Posts by Christina Hildreth
Senior society responds
By Christina Hildreth, written on Nov. 17, 2006
The group formerly known as Michigamua released a statement responding to the UAAO resolution. (See the previous blog post for more information about UAAO’s resolution) Here’s the group formerly known as Michigamua’s statement in its entirety.
To the Daily: Read the rest of this entry »
UAAO defends resolution
By Christina Hildreth, written on Nov. 17, 2006
United Asian American Organizations, an umbrella group for Asian American organizations at the University, released a statement to the Daily about its resolution insisting the group formerly known as Michigamua meet five demands by Jan. 4. Here’s the complete statement:
UAAO Statement to the Daily, 11/14/06 Read the rest of this entry »
Oops
By Christina Hildreth, written on Nov. 7, 2006
The Michigan Daily incorrectly printed the rain location of University President Mary Sue Coleman’s Proposal 2 address, set for noon tomorrow. If it’s sunny, Coleman will deliver her speech on the Diag. If it rains, she’ll be in the Michigan Union Ballroom, not the Michigan League Ballroom.
Depending on the outcome of today’s election, this address could be one of the defining moments in University history.
Midday at the Union
By Christina Hildreth, written on Nov. 7, 2006
It’s 2:30 at Precinct 1-1 in the Michigan Union and more than 150 people have already voted. This precinct shares a room with Precinct 1-2 creating an interesting traffic flow for voters. Voice Your Vote volunteers and exit pollsters stand in the main hallway of the Union’s first floor.
But all seems calm: not too many students in lines, everyone quietly filling out ballots. Precinct workers don’t look too tired yet, but they’re already talking about dinner breaks.
It’s raining. Vote anyway.
By Christina Hildreth, written on Nov. 7, 2006
Activists who spent last night chalking sidewalks will have to find a new way to get out their message today: a steady drizzle over campus has by now washed away most exposed chalkings.
Normally, a rainy day isn’t that big a deal. But on Election Day, even the slightest drizzle has the chance of convincing reluctant voters to stay home. This especially goes for students who would have to walk through raindrops to get to their polling places.
Fortunately for Michigan’s leading candidates, polls show most hold comfortable leads so turnout probably won’t shake up too many races.
But in hotly contested House battles such as the Kilroy-Pryce race in <a href=” Ohio’s 15th district or the Klein-Shaw competition in <a href=” Florida’s 22nd , the absence of rain-fearing voters could turn the election — or even control of the chamber.
So grab an umbrella. Don’t let a bout of poor weather stop you from exercising democracy.
MCRI leader defends KKK comments
By Christina Hildreth, written on Nov. 5, 2006
The fight over Proposal 2, a ballot measure that would end most affirmative action programs in Michigan, just became a little more gruesome.
In a 40-second film segment posted on YouTube.com, the popular video-sharing website, Ward Connerly, the man spearheading the movement to pass Prop. 2, appears to appreciate Ku Klux Klan support for the proposal.
“If the Ku Klux Klan thinks equality is right, God Bless them,” Connerly says. “Thank them for finally reaching the point where logic and reason are being applied, instead of hate.”
At the beginning of the clip, which is an interview excerpt taken from an upcoming video “Arise: The Battle Over Affirmative Action,” Mark Bernstein of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission emphasizes the lack of national support for the proposal.
“In fact just to illustrate how extreme and radical this group is,” Bernstein says, “the only large organization that’s endorsed the MCRI is the Ku Klux Klan.”
Connerly follows Bernstein’s remark with his contentious statements.
The video was produced by Firelight Media, a New York and California-based non-profit production company that has previously highlighted the theme of civil rights it its works.
On Friday Connerly defended his comments to the Detroit News , explaining that he only meant he will take support for banning affirmative action wherever he can get it.
“Throughout my life I have made absolutely clear my disdain for the KKK. However, like all Americans, I hope that this group will move beyond its ugly history and agree that equality before the law is the ideal. If they or any group accepts equality for all people, I will be
the first to welcome them.”
Opponents of Prop. 2 condemned Connerly’s remarks, which they asserted were evidence that the proposal is more palatable to hate groups and unlikely to protect civil rights.
Despite Connerly’s justification, David Waymire of One United Michigan, a group that opposes the proposal and affirmative action, remains unconvinced.
“Do you think anybody really believes the Ku Klux Klan supports equal rights?” Waymire said. “The Klan deserves to be rejected at every turn, not embraced. They have been playing the race card from Day One.
Block “M” Records tracks available on iTunes
By Christina Hildreth, written on Mar. 17, 2006
Looking for another addition to your iPod playlist? Now you can download the melodies of your classmates and even some professors via iTunes.
Music recorded on the University’s record label, Block “M” records, made its debut on the popular legal downloading service earlier this week. Almost 100 tracks produced by the 3-month old record label are available for 99 cents each.
Rachel Francisco, marketing coordinator for the School of Music, said the label has been in legal negotiations with iTunes for almost a year, and that under the final agreement, Block “M” artistis selling tracks on iTunes will receive a greater percentage of sales compared to other record labels.
The University launched Block “M” last December. Artists recording on the label include several University professors and student groups.
High court won’t hear college press case
By Christina Hildreth, written on Mar. 7, 2006
College journalism took a slap last month when the Supreme court declined to hear the case of several former student journalists at Governors State University in Illinois.
According to various news sources including Inside Higher Ed.com â€