NPR: Lessons from Detroit

Lessons from Detroit

We are back from Detroit where we were delighted to receive the Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award from Wayne State University (photos below). But I am equally happy just to have had a reason to get on up out of this office where I can see what's happening in somebody else's back yard. Nothing like getting out of town, even for a few hours, which is what this was, to give you a new perspective and some new ideas.

For example ... It's a relief to know that some people really are as obsessed by the presidential election as we are here in DC. So we are not alone, Thank God.

It's not fun when your city's leadership - Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick - is under fire for personal misconduct. It's embarrassing. It's more painful than you care to admit. Here in DC, been there, done that got the t-shirt. But it's striking how familiar the sensation was, seeing the story splashed across the front page of the local paper, some people dying to know what's next, some people impatient for it to be over, some people feeling both things on the same day. And meanwhile, people have to go about their business, because, what choice do they have? Stay home until the whole thing blows over? Hide? Pretend to be from Canada? There's a heaviness, I think, a sense of sadness that you can't ignore.

Meanwhile we are reminded how much leadership matters ... In Kenya the ruling and opposition parties seem to be cementing their power sharing arrangement - a 40-member cabinet, with a President AND a Prime Minister. We talked to Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai about her concerns, about the new arrangements as well as her decision not to carry the Olympic torch. You can read her official statement here:

Plus we talked to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington about his controversial decision to ask all the white people to step out of his court so he could have a chat with his African American defendants. You can read his op ed where he defend what he did here.But whether you agree or not with what he did I think it's important to hear him talk about it, to hear his voice, as he describes the daily parade of distress passing through his courtroom..

And on Mondays we like to check in on the Washington Post Magazine and talk about interesting stories about the way we live now.This week's story was about how DC's performing arts high school decided to put on a production of the WIZ, with two casts ... crazy. You can read the piece here.We shouldn't have to say it ... but in case we do ... all kids have not lost their minds. If there was doubt, here's proof.

P.S. Here are some photos from our trip to Detroit to receive the Helen Thomas Award at Wayne State University. Photography student Juana Askew was on hand and shared some of her work.

Michel Martin accepts the Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award from Alicia Nails, director of the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Juana Askew

Michel Martin gives her acceptance speech after receiving the Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Juana Askew

Michel Martin with journalism students at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Juana Askew

Michel Martin

12:19 PM ET | 04-14-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Perhaps Judge Arrington should not have asked the non-Black people to leave his courtroom so that he could speak with the African-Americans. However, sometimes its best to look at the results. I've had exposure to this environment and mostly in courts these days, you will see alot of young Black males who are under-educated and largely unparented. Its amazing, many are raising themselves and probably have never had a person speak to them as this judge did, with love. I say...keep up the good work!

Sent by Jennifer | 2:50 PM ET | 04-14-2008

I believe Judge Arrington faced the challenge of discussing ("to his brothers") his outrage he had of their lack of balance in life and he called them on it. He acknowledged that he would change the context of the courtroom and not dismiss the white individuals in the future. Yet afterwards, these same prosecuted fellow human beings will be shoved into a pathetic penal system that exiles them into barred rooms of hopelessness. Sadly, this conversation just scratches the surface of our dysfunctional penal-doesn't-believe-in-rehabilitation system. When do we go beyond calling out a frustrated judge when there's several elephants standing in the room.

Sent by Stephen | 5:25 PM ET | 04-14-2008

The judge is an elected official and he will have to face the criticism for the decision he made but I look at the intent of his decision of asking non-blacks to leave the court room. There was nothing racially motivated but frustation with some of our young black youth. A poor decision that may have cost him his career but he did it with love and compassion!

Sent by Sharon | 6:04 PM ET | 04-14-2008

Unlike Bill Cosby's rant to the class and/or alumni of Howard University a couple of years ago regarding what ails the black community, Judge Arrington spoke to the very people who needed to hear his words. It made my heart feel good to know that this man step outside the box to impart something that just might make the difference to someone in that courtroom that day. So what, if he asked all to leave except the African-Americans in his court that day. He took a stand, more than the people who encounter these same young African-American men and women each day and say nothing that could spark a change in their behavior and actions.

Sent by Deirdre | 8:21 PM ET | 04-14-2008

Heartfelt Congratulations to the WHOLE TEAM for putting together this daily 'must listen live or download daily' radio program.

Sent by HUGE Fan in Mississippi | 11:04 PM ET | 04-14-2008

Congrats, TMM team!

Sent by Stanley | 12:41 PM ET | 04-15-2008

Though I understand the impulse to pull the car over and say knock it off but, as a Judge, you are a representative of the entire community and as such it is critical to be as inclusive as possible. Had he asked to speak to these young men in his chambers that would have been cool. On the one hand I understand the need to address the issue that concern you but it is a little myopic to not fully understand the weight of your position on all those who come before you. His heart was in the right place so no harm no foul. P.S. to Deirdre, Mr. Cosby's tirade was underlined by the judge's remarks not undermined.

Sent by raul | 2:55 PM ET | 04-15-2008

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