Chrysler merger possible last hope
for Detroit, U.S. auto industry
by Marcus Amick
Special from the ‘Michigan
Chronicle’
DETROIT (NNPA) -- The idea
of a possible Chrysler merger
has left many wondering about
the future of Detroit and the surrounding
region.
A major deal involving
Chrysler, which appears
inevitable, will reshape Metro
Detroit forever in ways that
probably can't be imagined.
Not that the area isn't already
in the midst of a major shift. The
'Detroit' as it has been known for
decades is now over.
As of June 2008, General
Motors, Ford and Chrysler had
announced the shutdown of 35
plants since 2005, according to
the Ann Arbor based Center for
Automotive Research. Those
plants, along with 35 additional
plant closings at GM and Ford's
chief suppliers, have led to the
elimination of an estimated
149,000 hourly and salaried
jobs, according to published
reports.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is and
editorial from Hazel Trice
Edney, the editor-in-chief of
the National Newspaper
Publishers Association (NNPA)
By. Hazel Trice Edney
NNPA Editor-in-Chief
On Election Day, I was riding
in a cab on Georgia Avenue
in Washington, D.C. when I
saw, at a red light, about a
dozen African-American
kindergartners crossed in front
of the car.
There was one adult leading
the way and another instructing
from behind.
It was the woman watching
carefully over the children from
behind who called out to them a
momentous remark. She said,
“Hey president, vice president,
secretary of state, national security
advisor! I know you’re all
in there. Get on across that
road!”
At that time, many had not
even voted, the polls were not
nearly closed. Yet, there was
already an atmospheric hope
and a belief that defied history.
It seems just about everybody I
talked to in the few days leading
up to the election of Sen.
Barack Obama as America’s
first Black president – like the
kindergarten teacher - had an
unexplained certainty about
what was about to happen.
It’s called faith - the “substance
of those things hoped
for.”
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for more information.
Black, Civil Rights leaders’ wish
list of issues for new President
by Hazel Trice Edney,
NNPA editor-in-chief
WASHINGTON (NNPA) –
Despite the clear mandate that
America’s new President prioritize
the reparation of the economy,
jobs and tax-related issues,
many other issues deserve top
billing, say Black political
observers.
Judicial appointments, voting
rights, international relations
and education are among other
issues on a wish list for African
Americans and civil rights advocates.
''The retreat on diversity in
[federal courts] in recent years
has made the issue more important
for the next President,” says
Leslie Proll, director,
Washington Office, NAACP
Legal Defense & Educational
Fund. There will be much work
to do just restoring some diversity
to many courts, let alone
improving upon it.''
Supreme Court justices get
lifetime presidential appointments,
but due to possible retirements,
as many as three justices
may be appointed by the new
President and hundreds to lower
federal courts, to make decisions
on race-related issues from affirmative
action to civil rights.
