Inaugural speech urges country to end divisions
WASHINGTON - William Jefferson Clinton recited the presidential oath for the second time yesterday, praising the achievements of the 20th century and asking Americans to take responsibility in the next millennium to end social and political divisions.
Michiganians party in nation's capital
WASHINGTON - Michiganians and University students patted themselves on the back in the nation's capital this weekend. They celebrated not only President Clinton's November victory, but a Democratic sweep across Michigan that stole offices and control of the state House away from the GOP.
A day of 'unity and justice': Alum, activist returns to give keynote speech
As a University of Michigan student 30 years ago, Mary Frances Berry fought for equal rights and stormed the Fleming Administration Building in political protest.
Now chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Berry has taken her fight for justice to new heights. Yesterday, she brought her brand of no-nonsense style to more than 1,000 people at Hill Auditorium, kicking off this year's Martin Luther King Jr.
Day's activities born from past anger
Walter Harrison said he remembers a time when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a time for anger and protests.
Harrison, vice president for University relations, said he participated in a unity march on MLK Day in 1990 that culminated in a graduate student's angry speech.
Legacy felt in service activities
While many students spent yesterday in activities that ranged from attending speeches to sleeping in, about 400 students participated in a series of service events intended to act on the beliefs of Martin Luther King Jr.
"I think it is important to have the day have some significance," said LSA sophomore Umbreen Idrees. "Martin Luther King wanted to help people and this is a great way to do that."
Bond offers historical view
Julian Bond incorporated his quick wit and intricate knowledge of the country's civil rights movement yesterday to draw parallels to current issues facing blacks.
The University of Virginia history professor and founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, covered more than a century of U.S. history and the struggle for civil rights. Bond began with his grandfather, who was a slave in Kentucky.
"One hundred years ago, as my grandfather approached his 40th birthday, blacks eerily approached the same prospects we face today," he said.
Religion offers community for students of color
Before we can live together, we have to learn to forgive.
Though many students have left their religious communities behind in coming to the University, they could still appreciate this message from the Rev. Dr. Daryl Ward yesterday.
Students urged to network together
Networking with other minority groups may increase the overall involvement of students on campus, according to a panel of student minority leaders.
Activist urges boycott of Shell Oil
Nigerian environmentalist Dr. Owen Wiwa spent the weekend campaigning at the University to drum up support for a worldwide boycott of the Royal-Dutch-Shell Co.
Wiwa's visit kicked off the monthlong events celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. At the Michigan League on Saturday, Wiwa touched on environmental and human rights issues.
Edison shuts down Fermi for repairs
MONROE, Mich. (AP) - The Fermi II nuclear plant will be idle for at least a month because of equipment failure, Detroit Edison Co. said.
Workers yesterday were disassembling a massive generator to try to determine the extent of damage caused by overheating Friday, when three systems failed at the plant near Monroe, the company said.
The Calendar: What's happening in Ann Arbor today
CNN analyst talks about racial equality
Urging a diverse audience of more than 300 not to be "bystanders" in the struggle for racial equality, CNN political analyst Farai Chideya outlined inequalities in media coverage, economics and the criminal system.
In a speech yesterday sponsored by the Information Technology Division, the School of Information and the University Library system, Chideya acknowledged that although the United States has taken steps toward equality, many more steps need to be taken.
Students march in memory of King
Marchers carried signs for their organizations, flags from their countries and chanted together in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. at yesterday's Unity March.
Professor says 'U' can't produce another King
Thirty years after the civil rights movement, black students and faculty still face struggles in the university setting, according to a sociology lecturer.
Prof. Aldon Morris, chair of the department of sociology at Northwestern University, opened his speech yesterday with the question, "Could the University of Michigan, or another predominantly white university, produce a Martin Luther King?"
Pay hikes raise GOP eyebrows
LANSING (AP) - Some state House Democratic staffers are finding there are real benefits to working for the majority party, and the legislative session has yet to begin.
About 30 Democrats received pay raises at the start of the year, a review of House salaries by the Lansing State Journal showed. Many of them also got raises on Oct. 1, the start of the state's spending year, the newspaper reported Saturday.
Profs.: Diversity affects research quality: Honoring differences important to promoting diversity
Attempting to apply the far reaches of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, a small cluster of professors and graduate students gathered in Rackham yesterday afternoon to discuss how diversity affects the quality of scholarly research.
Speakers said the presentation raised an "important point" - the need for diversity in scientific interpretation.
Affirmative action programs provoke discussion at 'U'
A packed panel discussion in Hutchins Hall yesterday addressed the various issues surrounding affirmative action
"Affirmative Action in the Academy: Safeguarding the Gains Made," which was moderated by chemistry Prof. Thomas Dunn, looked at how the ideas of Martin Luther King translated into the present views on affirmative action.
Panel reviews cultural tensions
For centuries, the African American, Jewish and Arab communities in the United States have struggled through cultural tensions.
At a lecture yesterday, Ahman Abdurrahman, a doctoral pre-candidate in Africa and African-American Studies, spoke of the contradictions that exist within these communities.
Social research may bridge race gap
Five area social scientists say current research projects can bring the country one step closer to realizing the dreams of Martin Luther King Jr.
Before a crowd of about 50 yesterday, the panelists discussed varying aspects of race-based social policy, from economic concerns to the criminal justice system.
Linguists claim learning English may weaken cultural identities
A panel of Unviersity students and linguists yesterday explored the issue of whether people should "just learn English" or maintain their cultural identity by holding onto their native language.
As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium yesterday, the panel examined whether an anglophile America threatens multicultural education at the university level.
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