‘We won’t take resegregation! Equal quality education’

‘Reverse the drop in minority enrollment at U-M. Defend Integration. Defend Affirmative Action. Fight for quality, integrated K–12 education,’ proclaimed the lead banner at a MLK day march Jan. 17. Marchers chanted, ‘We demand equality and integration and education. Affirmative action is the way; along with the fight of MLK.’

At a rally immediately after the march, students spoke in defense of affirmative action and in celebration of King. ‘We’re here to celebrate the man who allowed us to be here,’ said Talitha Johnson. Johnson was one of 45 students on campus from the MacKenzie High School Detroit Compact.

Numerous placards at the march and rally represented campus groups including the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary, the Michigan Student Assembly, Law Students for Affirmative Action, United for Affirmative Action and the Bertha Capen Reynolds Society of the School of Social Work.

Photo by Paul Jaronski, U-M Photo Services

Ambassadors bring ministry of song to campus

The Ambassadors, a Christian a capella group whose seven members originally hail from Nigeria, Togo and Cameroon, was one of two performing groups at ‘Celebration of a New Era: A Musical Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.,’ sponsored by the Women of Color Task Force.

The group, who met at an Adventist Seminary, is continuing a tradition of ministry through song that began in the 1960s. They came to the United States last November for a satellite evangelist program at Berrien Springs and now are pursuing graduate studies at Andrews University.

With pieces in English and Swahili, the Ambassadors had the standing-room-only audience of adults and children swaying in their seats and clapping to the beats of their inspiring offerings.

Also appearing at the program in Rackham Amphitheater were the Variations, a 25-member group from nine cities in southeast Michigan that has been together for nine years. The group, whose music focuses on the Negro spiritual, recently returned from a four-engagement tour of Europe.

Photo by Bill Wood, U-M Photo Service

‘Wake Up Everybody’

‘Relate to others with a peaceful and harmonious spirit and resolve,’ was the message of the Aikido Yoshokai Association at the Power Center Jan. 17.

Business and Finance’s ‘Wake Up Everybody: It’s a Brand New Day!’ attracted a full house of family and staff members.

Also featured were the Diversity Choir, the Mayahuel-Mexican Dance Troupe and a performance by John E. Lawrence and Friends.

Photo by Paul Jaronski, U-M Photo Services