The principles of Kwanzaa require that we pledge to solve problems together for the good of community (Ujima), recommit ourselves to supporting and building our own shops, stores and businesses (Ujamaa) and rededicate ourselves to preserving and appreciating our heritage and passing that same dedication to future generations (Nia). ...

Detroit, meet Jorge Andrade. Jorge is an autoworker from Colombia. When he came to Detroit last August he was in the middle of his second hunger strike. When you read this he will be in the fourth week of his third. His lips are sewn shut. ...

What is your New Year’s resolution? ...

His name was Allen Hall. In 1972, Hall was the star witness for the prosecution in the conspiracy trials against the Wilmington Ten — 10 civil rights activists, led by the Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis — falsely accused of firebombing a white-owned grocery store during the height of racial violence in Wilmington in 1971. According to New Hanover County prosecutor Jay Stroud, Hall, a convicted felon, had the goods ...

What are your plans for the holiday season? ...

Standing silent on the steps of the state Capitol with duct tape covering their mouths Dec. 10, registered nurses who are members of the Michigan Nurses Association protested Gov. Rick Snyder’s so-called “Right to Work” law. ...

Nearly 500 citizens stood in the blistering cold outside East Lake Baptist Church Dec. 10 to attend a public hearing held by City Council to share their views on the largest speculative land sale in Detroit history. Most opposed the sale of more than 1,500 parcels of city-owned land to Hantz Woodlands. Citizens referred to the sale as a “land grab” and held signs that read “No to Hantz Woodlands land grab” ...

The Michigan House and Senate have passed bill that will make Michigan a “right to work” state. Unfortunately, most citizens are unaware of what “right to work” means or the implications of such a law. To begin, the term “right to work” (RTW) is a misnomer. RTW has nothing to do with the right of a person to seek and accept gainful employment. ...

Should Detroit City Council support the sale of more than 1,500 parcels of city-owned land to Hantz Woodlands, LLC? ...

Xstatic Communications kicked off their annual Modern Day Toy Drive to benefit families in Detroit at The Bottom Line Coffee house on Noel night Dec. 1, from 2-5 p.m. The event was free and open to the public. The only prerequisite was to donate a toy or to provide a monetary donation. “I am excited and this is a great cause,” says Pat Harrism owner of The Bottom Line. ...