Spring Break
Caucus discusses nooses, education
By: David Veselenak
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
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"I'm from Tennessee. I understand what nooses imply," the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus leader said. "It's not fair for any student to be intimidated."
Clack, D-Flint, was one of six members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus who visited CMU for a public forum Wednesday in Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.
The caucus said an open forum on CMU's campus was important even before the nooses were discovered. Members came to talk with students about any concerns they may have had. Topics ranged from education to diversity issues.
Detroit senior Greg Pettway told Clack the nooses found in the Engineering and Technology Building didn't just affect the minority students on campus.
"This is something that affected the majority (of students on campus)," he said.
Pettway stood before the caucus and described how he was informed of the nooses. He said he had "heard it through the grapevine" and wasn't sure how to react.
"My first reaction was 'How is this campus going to react to this situation?'" he said.
The fact that the accused student has not been named also bothered Pettway. Both Pettway and the caucus said the name should be released.
Clack also criticized Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick for not taking action faster against the student who admitted to police he hung the nooses.
"I've yet to get a report from the prosecutor of this county," Clack said. "He appears to be avoiding (the incident)."
Clack also said since the student used CMU property for the nooses, he should be charged with vandalism.
Burdick was in attendance at the forum, but left before the discussion regarding the nooses occurred.
State Representative Shanelle Jackson, D-Detroit, said the way the media has covered the incident has changed how people react to the event.
"They (the media) put things in front of us and they don't expect that we will say that that empowers us," Jackson said.
Education, including a proposed bill in the legislature that would raise the minimum age to leave school to 18, also was discussed.
Clack said with the job market being so competitive, children need to be well-prepared for the jobs Michigan has available. Without proper education, children cannot be a success in the workforce, she said.
Sen. Buzz Thomas, D-Detroit, said he proposed students should be enrolled in school longer than what they currently are, extending mandatory schooling to two years past high school.
"That way folks have at least an associate's degree," he said.
Not only should students require more schooling, Thomas said, but it should be provided to them at no additional cost.
State Rep. Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo, said requiring students to attend school longer won't necessarily be a wise decision.
He also mentioned the funding for education is not at the amount it should be.
"We can educate two or three students for the price of keeping one in prison," Jones said.
Kathy Wilbur, vice president for government relations and public affairs, said CMU would look into bringing the caucus back to campus for an open forum in the fall.
news@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
James Moreno
posted 3/14/08 @ 10:19 AM EST
This was good coverage, there wasn't any coverage at all in the Morning Sun. I just wanted to point out some important issues that were brought up at the event that weren't brought up in this article. (Continued…)
Diversity Jim
Jim Moreno
posted 3/14/08 @ 10:45 AM EST
I think this a good article on the Black Caucus Event. The Morning Sun didn't have any coverage at all and this is certainly news and coverage of a crucial issue in this community. (Continued…)
teh troll
posted 3/16/08 @ 9:00 AM EST
I wonder why Clack didn't bother to mention the racism that was involved in the 2 black men on 1 white man beating where they initially believed the white man was hit by a friggin' car?
Oh wait. (Continued…)
michmediaperson
posted 3/16/08 @ 11:25 PM EST
Comments:
Why didn't the CM LIFE reporter ask these lawmakers on why they're so worried about a Halloween-prank noose when there are bigger problems in Detroit with Mayor Kilpatrick which is costing Detroit and Michigan millions of dollars? They need to be worried about the Detroit Mayor, not CMU and Mt. (Continued…)
Eric
posted 3/17/08 @ 11:56 AM EST
The least CM Life could have done was publish a photo of these so-called nooses. Everyone is assuming what they were, what they looked like, what was intended by them, and what "type" of person tied them. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 3/19/08 @ 8:24 AM EST
For one, I strongly agree that students should be required to be in school until they graduate from high school--be that at age 17,18, or 19. Of course, I would also not allow home schooling for high school either--it is my personal experience that too many kids are being kept from an education under this faux umbrella. (Continued…)
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