The Center for Social Solutions is committed to establishing concrete solutions for our four initiatives. While these issues are relevant across the entire nation and in all corners of the world, it is also useful to examine their local presence in a specific location. Doing so can help us to better grasp the fact that no community is immune to these problems, and provide clarity when assessing the larger-scale version of these issues.

Today’s focus is on the themes found throughout our Slavery and Its Aftermath initiative. To learn more about the effects and implications of slavery and its aftermath in Michigan, take a look at the resources below.

 

Read

“Senate bills would ban Confederate flag from Michigan Capitol, declare Juneteenth as official state holiday” by Steve Neavling, Detroit Metro Times

New bills introduced in the Michigan Senate in response to racial justice movements of the past year aim to honor Black history more fully while banning hate symbols from the Capitol.

 

“Oakland County establishes human trafficking task force with Michigan cases among highest in nation” by Mark Cavitt, The Oakland Press

With Michigan ranked as the ninth highest state for human trafficking cases, a new task force has been created by Oakland County to provide more intervention and resources for survivors.

 

“Michigan State University helps people learn about slavery and family history” by Christiana Ford, WILX 10

A new database created by Michigan State University is helping people learn more about slavery and their possible connections to it by providing access to millions of historical slave records. 

 

“Lansing area activists seek to honor Malcolm X’s family” by Krystal Nurse, WDIV Local 4

A group of Lansing activists is fighting to make the public more aware of civil rights activist Malcom X’s roots in Lansing, Michigan.



Watch

“Roundtable January 2021” by American Black Journal DPTV (2021)

Community leaders discuss pressing issues affecting African American communities in Detroit from prison reform to covid vaccination rollouts.

 

Listen

“The forgotten sea shanties of Black Great Lakes sailors” by Catherine Nouhan, Stateside (2021)

The history of Black sailors in the Great Lakes is often overlooked, but Black sailors have made many momentous contributions to the Great Lakes community since the 1800’s including through their music.