How close are we?

By Roshaun L. Harris

Many Michiganders, including Detroiters, suburbanites, and folks on the farm in rural communities, feel the burden of the current political and economic environment. The government and the people are in a state of crisis, on many levels. Home foreclosures, school closings, municipal services disappearing, cost-of-living rising alongside stagnate wages are the system’s failures.

Looking across county lines, many similarities exist between struggling communities. The communities facing a more recent downturn can attribute their woes to the same political and economic forces that stifled growth in the poorer communities across the state.

For decades the industrial cities in Michigan have been declining. Due to forces in the global economy, automation eliminating low-skill high wage jobs, labor being moved overseas for cheaper wages, and withering government services, urban cities across Michigan have been in a state of decline for decades.

The suburbs, however, have enjoyed growth and prosperity for the later part of the 20th century, although much of that was built on debt. Locally, the debate has been about the battle over resources between the city and suburbs. Who controls this, who gets what contract, whose getting government aide were the typical talking points for most political debates relative to Michigan politics.

With the current conditions there is nothing to fight over, everybody’s struggling. One of the places this becomes most apparent is in the budget for students in K-12. It has been cut by nearly $500 per student across the state. Many have reacted negatively to that direction steered by Michigan legislators. Detroit students have been losing money since the 70’s. Generally speaking, since that time the federal government has cut spending on public education significantly. At the state level, it was a battle for those limited resources with suburban communities receiving the lion’s share.

Currently, the suburban communities alongside rural communities are sharing the burden, and they don’t like it. Truth is, no one likes the lack of choices and control being brought on by the current crisis. “Welcome to our reality” is the crying call for many urban residents but some in that situation are saying lets join together to get back our livelihoods. Many can clearly see the future for urban, rural, and suburban relies on our ability to solve problems in a cooperative manner. The infighting caused the initial stratification but will only increase strife for all residents if it continues.

Focusing future energy on education would be a start. But here’s where it gets difficult. The current political and economic paradigm may not allow for that to occur. In the Michigan legislature, controlled by Republicans, they are looking to slash and burn all municipal spending and appoint an emergency manager if the desired results do not occur fast enough. Old script for a new show?

This current crisis is an opportunity to look at all aspects of systemic failure and develop strategies for revolutionary changes to fit the revolutionary economic stage of history we’re in. Yes, revolutionary stage of economic history. Where’s the revolution?

In the very means of production themselves. The machines that many thought would make their jobs easier actually replaced them altogether. This is happening in all sectors of the economy, not just heavy industry. So if jobs are the base for taxing citizens to extract revenue for government repayment of debt and robots and computers are making companies more profitable, how does the situation correct itself with old remedies? It doesn’t. Educating the next generation to face this crisis lies not only in the hands of government but also the people. For them, it is a matter of life or death.

People from all parts of the state need to recognize that collaboration is the key, not separation. Soon the separation will only be geographic. In Imlay City there is a solution that will work for Detroit. In Kalamazoo there is a solution for Traverse City. Lansing is not the place where the solution will be coming from. It will be business as usual for the bureaucrats. For the people, their solutions will only come when all identify that old models simply won’t plug this drain.

For a new season of prosperity, we must first define what makes us all prosper as opposed to fighting over what will prosper a privileged few. Education is the key to any sustained prosperity. Let us invest in our future by any means necessary

Coffee with Justin

By Jordan Cusumano

Justin Davis will be a junior at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) this fall 2011 semester. Similar to many other EMU students he has a unique story.
He came to EMU from his home town of West Bloomfield, Michigan where he was raised in a Reformed Jewish home. Growing up he was fortunate enough to be introduced to rock music by his father who plays in a rock band, “Sinjon Smith”. His mom works at the Jewish federation and his faith was a part of his daily life. He remembers his preparation for his bar mitzvah as the hardest thing he’s ever done. His success at preparing himself for the many tasks his bar mitzvah called for foreshadowed the success he would find throughout his adolescence and, now, his college years.
After going to Oakland Community College (OCC) for a semester he started at EMU in the winter of 2010. At EMU he is studying journalism with a minor in criminology. “My mom studied journalism for her undergrad and she really encouraged me to do the same,” Davis explains in between sips of his Starbucks coffee. Nearly every undergraduate student now a days has to have a plan for graduate school. He plans to go onto either business school or law school. “And write on the side, of course” he added with a smile. Davis looks every bit of a stereotypical journalist with his black-rimmed glasses and quizzical expression.
When he came to EMU it was an adjustment for Davis. “I had never seen homeless people or really poor people. I’m still not used to it.” Davis explains as he adjusts his glasses on his face. Ypsilanti is quite a different cultural community than West Bloomfield. Being a part of Phi Sigma Capa at EMU really helped him adjust and break out of his shell. His first semester at EMU he learned the dangers of being on campus at night. “Two of my friends and I were walking from the student center to the library during finals week at about ten o’clock at night. Out of nowhere I was blindsided and punched to the ground!” Davis still gets anxious just retelling the story and it happened over a year ago. He said it makes him feel safer knowing that the guy who attacked him is in jail.
As a high school student Davis excelled in Advanced Writing classes and enjoyed writing about sports. “I would really enjoy a career in sports writing. I really admire and look up to Rick Reilly from ESPN.” He also looks up to Gene Simmons. Simmons is a fellow jewish man who has a remarkably successful business career. “I still have a lot of experiences ahead of me before I become a successful working person. Like studying abroad! I really want to go to Israel.” As a young person Davis has his whole life ahead of him and as an EMU student he is paving his way to success.