Commentary: Allie Herkenroder’s words speak to all of us
By Paul Rozycki “I consider the abuse from council directly (related) to my mental and physical concerns.” Seventh Ward Councilwoman Allie Herkenroder, on her reasons for resigning from the Flint City Council Can the experience of one individual be a mirror and a metaphor for a whole city or even a nation? Allie Herkenroder’s resignation and her reaction to the pressures and turmoil of the Flint City Council are a reflection of what...
Juneteenth organizers reflect on the national holiday and local effects in Beecher and Flint
By Canisha Bell As local Juneteenth events wrapped up, two community leaders actively involved in area celebrations reflected in interviews with East Village Magazine on what it all means. Community organizer April Cook-Hawkins said she believes that Juneteenth events can bring healing to a racially divided city. “I’m a woman of God, and outside of prayer, we must continue to fight the good fight and have community conversation so...
Sports Beat: Flint City Bucks – men and women – undefeated, in first place at midseason
By Harold C. Ford An unprecedented winning season is unfolding for the Flint City Bucks franchise and its two entries in the United States League (USL): the Flint City Bucks (men’s entry in USL2 or United States League Two) and Flint City AFC (women’s entry in USL W or United States League Women). Midway through the 2023 season both the men and the women are undefeated and in first place in the Great Lakes Divisions of their...
Education Beat: Flint Schools — too many buildings, not enough students to fill them
By Harold C. Ford “It’s April; school closings should be announced today, May at the latest … I’m begging you to get focused.” – Bruce Jordan, teachers union official, Michigan Education Association; April 2023 “You only need half of the [existing] buildings.” — Nicole Blocker, senior vice president, Plante Moran Cresa, May 25, 2023 “The idea is to get your [Flint Board of Education members’] thoughts. It’s not for us to...
Review: “Call Them by Their True Names” by Rebecca Solnit
By Robert Thomas Subtitled American Crises (and Essays), Call Them by Their True Names is Rebecca Solnit’s powerful 2018 collection of timely essays. The book’s forward, “Politics and the American Language,” sets the author’s course in sifting the wheat from the chaff that is the contemporary Babel of linguistic chicanery. “Calling things by their true names is the work I have tried to do in the essays...
Review: Ragtime paints a picture of racial-tensions with tragic and hopeful ends
By Tom Travis Before a sold out opening night crowd, FIM The Flint Rep Friday night staged the last production of the season, with a rousing and relevant version of the musical Ragtime. The play, which runs through June 25, centers around the dilemmas of several characters mired in their struggles for justice and understanding of life. In the opening number the cast of characters is introduced to the audience through song. The plots...
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