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The Michigan Socialist | Opinion |
Letters
Dear Editor:
I have come back late to the politics of the City
of Detroit. In doing so, I read your article on Sister JoAnn Watson
(“Detroit City Council elections:
Nothing to smile about,” May 2003).
As we are moving towards the time for preparation
of electees for the city offices, as a progressive, I hope to be
able to support Mrs. Watson as one of our most dynamic persons to
perhaps fill more than just the council seat.
I would like to stay informed about the
progressive movement in Detroit. At your leisure, please write me of
organizations to get involved with. Thank you.
Gloria J. Lowe
Detroit, Mich.
The Editor replies:
We are glad that you found our article on JoAnn
Watson helpful and informative. Since her election, JoAnn Watson has
been, rather surprisingly, a strong and effective voice on the City
Council.
Her recent efforts, for example, to bring the
Detroit City Council into a coalition challenging the results of the
Michigan Democratic Caucus appears to reflect a strong democratic
and anti-racist impulse.
In this sense, her pre-election rhetoric and
post-election actions have been rather consistent. That consistency
is certainly a breath of fresh air in Detroit and Michigan (and
American!) politics.
While we Socialists certainly have our political
differences with Ms. Watson, we also know that, as committed
anti-racists and supporters of Detroit's "home rule," there are
plenty of areas where we can work together.
In closing your letter, you ask about
organizations to get involved with, in preparation for the upcoming
elections and community activity.
Of course, we would invite you to explore the
Socialist Party of Michigan, and particularly the Detroit Socialist
Party, as one of those organizations.
There are also plenty of coalitions and groups
that are involved in defending the rights of the residents of the
City on various issues, including the Committee for the Political
Resurrection of Detroit, the Keep The Vote No Takeover Coalition and
the Sweetwater Alliance.
Another valuable resource for keeping up on events
taking place, and coverage of those events from a progressive
perspective, would be the weekly
Michigan
Citizen.
The Citizen calls itself "America's most
progressive community newspaper."
While we cannot fully vouch for the accuracy of
that statement, they certainly are Michigan's most progressive
weekly newspaper, and a vital source of information.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Martin Schreader |
