As President Donald Trump questions the integrity of Michigan’s elections, the focus of the race swings to Detroit, which has had its share of vote challenges. Controversies already are arising with the city’s count.
Louis Aguilar
A guest author for Bridge Magazine.
Louis Aguilar, a senior reporter for BridgeDetroit, has been writing about the epic nature of his native Detroit since 2004. Before joining BridgeDetroit in 2020, he was a business reporter and investigative reporter for The Detroit News. He is a former staff writer for The Washington Post, Denver Post, Westword (Denver’s alternative weekly) and Colorado Springs Gazette. You can reach him at laguilar@bridgedetroit.com.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Poll: 50 percent in Michigan back Black Lives Matter on police brutality
A Michigan political poll found likely voters fairly split on Black Lives Matter efforts on police reform but the movement already is shaping debates in many areas of public life.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroit museum renowned for investing in Black art. Staff says it’s all show.
The Detroit Institute of Arts has made major strides in showcasing African-American art and in its outreach to Black Detroiters. Is that progress enough to withstand charges of institutional racism and a ‘toxic’ workplace?
Posted inUrban Affairs
In solidarity: Indigenous communities join Detroit’s Black Lives Matter movement
In one powerful image, a Detroit photographer captures the moment of sweeping cultural change that is underway.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroit unemployment rate ‘alarmingly’ high amid coronavirus
Federal monthly data and three economic surveys show that many Detroit workers aren’t returning to work at a rate higher than most of the state and nation. It’s too soon to gauge permanent job loss, a U-M survey contends.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Reaching out to black people to discuss race? There’s a good and bad way.
Black Americans are noticing a new trend: Their white peers are starting to reach out as allies against racism. Checking in on a friend will probably be appreciated, but asking black people for resources to learn about systemic racism demands an emotional toll from someone who likely still is processing trauma.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Coronavirus pandemic slams Detroit economy, protesters want change
Detroiters are experiencing the highest unemployment rates of the century. Millenials and Gen Z, hit hardest by massive unemployment, have looped economic relief into their demands against police brutality as protests in support of George Floyd continue.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Protests continue in Detroit more than a week after George Floyd’s death
The killing of George Floyd, a black man, by a white policeman in Minneapolis is the catalyst for nationwide protests in at least 150 cities, suburbs and small towns. Police brutality is only part of what draws Detroit protesters. Gen Z and Millennial organizers are advocating for something new.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Pain, strength and agitation underlie Detroit protests against police brutality
What happened in Detroit and the streets of at least 35 other cities reflects the raw state of urban America. Months of dealing with a killer virus. Surging economic despair. Then another viral video emerged of a Black man killed while being arrested by a white policeman in Minneapolis.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Detroit population continues to decline, according to Census estimate
The upcoming count will offer a better understanding of Detroit’s demographic changes but the state’s largest city is grappling with a low response rate for Census 2020.