall began with the gangsta rap of Dr Dre, Snoop Dog and Tupac Shakur and has continued to decline. Groups like Cash Money Records and Three Six Mafia have glorified greed, corruption, misogynistic attitudes, and the worst human impulses.
Record executives, paper-chasing artists, gullible, naïve, uptight, and insulated, whitebread politicians applauded the near total absorption of Hip-Hip into Material Rap. The music industry, wishing to capitalize on effects of poverty, has targeted young kids with hardcore rap, forcing it down their throats while the mass media has successfully warped people?s perspectives to classify all youth culture racket under the same ?dangerous? umbrella.
Never has conformity, materialism, the urge to be like everyone else, and the selfish disregard for others been so strong among the youth. 50 Cent and Paul Wall represent the nadir of ?music,? and are completely absorbed in the worst self-indulgent aspects of Hip-Hop offshoots without paying it the proper respect.
At the darker end of the spectrum, it seems Hip-Hop has created a fearsome personae for black people, especially young, inner-city black men, and has kept them at a tremendous disadvantage when applying for jobs, traveling beyond their ciphers, and dealing with the public in general. Thanks to years of mass media circus frenzy, Hip-Hop and rap music itself has been seen as a threat to the prevailing conventionality.
Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, Big L Corleone, Biggie, Nas, and Bahamadia were all tremendous influences, and managed to, even with unrelenting media coverage, maintain the rawness of their originality. This year, however, a significant shift has been made towards greater independence of thought and lifestyles. Music in general seems to be emerging from its nadir. Anti-commercial cats like Mos Def, Invincible, Bahamadia, and J-5 are keepin? Hip-Hop alive. Although it spikes in popularity, many feel the surging waves of Hip-Hop are receding as we evolve into new styles of music, but it will never fully perish.
Hip-Hop vernacular has infiltrated modern discourse. As a style whose surging core is based around verbal expression, there was no way the Hip-Hop subculture could avoid entering modern word-stream. Sure, the terms and concepts have mutated over three generations, and yes, the shortsightedness of materialism and excess of groups like Cash Money Records and Three Six Mafia put the kibosh to optimism for many schemin? on the CRÈME. Nevertheless, Hip-Hop terms have squirmed their way into everyday language. Slang is essential to Hip-Hop, and as one of its main stew ingredients, one can?t rebel against the old codes without it.
Before Hip Hop degenerated into an orgy of self-indulgence, thanks to rabid flotsam the periphery swarming, Doug E. Fresh was beat-boxin? with the Fat Boys, house party favorite MC Lyte was on that ill type with, ?I rock the party that rocks the body,? the gumby fade was in full swing, and 50 Cent was watching ?David the Gnome? on Nickelodeon in his shell top Adidas.
Supposedly, the roots of Hip-Hop can be traced back to Jamaican import DJ Kool Herc, who blew up the South Bronx in the late 1970s as a break-beat DJ that could flow to music. However, the true essence of hip hop stretches back a decade earlier to that turbulent year of 1968, when LSD was to be had in abundance, when the Democratic National Convention in Chicago degenerated into savage violence, and when a little known newly formed collective called ?The Last Poets? began rappin?.
Unlike today?s hip-hopsta imposta?s (ie: Paul Wall, Mike Jones, etc.) the Last Poets were actually talented, blending narrative with background chorus and instrumentation. The message, however, remains the same: Revolution and sense of self. As contemporaries of occasional collaborator and hip hop precursor Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets formed in East Harlem, and united in their desire to create a powerful amplifier of social criticism and black motivation.
The Last Poets invented the word ?playas? in 1968 in their song, ?Niggas Are Scared of Revolution,? and it was a word that would come into vogue some 30 years later. The Last Poets and the Watts Prophets were ahead of their time, or maybe too perfect in their role as ?consciousness liberators,? and early Wu-Tang Clan lyrics and styles reflect signs of their influence.
The impact of Wu-Tang?s seminal 1993 masterpiece ?Enter the 36 Chambers? did more to fuse hip hop elements with hardcore realities, but group harmony and the same tale of gritty living echoed throughout . With resident slang-master Raekwon the Chef, who?s album ?Only Built for Cuban Linx? dropped in 1995, and proudly boasts to having more street slang in the lyrics than any other Hip-Hop or rap oriented album in history, the Wu-Tang Clan catapulted gritty East-Coast Hip-Hop to incredible heights around the globe with new terms, great lyrics and sick beats.
After the word ?playa? was added to the Hip-Hop vocabulary by The Poets, it took 15 to thirty years to accrue such gems as shark biters, loopin? samples, droppin? science like an epileptic chemist, cheops the squishy freezepops, flowin?, freestylin?, beat-boxin?, emcee, underground, schemin? on the CREME, beef, burner, dizzles, dragon, represent, seeds, grill, dondadda chicks, diss, playing wit the Asian barbie, shields prophylactic fantastics, chew real slow like a donut bumping waldo, mad flava, eat em alive, get brolic, spittin?, etc. The list is vast, varied, and always evolving.
Hip-Hops original anti-establishment message was spit in slang, and the later focus on status symbols, such as ice, rides, women, clothes, hit hard. The conformity advocated by contemporary artists like 50 Cent, Paul Wall, and Mike Jones has betrayed the true essence of Hip-Hop. Many consider these bezzled out fellows to be more hardcore rap, but traces of old school can be found between the gingivitis infection and after-market custom additions to 64 Impala?s and 79 AMC Pacers.
Hip-Hop birthed rap and hardcore gangsta rap. MC Hammer?s baggy Z-Boz pants fell somewhere in between Arsenio Hall, gypsy Bohemian, and Pee-Wee Herman. Artists became overly occupied with cheap firearms, loose women of ill repute, copious amounts of dope, fashion that encouraged materialism, and fast souped up buggies. Lyrics began to glorify separation of selves, destruction, and deception without apology for the long-term negative effects on tormented psyches.
The line of demarcation between rap and Hip-Hop is blurred. Fin to rewind the track, take it back to Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Afrikaa Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Marly Marl?s Juice Crew are some of the true pioneers Hip-Hop, along with even older influences like early seventies blaxploitation film star and party record favorite Rudy Ray Moore, who created rappin? alter-ego ?Dolemite? back in 1972.
The shift from early Detroit Hip-Hop like Doc Chill, Esham, Mercilous Emir, to later-artists such as J Dilla, Invincible, Big Herk, Tone Tone Henderson, Street Lordz, and Obie Trice is less noticeable since our area has effectively fused a combination of styles, but ultimately, rap replaced Hip-Hop as the more dominant sound.
Rap stole the spotlight, and classic Hip-Hop artists like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul. Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and many others began finding their message and styles to be outdated and played out. Soft lyrics grew more raw, gritty, and carefree, and eighties magic seemed to be replaced by gun-toting tatted-up lunatics heeding their self-destructive tendencies. Tupac?s ?Thug Life? philosophy of being married for life like a Catholic to the ?game? glorified savage violence in the tradition of NWA, Dr Dre, and Snoop Dogg.
Back when Jay-Z used to be Sean Carter, Hip-Hop had gone completely mainstream, which was inevitable due to its rabid popularity. Shortly thereafter, sayings like ?fo shizzle,? ?hit me on the hip playboy,? ?hittin licks, hittin switches all day baby pop,? ?c?mon naw give Blind Timothy a Mean Daniel,? ?Desert Eagle wit the hollow points tucked beneath lackalacka moomoo,? ?off the chain,? and ?merk out wit it? became more and more common with many a white boy getting his face caved in at lunchtime for trying to be down by spittin? E-40 lines. Hip hop freed corny white boys, if only in their minds, from the prison of their skins, and it was a unifying force that brought people of different background and color together.
Hip-Hop is quintessentially an American invention. Song blasts from dilapidated housing projects, such as Queensbridge, Marcy, Killa Hills 10304, Stapleton, Brewster-Douglas, and the crowded slums of NYC, LA, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, SanFran?s Bay Area, DC, Miami, Philly, and East St Louis, caused Hip-Hop to become an international phenomenon.
Having experienced the rise and fall of Hip-Hops? golden era, the downfall began with the gangsta rap of Dr Dre, Snoop Dog and Tupac Shakur and has continued to decline. Groups like Cash Money Records and Three Six Mafia have glorified greed, corruption, misogynistic attitudes, and the worst human impulses.
Record executives, paper-chasing artists, gullible, naïve, uptight, and insulated, whitebread politicians applauded the near total absorption of Hip-Hip into Material Rap. The music industry, wishing to capitalize on effects of poverty, has targeted young kids with hardcore rap, forcing it down their throats while the mass media has successfully warped people?s perspectives to classify all youth culture racket under the same ?dangerous? umbrella.
Never has conformity, materialism, the urge to be like everyone else, and the selfish disregard for others been so strong among the youth. 50 Cent and Paul Wall represent the nadir of ?music,? and are completely absorbed in the worst self-indulgent aspects of Hip-Hop offshoots without paying it the proper respect.
At the darker end of the spectrum, it seems Hip-Hop has created a fearsome personae for black people, especially young, inner-city black men, and has kept them at a tremendous disadvantage when applying for jobs, traveling beyond their ciphers, and dealing with the public in general. Thanks to years of mass media circus frenzy, Hip-Hop and rap music itself has been seen as a threat to the prevailing conventionality.
Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, Big L Corleone, Biggie, Nas, and Bahamadia were all tremendous influences, and managed to, even with unrelenting media coverage, maintain the rawness of their originality. This year, however, a significant shift has been made towards greater independence of thought and lifestyles. Music in general seems to be emerging from its nadir. Anti-commercial cats like Mos Def, Invincible, Bahamadia, and J-5 are keepin? Hip-Hop alive. Although it spikes in popularity, many feel the surging waves of Hip-Hop are receding as we evolve into new styles of music, but it will never fully perish.
Community Ashes
By Matthew Mancia, Jr.
From a passer-by?s perspective, the City of Livonia may come across just as its official website suggests, ?a carefully planned community of residential, industrial, commercial and civic development.? Elegantly patterned suburbs, low taxes, and great shopping are all present and well represented. Yet, in a world of hybrids and global warming, how much effort is invested into the cities oldest asset -- the environment?
Upon closer observation, it is evident that the city plants trees and manages its budget with equal precision and care. Livonia has plenty of plant life to ensure a healthy dose of oxygen for its wildlife and inhabitants. Most of the lush greenery can be located in any of the area?s forty-six municipal parks covering roughly 1,800 acres of city property.
Though the parks are not the only place to find trees in Livonia, the local government takes special measures to integrate natural growth where ever it is feasible. City Councilman Brian Meakin explained that getting trees and other plant life to thrive in spaces mostly dominated by concrete structures is a challenging task.
?We conduct research to determine what trees will do well under our specific circumstances,? said Meakin. ?By selecting specific species of trees that have smaller roots, the city is able to place plant life in even its most developed parts.?
Planting trees, however, is only half of the environmental task. The other is maintaining those trees after they?re in the ground. The latter is a major concern for Livonia due to an insect which originated in China called the Emerald Ash Borer. The insect has wreaked havoc on the Southeast region of Michigan and parts of Canada by killing ash trees, its food of choice, at an incredibly fast pace resulting in major problems for every community they infest.
William Craig is one of the local environmentalists in charge of protecting Livonia?s trees from pests like the Emerald Ash Borer. He said the city alone has already lost around twenty thousand ash trees to the insect, with no signs of slowing down.
?Because the insect is alien to our particular environment, we have no effective defense for it,? said Craig.
While Craig?s words may not offer much hope, he is optimistic that further research will unveil what he refereed to as the ?silver bullet? environmentalists are seeking to combat the problem.
The Emerald Ash Borer has done massive damage to trees, but it is the effects on the pocket books of the city and its residents that have locals further frustrated with the uninvited pest. Because the insect completely kills the Ash trees it feasts on, the city must dispose of them before they fall down, causing more damage and/or possible injury.
Craig estimates of the roughly twenty thousand dead trees in the city, four thousand of them are located on residential property. Residents are encouraged to have the trees removed to help slow the progress of the insect, but those procedures are costly, and citizens are expected to pay out of pocket to cover the cost.
Carol Vartanian, 45, a home owner in Livonia had the unfortunate task of removing a dead ash tree from her yard.
?It cost me nearly a thousand dollars to have the thing properly removed,? Vartanian said. ?Not everyone can afford to pay that kind of money.?
The cost of removal disrupts any kind of calculated financial plans by not only the citizens of Livonia, but the city itself. Craig described the money coming out of the cities budget to take care of all the dead ash trees as an ?unforeseen cost,? but believes Livonia is ?ahead of the curve? in the removal process when compared to other cities facing the same dilemma.
Yet, the biggest cost came to the habitat. When asked about what the future of ash trees will look like, Craig gives a realistic outlook on the species.
?Much of the damage has already been done,? stated Craig. ?People should just enjoy them while their here.?
Currently, the city is doing everything in its power to control the problem without the proper ingredient to rid the habitat of the alien insect. Craig confessed that the previous obsession with the ash tree in landscaping projects due to their appealing look has not helped the situation. Craig stated that city is learning from the mistakes of ?putting all of its eggs into one basket,? and has begun diversifying the species of trees it grows. By planting several types of trees, rather than an abundance of ash like in the past, concerned city members hope that the habitat will avoid a similarly concentrated blow in the future.
From a passer-by?s perspective, the City of Livonia may come across just as its official website suggests, ?a carefully planned community of residential, industrial, commercial and civic development.? Elegantly patterned suburbs, low taxes, and great shopping are all present and well represented. Yet, in a world of hybrids and global warming, how much effort is invested into the cities oldest asset -- the environment?
Upon closer observation, it is evident that the city plants trees and manages its budget with equal precision and care. Livonia has plenty of plant life to ensure a healthy dose of oxygen for its wildlife and inhabitants. Most of the lush greenery can be located in any of the area?s forty-six municipal parks covering roughly 1,800 acres of city property.
Though the parks are not the only place to find trees in Livonia, the local government takes special measures to integrate natural growth where ever it is feasible. City Councilman Brian Meakin explained that getting trees and other plant life to thrive in spaces mostly dominated by concrete structures is a challenging task.
?We conduct research to determine what trees will do well under our specific circumstances,? said Meakin. ?By selecting specific species of trees that have smaller roots, the city is able to place plant life in even its most developed parts.?
Planting trees, however, is only half of the environmental task. The other is maintaining those trees after they?re in the ground. The latter is a major concern for Livonia due to an insect which originated in China called the Emerald Ash Borer. The insect has wreaked havoc on the Southeast region of Michigan and parts of Canada by killing ash trees, its food of choice, at an incredibly fast pace resulting in major problems for every community they infest.
William Craig is one of the local environmentalists in charge of protecting Livonia?s trees from pests like the Emerald Ash Borer. He said the city alone has already lost around twenty thousand ash trees to the insect, with no signs of slowing down.
?Because the insect is alien to our particular environment, we have no effective defense for it,? said Craig.
While Craig?s words may not offer much hope, he is optimistic that further research will unveil what he refereed to as the ?silver bullet? environmentalists are seeking to combat the problem.
The Emerald Ash Borer has done massive damage to trees, but it is the effects on the pocket books of the city and its residents that have locals further frustrated with the uninvited pest. Because the insect completely kills the Ash trees it feasts on, the city must dispose of them before they fall down, causing more damage and/or possible injury.
Craig estimates of the roughly twenty thousand dead trees in the city, four thousand of them are located on residential property. Residents are encouraged to have the trees removed to help slow the progress of the insect, but those procedures are costly, and citizens are expected to pay out of pocket to cover the cost.
Carol Vartanian, 45, a home owner in Livonia had the unfortunate task of removing a dead ash tree from her yard.
?It cost me nearly a thousand dollars to have the thing properly removed,? Vartanian said. ?Not everyone can afford to pay that kind of money.?
The cost of removal disrupts any kind of calculated financial plans by not only the citizens of Livonia, but the city itself. Craig described the money coming out of the cities budget to take care of all the dead ash trees as an ?unforeseen cost,? but believes Livonia is ?ahead of the curve? in the removal process when compared to other cities facing the same dilemma.
Yet, the biggest cost came to the habitat. When asked about what the future of ash trees will look like, Craig gives a realistic outlook on the species.
?Much of the damage has already been done,? stated Craig. ?People should just enjoy them while their here.?
Currently, the city is doing everything in its power to control the problem without the proper ingredient to rid the habitat of the alien insect. Craig confessed that the previous obsession with the ash tree in landscaping projects due to their appealing look has not helped the situation. Craig stated that city is learning from the mistakes of ?putting all of its eggs into one basket,? and has begun diversifying the species of trees it grows. By planting several types of trees, rather than an abundance of ash like in the past, concerned city members hope that the habitat will avoid a similarly concentrated blow in the future.
Manchester: Bad Economic Times, Still a Great Place to Live
By Katie Ochs
?Manchester, Michigan is a jewel of a community, tucked away in the Southwest corner of Washtenaw County. It?s famous for its annual ?Chicken Broil,? and works to preserve its precious heritage and scenic beauty.? That?s how the town?s website describes this village of 2,200. However, many people say Manchester has fallen behind the times, and its focus on preserving the past has wreaked havoc on present and future job opportunities in the village.
Several businesses have shuttered their stores in the past two years. The town?s two auto dealers have shut down. Pilot Industries, an automotive component supplier, closed its Manchester factory, and several other component suppliers, like Manchester Plastics, Collins Aikman, Inc., and Manchester Tool and Die have followed suit.
The town?s only upscale restaurant, Dan?s River Grille, has also closed its doors. Even the town?s newspaper, which has always been locally owned and operated, was sold to the Heritage Newspapers chain. News of the potential closing of automotive parts company manufacturer Visteon, in Saline and Milan, have also sent shockwaves through the community.
Residents of this rural village depend heavily on service industry and blue-collar jobs. Nearly 90 percent of the residents have graduated high school, and nearly half of the households have incomes exceeding $50,000 per year. Its school district, with about 1,100 students draws, pupils from throughout the southwestern portion of Washtenaw County. However, regardless of these positive scholastic statistics, the census figures show that less than a quarter of the residents have college degrees. Thus, when local blue-collar businesses close, a ripple effect occurs through the community.
?Compounding the problem for this town is the further urbanization of Washtenaw County,? stated lifelong resident John Hochstetler, a former school board member and recent State Senate contender. ?The flight of urban people to rural areas has gobbled up our farm land, which further reduces our agricultural base. As a direct result, our two farm equipment dealers have closed. Both K&W Equipment and SK Sales have shut their doors in the last two years.?
?If we are no longer collecting taxes from these closed businesses, the tax burden is shifted to homeowners,? Hochstetler added. ?Property taxes get higher and higher, and that squeezes out the long time residents, because it becomes too expensive to live here. It is a downward spiral. The businesses are leaving, the long time residents are leaving, and all we have left is a bed and breakfast community with Ann Arbor transplants who thought they were moving to country club place. At the end of the day, they are slowly destroying our community.?
To combat the issue of a declining business district, the village council has formed a Downtown Development Authority. The group hopes to come up with a plan that will make the village a more attractive place to set up new businesses.
Business owner and authority chairman Karl Racenis says the task is a difficult one.
?It is hard to lure new businesses to the village,? said Racenis. ?Especially when the village council has historically placed a greater emphasis on preserving the past.?
Historically, Manchester has been a prime location for automotive suppliers, but declining auto sales and huge cut backs by domestic automakers have led to numerous plant closings, which has hurt the supplier industry.
?Many Americans think it is sophisticated or chic to drive imported cars. They cry crocodile tears at the announcement of domestic plant closings as they are driving their Honda Accords to work,? says John Ochs, a retired public relations director of Ford Motor Company who lives near Manchester. ?Here in Michigan, our governor was welcoming Toyota to Ann Arbor during the same week that she was mourning the announcement of the giant Ford Wixom plant closing. No one should be surprised that our two local auto dealerships as well as our supplier businesses closed in the same year. People don?t seem to understand the linkage.?
Despite the bad economic news and the increasing tax burden, many residents like the lower paced, quiet, and relative absence of violent crime lifestyle that Manchester has to offer. Many residents say that aside from its economic troubles, Manchester is a very peaceful and rural setting, where everyone knows each other, and old way life, forgotten in the great Metropolises of our nation, is still present.
?Manchester, Michigan is a jewel of a community, tucked away in the Southwest corner of Washtenaw County. It?s famous for its annual ?Chicken Broil,? and works to preserve its precious heritage and scenic beauty.? That?s how the town?s website describes this village of 2,200. However, many people say Manchester has fallen behind the times, and its focus on preserving the past has wreaked havoc on present and future job opportunities in the village.
Several businesses have shuttered their stores in the past two years. The town?s two auto dealers have shut down. Pilot Industries, an automotive component supplier, closed its Manchester factory, and several other component suppliers, like Manchester Plastics, Collins Aikman, Inc., and Manchester Tool and Die have followed suit.
The town?s only upscale restaurant, Dan?s River Grille, has also closed its doors. Even the town?s newspaper, which has always been locally owned and operated, was sold to the Heritage Newspapers chain. News of the potential closing of automotive parts company manufacturer Visteon, in Saline and Milan, have also sent shockwaves through the community.
Residents of this rural village depend heavily on service industry and blue-collar jobs. Nearly 90 percent of the residents have graduated high school, and nearly half of the households have incomes exceeding $50,000 per year. Its school district, with about 1,100 students draws, pupils from throughout the southwestern portion of Washtenaw County. However, regardless of these positive scholastic statistics, the census figures show that less than a quarter of the residents have college degrees. Thus, when local blue-collar businesses close, a ripple effect occurs through the community.
?Compounding the problem for this town is the further urbanization of Washtenaw County,? stated lifelong resident John Hochstetler, a former school board member and recent State Senate contender. ?The flight of urban people to rural areas has gobbled up our farm land, which further reduces our agricultural base. As a direct result, our two farm equipment dealers have closed. Both K&W Equipment and SK Sales have shut their doors in the last two years.?
?If we are no longer collecting taxes from these closed businesses, the tax burden is shifted to homeowners,? Hochstetler added. ?Property taxes get higher and higher, and that squeezes out the long time residents, because it becomes too expensive to live here. It is a downward spiral. The businesses are leaving, the long time residents are leaving, and all we have left is a bed and breakfast community with Ann Arbor transplants who thought they were moving to country club place. At the end of the day, they are slowly destroying our community.?
To combat the issue of a declining business district, the village council has formed a Downtown Development Authority. The group hopes to come up with a plan that will make the village a more attractive place to set up new businesses.
Business owner and authority chairman Karl Racenis says the task is a difficult one.
?It is hard to lure new businesses to the village,? said Racenis. ?Especially when the village council has historically placed a greater emphasis on preserving the past.?
Historically, Manchester has been a prime location for automotive suppliers, but declining auto sales and huge cut backs by domestic automakers have led to numerous plant closings, which has hurt the supplier industry.
?Many Americans think it is sophisticated or chic to drive imported cars. They cry crocodile tears at the announcement of domestic plant closings as they are driving their Honda Accords to work,? says John Ochs, a retired public relations director of Ford Motor Company who lives near Manchester. ?Here in Michigan, our governor was welcoming Toyota to Ann Arbor during the same week that she was mourning the announcement of the giant Ford Wixom plant closing. No one should be surprised that our two local auto dealerships as well as our supplier businesses closed in the same year. People don?t seem to understand the linkage.?
Despite the bad economic news and the increasing tax burden, many residents like the lower paced, quiet, and relative absence of violent crime lifestyle that Manchester has to offer. Many residents say that aside from its economic troubles, Manchester is a very peaceful and rural setting, where everyone knows each other, and old way life, forgotten in the great Metropolises of our nation, is still present.
The Plight of the Manatee
By Julie Ancona
There a numerous issues concerning the environment, but one of the most pressing matters is preserving the lives of animals on the brink of extinction. The manatee, also known as the sea cow, is one of those animals.
The manatee can be found in rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal water ways. These mammals tend to wander into areas where there is sea grass and fresh water vegetation, which essential foods in their diet. They are completely herbivorous creatures, and in Florida, there are many groups trying to save this mammal from extinction.
The manatee has been on the endangered species list for 30 years, and in Florida, there are an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 manatee?s living in the surrounding coastal areas. One of the reasons for their brink of extinction is that their genetics are unique, and the low genetic diversity is causing inbreeding, causing some manatees to be more susceptible to disease and climate changes. Though manatees can travel long distances, these mammals are more likely to stay in coastal areas where they are protected from large predators. However, they are slow moving and stay in shallow water, and therefore, become easy prey for shark. Sharks are the main reason that manatees are unable to mate with different bloodlines, but human-beings are also hurrying their extinction process.
Florida has warm waters and long, expansive coasts that invite major tourism. The coasts and warm waters call many people out for boating, jet skiing, and other on water activity that can harm manatees. Lobbying groups in Florida want to get more use out of water ways for their businesses, but the desire to protect and save this animal outweighs the lobbyist?s desires for profits.
Many marinas exist in the waters of Florida. Boaters, who are careless and do not follow boating regulations such as the ?no wake zones,? are hitting these animals as they race through shallow areas, and as a result, many manatees are often found with scars from boat props and careless drivers. Boaters who hit manatee are charged with fines that are non-negotiable, and if a boater hits and leaves a manatee without calling the authorities, they may face jail time.
There a numerous issues concerning the environment, but one of the most pressing matters is preserving the lives of animals on the brink of extinction. The manatee, also known as the sea cow, is one of those animals.
The manatee can be found in rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal water ways. These mammals tend to wander into areas where there is sea grass and fresh water vegetation, which essential foods in their diet. They are completely herbivorous creatures, and in Florida, there are many groups trying to save this mammal from extinction.
The manatee has been on the endangered species list for 30 years, and in Florida, there are an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 manatee?s living in the surrounding coastal areas. One of the reasons for their brink of extinction is that their genetics are unique, and the low genetic diversity is causing inbreeding, causing some manatees to be more susceptible to disease and climate changes. Though manatees can travel long distances, these mammals are more likely to stay in coastal areas where they are protected from large predators. However, they are slow moving and stay in shallow water, and therefore, become easy prey for shark. Sharks are the main reason that manatees are unable to mate with different bloodlines, but human-beings are also hurrying their extinction process.
Florida has warm waters and long, expansive coasts that invite major tourism. The coasts and warm waters call many people out for boating, jet skiing, and other on water activity that can harm manatees. Lobbying groups in Florida want to get more use out of water ways for their businesses, but the desire to protect and save this animal outweighs the lobbyist?s desires for profits.
Many marinas exist in the waters of Florida. Boaters, who are careless and do not follow boating regulations such as the ?no wake zones,? are hitting these animals as they race through shallow areas, and as a result, many manatees are often found with scars from boat props and careless drivers. Boaters who hit manatee are charged with fines that are non-negotiable, and if a boater hits and leaves a manatee without calling the authorities, they may face jail time.
Asthma
By Jenny Poland
Asthma, a chronic condition in which the airways become blocked or constricted making, it difficult to breathe, is a serious condition that affects many Americans, especially Michigan citizens. There are approximately 373,000 people suffering from asthma in the metro-Detroit area alone, and the asthma prevalence rate for children in Detroit is at 15 percent, which is twice the national average. This is an issue that is generally overlooked by the public, but for those whom are affected by it, it is a big deal.
Asthma prevalence is thought to be increasing due to low public awareness. Some asthma sufferers are disregarding symptoms and writing them off as a nuisance, and some individuals are unaware that they even have asthma.
?I was diagnosed with asthma over 40 years ago,? said Bob Poland, an asthma sufferer and a resident of Livingston county. ?I went to the hospital, and after feeling like I had almost died, I was told I had an asthma attack. I had no idea what it was.?
Another noted cause for the increase in the prevalence is low physician awareness and diagnosis. Some doctors may be unaware of the symptoms of asthmatic patients, and therefore, are less capable of giving proper treatment. Air pollutants are another major factor in the occurrence of asthma attacks, and asthma sufferers, who are exposed to a great deal of air pollutants are more likely to have aggravated symptoms.
Children are also deeply affected by asthma. There are many factors that contribute to early childhood asthma, and in the city of Detroit, the most common is exposure second-hand smoke. A recent study showed that the average child today spends approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, resulting in obesity and inactivity, which are another two suspected causes for the rise in children affected by asthma.
Other irritants and triggers of asthma include pollen, dust mites, mold or fungi, cleaning products, tobacco smoke, animal dander, and even strong smells and fumes. Another major trigger, unknown to many doctors as well as patients, especially in Detroit, is cockroaches, which carry germs and other allergy irritants.
Learning to avoid the things that irritate asthma will not only help prevent an attack, but also help prevent un-necessary visits to the emergency room. Raising awareness and removing certain items from the home, such as animals or certain cleaning products that trigger symptoms, are a couple of small steps that can be taken to make the lives of asthma sufferers more comfortable, and as a result, lower the chance of an attack, while also lowering the prevalence.
Asthma, a chronic condition in which the airways become blocked or constricted making, it difficult to breathe, is a serious condition that affects many Americans, especially Michigan citizens. There are approximately 373,000 people suffering from asthma in the metro-Detroit area alone, and the asthma prevalence rate for children in Detroit is at 15 percent, which is twice the national average. This is an issue that is generally overlooked by the public, but for those whom are affected by it, it is a big deal.
Asthma prevalence is thought to be increasing due to low public awareness. Some asthma sufferers are disregarding symptoms and writing them off as a nuisance, and some individuals are unaware that they even have asthma.
?I was diagnosed with asthma over 40 years ago,? said Bob Poland, an asthma sufferer and a resident of Livingston county. ?I went to the hospital, and after feeling like I had almost died, I was told I had an asthma attack. I had no idea what it was.?
Another noted cause for the increase in the prevalence is low physician awareness and diagnosis. Some doctors may be unaware of the symptoms of asthmatic patients, and therefore, are less capable of giving proper treatment. Air pollutants are another major factor in the occurrence of asthma attacks, and asthma sufferers, who are exposed to a great deal of air pollutants are more likely to have aggravated symptoms.
Children are also deeply affected by asthma. There are many factors that contribute to early childhood asthma, and in the city of Detroit, the most common is exposure second-hand smoke. A recent study showed that the average child today spends approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, resulting in obesity and inactivity, which are another two suspected causes for the rise in children affected by asthma.
Other irritants and triggers of asthma include pollen, dust mites, mold or fungi, cleaning products, tobacco smoke, animal dander, and even strong smells and fumes. Another major trigger, unknown to many doctors as well as patients, especially in Detroit, is cockroaches, which carry germs and other allergy irritants.
Learning to avoid the things that irritate asthma will not only help prevent an attack, but also help prevent un-necessary visits to the emergency room. Raising awareness and removing certain items from the home, such as animals or certain cleaning products that trigger symptoms, are a couple of small steps that can be taken to make the lives of asthma sufferers more comfortable, and as a result, lower the chance of an attack, while also lowering the prevalence.
The Rouge River Environment
By Erin Saur
The wall built between Michigan Avenue and the Ford Rouge Plant has been the topic of conversation among environmentalists for many years, and the recent discussion surrounding the possible removal of four miles worth of concrete walls has sparked debate among many Dearborn, MI residents.
The walls, which were put in place in 1972 between Michigan Avenue and the Ford Rouge Plant, was the United State Army Corp of Engineers? solution to the flooding and subsequent pollution of people?s homes in the area. The walls stopped flooding, which allowed buildings like Fairlane Mall to be built on a flood plain. However, the walls also stopped natural habit from surviving, and therefore, the goal of the removal project is to encourage the re-naturalization of the river and to promote wildlife in the area.
Residents of Dearborn are surprised and excited by the news of the possible removal of these walls. Kathleen Yeager, a resident of over 25 years, feels the walls are an eyesore for many residents, and Mary Gollbach, a former resident of Dearborn, feels the same.
?There is so much trash,? Gollbach stated. ?I?m happy to hear it is being cleaned up enough to remove the cement walls.?
168 combined sewage overflows were identified, with an affected area of approximately 59, 300 acres of the waterbed, resulting in residents from Dearborn and from local communities to begun a lengthy clean up of the Rouge River.
Massive cleaning efforts have shown impressive results. Combined sewer overflow pollutants in the river have been cut by 90 to 100 percent during most wet weather events. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, in 2004, protection of human health, elimination of the discharge of raw sewage, and meeting water quality standards was achieved. This was in contrast to pollution in 1995, when Oakland County completed a second survey of Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems in selected areas of Southfield and Farmington Hills, of which the results showed an overall failure rate of 39% in the 61 sites tested.
The quality of the Rouge River is important to communities outside of Dearborn. The oldest and most heavily populated and industrialized area in southeast Michigan is located within the Rouge River Watershed. The river winds its way through 48 communities and provides recreational opportunities for more than 1.5 million people. More than 50 miles of the Rouge River flows through public parklands, making it one of the most publicly accessible rivers in the State. The Rouge River also affects the water quality of the lower 20 miles of the Detroit River and Lake Erie.
The people of Canton Township, Van Buren Township, Southfield, Dearborn, Detroit, Novi, and Oakland and Wayne Counties were also involved in fund raising, developing videos, placing information spots on local cable stations, and hosting educational events to heighten public awareness of the Rouge River. Education and public awareness has consistently helped environmental projects throughout history, and as these communities continue to support the quality of the Rouge River, it will provide water, wildlife, and recreational opportunities for years to come.
The wall built between Michigan Avenue and the Ford Rouge Plant has been the topic of conversation among environmentalists for many years, and the recent discussion surrounding the possible removal of four miles worth of concrete walls has sparked debate among many Dearborn, MI residents.
The walls, which were put in place in 1972 between Michigan Avenue and the Ford Rouge Plant, was the United State Army Corp of Engineers? solution to the flooding and subsequent pollution of people?s homes in the area. The walls stopped flooding, which allowed buildings like Fairlane Mall to be built on a flood plain. However, the walls also stopped natural habit from surviving, and therefore, the goal of the removal project is to encourage the re-naturalization of the river and to promote wildlife in the area.
Residents of Dearborn are surprised and excited by the news of the possible removal of these walls. Kathleen Yeager, a resident of over 25 years, feels the walls are an eyesore for many residents, and Mary Gollbach, a former resident of Dearborn, feels the same.
?There is so much trash,? Gollbach stated. ?I?m happy to hear it is being cleaned up enough to remove the cement walls.?
168 combined sewage overflows were identified, with an affected area of approximately 59, 300 acres of the waterbed, resulting in residents from Dearborn and from local communities to begun a lengthy clean up of the Rouge River.
Massive cleaning efforts have shown impressive results. Combined sewer overflow pollutants in the river have been cut by 90 to 100 percent during most wet weather events. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, in 2004, protection of human health, elimination of the discharge of raw sewage, and meeting water quality standards was achieved. This was in contrast to pollution in 1995, when Oakland County completed a second survey of Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems in selected areas of Southfield and Farmington Hills, of which the results showed an overall failure rate of 39% in the 61 sites tested.
The quality of the Rouge River is important to communities outside of Dearborn. The oldest and most heavily populated and industrialized area in southeast Michigan is located within the Rouge River Watershed. The river winds its way through 48 communities and provides recreational opportunities for more than 1.5 million people. More than 50 miles of the Rouge River flows through public parklands, making it one of the most publicly accessible rivers in the State. The Rouge River also affects the water quality of the lower 20 miles of the Detroit River and Lake Erie.
The people of Canton Township, Van Buren Township, Southfield, Dearborn, Detroit, Novi, and Oakland and Wayne Counties were also involved in fund raising, developing videos, placing information spots on local cable stations, and hosting educational events to heighten public awareness of the Rouge River. Education and public awareness has consistently helped environmental projects throughout history, and as these communities continue to support the quality of the Rouge River, it will provide water, wildlife, and recreational opportunities for years to come.
History of Elders
By Brad Romans
Having witnessed the advent of modern media, several wars, the Civil Rights movement, and dozens of other historically significant events, Mary Ellen Evitts, 72, has seen many changes in her life, and is amazed with the progress that has been made technologically and socially.
?If I had to pick just one thing that impressed me, I?d have to say it is the change in diversity,? Evitts stated. ?People are more accepting now than I have ever seen.?
Evitts was born in a secluded town in Kentucky in 1933. Born the third of four children, she was raised with ideas and words that have since been socially rejected or outdated.
?I remember one day when my son Tim came home from a few days of hard work out of doors, and someone said, ?Tim, if you get any darker of a tan, you might turn into a nigger,?? said Evitts. ?We never thought much on this. It was just a word. But that?s changed, and I think for the better.?
Evitts attended school in Kentucky before she moved her family to Michigan in 1962. She graduated from her community high school with honors. It was there that she met Eric Evitts, and the two dated for four years outside of school before he asked her to marry him.
?We both worked full-time for a few years, saving up money for a house of our own,? said Evitts. ?We bought our first home an hour from where we grew up, and got married just before we moved in. It was really just a terrible little place, but you know how it is with your first house.?
Evitts worked as a secretary at a paper manufacturing plant a few miles from her family home for seven years. After three years of marriage, the Evitts? had their first child, a boy whom they named Timothy. Two and a half years later came a girl they named Diane. Evitts took her maternity leave to give birth to her first child, but decided not to go back to work.
?I always felt as though it would be confusing for a young child to have a nanny and a mother in the same day, so I quit, ? said Evitts.
The move to Michigan facilitated a number of changes, especially for her children, who were about to start school.
?It seemed at the time, Kentucky was not as good a place for my children to be,? Evitts stated.
The family then moved to Chelsea, Michigan, where Tim and Diane attended Elementary and middle school while Eric worked to support the three of them as a machinist for General Motors.
They now continue to lead productive lives in Pinckney, living on a quiet and comfortable ten acres. They raise chickens, turkeys, and rabbits each year, and harvest tomato, bean, and corn crops.
?I think it?s being outdoors and staying active that is the key to being healthy,? said Evitts. ?People who are always sick are sitting around, smoking and watching TV. My message: throw that thing out! It does you no good.?
Despite being diagnosed with lupus six years ago, Evitts is full of energy and positive outlooks. Mary Ellen Evitts is living a fruitful, quiet life with her family nearby. She enjoys her retirement, reads a great deal, and is extremely cheerful.
?I?m quite satisfied with the life I?ve led, especially having left my mark through my own children,? said Evitts. ?They are, after all, what let us carry on our missions.?
Having witnessed the advent of modern media, several wars, the Civil Rights movement, and dozens of other historically significant events, Mary Ellen Evitts, 72, has seen many changes in her life, and is amazed with the progress that has been made technologically and socially.
?If I had to pick just one thing that impressed me, I?d have to say it is the change in diversity,? Evitts stated. ?People are more accepting now than I have ever seen.?
Evitts was born in a secluded town in Kentucky in 1933. Born the third of four children, she was raised with ideas and words that have since been socially rejected or outdated.
?I remember one day when my son Tim came home from a few days of hard work out of doors, and someone said, ?Tim, if you get any darker of a tan, you might turn into a nigger,?? said Evitts. ?We never thought much on this. It was just a word. But that?s changed, and I think for the better.?
Evitts attended school in Kentucky before she moved her family to Michigan in 1962. She graduated from her community high school with honors. It was there that she met Eric Evitts, and the two dated for four years outside of school before he asked her to marry him.
?We both worked full-time for a few years, saving up money for a house of our own,? said Evitts. ?We bought our first home an hour from where we grew up, and got married just before we moved in. It was really just a terrible little place, but you know how it is with your first house.?
Evitts worked as a secretary at a paper manufacturing plant a few miles from her family home for seven years. After three years of marriage, the Evitts? had their first child, a boy whom they named Timothy. Two and a half years later came a girl they named Diane. Evitts took her maternity leave to give birth to her first child, but decided not to go back to work.
?I always felt as though it would be confusing for a young child to have a nanny and a mother in the same day, so I quit, ? said Evitts.
The move to Michigan facilitated a number of changes, especially for her children, who were about to start school.
?It seemed at the time, Kentucky was not as good a place for my children to be,? Evitts stated.
The family then moved to Chelsea, Michigan, where Tim and Diane attended Elementary and middle school while Eric worked to support the three of them as a machinist for General Motors.
They now continue to lead productive lives in Pinckney, living on a quiet and comfortable ten acres. They raise chickens, turkeys, and rabbits each year, and harvest tomato, bean, and corn crops.
?I think it?s being outdoors and staying active that is the key to being healthy,? said Evitts. ?People who are always sick are sitting around, smoking and watching TV. My message: throw that thing out! It does you no good.?
Despite being diagnosed with lupus six years ago, Evitts is full of energy and positive outlooks. Mary Ellen Evitts is living a fruitful, quiet life with her family nearby. She enjoys her retirement, reads a great deal, and is extremely cheerful.
?I?m quite satisfied with the life I?ve led, especially having left my mark through my own children,? said Evitts. ?They are, after all, what let us carry on our missions.?
Hip-hop
By Amy Ziemak
Hip-Hop music and lyrics came from a very strong background of individuals and groups who wanted to take a stand. The Last Poets were one of the very first Hip-Hop groups in the 1960's to have politically challenging lyrics that relayed and related to the masses. They were a strong group in the time of Black Nationalism, and while they encouraged blacks with their political lyrics and messages, they also tried to make a difference within the Black Arts.
The Last Poets music was considered an art form. They took inspiration from poets like Imamu Amiri Baraka, and political organizations like the Black Panthers, and instead of the typical "rhythm and blues" feel, their music infused African- flavored jazz rhythms, poetry, and improvisation, resulting in politically challenging music that shook the nation.
"A Hip-Hop lyric back in the 1960s and 1970s stood for something. The lyrics stood for a message that people wanted to spread," said Ellen Norris, a 50-year-old accountant from Canal Fulton, Ohio. "They were trying to better themselves and their followers. Hip-Hop music today just sounds like a slur of words. I do not like the lyrics being played on the radio, and I will not have that ever played in my house."
In the early 1990s, Hip-Hop music and its message began to change, and it seemed that the days of politically charged, poetic music were long gone. In 1993 rapper Tupac Shakur, as a member of the group Thug Life, which featured Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme and The Rated R, changed what it meant to be a thug, and adopted and embodied the phrase "thug life," as a philosophy and a way of being.
To Skakur, a "thug" was not a criminal. To him, a "thug" was someone who had come from an oppressive background, with little opportunity, and still managed to live a life to be proud of. Shakur's popularity and beliefs brought him many followers, and soon, youth and gangs all across the country had adopted the "Thug Life Code of Ethics," which was a set of strongly followed principles and rules. These followers believed that, "civilians were not to be targets in gang warfare," and that "children in schools should not be indoctrinated by gang propaganda." Whether or not all gangs followed the code of ethics is questionable, but the rules and Shakur's legacy and philosophy of "thug life," live on even after his death.
Shakur, despite attempting to promote an image of self-help and respect in the black community through the ideals, rules, and principles of "thug life," has had many critics, and there are those who believe that his definition and promotion of ?thug life? has not helped to reduce the violence or change the minds of violent gang members.
"In theory, the 'Thug Life Code of Ethics' is a good idea, but I do not feel that it was ever followed as it should," said Kristin Parker, a 20-year-old education major at Eastern Michigan University. "Civilians are still killed all the time due to gang violence. If they are following this so called 'thug life,' to better themselves they, should not be in a gang, and should not be resorting to violence to settle things."
With the progression of Hip-hop music and lyrics, and the move from poetry and "thug life," to gangsta rap and "bling-bling," some rappers are being placed into strict categories in accordance to the image they project and the lyrics they rhyme. Some rappers are being defined as "gangsta," who tend to have more explicit lyrics that contain images of gangs, prisons, and the glorification of drugs and violence, while others are deemed "conscious rappers," who have lyrics that are a bit more censored, and raps that are defined as "happy," and "giving off a good vibe."
"To me, a 'gangsta' rapper would be someone like Tupac or 50 Cent. They do not censor themselves, and they rap about some very controversial topics," said Garrick Baker, a 20-year-old education major from EMU. "A 'conscious' rapper would be Will Smith. He censors himself a lot, and tends to rap more about light hearted, entertaining topics. Those would be the extremes."
In relation to their lyrics, many rappers have adopted an extravagant life style, and choose to wear their money quite literally on their sleeves. "Bling-Bling," which is defined as expensive jewelry and other accessories, is what many rappers are using to project heir chosen persona, and prove to their critics and audience that they are successful. A rapper will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a piece of jewelry to have it personalized and styled with many different types of jewels and metals. Chains, rings, belt buckles, watches, and more recently, "grills," which are silver, gold, or platinum caps with diamond inlays jeweled to be worn over the teeth, are all types of "bling" that a rapper will buy.
To go along with the "bling" life style large, amounts of money will be spent almost anywhere. While out dining, a rapper may purchase many bottles of Cristal Champagne, which can range from $350 to $500 a bottle. Instead of having one car, many expensive, customized cars will be purchased. The standard factory equipment will be removed and custom rims, CD players, TV and DVD players, tinted windows, and speakers and more will be installed as yet another way to prove their wealth.
The "bling" life style is one way for rappers and Hip-Hop artists to prove their wealth and status. Even though it is a blatant misrepresentation of the majority, many people in the United States make the mistake in assuming that all African Americans are just as extravagant and uncouth, and until more rappers and Hip-Hop artists use their money to help their fellow people and those truly in need, the assumptions will continue, and their reputations will not change.
Hip-Hop music and lyrics came from a very strong background of individuals and groups who wanted to take a stand. The Last Poets were one of the very first Hip-Hop groups in the 1960's to have politically challenging lyrics that relayed and related to the masses. They were a strong group in the time of Black Nationalism, and while they encouraged blacks with their political lyrics and messages, they also tried to make a difference within the Black Arts.
The Last Poets music was considered an art form. They took inspiration from poets like Imamu Amiri Baraka, and political organizations like the Black Panthers, and instead of the typical "rhythm and blues" feel, their music infused African- flavored jazz rhythms, poetry, and improvisation, resulting in politically challenging music that shook the nation.
"A Hip-Hop lyric back in the 1960s and 1970s stood for something. The lyrics stood for a message that people wanted to spread," said Ellen Norris, a 50-year-old accountant from Canal Fulton, Ohio. "They were trying to better themselves and their followers. Hip-Hop music today just sounds like a slur of words. I do not like the lyrics being played on the radio, and I will not have that ever played in my house."
In the early 1990s, Hip-Hop music and its message began to change, and it seemed that the days of politically charged, poetic music were long gone. In 1993 rapper Tupac Shakur, as a member of the group Thug Life, which featured Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme and The Rated R, changed what it meant to be a thug, and adopted and embodied the phrase "thug life," as a philosophy and a way of being.
To Skakur, a "thug" was not a criminal. To him, a "thug" was someone who had come from an oppressive background, with little opportunity, and still managed to live a life to be proud of. Shakur's popularity and beliefs brought him many followers, and soon, youth and gangs all across the country had adopted the "Thug Life Code of Ethics," which was a set of strongly followed principles and rules. These followers believed that, "civilians were not to be targets in gang warfare," and that "children in schools should not be indoctrinated by gang propaganda." Whether or not all gangs followed the code of ethics is questionable, but the rules and Shakur's legacy and philosophy of "thug life," live on even after his death.
Shakur, despite attempting to promote an image of self-help and respect in the black community through the ideals, rules, and principles of "thug life," has had many critics, and there are those who believe that his definition and promotion of ?thug life? has not helped to reduce the violence or change the minds of violent gang members.
"In theory, the 'Thug Life Code of Ethics' is a good idea, but I do not feel that it was ever followed as it should," said Kristin Parker, a 20-year-old education major at Eastern Michigan University. "Civilians are still killed all the time due to gang violence. If they are following this so called 'thug life,' to better themselves they, should not be in a gang, and should not be resorting to violence to settle things."
With the progression of Hip-hop music and lyrics, and the move from poetry and "thug life," to gangsta rap and "bling-bling," some rappers are being placed into strict categories in accordance to the image they project and the lyrics they rhyme. Some rappers are being defined as "gangsta," who tend to have more explicit lyrics that contain images of gangs, prisons, and the glorification of drugs and violence, while others are deemed "conscious rappers," who have lyrics that are a bit more censored, and raps that are defined as "happy," and "giving off a good vibe."
"To me, a 'gangsta' rapper would be someone like Tupac or 50 Cent. They do not censor themselves, and they rap about some very controversial topics," said Garrick Baker, a 20-year-old education major from EMU. "A 'conscious' rapper would be Will Smith. He censors himself a lot, and tends to rap more about light hearted, entertaining topics. Those would be the extremes."
In relation to their lyrics, many rappers have adopted an extravagant life style, and choose to wear their money quite literally on their sleeves. "Bling-Bling," which is defined as expensive jewelry and other accessories, is what many rappers are using to project heir chosen persona, and prove to their critics and audience that they are successful. A rapper will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a piece of jewelry to have it personalized and styled with many different types of jewels and metals. Chains, rings, belt buckles, watches, and more recently, "grills," which are silver, gold, or platinum caps with diamond inlays jeweled to be worn over the teeth, are all types of "bling" that a rapper will buy.
To go along with the "bling" life style large, amounts of money will be spent almost anywhere. While out dining, a rapper may purchase many bottles of Cristal Champagne, which can range from $350 to $500 a bottle. Instead of having one car, many expensive, customized cars will be purchased. The standard factory equipment will be removed and custom rims, CD players, TV and DVD players, tinted windows, and speakers and more will be installed as yet another way to prove their wealth.
The "bling" life style is one way for rappers and Hip-Hop artists to prove their wealth and status. Even though it is a blatant misrepresentation of the majority, many people in the United States make the mistake in assuming that all African Americans are just as extravagant and uncouth, and until more rappers and Hip-Hop artists use their money to help their fellow people and those truly in need, the assumptions will continue, and their reputations will not change.
No Child Left Behind Act
By Amy Clark
In 2001, the federal government made another attempt to have an active role in elementary and secondary education by passing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
The act emphasizes accountability in education, and this includes accountability from students, teachers, and administrators. NCLB also federal aid available for schools who meet academic standards, who also abide by policies set by the government. This plan appears like it could work, but when looking at the policies and required standards, the NCLB act is more of a hindrance than it is helpful.
For example, by the year 2014, every child in public schools must achieve grade-level proficiency in reading, math and science. Each school will be required to give annual tests to show progress, and every child must be producing a C or better in math, English and science in order to meet the requirements.
The standards and golas of the NCLB are difficult and nearly impossible to make. Not only does the entire student body have to demonstrate progress, but the law also stipulates that minority groups (such as children in poverty, special education and learning disabled students) must make the same progress as the rest of the student body.
Consequences for not meeting the standards are crippling. If the school is unable to achieve the goals set forth by the NCLB act, the entire school is then officially labeled a "failure" according to the standards set forth in the act. If the school fails to meet standards for two consecutive years, then the school faces the threat of termination of its teachers.
The new law has strict guidelines to ensure that each teacher is fully qualified to teach his or her subject area. This is not a lot to ask for, but given how much teachers do for students already, it is difficult to require or expect them to be able to adequately work with students who aren't learning as fast as the others, as well as challenge the students who are ahead of the learning curve.
Lauren Field, and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) junior, is an elementary education major and genuinely worries about the new system.
"I work with children now, and I intend to do so once I actually start my career," Field stated. "I know that each child needs to learn equally, but there is no way for them to all do it at the same pace. It is horrible to put pressure on children that are already having such a hard time."
At the surface level, the NCLB goal is a good one. The act simply states that it wants children get the education they deserve, and wants to hold people responsible if they don't. However, the specifics, rules, and regulations are harsh consequences for un-met goals, and only going to make the situation worse.
Therefore, with these concerns in mind, it hoped that the NCLB will be able to deliver on its stated goals, without creating more problems than it is solving.
In 2001, the federal government made another attempt to have an active role in elementary and secondary education by passing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
The act emphasizes accountability in education, and this includes accountability from students, teachers, and administrators. NCLB also federal aid available for schools who meet academic standards, who also abide by policies set by the government. This plan appears like it could work, but when looking at the policies and required standards, the NCLB act is more of a hindrance than it is helpful.
For example, by the year 2014, every child in public schools must achieve grade-level proficiency in reading, math and science. Each school will be required to give annual tests to show progress, and every child must be producing a C or better in math, English and science in order to meet the requirements.
The standards and golas of the NCLB are difficult and nearly impossible to make. Not only does the entire student body have to demonstrate progress, but the law also stipulates that minority groups (such as children in poverty, special education and learning disabled students) must make the same progress as the rest of the student body.
Consequences for not meeting the standards are crippling. If the school is unable to achieve the goals set forth by the NCLB act, the entire school is then officially labeled a "failure" according to the standards set forth in the act. If the school fails to meet standards for two consecutive years, then the school faces the threat of termination of its teachers.
The new law has strict guidelines to ensure that each teacher is fully qualified to teach his or her subject area. This is not a lot to ask for, but given how much teachers do for students already, it is difficult to require or expect them to be able to adequately work with students who aren't learning as fast as the others, as well as challenge the students who are ahead of the learning curve.
Lauren Field, and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) junior, is an elementary education major and genuinely worries about the new system.
"I work with children now, and I intend to do so once I actually start my career," Field stated. "I know that each child needs to learn equally, but there is no way for them to all do it at the same pace. It is horrible to put pressure on children that are already having such a hard time."
At the surface level, the NCLB goal is a good one. The act simply states that it wants children get the education they deserve, and wants to hold people responsible if they don't. However, the specifics, rules, and regulations are harsh consequences for un-met goals, and only going to make the situation worse.
Therefore, with these concerns in mind, it hoped that the NCLB will be able to deliver on its stated goals, without creating more problems than it is solving.
International Hip-Hop
By Amanda Slater
Although Hip-Hop music originated in the United States, and was a form of music unknown to other cultures prior to the 1980s, it has now spread throughout the world. The music, along with the culture and art forms such as break-dancing, have become part of pop culture on a worldwide scale.
In France, MC Solaar was making Hip-Hop in the 1980s. France is, in fact, the biggest market for music outside of the United States. Cuban Hip-Hop is also a developing industry, and South Africa has a major Hip-Hop scene as well. The Philippines was the first of the Asian countries to develop a Hip-Hop scene, and in Sri Lanka, the Hip-Hop culture is perhaps the most predominant youth culture in the island. Korean Hip-Hop has become such a phenomenon that it is said that Korean artists are capable of competing with their US equivalents. Not exempt from countries producing Hip-Hop are Greenland, Goa, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, the UK, Croatia, Portugal, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Albania, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, Bosnia, Greece, and Peru.
Cuba caught the Hip-Hop wave in the 1980s through Miami radio and TV broadcasts from the US. Cuban youths used the music as a way to express their frustrations regarding the Soviet Union's collapse and the onset of the Special Period, which was a time of economic crisis that affected the area, and was augmented by the US trade embargo against Cuba. At first, Cubans attempted to mimic the often aggressive lyrics and depictions of "thug life," violence, and misogyny heard in some US rapper's lyrics. Gradually, Cubans began to incorporate their own culture and situations into the lyrics, and much of this evolution was due to the work of Black Libertarian Army activist Nehanda Abiodun, who worked with the Malcom X Grassroots Movement in the US to bring progressive US Hip-Hop artists to Cuba.
Often, Cuban rappers (or "raperos") are harassed by Cuban police because the music is seen as "counter-revolutionary." The music became such a hot issue in Cuba that Harry Belafonte had to sit down and explain Hip-Hop culture over lunch to Fidel Castro. After this conversation, Castro was so impressed that he called Hip-Hop, "the vanguard of the revolution," and even rapped at the opening of a baseball game with group Doble Filo. There are an estimated 500 Hip-Hop groups in Cuba alone, but unfortunately, few have been heard outside of the island.
The style of artists varies globally, as does the elements employed in the music. In Greenland group Nuuk Posse have whales singing behind their rap. Algerian group MBS use Arabic instruments in their songs. Thus, even though most countries recognize Hip-Hop as being an "American art form," the music is adapted to reflect the individual style and culture of the country in which it was created.
In South Africa, the music is not variations of "usual rhythms." Although influenced little by traditional South African music, the area?s sound is influenced more by house music than standard Hip-Hop. It is often loud, driving, and very fast.
In South Korea, artist Seo Taji often uses heavy metal guitars in his music, while he and other South Korean artists incorporate influences from traditional Korean music into their songs. Other South Korean artists integrate techno into their versions of the music. In the 1990s, Dominican Republic artists Santi Y Sus Duendes and Lisa M released the single, "Soy Chiquito (No Inventes Papito, No Inventes)," which birthed merenrap - a blend of Hip-Hop and merengue. In Albania, Hip-Hop employs a high quality sound and excellent lyrical performance, making uninformed individuals think that these Hip-Hop groups are not Albanian, but American.
The message also varies greatly from country to country. In some countries, Hip-Hop is just another sound added to the white noise of the pop industry, but in other countries, it is a counter-cultural revolution.
In Switzerland, Sens Unik's Hip-Hop offers an intense criticism of governmental policies and the "ideal society." Texta, a group from Austria, lobbied for "German linguistic understanding." In Australia, the Aborigines have begun to use the music as a means by which to tell their own stories. In Korea, Hip-Hop seen as respectable and socially-conscious - the opposite of the superficial pop that floods the Korean airwaves. Israeli Hop-Hop stars have emerged from both sides of the Palestinian and Jewish struggle, and while artists such as Mook E. preach peace and tolerance, other artists' music includes nationalism and violence. Bosnian rapper Edo Maajka writes a wide range of songs about the Bosnian War and the current situation in Bosnia. Australian Hip-Hop is often very outspoken and concentrates on political issues, and avoids any so-called "shallow" topics. Unfortunately, the side of American Hip-Hop seen by other countries is only the pretentious, pointless, and misogynistic, and thus, Australian Hip-Hop is often thought to be the complete opposite of Americans'.
In Romania, the music is definitely a means by which artists voice their political and social concerns. B.U.G. Mafia is a Romanian gangsta rap group that voices the similarities between Romanian communist-era apartments and American ghettos - housing projects. Romanian group "the Parazitii" includes social, political, and anti-censorship themes in their music. R.A.C.L.A., the first group to release a Romanian Hip-Hop album, covers primarily social subjects in their work. In Brazil, the lyrics of the area's Hip-Hop music translate into action. DJs, rappers, and graffiti writers often organize themselves into crews that perform community service and work organizing youth in the neighborhoods to pass on the art-form and "social consciousness." African group Black Noise was considered a political threat and banned by the apartheid-era government.
While little international Hip-Hop filters back into the US, some artists have been able to cross the culture barrier. UK experimental group "the Gorillaz" has been very successful and is commonly heard on US airwaves. Latin rap group Cypress Hill also became very popular on the American charts. There are also a variety of Hip-Hop festivals internationally, including the Cuban annual International Hip-Hop festival held in August. The festival includes workshops, film screenings, and debates on the topics of culture and lyrical content.
Although international Hip-Hop varies much from country to country, it cannot be denied that the music is a living art form that is often used in politically and socially progressive ways. In this way, the genre in outspoken countries such as Romania, Australia, and Cuba, and is similar to US underground Hip-Hop. Yet, much of mainstream US Hip-Hop is merely a reflection of the change in US culture, and offers no meaningful lyrics. Unfortunately, since this is the more popular form of western Hip-Hop, this is the music with which westerners are often identified. It is important that progressive, productive Hip-Hop be given a voice in the mainstream, because as of now, America's reputation in the Hip-Hop world has been reduced to "talented, yet lyrically pointless and even destructive."
Although Hip-Hop music originated in the United States, and was a form of music unknown to other cultures prior to the 1980s, it has now spread throughout the world. The music, along with the culture and art forms such as break-dancing, have become part of pop culture on a worldwide scale.
In France, MC Solaar was making Hip-Hop in the 1980s. France is, in fact, the biggest market for music outside of the United States. Cuban Hip-Hop is also a developing industry, and South Africa has a major Hip-Hop scene as well. The Philippines was the first of the Asian countries to develop a Hip-Hop scene, and in Sri Lanka, the Hip-Hop culture is perhaps the most predominant youth culture in the island. Korean Hip-Hop has become such a phenomenon that it is said that Korean artists are capable of competing with their US equivalents. Not exempt from countries producing Hip-Hop are Greenland, Goa, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, the UK, Croatia, Portugal, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Albania, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, Bosnia, Greece, and Peru.
Cuba caught the Hip-Hop wave in the 1980s through Miami radio and TV broadcasts from the US. Cuban youths used the music as a way to express their frustrations regarding the Soviet Union's collapse and the onset of the Special Period, which was a time of economic crisis that affected the area, and was augmented by the US trade embargo against Cuba. At first, Cubans attempted to mimic the often aggressive lyrics and depictions of "thug life," violence, and misogyny heard in some US rapper's lyrics. Gradually, Cubans began to incorporate their own culture and situations into the lyrics, and much of this evolution was due to the work of Black Libertarian Army activist Nehanda Abiodun, who worked with the Malcom X Grassroots Movement in the US to bring progressive US Hip-Hop artists to Cuba.
Often, Cuban rappers (or "raperos") are harassed by Cuban police because the music is seen as "counter-revolutionary." The music became such a hot issue in Cuba that Harry Belafonte had to sit down and explain Hip-Hop culture over lunch to Fidel Castro. After this conversation, Castro was so impressed that he called Hip-Hop, "the vanguard of the revolution," and even rapped at the opening of a baseball game with group Doble Filo. There are an estimated 500 Hip-Hop groups in Cuba alone, but unfortunately, few have been heard outside of the island.
The style of artists varies globally, as does the elements employed in the music. In Greenland group Nuuk Posse have whales singing behind their rap. Algerian group MBS use Arabic instruments in their songs. Thus, even though most countries recognize Hip-Hop as being an "American art form," the music is adapted to reflect the individual style and culture of the country in which it was created.
In South Africa, the music is not variations of "usual rhythms." Although influenced little by traditional South African music, the area?s sound is influenced more by house music than standard Hip-Hop. It is often loud, driving, and very fast.
In South Korea, artist Seo Taji often uses heavy metal guitars in his music, while he and other South Korean artists incorporate influences from traditional Korean music into their songs. Other South Korean artists integrate techno into their versions of the music. In the 1990s, Dominican Republic artists Santi Y Sus Duendes and Lisa M released the single, "Soy Chiquito (No Inventes Papito, No Inventes)," which birthed merenrap - a blend of Hip-Hop and merengue. In Albania, Hip-Hop employs a high quality sound and excellent lyrical performance, making uninformed individuals think that these Hip-Hop groups are not Albanian, but American.
The message also varies greatly from country to country. In some countries, Hip-Hop is just another sound added to the white noise of the pop industry, but in other countries, it is a counter-cultural revolution.
In Switzerland, Sens Unik's Hip-Hop offers an intense criticism of governmental policies and the "ideal society." Texta, a group from Austria, lobbied for "German linguistic understanding." In Australia, the Aborigines have begun to use the music as a means by which to tell their own stories. In Korea, Hip-Hop seen as respectable and socially-conscious - the opposite of the superficial pop that floods the Korean airwaves. Israeli Hop-Hop stars have emerged from both sides of the Palestinian and Jewish struggle, and while artists such as Mook E. preach peace and tolerance, other artists' music includes nationalism and violence. Bosnian rapper Edo Maajka writes a wide range of songs about the Bosnian War and the current situation in Bosnia. Australian Hip-Hop is often very outspoken and concentrates on political issues, and avoids any so-called "shallow" topics. Unfortunately, the side of American Hip-Hop seen by other countries is only the pretentious, pointless, and misogynistic, and thus, Australian Hip-Hop is often thought to be the complete opposite of Americans'.
In Romania, the music is definitely a means by which artists voice their political and social concerns. B.U.G. Mafia is a Romanian gangsta rap group that voices the similarities between Romanian communist-era apartments and American ghettos - housing projects. Romanian group "the Parazitii" includes social, political, and anti-censorship themes in their music. R.A.C.L.A., the first group to release a Romanian Hip-Hop album, covers primarily social subjects in their work. In Brazil, the lyrics of the area's Hip-Hop music translate into action. DJs, rappers, and graffiti writers often organize themselves into crews that perform community service and work organizing youth in the neighborhoods to pass on the art-form and "social consciousness." African group Black Noise was considered a political threat and banned by the apartheid-era government.
While little international Hip-Hop filters back into the US, some artists have been able to cross the culture barrier. UK experimental group "the Gorillaz" has been very successful and is commonly heard on US airwaves. Latin rap group Cypress Hill also became very popular on the American charts. There are also a variety of Hip-Hop festivals internationally, including the Cuban annual International Hip-Hop festival held in August. The festival includes workshops, film screenings, and debates on the topics of culture and lyrical content.
Although international Hip-Hop varies much from country to country, it cannot be denied that the music is a living art form that is often used in politically and socially progressive ways. In this way, the genre in outspoken countries such as Romania, Australia, and Cuba, and is similar to US underground Hip-Hop. Yet, much of mainstream US Hip-Hop is merely a reflection of the change in US culture, and offers no meaningful lyrics. Unfortunately, since this is the more popular form of western Hip-Hop, this is the music with which westerners are often identified. It is important that progressive, productive Hip-Hop be given a voice in the mainstream, because as of now, America's reputation in the Hip-Hop world has been reduced to "talented, yet lyrically pointless and even destructive."
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Where we stand
By R. L. Harris
After the passing of Proposal 2, many African Americans will be left standing in the cold. How long will that last? As long as African Americans do not liberate themselves from the slave mentality, where one of us moves up, while another of our brethren assumes their demise.
This may be the swift kick in the butt for many African Americans who assume leadership roles, but they need to help advance the struggle for equality and progress our community forward into the 21st century.
When adversity comes, we must seek the opportunity to gain strength, knowledge, and wisdom through whatever trials we encounter. We as an African American community must not seek the shelters of white compassion, yet, we shall galvanize the interest of the youth and equip them by “any means necessary” to compete in a tumultuous American society.
Let us first assess our challenges before we move on to the competitive phase of our advancement. We endure widening disparities among minorities in education. This is the most pervasive of challenges for us, because education is paramount with regards to mobility in the socio-economic stratum in America. If our school systems have failed us, then we must circumvent their inadequacies by creating strong support networks outside of the school system that advance the learning of youth using creative, innovative, and stimulating techniques. Yes, I said stimulating.
Anyone familiar with Marshall McCluen knows that we are currently in an age of hot media, and that the media we interact with are very hands-on and increasingly stimulating to the user or consumer. We must not ignore this when it comes to our youth. In regards to education, we must make the adjustment and realize that sitting a child in a seat for eight hours, starring at a chalkboard, may no longer be the most effective means of connecting our children with new information.
We must also find a way to incorporate civic engagement into the curriculum. This equips our youth with the political skills to navigate the changes they see necessary for their advancement, rather than being subject to policies of partisan politics in today’s political culture. Democracy cannot survive without such civic engagement from all its partakers.
I would also issue this challenge to every black man in our community: step up! If an opposing army were to attack a village, their first target would be the women and children. They can only attack when there are no men present. Black men, step up! If you are a father, a husband or even single, black male, take leadership. Not just for your own family, but also assume leadership for your entire community. Young boys, watch your every move whether you are a 25-year-old going to the library, or a 45-year-old going to the liquor store. You are responsible for raising the young boys and girls of our community. Recognize the significance of your involvement in the community.
We must also not ignore our strengths. We are a very creative and resourceful people coming from a strong heritage, stemming back to the mother continent of Africa. Despite the ongoing perception, there exist a thriving business community among African Americans. This potential currently has been underdeveloped. The reason for this trend is blacks, for many reasons, have not spent their money wisely in their own community.
In the Jewish community, their dollar circulates fifteen times. That means Jews buy Jewish products when they can, not just when it is convenient. Black business must also engage the community and not seek to gouge as the outsiders do. We must realize the nature of capitalism and not become victims of its stifling appendages, greed, materialism, lust for power, and mindless consumption of unnecessary entities. It is up to the black business community to educate its own people about how the system works and how it is currently used against the black community due to their lack of knowledge. No one from outside the community is going educate us because it will negatively affect their interests, which are bottom line profit margins. We must understand that it is not overt racism that hinders our progress; it is an intricate system that thrives in a small group owning the majority of the capital in this country and abroad holding us back.
We are not competing against whites as we once thought. We are competing against the influence of global capitalism. We must band together as an African American community, and we must network with other minorities and whites who see the issues of social justice being the foremost important ideal for the creation of better society in the United States and abroad. There are many holistic changes needed within the black community in order for us to successfully utilize this expansive network of social justice alliances.
From what I have mentioned, we should have a strategy for how to accomplish this divinely appointed task. Through our faith and our trust in one another, we have hope but we must move quickly in order to survive this barrage of attacks on our human dignity.
After the passing of Proposal 2, many African Americans will be left standing in the cold. How long will that last? As long as African Americans do not liberate themselves from the slave mentality, where one of us moves up, while another of our brethren assumes their demise.
This may be the swift kick in the butt for many African Americans who assume leadership roles, but they need to help advance the struggle for equality and progress our community forward into the 21st century.
When adversity comes, we must seek the opportunity to gain strength, knowledge, and wisdom through whatever trials we encounter. We as an African American community must not seek the shelters of white compassion, yet, we shall galvanize the interest of the youth and equip them by “any means necessary” to compete in a tumultuous American society.
Let us first assess our challenges before we move on to the competitive phase of our advancement. We endure widening disparities among minorities in education. This is the most pervasive of challenges for us, because education is paramount with regards to mobility in the socio-economic stratum in America. If our school systems have failed us, then we must circumvent their inadequacies by creating strong support networks outside of the school system that advance the learning of youth using creative, innovative, and stimulating techniques. Yes, I said stimulating.
Anyone familiar with Marshall McCluen knows that we are currently in an age of hot media, and that the media we interact with are very hands-on and increasingly stimulating to the user or consumer. We must not ignore this when it comes to our youth. In regards to education, we must make the adjustment and realize that sitting a child in a seat for eight hours, starring at a chalkboard, may no longer be the most effective means of connecting our children with new information.
We must also find a way to incorporate civic engagement into the curriculum. This equips our youth with the political skills to navigate the changes they see necessary for their advancement, rather than being subject to policies of partisan politics in today’s political culture. Democracy cannot survive without such civic engagement from all its partakers.
I would also issue this challenge to every black man in our community: step up! If an opposing army were to attack a village, their first target would be the women and children. They can only attack when there are no men present. Black men, step up! If you are a father, a husband or even single, black male, take leadership. Not just for your own family, but also assume leadership for your entire community. Young boys, watch your every move whether you are a 25-year-old going to the library, or a 45-year-old going to the liquor store. You are responsible for raising the young boys and girls of our community. Recognize the significance of your involvement in the community.
We must also not ignore our strengths. We are a very creative and resourceful people coming from a strong heritage, stemming back to the mother continent of Africa. Despite the ongoing perception, there exist a thriving business community among African Americans. This potential currently has been underdeveloped. The reason for this trend is blacks, for many reasons, have not spent their money wisely in their own community.
In the Jewish community, their dollar circulates fifteen times. That means Jews buy Jewish products when they can, not just when it is convenient. Black business must also engage the community and not seek to gouge as the outsiders do. We must realize the nature of capitalism and not become victims of its stifling appendages, greed, materialism, lust for power, and mindless consumption of unnecessary entities. It is up to the black business community to educate its own people about how the system works and how it is currently used against the black community due to their lack of knowledge. No one from outside the community is going educate us because it will negatively affect their interests, which are bottom line profit margins. We must understand that it is not overt racism that hinders our progress; it is an intricate system that thrives in a small group owning the majority of the capital in this country and abroad holding us back.
We are not competing against whites as we once thought. We are competing against the influence of global capitalism. We must band together as an African American community, and we must network with other minorities and whites who see the issues of social justice being the foremost important ideal for the creation of better society in the United States and abroad. There are many holistic changes needed within the black community in order for us to successfully utilize this expansive network of social justice alliances.
From what I have mentioned, we should have a strategy for how to accomplish this divinely appointed task. Through our faith and our trust in one another, we have hope but we must move quickly in order to survive this barrage of attacks on our human dignity.
The Trials and repercussions of Body Count, Judas Priest, and Ozzy Osbourne
By Andrew Vetting
Since its inception in the late forties, rock and roll has been at the forefront of much controversy in the media. It has also been a source of debate and anxiety for social and political leaders, and especially for parents. From the suggestive hip-swiveling of Elvis Presley, to the outrageous stage antics of “shock-rocker” Marylin Manson, rock music has been seen as a social ill, and one that all people, particularly the youth, should be protected, and even censored from.
In the fall of 1992, a hailstorm of controversy was ignited that still resonates in the memories of millions of people throughout the United States today. It was widely publicized, was debated upon in the highest levels of court, and caused many to argue over how far to extend our freedoms of speech. The cause of all this turmoil was a single, three minute song from an album called “Body Count.” It was a little tune called “Cop Killer,” and the man at the center of it all was a rapper named Ice-T.
Born as Tracy Marrow in Newark, New Jersey on February 16, 1958, the rapper, now known as Ice-T, moved to California to live with his grandparents after his mother and father were killed in an automobile accident.
During his years a student at Crenshaw high school in South Central Los Angeles, Marrow became infatuated with music, particularly hard rock, rap, and Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop, at the time, was a new form of music that was sweeping the underground scenes of California. It was during this time that Marrow decided to change his name to Ice-T, a name which was in tribute to blaxploitation writer and notorious manager of prostitutes, (a practice known as “pimping”) Iceberg Freeman.
After dropping out of high school, Ice-T moved out of his grandparent’s house and into an apartment of his own in order to begin to pursue a career in music. After realizing that he was unable to support himself on his musical exploits, which consisted of a few unspectacular record singles, Ice-T turned to a life of crime. He joined a street gang and lived off of money he made from robberies, jewelry theft, and largely, from becoming a pimp in his own right.
After a near-fatal car accident that landed him in the hospital for many months, Ice-T decided to quit pimping and committing crimes to concentrate solely on music. He was able to find work performing in low-budget Hip-Hop musicals like Rappin’, Breakin’, and Breakin’ Two: Electric Boogaloo, which gave him some publicity when he contributed music to the soundtrack.
Finally, in 1987, Ice-T signed a recording contract with Sire Records, which was a subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records. His debut album for the label was called “Rhyme Pays,” and it became one of the highest selling records that year. Its success enabled him to form his own record label, called Rhyme Syndicate, which was distributed through Sire/Warner. Subsequent releases were throughout the rest of the 1980’s, and they became even more successful, making Ice-T one of the most popular and powerful artists in the country.
In 1991, Ice-T released the most successful album of his career, called O.G.: Original Gangster. Not only was the album significant from the standpoint of the great commercial success, but it was also significant for being the debut record of Ice-T’s heavy metal band, Body Count, on the song of the same name. The following year would find the release of the bands self-titled, full length recording debut.
The band was a project that Ice-T had wanted to pursue for years. The group consisted of old friends from his days at Crenshaw high school. Ernie C and D-Roc on guitar, Mooseman on base, and Beatmaster V on drums.
According to Ice-T, they would “get together every day after school to listen to Led Zepplin, Judas Priest, Jimi Hendrix, and Black Sabbath. We would just smoke weed and have a great time just rockin’ out.”
The album was filed with songs that boasted extreme violence and misogyny, with titles like, KKK Bitch, Mammas Gotta Die, and Evil Dick, but the song that raised the most controversy was the record’s last track, Cop Killer. Ice-T wrote the song to express his dismay over the result of the Rodney King beating case. The song is about a young, black man on a police killing spree to seek vengeance for all the unnecessary beatings and violence that they had committed against other black youths.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) viewed the song as inflammatory and claimed it would have a dangerous effect on the youths who listened to it. They felt the song was teaching teenagers how to brutalize and kill police officers, as well as encouraging insubordination and anarchy. The fury was so great that it placed Ice-T on the number two spot on the FBI’s National Threat list.
Picketers marched daily in front of the Time Warner building, and in front of record stores that carried the album. Death threats were sent to employees and executives of Time Warner. Even actor Charlton Heston took action by reading the lyrics to Cop Killer and KKK Bitch to the record company’s stockholders, who all reacted in astonishment to the lyrical content.
Despite all of this, Time Warner stood by Ice-T, and refused to give into the protestors, who were demanding the album to be recalled from sale. They stood strong until boycotts were called against all Time Warner products and businesses, including their Disney Land complex. Fearing that this would result in the loss of millions of dollars and the decrease in the value of the company’s stock, Time Warner finally gave in. They recalled the record from stores and demanded that Ice-T remove the song entirely, after which he would be released from his contract with them.
Ice-T responded to their demand by replacing the song with another, entitled Ice-T/Freedom of Speech. It was a spoken word song, written and performed with Jello Biafra and his hardcore band, The Deadly Kennedy’s. Ice-T then moved to Virgin Records for all the subsequent Body count releases, as well as his rap albums.
Body Count lasted for two more releases, each selling dramatically less than the other, before disappearing in 1999. Although the band was never taken to trial, sued for their art, or inspired any violence of any kind from anyone who listened to their music, they were still hotly debated on television news shows and in televised political forums. This makes them quite fortunate, compared to other bands who have had to fight for what they believe in court, and suffer dire consequences along the way.
A similar case of controversy brought on by extreme lyrics occurred only two years earlier, in 1990, with another heavy metal band named Judas Priest. They, too, aroused much controversy for a single song, but in a slightly different manner. They were accused of sending subliminal messages in the form of records that, if played backwards, instructed listeners to commit harmful acts of violence. The theory behind this was that the listener would hear the message subconsciously, and then respond accordingly. For this, the band was taken to trial.
The story of their controversy starts from as early as December of 1985. Two teen boys in Reno, Nevada were found dead in their near-by forest of a double suicide. The boys had shot each other in the chest with rifles, and they were found wearing Judas Priest t-shirts, and were said to have been listening to the album, Stained Glass, before departing to the forest to kill themselves. The parents of the boys brought the suit against the band and their record label, RCA/Victor, demanding that the album be removed from the store and that Judas Priest be punished and held responsible.
The case blamed one song in particular from the 1985 album. The song, titled Better By You, Better Than Me, apparently, when played backward, sounded as if it were saying “death is freedom” repeatedly. The band ardently disagreed with the accusation and pleaded innocent to the charge. In fact, Rob Halford, the band’s lead singer, was quoted saying, “It will be another ten years before I can even spell subliminal.”
After a long three-month period of deliberation, the band was found innocent of all charges. It was discovered that the two boys, named James Vane and Raymond Belkamp, were very drunk on that evening, and that they were also under the influence of drugs. Another determining factor in the groups’ innocence was the fact that both the boys were from very abusive families ands were raised in extremely depraved environments.
Although the band was found innocent of the charges, and were finding themselves back in favor with the music buying public, the incident did cause significant damage to its embers. Their lead singe and primary spokesperson through the trail became disillusioned with the group as a result, and left the band to pursue a solo career. The group ended up replacing him with a much younger Judas Priest cover-band singer named Tim “Ripper” Ownes, but this only resulted in declined record sales and faded popularity.
Another case of “incited suicide” was brought against singer Ozzy Osbourne in 1986. Unlike Judas Priest, however, Osbourne was not accused of “reversed subliminal messages,” but was accused of directly instructing his listeners to commit suicide through the song Suicide Song off of his album, The Blizzard of Ozz. In addition, as Body Count would be eight years later, parents, critics, and the medial alike accused him of having “extreme lyrics that would cause violent and harmful behavior.”
In his own defense, Ozzy Osbourne stated that the song was actually about the evils of suicide, drug, and alcohol abuse, and that it actually delivered a very constructive and positive message. The song taught its listeners that getting involved in substance abuse was like committing suicide, due to its damaging affects.
After a month-long trial, the case was dismissed, and Osbourne was free from having to pay any penalties. Although his innocence was widely reported in the media, Ozzy Osbourne had, once again, achieved a reputation of someone to be feared, and worked for years to dispel such an image.
Since its inception in the late forties, rock and roll has been at the forefront of much controversy in the media. It has also been a source of debate and anxiety for social and political leaders, and especially for parents. From the suggestive hip-swiveling of Elvis Presley, to the outrageous stage antics of “shock-rocker” Marylin Manson, rock music has been seen as a social ill, and one that all people, particularly the youth, should be protected, and even censored from.
In the fall of 1992, a hailstorm of controversy was ignited that still resonates in the memories of millions of people throughout the United States today. It was widely publicized, was debated upon in the highest levels of court, and caused many to argue over how far to extend our freedoms of speech. The cause of all this turmoil was a single, three minute song from an album called “Body Count.” It was a little tune called “Cop Killer,” and the man at the center of it all was a rapper named Ice-T.
Born as Tracy Marrow in Newark, New Jersey on February 16, 1958, the rapper, now known as Ice-T, moved to California to live with his grandparents after his mother and father were killed in an automobile accident.
During his years a student at Crenshaw high school in South Central Los Angeles, Marrow became infatuated with music, particularly hard rock, rap, and Hip-Hop. Hip-Hop, at the time, was a new form of music that was sweeping the underground scenes of California. It was during this time that Marrow decided to change his name to Ice-T, a name which was in tribute to blaxploitation writer and notorious manager of prostitutes, (a practice known as “pimping”) Iceberg Freeman.
After dropping out of high school, Ice-T moved out of his grandparent’s house and into an apartment of his own in order to begin to pursue a career in music. After realizing that he was unable to support himself on his musical exploits, which consisted of a few unspectacular record singles, Ice-T turned to a life of crime. He joined a street gang and lived off of money he made from robberies, jewelry theft, and largely, from becoming a pimp in his own right.
After a near-fatal car accident that landed him in the hospital for many months, Ice-T decided to quit pimping and committing crimes to concentrate solely on music. He was able to find work performing in low-budget Hip-Hop musicals like Rappin’, Breakin’, and Breakin’ Two: Electric Boogaloo, which gave him some publicity when he contributed music to the soundtrack.
Finally, in 1987, Ice-T signed a recording contract with Sire Records, which was a subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records. His debut album for the label was called “Rhyme Pays,” and it became one of the highest selling records that year. Its success enabled him to form his own record label, called Rhyme Syndicate, which was distributed through Sire/Warner. Subsequent releases were throughout the rest of the 1980’s, and they became even more successful, making Ice-T one of the most popular and powerful artists in the country.
In 1991, Ice-T released the most successful album of his career, called O.G.: Original Gangster. Not only was the album significant from the standpoint of the great commercial success, but it was also significant for being the debut record of Ice-T’s heavy metal band, Body Count, on the song of the same name. The following year would find the release of the bands self-titled, full length recording debut.
The band was a project that Ice-T had wanted to pursue for years. The group consisted of old friends from his days at Crenshaw high school. Ernie C and D-Roc on guitar, Mooseman on base, and Beatmaster V on drums.
According to Ice-T, they would “get together every day after school to listen to Led Zepplin, Judas Priest, Jimi Hendrix, and Black Sabbath. We would just smoke weed and have a great time just rockin’ out.”
The album was filed with songs that boasted extreme violence and misogyny, with titles like, KKK Bitch, Mammas Gotta Die, and Evil Dick, but the song that raised the most controversy was the record’s last track, Cop Killer. Ice-T wrote the song to express his dismay over the result of the Rodney King beating case. The song is about a young, black man on a police killing spree to seek vengeance for all the unnecessary beatings and violence that they had committed against other black youths.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) viewed the song as inflammatory and claimed it would have a dangerous effect on the youths who listened to it. They felt the song was teaching teenagers how to brutalize and kill police officers, as well as encouraging insubordination and anarchy. The fury was so great that it placed Ice-T on the number two spot on the FBI’s National Threat list.
Picketers marched daily in front of the Time Warner building, and in front of record stores that carried the album. Death threats were sent to employees and executives of Time Warner. Even actor Charlton Heston took action by reading the lyrics to Cop Killer and KKK Bitch to the record company’s stockholders, who all reacted in astonishment to the lyrical content.
Despite all of this, Time Warner stood by Ice-T, and refused to give into the protestors, who were demanding the album to be recalled from sale. They stood strong until boycotts were called against all Time Warner products and businesses, including their Disney Land complex. Fearing that this would result in the loss of millions of dollars and the decrease in the value of the company’s stock, Time Warner finally gave in. They recalled the record from stores and demanded that Ice-T remove the song entirely, after which he would be released from his contract with them.
Ice-T responded to their demand by replacing the song with another, entitled Ice-T/Freedom of Speech. It was a spoken word song, written and performed with Jello Biafra and his hardcore band, The Deadly Kennedy’s. Ice-T then moved to Virgin Records for all the subsequent Body count releases, as well as his rap albums.
Body Count lasted for two more releases, each selling dramatically less than the other, before disappearing in 1999. Although the band was never taken to trial, sued for their art, or inspired any violence of any kind from anyone who listened to their music, they were still hotly debated on television news shows and in televised political forums. This makes them quite fortunate, compared to other bands who have had to fight for what they believe in court, and suffer dire consequences along the way.
A similar case of controversy brought on by extreme lyrics occurred only two years earlier, in 1990, with another heavy metal band named Judas Priest. They, too, aroused much controversy for a single song, but in a slightly different manner. They were accused of sending subliminal messages in the form of records that, if played backwards, instructed listeners to commit harmful acts of violence. The theory behind this was that the listener would hear the message subconsciously, and then respond accordingly. For this, the band was taken to trial.
The story of their controversy starts from as early as December of 1985. Two teen boys in Reno, Nevada were found dead in their near-by forest of a double suicide. The boys had shot each other in the chest with rifles, and they were found wearing Judas Priest t-shirts, and were said to have been listening to the album, Stained Glass, before departing to the forest to kill themselves. The parents of the boys brought the suit against the band and their record label, RCA/Victor, demanding that the album be removed from the store and that Judas Priest be punished and held responsible.
The case blamed one song in particular from the 1985 album. The song, titled Better By You, Better Than Me, apparently, when played backward, sounded as if it were saying “death is freedom” repeatedly. The band ardently disagreed with the accusation and pleaded innocent to the charge. In fact, Rob Halford, the band’s lead singer, was quoted saying, “It will be another ten years before I can even spell subliminal.”
After a long three-month period of deliberation, the band was found innocent of all charges. It was discovered that the two boys, named James Vane and Raymond Belkamp, were very drunk on that evening, and that they were also under the influence of drugs. Another determining factor in the groups’ innocence was the fact that both the boys were from very abusive families ands were raised in extremely depraved environments.
Although the band was found innocent of the charges, and were finding themselves back in favor with the music buying public, the incident did cause significant damage to its embers. Their lead singe and primary spokesperson through the trail became disillusioned with the group as a result, and left the band to pursue a solo career. The group ended up replacing him with a much younger Judas Priest cover-band singer named Tim “Ripper” Ownes, but this only resulted in declined record sales and faded popularity.
Another case of “incited suicide” was brought against singer Ozzy Osbourne in 1986. Unlike Judas Priest, however, Osbourne was not accused of “reversed subliminal messages,” but was accused of directly instructing his listeners to commit suicide through the song Suicide Song off of his album, The Blizzard of Ozz. In addition, as Body Count would be eight years later, parents, critics, and the medial alike accused him of having “extreme lyrics that would cause violent and harmful behavior.”
In his own defense, Ozzy Osbourne stated that the song was actually about the evils of suicide, drug, and alcohol abuse, and that it actually delivered a very constructive and positive message. The song taught its listeners that getting involved in substance abuse was like committing suicide, due to its damaging affects.
After a month-long trial, the case was dismissed, and Osbourne was free from having to pay any penalties. Although his innocence was widely reported in the media, Ozzy Osbourne had, once again, achieved a reputation of someone to be feared, and worked for years to dispel such an image.
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