racial justice

Washtenaw County’s criminal legal system is full of racial disparities. That’s according to a report by the Washtenaw Equity Partnership. As WEMU's Josh Hakala tells us, the report also has suggestions on how to fix it.

An early draft report from an eviction proceedings workgroup within the Michigan court system’s “Justice for All” Commission is now available for stakeholder comment. Colin Jackson has more.

Police in Ann Arbor would no longer be able to pull over motorists for offenses like a broken taillight under an ordinance that received full city council support. As WEMU’s Cathy Shafran reports, it’s a measure aimed at racial equality on the roads.

Juneteenth is here. The occasion serves as a great opportunity to discuss where we’ve come as a community since the end of slavery and the significant work that remains ahead. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Trische’ Duckworth for a Juneteenth conversation. She is founder of Survivors Speak and continues to work in the local Black Lives Matter movement.

Today - the 19th of June - is the day now recognized nationally as "Juneteenth". It’s the day in 1865 that American slaves received word they were officially freed. But a Washtenaw County racial justice activist is urging the local community to live the spirit of Juneteenth year-round. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.

The first four members of Washtenaw County’s advisory council on reparations have been selected. And as WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports, they are still looking for 10 more people to fill out the roster.

Ypsilanti-based SOS Community Services and its "Parents as Teachers" program helps parents learn how to foster healthy growth and development for their children. It's community building, one family at a time. Rhonda Weathers and Rana Smith head up the program and joined WEMU's David Fair to detail the program and its community impact.

Residents across Washtenaw County are being invited to join in on a discussion about reparations. A reparations panel discussion is slated for Saturday in Ypsilanti. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has details.

When you call 911 with an emergency, do you ever think about how dispatchers must make split-second decisions on the legitamacy of your call? A bigger dilemma, lately, is how to respond when a person calls to say they fear a person near them but cannot describe any suspicious behavior. These are often described as "bias-influenced" calls. And they are a growing concern to the Washtenaw County Sheriff. Jerry Clayton. joined WEMU's Cathy Shafran, as he urges a "Call to Action" on bias-influenced dispatching.

Eastern Michigan University has announced its keynote speaker for its upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. WEMU’s Taylor Pinson has the details.