Showing posts with label Detroit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Detroit. Show all posts

Sunday, April 30, 2023

One of first African-American Marines celebrates 100th birthday

Lee Newby Jr. of Detroit, one of the first African-American Marines, was honored by state lawmakers during a celebration of his 100th birthday on Saturday.

The ceremony at the Detroit Marriott in the Renaissance Center was hosted by State Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit, and Joe Tate of Detroit, who became the first African-American elected Michigan's speaker of the House in November 2022.

Tate, a former National Football League player and Michigan State University offensive lineman, also served in the Marines.

“I can’t thank Mr. Newby enough for his service to our country. He is a true hero and trailblazer,” Tate said in a statement. “As a veteran of the Marine Corps myself, I am aware of the responsibilities he has carried and the sacrifices he has endured."

Newby, who resides in McKinney's district in Detroit, served during World War II. The first African-Americans joined the Marine Corps in 1942.

“This ceremony not only celebrates the life of a brave serviceman, but also truly honors Black Marines, their dedication through World War II and all their service to this country,” McKinney said in a statement.

[SOURCE: DETROIT NEWS]

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Former Rep. John Conyers dies at 90

Former Rep. John Conyers, a longtime Michigan Democrat who represented parts of Detroit for more than 50 years before his resignation in 2017, died Sunday at age 90, his son, John Conyers III, told CNN.

A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Conyers was known as pushing a series of liberal causes, especially from his perch on the Judiciary Committee. He at one time served as chairman of the panel.

Conyers was born in Detroit in 1929 and entered Congress in 1965 where he championed the Civil Rights Movement and pushed liberal legislation throughout his tenure.

In 1983, Conyers introduced the original bill to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday and in 1994 worked on the Violence against Women Act. He became the first African American to serve as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee in 2007.

Wednesday, June 05, 2019

NAACP TO HOST 110TH NATIONAL CONVENTION IN DETROIT


NAACP to Highlight 110 Years of Civil Rights History, and the Current Fight for Voting Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, Economic Opportunity, Education Equality & More

BALTIMORE — Thousands are expected to gather in Detroit to commemorate the NAACP’s 110th National Convention from July 20-24, 2019. With the theme, “When We Fight, We Win,” the convention will bring together elected officials, members, organizers, faith-leaders, entertainers, and young leaders for workshops and discussions to promote solutions to problems like police brutality, racism, #LivingWhileBlack, voter suppression, partisan gerrymandering and sexual violence and mental health in the Black community.

“Much has changed since the creation of the NAACP 110 years ago, and as we highlight these achievements during this year’s convention, we cannot forget that we’re still tirelessly fighting against the hatred and bigotry that face communities of color in this country,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “With new threats emerging daily and attacks on our democracy, the NAACP must be more steadfast and immovable than ever before to help create a social political atmosphere that works for all.”

Among the key events, the Presidential Candidates Forum, CEO Roundtable, LGBTQ, Legal and legislative workshops will bring together some of the brightest minds in the Black community and help hone strategies for moving forward in the face of growing racism and an all-out assault on civil rights in this country.

Other highlights include the awarding of the prestigious Spingarn Medal, the NAACP ACT-SO (Academic, Cultural, Technical and Scientific Olympics) final competition and awards ceremony, and a career fair.

More information about the 2019 NAACP National Convention, including a schedule of events and registration details can be found here.

Press interested in covering the convention may apply for credentials here.



Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Ben Carson's name may be removed from a high school in his hometown of Detroit

Ben Carson's name may be stripped off a high school in his hometown because he's become 'an affront to Detroit' since joining Donald Trump's administration.

The Benjamin Carson High School of Science and Medicine was named after Carson, a prominent neurosurgeon, in 2011.

But it appeared that members of the Detroit Board of Education have had second thoughts about the name since Carson ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, and later became a member of Trump's cabinet. He currently serves as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

'When you align yourself with Trump, that is a direct affront to the city of Detroit and the students of Detroit,' said board member LeMar Lemmons earlier this year.

On Tuesday, the board voted 6-1 to begin soliciting public opinion on the potential name change.

On Tuesday, the board approved a policy that would allow it to rename schools named after living people, if they feel that person no longer represents the area's culture or population.

Future schools will only be able to be named after people who have died.

One board member suggested the first school to benefit from the new policy should be the Benjamin Carson High School.

Carson's popularity has plummeted since working with the Trump administration.

Read more: Ben Carson's name may be removed from a high school in his hometown of Detroit

Sunday, August 06, 2017

Will you go see "Detroit"?

The Kathryn Bigelow directed Detroit is now in wide release. The movie focuses on a police raid in Detroit in 1967 results in a multi-day riot. The story centers on the Algiers Motel incident, which occurred in Detroit, Michigan on July 25, 1967, during the racially charged 12th Street Riot. It involves the death of three black men and the beatings of nine other people: seven black men and two white women.

While it has garnered good reviews it is not getting a good reception in the black community. Some have issues with it being directed by Kathryn Bigelow, a white director and the fact that it was written by a white writer, Mark Boal. Others have issues with the level of violence in the movie. This controversy has hurt the film at the box office with the movie barely taking in $8 million in its first week of full release.

Those that have seen the movie complain about the violence and have said that it was like watching a torture porn movie like watching a "Saw" with black men being tortured and killed. Some have walked out, while others that stayed have vowed to tell others not to see the movie as they see no value in doing so.

Others have pointed out that the film does nothing to inspire African Americans and as often happens in Hollywood movies it is white people that take on the savior role coming off as the good guys while the black characters we should be emphasizing with come off as weak and helpless.

In fairness some have stated that we as African Americans should see the movie so that we don't forget the past and realize that 1967 is not that far in the past. They hope that America seeing the violence and police brutality will open the eyes of many to what African Americans go through.

So which camp do you fall in, will you go see "Detroit"? If you have seen Detroit would you recommend it to others or see it again?

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Two girls make history on Detroit high school's debate team

Tamara Morrison and Tiera Colvin are members of the debate team at University Preparatory Academy in Detroit. They are the first team of women from Detroit to receive a bid to the Tournament of Champions. It's basically the Super Bowl of the high school debate world. Watch their inspiring story below.

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Killer of Renisha McBride sentenced to 15-30 years in prison

[SOURCE] The Dearborn Heights homeowner convicted last month for shooting 19-year-old Renisha McBride to death last fall was sentenced Wednesday to 15 to 30 years on a second-degree murder charge.

Theodore Wafer, 55, was convicted Aug. 7 by a Wayne County jury on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the killing of McBride.

Wafer also received seven to 15 years on the manslaughter charge and a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence on the felony firearm charge, meaning he'll serve at least 17 years in prison.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office asked for a minimum of 17 years in prison. Wayne County Circuit Judge Dana Hathaway, who presided over the trial, announced Wafer’s sentencing at a hearing that included courtroom comments from McBride’s sister.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Life without water in Detroit.

Literally thousands of citizens in the city of Detroit have had their water cut off for non payment. This has happened while corporations and golf courses who have not paid and have higher water usage have not had their water turned off. Check out this video from the Detroit Free Press which shows how some Detroit residents are making it without running water in their homes.