“America:  The Farewell Tour” by Chris Hedges:  a review
Mar12

“America: The Farewell Tour” by Chris Hedges: a review

Reviewed by Robert R. Thomas An unsettling childhood memory is that things were not as they seemed, and nobody was talking about it. My brother Alan succinctly described our childhood milieu as a “culture of silence.” While reading America: The Farewell Tour, by Chris Hedges, that childhood culture of silence revisited me. The book’s chapters—DECAY, HEROIN, WORK, SADISM, HATE, GAMBLING and FREEDOM—are lucid reveals about the fall of...

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News Brief:  Tendaji Talks on white power and privilege kick off March 19
Mar10

News Brief: Tendaji Talks on white power and privilege kick off March 19

The Tendaji Talks, sponsored by Flint’s Neighborhoods Without Borders, kicks off its spring series 6 p.m. March 19 at the Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St. Named for long-time community leader Tendaji W. Ganges, the series comprises discussions on systemic racism. The focus this season is white power and privilege, and what white people can do to end racism. In four sessions, it features educators and activists Hubert...

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Science and distrust highlight PFAS town hall meeting
Mar09

Science and distrust highlight PFAS town hall meeting

By Paul Rozycki A planned two-hour town hall that ran almost three hours revealed both the hard and complex science behind the PFAS problem, as well as the anger, frustration and distrust over water issues in the Flint area. The town hall meeting, held at the Mott Community College Regional Tech Center (RTC) Friday March 8, was organized by area state House members John Cherry (D-49th), Sheldon Neeley (D-34th), Sheryl Kennedy (D-48th)...

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Flint Cultural Center Academy details highlight Flint Neighborhoods United meeting
Mar05

Flint Cultural Center Academy details highlight Flint Neighborhoods United meeting

By Luther Houle Highlights of the March Flint Neighborhoods United (FNU) meeting included a presentation by Eric Lieske of the Flint Cultural Center Academy (FCCA) a $500 contest from the Traffic Taming Taskforce, and various upcoming events for the month of March. More than 40 of Flint’s community leaders, volunteers, and officials met at the Flint Public Library the morning of Saturday, March 2, to join the discussion. FCC Academy...

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“Neighbors Changing Flint” tasks cover leadership, surveys, blight, as workshops proceed
Mar04

“Neighbors Changing Flint” tasks cover leadership, surveys, blight, as workshops proceed

By Meghan Christian and Patsy Isenberg To suggest how neighborhood leaders might figure out which problems to focus on, Carma Lewis of Flint Neighborhoods United offers a practical lead. “I start with what I can see outside my window, because that’s my domain that I have control over,” she told a group of about 25 at the first “Neighbors Changing Flint” workshop Feb. 20. The “Neighbors Changing Flint” series has returned...

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Flint City Council February Roundup:  Despite mutual distrust, actions inch forward
Mar04

Flint City Council February Roundup: Despite mutual distrust, actions inch forward

By Meghan Christian The second month of 2019 brought yet more conflict and distrust to the Flint City Council (FCC) members and residents who attended the month’s three regular meetings. Regardless of the conflicts, however, the council continued dialogue on the state of the pipe replacement program and made some progress with the Ethics and Accountability Board (EAB) and toward establishing an Office of the Ombudsperson....

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