Change Up
It’s hard to pin down exactly why I haven’t been posting much recently. I think I’ve become a little overwhelmed with our nation’s politics. It seems to have reached a level of absurdity that I can’t bring myself to write about. I can’t tell the difference between Republicans and Democrats, I don’t see much hope in any real change happening soon,and so I think for a while I’m giving up on writing about the American political landscape.
I am however still motivated by the current challenges that my community faces. One of those challenges I was interviewed about by the local newspaper AnnArbror.com. I talked to a reporter about the growing need for emergency food assistance, the budget cuts, and the lack or resources. I was happy with the way he wrote about the subject, and if you’re interested you can read the entire thing here.
And while I’m on the subject of food banks, Matt Ygelsias wrote and excellent article in Slate about how to best help your local food bank (hint: it’s not dropping an old can in a box once a year.)
I suppose this can be called a shift in focus. I hope to start writing again more frequently, and I’m sure I’ll touch on the broader themes and causes of the difficulties that people in South East Michigan face, but I don’t anticipate caring about the GOP debates anytime soon.
Hold on everybody, it’s getting colder and weirder every day.
Poverty Tour hits Ann Arbor’s Tent City
For a couple years I worked as a case manager for homeless individuals in Ann Arbor. Over that time, a few of my clients stayed at what is referred to as Camp Take Notice, a tent city led by people who have tried their best to create a community that was safe and free from drugs and alcohol. The camp has started attracting quite a bit of attention over the past two years. I visited the camp, my wife was part of a project that gave the residents a voice throughout Ann Arbor and showcased it at a university gallery, and I was even able to help a client move out when he was able to get his own place.
Recently, two of my favorite public intellectuals, Cornel West and Tavis Smiley visited Camp Take Notice as part of their Poverty Tour. They captured the visit on video.
It’s amazing to me how little poverty is talked about in our country when even in a place like well-to-do Ann Arbor, there are places like this.
Detroit’s Classiest Band
I have to take a break from politics for tonight and point out something really fantastic coming out of Detroit.
Zoos of Berlin have released their most creative and inspiring recording to date. And if you have followed the Detroit quartet at all you know that is really saying something. It’s reminiscent of Byrne/Eno collaborations, and the only problem with this EP is that it’s not longer. All the tracks are fantastic, but the opener “Haven’t Eyes” is a frontrunner for my favorite track of the year. But I’m holding out for the new Prussia album before making any definitive statements.
Oh yeah, and if you live in Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area, they will be playing with two other great bands at the Blind Pig on September 3rd. Hope to see you there.
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