The Legacy of MLK lives in Flint and Detroit

MLive Published this Blog Entry here

"There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into an abyss of despair."  - Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963) 

Detroit, By Nick Gregory

As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, perhaps its namesake should serve as a guide for assessing the sordid state of affairs in two Michigan cities paralyzed by injustice.

Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us that a great nation is a compassionate one. People are demanding action to correct failed government policies in Flint and Detroit and a 
compassionate nation is 
responding with support.

The Flint River, By Nick Gregory

Lead-poisoned water wreaked havoc on one of the nation's poorest cities for more than a year despite complaints by residents that the discolored water tasted bad and was causing skin irritation. In the most recent development of this distressing situation, a federal emergency was declared in Flint Saturday.

As Governor Snyder was hiding behind Michigan's executive privilege laws and withholding information about the water crisis from the public, Detroit teachers were taking bold action that called attention to the deplorable learning conditions within the state's largest school district. More than sixty Detroit schools have been shut down this winter due to teacher sick-outs. In response to their concerns Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan unveiled a plan to have all DPS schools inspected for health and safety standards. In the midst of a national conversation about the state of Detroit schools, the Twitter hashtag #SupportDPSteachers has drawn national attention with pictures of the rotting schools. The injustice is being confronted.

Detroit, By Nick Gregory

We should be proud of the teachers, protesters and citizens who are following Dr. King's edict that, "Justice too long delayed is justice denied." Today is a day to honor the heroic leadership of Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who independently researched and spoke publicly about the unusually high lead levels in Flint children. In Detroit, community members have risen to the challenge and joined teachers to fight for Detroit children.

The Michigan legislature has avoided constructively working toward solutions to the DPS debt problem as the crisis facing Detroit gets worse every day. Teachers, tired of waiting for leadership out of Lansing, are standing up for Detroit children.

Detroit, By Nick Gregory

King reminded us in his Letter From a Birmingham Jail that society must protect the robbed and punish the robber. What about when the robber is the elected governor that absolves himself of responsibility?

Toxic water that infected Flint schools and neighborhoods was the result of a money-saving scheme supported by the governor's appointed emergency financial manager in Flint. The people of Flint were robbed of trust as their complaints about the water fell on deaf ears. The inaction of Governor Snyder in light of all the red flags is inexcusable. Snyder's dismissive behavior and his failure to make public the state's records and information about the handling of the issue has shattered the public's confidence in him. In the face of disaster, Snyder's response shows how out of touch he is with his constituents.

Detroit, By Nick Gregory

If he were alive, Martin Luther King, Jr. would applaud the work of the free press that has exposed the corruption and called for answers. He would protest at City Hall and draw attention to the failed policies that harm innocent families. King would ask people from different political ideologies and races to come together in the name of social progress. Advocates for children are not bound by race, geography or income.

Meanwhile in Detroit, life is being choked out of Detroit Public Schools due to neglect at every turn. Four different emergency managers in six years have been unable to get DPS on track. As the leadership failures mount in the face of public pressure, thousands of children across Detroit struggle under heart-breaking learning conditions. Children are expected to learn in schools contaminated with black mold, pest infestations and leaking roofs. Hundreds of students are moving through revolving classroom doors with new teachers assigned regularly. There are heating and cooling problems with classroom temperatures ranging 30 degrees, massive plumbing problems and a culture of learning that has been decimated by a lack of resources.

Detroit, By Nick Gregory

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. we should be thanking the teachers who have brought these issues to the forefront of the nation's conscience. Teachers advocating for students is honorable.

When Dr. King warned us about the shameful desire to maintain the status quo in the face of injustice, he was talking about the schools in Detroit. The status quo for Detroit children has been reduced to dreadful. The talk out of Lansing has turned to punishing teachers for staging sick-outs. Lansing would be better served addressing the broken promises handed down to Detroit and Flint children. Our government should be answering the pleas of professional educators and concerned parents, rather than taking out their misguided angst on the people who have stepped up to help Detroit children.

Elected officials have offered band-aid solutions to gashing wounds that have placed DPS on life-support. Understandably, there is no confidence that the State of Michigan will help. Teacher and community concerns about student safety went unnoticed until the teacher sick-outs garnered national attention this winter. As Dr. King reminds us, the time is always ripe to do right.

Problems that have existed for decades in Detroit Public Schools went ignored. In Flint, the cries for help went unanswered until it was too late. Fixing these problems is never going to be easy, but the failure of our leaders to substantively address them is intolerable.

King reminds us, "There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into an abyss of despair." He calls it the point of "unavoidable impatience."

Detroit, By Nick Gregory

All of our children deserve healthy living conditions and educational opportunity. We should remain impatient, keeping a watchful eye on our elected leaders in hopes they will take action to honor one of the great lessons Dr. King preached - "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Flint, By Nick Gregory

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nick Gregory has been a social studies and journalism teacher at Fenton High School since 2000 and he has been a National Writing Project Teacher consultant and a junior varsity basketball coach since 2003. Gregory is a Michigan Education Voice Fellow and he has exhibited photography related to Detroit and social justice causes since 2011. Gregory, who has a Masters degree in Educational Leadership, believes that building positive relationships helps students find their passion for learning. You can follow him on Twitter @CivicsEngaged.