"Each generation, coming out of obscurity, must define its mission and fulfill or betray it." Frantz Fanon - The Wretched of the Earth”
“ The struggle against our own weaknesses – no matter what difficulties the enemy may create – is the most difficult of all.” Amilcar Cabral
Shea writes a weekly column for the Michigan Citizen. Here are many of her articles from that column, as well as some Michigan citizen articles by other members of the "Boggs Center Family".
2010
THINKING FOR OURSELVES
By Shea Howell
Michigan Citizen, Jan.2-8.2011
The turning of the year invites reflection. It is a time when past and future flow together.
2010's end will bring no respite from the yearlong assault on Detroit. The effort to mold our city and its people into some grand design fostered by businesses and bureaucrats shows no sign of concluding. Instead, politicians, corporations and the foundations supporting them seem more determined than ever to impose their will on the people of the city.
Many Detroiters refer to 2010 as a version of the shock doctrine. Wave after wave of attacks on basic public services were aimed at destroying the very foundations of shared community responsibility. We have seen the gifting of our public hospitals to a private corporation, efforts to sell the water department, and now, the announcement of a closed-door deal to provide tax breaks to another company intending to run the incinerator for the next decade.
This assault on the public sphere and the hopes of so many Detroiters was most concentrated in the struggle between the elected School Board and the Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb. In the name of budgetary responsibilities, EFM Bobb produced a plan to reshape the public school system on a business model. He announced schools closings, increasing class sizes and an increase in for profit charter schools. read more
THINKING FOR OURSELVES
By Shea Howell
Michigan Citizen, Dec. 26-Jan, 1, 2011
This Christmas season may be the last for many of the remaining 55 Catholic Churches in Detroit. In addition to announcing yet another round of church closings, the Archdiocese confirmed that these closings would be in concert with the plans of Mayor Dave Bing to shrink the city. While the Mayor and his high paid consultants continue to tell us there is no plan, officials from the mayor's office and from the Archdiocese have met to align church closings with neighborhoods affected by the Detroit Works Project.
Lory McGlinnen, director of the Department of Parish Life and Services for the Archdiocese, said it's "by coincidence" that the Archdiocese's discussions have come at the same time as talks about shrinking the city. Stressing the logic of the coming decisions about which parishes to close, McGlinnen said there was no point in keeping parishes open in neighborhoods slated for the wrecking ball. "If we have a church in a neighborhood that is going to be developed only to be demolished, it doesn't make sense to keep a parish there," said McGlinnen.
This latest announcement, greeted with anger, fear and fury by many parishioners, is consistent with the sordid history of the Catholic hierarchy siding with the city in its development schemes read more.
THINKING FOR OURSELVES
By Shea Howell
Michigan Citizen, Dec. 19-25, 2010
Mayor Dave Bing took to the media to announce his evolving plans. One of his main concerns, he said, is that the citizens of Detroit lack trust in him. "The African American community," he told Devin Scillion, "has not been raised to trust government."
But, he went on, "We've not done anything in these last eighteen months for people to distrust us."
The complete absence of awareness in this statement is stunning. After this last week of contradictions, partial plans and new revelations, people who care about Detroit would be foolish to put trust in this Mayor or his administration. read more
Truth to power By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Dec. 12-18, 2010
More than Pain and Promise By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Dec.5-11, 2010
Time Wasted By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Nov. 28- Dec. 4, 2010
Creative Culture By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Nov.21-27, 2010
Conversations on Race By Shea Howell Miichigan Citizen, Nov. 14-20, 2010
Civic Participation and Democracy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Nov. 7-13, 2010
From Punishment to Love By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Oct.31-Nov.6, 2010
A Way Beyond the Darkness By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Oct. 24-30, 2010
Silence the violence By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Oct. 17-23. 2010
What counts? By Shea Howell Oct.10-16-2010
Valuing a new economy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Oct.3-9. 2010
Moving Detroit Forward via Milwaukee By Myrtle Thompson-Curtis and Wayne Curtis,
Feedom Freedom Growers Michigan Citizen, Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2010
Misinformed and Misinforming media By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, September 19 -25, 2010
No sham democracy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Sept. 12-18, 2010
Community Control By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Sept.5-11, 2010
Creating a new democracy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, August 29- Sept. 4. 2010
Education Foundations By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Aug. 22-28, 2010
Engaging education By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, August 15-21.2010
Democracy is growing in Detroit By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, August 8-14, 2010 Desperate for change By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, August 1-7, 2010
Mayoral control? By what right or reason? By Shea Howell
NO to Mayor control. YES to Community. By Shea Howell July 13, 2010
The real news By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, July 11-17, 2010
Change gonna come By Shea Howell July 4, 10, 2010
Another World By Shea Howell June 27-July 3, 2010
Beyond bad ideas By Shea Howell July 10, 2010
The story not told By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen,. June 13-19, 2010
Mega school madness By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, June 6-12, 2010
Behind the violence By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, May 30-June 5, 2010
Bad business By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, May 23-29, 2010
Market Place Education By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, May 16-22, 2010
Spinning Democracy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, May 9-15, 2010
Democratic Debate By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, May 2-8, 2010
Visionary schools today By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, April 25-May1, 2010
A regional look beyond crisis By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Apr.11-17, 2010
Alternative Democratic Visions By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Mar. 28- Apr. 3, 2010
The Mayor's land rush By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, March 21-27, 2010
Development and Democracy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, March 14-20, 2010
Resist the land grab By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Mar. 7-13, 2010
Holding civilian trials By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Feb.28-Mar. 6, 2010
Leaving the Senate By Shea Howell Feb.21-27, 2010
Tea Party Questions By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Feb.14-20, 2010
Beyond Budgets and Speeches By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Feb. 7-13, 2010
Massachusetts Message By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Jan. 31- Feb. 6, 2010
War and the Economy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Jan. 24-30, 2010
A new beginning By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Jan. 17-23, 2010
Acting for peace By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Jan. 10-16, 2010
A Woman Among Warlords By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Jan .3-9, 2010
The Hope in Afghanistan By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, December 27-Jan.2, 2010
2009
Between Prophets and Presidents By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, December 20-26, 2009
"Why do they hate us so?" By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, December 13-19, 2009
Another way By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen. Dec.6-12, 2009
Corruption in Afghanistan and at Home By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Nov. 30-Dec. 5, 2009
The long war By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Nov. 15-21, 2009
If you break it By Shea Howell Nov. 30-Dec. 5, 2009
After 8 years By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, October 18-24, 2009
Testing Asssumption By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Oct. 11-17, 2009
Response to a TIME article By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Oct. 4-10, 2009
A General's Assessment By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Sept.27-Oct. 3, 2009
Thoughts on Van Jones By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, September 13-19, 2009
Healthy Communities By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Aug. 23-29, 2009
About College By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Aug. 9-15, 2009
No Distraction By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Aug.2-8, 2009
Doublespeak of Peace By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, July 5-11, 2009
A Privileged Moment By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, June 7-13, 2009
Another Way By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, May 17-23, 2009
Crediting Mothers By Shea Howell May 10-16
Out of Control By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, May 3-9, 2009
Columbine and Torture Memos By Shea Howell April 25th-May 3rd
Too big to fail By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, April 12-18, 2009
GM AND WALL STREET By Shea Howell March 29- April 4, 2009
Bonus time By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, March 22-28, 2009
Beyond Divas and Demagogues By Shea Howell March 15th-21st
Imperial Dreams By Shea Howell March 8th-14th
Breath of Hope By Shea Howell March 1-8, 2009
Staying Home By Shea Howell
Home Economy By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen
Another World is Coming By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Feb.1-7, 2009
The Choice By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Jan. 25- 31, 2009
Peace Signs By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Jan. 18-24, 2009
Beyond Words Jan.11-17, 2008
Resolving Peace Jan. 4-10,2009
Winter economies By Shea Howell Michigan Citizen, Dec. 28-Jan, 3, 3009
2008
THINKING FOR OURSELVES
Preserving Trust , Dec. 21-27, 2008
Relationships of value Oct. Dec.14-20, 2008
Continuing Wars and Wisdom Dec. 7-14, 2008
In Tough Times Nov. 30- Dec 6, 2008
Economic Fundamentals Nov. 30- Dec. 6, 2008
Reaching for Maturity Nov.16.-Nov.22, 2008
Bush's Legacy 11-15-08
New Harvest Time 11-08-08
Ethic of Responsibility Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2008
Good News in Troubled Times Oct.19-25, 2008A Dangerous Game Oct.12-16, 2008 Rethinking Economics October 5-11. 2008Beyond BailoutsMaverick or Mouthpiece Sept. 21-7, 2008
Media Matters September 14-20, 2008American Promise Sept.7-13, 2008Second in Command Aug.31- Sept. 6, 2008McCain: War Hero or War Monger Aug. 24-30, 2008New World Emerging Aug. 17-23, 2008Questioning global developments August 10-16, 2008The Way to Peace Aug, 3-9, 2008Widening war July 20-26, 2008
Letter from Iran July 13-19, 2008Provoking Action July 8-12, 2008We have come to connect June 29-July 5, 2008
A New Politics June 22-28, 2008An Extraordinary Moment June 15-21. 2008Dancing with Destruction June 8-14, 2008No Private Wars June 1-7, 2008Memorial Day 2008 May 25-31, 2008
For most of us the coming weekend represents a shifting season.
Memorial Day is the beginning of summer. School days are numbered,
graduation ceremonies mark life changes, and people plan time together
in family reunions and outdoor gatherings.The price of buffers May 18-24, 2008
Looking for Truth May 11-17, 2008Sand storms May 4-10, 2008From War to Occupation April 27-May 3, 2008Fool us twice April 20-26, 2008Those scary quotes Mar.31-Apr. 5, 2008
Sorrow in our Hearts Mar.22-28, 2008Hard Questions Mar. 9-15, 2008“Significant damage” Mar.2-8, 2008
Crimes against Humanity Feb. 17-23, 2008Budget PrioritiesThe World is Changing Feb. 3-9, 2008
Deaths in Iraq January 27-Feb2, 2008A Better Country Jan. 20-26. 2008For the Children Jan. 13-19, 2008
Resolve in the New Year Jan.6-12, 2008Blessings of the Season Dec.30-Jan.6, 2008
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December 31, 2010