Change and challenge defined the day for Democrats at the Feb. 23 state party convention held at Cobo Hall. Lon Johnson replaced 18-year chair Mark Brewer with the pledge that Republican-controlled Lansing cannot continue. In the face of mounting internal politics and an impending defeat, Brewer withdrew his candidacy the day of the vote. ...

It takes away the rights and privileges in Detroit. They are taking us back to post-slavery when we were sharecropping. Detroit will not have a voice; it will be a dictatorship. It seems like the Detroit vote did not even count. Didn’t we vote about the emergency manager? — Connie Malabed ...

In the controversy over the financial future of Detroit, uncertainty seems to be the most oft-repeated term. This uncertainty is attributed to the fact that no other major American city has faced the same kinds of structural problems confronting Detroit. From loss of population, abandonment of capital, to nearly half the property owners’ delinquency on taxes, we have little money to support essential servic ...

On Feb. 19, the unofficial became official: Detroit is in a financial emergency. The state’s six-member financial review team, appointed in December, made the announcement at 4 p.m. Gov. Rick Snyder has 30 days to review the report and determine whether he will proceed with the group’s recommendation and appoint an emergency financial emergency (EFM). ...

Two weeks ago, a group of civil rights leaders, led by National Urban League President Marc Morial, threw down the gauntlet, strongly urging President Barack Obama to address the jobs crisis and economics in America’s urban communities. Gauging applause following Obama’s Feb. 12 State of the Union address, he is at least beginning to meet the demand. ...

Detroit Poet Joel “Fluent” Greene (above) is host of “A Man Can Change #10: A Family Affair.” The event is Feb. 22, 7 p.m. at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Greene says the positive response over the years made him move to the larger venue. Other poets performing include Khari Kimono Turner, LaShaun Phoenix Moore, Tawana Honeycomb Petty, Chantay Legacy Leonard and M.L. Liebler. Fo ...

The state democratic party is in flux and in need of new blood. This is the rumbling coming from local democrats. The Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) Convention will be held Feb. 23 at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit. Many are looking to replace Party Chair Mark Brewer, while others are more focused on their local districts. ...

Last week, the Roberts Riverwalk Hotel was buzzing. Progressive teachers, professors, students, artists, organizers and philosophers from around the country came to Detroit to re-imagine education. ...

The threat of emergency management has become more real in the last week for Detroit. The financial review team, appointed by Gov. Snyder, is closer to making their recommendation for financial management. Mayoral Candidate Lisa Howze says her goal is to eliminate the need for the measures put in place to “turn the city around.” Howze says she would work to eliminate the Financial Advisory Board and put in ...

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer may be on his way out. Many Democrats believe it is time for new leadership and will select a new chair Feb. 23 at the 2013 party convention in Detroit. “Mark Brewer is one of the most ineffective chairmen we have ever had. He is absolutely not producing,” said political analyst Art Blackwell. “You can’t point to one election he was directly responsible for and he ...