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The role of the philanthropic interests is one that requires a deeper
investigation than this simple review of 2012 in Detroit can achieve, but
one worth pursuing in depth. It is an example of what happens when
government is replaced by corporations.
Detroit is the epicenter of the racialized privatization battle going on
in Michigan, but it is only one part of the story. The Emergency Manager
remains in charge of Detroit Public Schools despite the repeal of the law.
Everything the State could do to subvert the vote was done, and when the
vote came in at against the Emergency Manager law, the governor ignored
the vote and kept the EMs in charge.
There is utter contempt for the people in this lawless corrupt state.
It does not matter if we vote because the results are ignored. It does
not matter if we go to court; the judges simply postpone the proceedings.
There is no voice of moral authority in Michigan; there are looters
from top to bottom stealing the public treasury and the future of our youth.
Schools are so severely underfunded that Teach for America teachers are
in front of classrooms of 40 and more students all by themselves.
Millions of dollars have gone missing from the Detroit Public
Schools’ classrooms, to the joy of charter operators and new shadow
governments in the form of “self-governing schools” and “review boards.”
The Emergency Manager is surrounded by security guards at all
times because he and his minions are so despised by the people they rob. It
is a good time for a few, but not a sustainable plan.
When the colleges and universities catch on that their future students
cannot score high enough on ACT or SATs, they will have to let in only
the white students from the suburbs. Then there will be a movement for
equity and access and we can start all over again.
Elena Herrada is a Detroit community activist leader, longtime
organizer, and member of the Detroit Public Schools board. She can be
reached at elenamherrada2@gmail.com.
Environment:
The new fight over who owns the earth