׉?ׁB!בCטFFu׉׉ 7cassandra://hC6JSltDqY4-5Gkeyg609EtCQ6vTrOff_7jY33LmjtoR`׉ 7cassandra://N6ekqpL0oSGfJCNkA0I26sq_n64HnVBMlIAT_qqZhpẅ́`h׉ 7cassandra://SqfQi_hubmVzfD_iNqbiwajwxVR270f545j4dB7-wWg-`׉ 7cassandra://PNQ9_Eiq9m4ku3YWZdkMrzqfSL3xhH9m_DYFSTn2btg:͠4eIfK6c טFu׈*<׈EeIfK6b׉EM2 $ OCTOBER 6, 2023 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 21 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. Area leaders discuss what reparations might look like for Black residents. Page 10 MEET YOUR VENDOR: DENISE SHEARER PAGE 3 GROUNDCOVER NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. Ypsilanti demands shelter and solutions. page 4 THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM On the night of Wednesday September 22, signs were placed in front of empty commercial spaces across downtown Ypsilanti, highlighting their misuse. @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor # ׉ 7cassandra://SqfQi_hubmVzfD_iNqbiwajwxVR270f545j4dB7-wWg-`eIfK6beIfK6b בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://DHhXKFHUUvfDpHsLOXYEgBOiCqmBGrHNLFdEQeNLYRQ0/`I׉ 7cassandra://kO63uquRAbNDmCI9fiRNRa_qc-Y7YikYpORNyUXfN8Y`׉ 7cassandra://yIwvqToqMRh0ia9JjTZ33rqUViDn3UOy6KZcBCD9wtIM`׉ 7cassandra://AHRyC4OIl5mIgIG2rXIsiuCcIbIsTUhVMmgEo94ts_w .̤͠ ieJfK6cנeIfK6cǁ9׉H!http://www.groundcovernews.org%20Gׁ ׁ rנeIfK6c܁9׉H http://linktr.ee/groundcovernewsGׁ ׁ rנeJfK6c9ׁH http://linktr.ee/groundcovernewsׁ ׁ ЈנeJfK6cʁ9ׁHhttp://www.groundcovernews.orgׁ ׁ ЈנeJfK6c 9ׁH"mailto:contact@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ ЈנeJfK6cN!9ׁH&mailto:submissions@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E 2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER letter to the EDITOR Hi Groundcover, I just want to express my appreciation and gratitude for your paper. Not only is it a practical and highly-visible way to help out the vendors (commendable!), it's also consistently class-conscious inside the paper. I love it. I started reading it a couple years back when I picked it up from Ken Parks over at Argus, and then began buying papers off vendors downtown. Today I picked up the Mythology-themed edition, and really really enjoyed Juliano Sanchez' thoughts on godhood, Rome and class war. Truly refreshing and ennobling to find a common consciousness with the vendors. It is very encouraging that Groundcover never lost sight of class issues in the wake of so much identity politics that flew around the last five years. My compliments to the editorial staff and the vendors. Keep up the good work!!! — Jeff Honeyman NOW SHOWING: CRIP CAMP Tuesday, October 17, 5:30 p.m. Movie starts at 6 p.m. Groundcover News office. Open to the public. September 26 marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first civil rights legislation protecting disabled people from discrimination. Groundcover News will be honoring this milestone by screening "Crip Camp," a documentary about the disabilty justice revolution and the youth summer camp that started it all. OCTOBER 6, 2023 CREATING OPPORTUNITY AND A VOICE FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WHILE TAKING ACTION TO END HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes toward production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor Simone Masing — intern ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Mohammed Almustapha Terri Demar Jim Clark Cindy Gere Mike Jones Ken Parks Nathan Poppe Jane Reilly Will Shakespeare Scoop Stevens Felicia Wilbert GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett Elliot Cubit Anabel Sicko Sandy Smith VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Zachary Dortzbach Luiza Duarte Caetano Glenn Gates Alexandra Granberg Harleen Kaur Robert Klingler Ruben Mauricio Margaret Needham Emily Paras Melanie Wenzel Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emily Yao CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO A STORY + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org linktr.ee/groundcovernews PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons ׉ 7cassandra://yIwvqToqMRh0ia9JjTZ33rqUViDn3UOy6KZcBCD9wtIM`eIfK6b׉EOCTOBER 6, 2023 ON MY CORNER MEET YOUR VENDOR GROUNDCOVER NEWS America could learn from Cuba: support artists! recognized for their part in the society. Artists do social projects and publicity and display their art on the street. In Cuba, artists are openly recognized for their value within the society. This is shown through a state income that Denise Shearer, vendor No. 485 In one sentence, who are you? I like to help myself and others. Where do you usually sell Groundcover News? On Liberty Street across from the Fleetwood Diner, near the Ann Arbor Art Center. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? I think I started about five years ago. I started because I wanted to help myself and contribute to the world. What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor? Visit Kerrytown and the Ann Arbor downtown library. Also go to the Fleetwood Diner and see my boyfriend. And, go to Bethlehem Church. What words do you live by? Love God and people. If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Hot dogs and chicken noodle soup. What are your hobbies? I like to draw. I am a doll collector. What is your superpower? My smile. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be? Go to the Michigan State Fair! What was your first job? Working as a shampoo lady in a hair salon. I was in my 20s. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? I wish people were more compassionate and caring at the doctor’s and dentist’s offices and hospitals where poor people go. 1. "Mr. Rogers. I feel like he tried to address educational and emotional needs of children through television ministry. I think some of his teaching methods are still relevant. I thought about this. For example, if I am angry, I can stop. He also spoke to Congress and got funding." — Alex, a new student at U-M. (Rogers successfully fought for funding for the Public Broadcasting System). 2. "It's a really hard question. Buddha, because of the peace and the yin and the yang." — Paul, peace advocate. 3. "The main inspiration for me is the ongoing need for compassion. Everywhere I look, there is someone who needs compassion and everyone deserves that." — Gracie, Mercy JANE REILLY Groundcover vendor No. 611 Who or what inspires local folks to change the world? House. 4. "My daughter. Because I want to make sure she lives in a better world than I do now," — Rammi. 5. "Politicians. The world would be a better place if the politicians did more." — Tim, a fair person who believes in respect. 6. "I do." — Tupac Shakur, Ypsilanti. 7. "All the guests who come in every day and the challenges they face. How they help one another and keep going." — Sue, a volunteer. 8. "Rosa Parks. She's a brave woman." — Declined name. 9. "My current inspiration is Elon Musk. He's the guy who owns SpaceX and Tesla. When I look at my dreams, he's someone who is actually doing things. Like he wants to go to Mars. He's set the bar so high for other people. He wakes them out of the bubble of their perceptions. He changes the perception of what is possible into reality. He's not perfect. He's divorced (and has other problems) but he's a role model because he's actually done it." — Jason Maples, Groundcover vendor. 10. Bono, lead singer for U2 says, "This is U2's family prayer: 'We want to be useful but we want to change the world. And we want to have some fun at the same time. What's wrong with that?’" — Janie Reilly. CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Cuba as a nation has had a truly tumultuous relationship with the United States, with the West being intimately involved in the Cuban past from slavery, colonialism and gambling in Havana. The revolution changed Cuba in the new age of socialism. Artists have become more gives artists an opportunity like any other to do their work. Many artists sell art on the streets and in tourist shops. Other artists work on big projects, murals and venues for the state. The pandemic wiped out art galleries in the United States, forcing artists to the internet where income is one huge competition — and the popularity contest is real. If you don't do “this” or you don't do “that,” you can't sell. If you don’t sell, you don't eat. A supplemental income would truly help the low-income artist. 3 eIfK6beIfK6b בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://gXuTWjWFTkDghCCIMWmwi2_i8n_AfnnTwI70orHHB2o (`I׉ 7cassandra://QKUbQ9utxHUIZiMUrl88txV-wRNcPjo6TvaTdfNT6Mc9`׉ 7cassandra://XIAsUpyZYIugqnthx29Of64yHY8BnNr_9azj5RH3GL4T`׉ 7cassandra://CvibfrtzGzzycALSyY2i-l0GLq3Z6-ik0mYdYrPdVYI͠ ieJfK6cנeJfK6c̞9׉Hhttp://linktr.ee/shelternowGׁ ׁ rנeKfK6c <̉9ׁHhttp://fifthave.aadl.orgׁ ׁ ЈנeKfK6c ؁H9ׁHhttp://aadl.org/ׁ ׁ ЈנeKfK6c p̤9ׁHhttp://aadl.org/reggiewatts.ׁ ׁ Ј׉E4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS Ypsilanti demands shelters and solutions On August 23 at the Growing Hope Marketplace Hall, the Ypsilanti Police Department was dispatched to forcibly remove people experiencing homelessness who were seeking shelter under the awning at 16 S. Washington (aka Black Lives Matter Dr.) — as reported in the September 8, 2023 issue of Groundcover News. The people sleeping under the awning had been doing so for about two months before the sweep. The eviction was due to a disruptive drug culture that emerged at night, carried on by people not sleeping there. Business owners, homeowners and landlords all conspired to ask Growing Hope and the police to do something about the “eyesore” and “litter,” referring to the people and their property. At the Ypsilanti City Council meeting, the County Commissioners meeting and a meeting of the board of Avalon Housing, two things occurred to me. One, everyone, social justice activists and property owners alike, were demanding a solution. Two, no one had a solid plan. The ad hoc group “Shelter Now” has come up with solutions in the form of demands. This article lists those demands and provides a reasonable route to meet them. The demands are to: 1) Create and fund a dignified 24/7 shelter in Ypsilanti before spring 2024. 2) Open a temporary shelter immediately. Fund and do not interfere with unofficial and temporary shelter spaces. End street sweeps and camp sweeps. 3) Ensure that the houseless and housing-insecure communities have decision-making and veto power in all Ypsilanti shelter spaces, and in their creation. Here are some of my thoughts on how to meet those demands. Regarding the first demand: Open the Ypsilanti Freighthouse immediately. Staff can be pooled from governments, agencies and grassroots coalitions. These should be the guidelines for the use of the facility as an emergency shelter: 1) No intoxicated or threatening behavior will be tolerated. 2) First come first serve. If there is no space available, the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) team of Community Mental Health will work with the guests to find a suitable camping site. 3) Personal property storage is not available. The facility would provide food, shelter, transportation, and social work planning from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. This planning could include reaching out to Continuum of Care organizations, setting goals for employment of the solution. Everyone has a voice, everyone has a vote. This section proposes a long-term JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 and self-sufficiency, and monitoring progress on their current situation. Regarding the second demand: The building at 10 S. Prospect, Ypsilanti, could be purchased by the county for approximately $300,000 (the current list price). This building would serve as a permanent emergency shelter. The building would be remodeled with sleeping areas, showers, toilets and a kitchenette. The facility can be staffed by county employees or be contracted out to Avalon Housing or the like. If Avalon were to staff it, they could use it to directly pipeline people into their system, thus cutting time on the waitlist. All of this would be done by the spring. The county also would purchase houses or rent them at a reduced rental fee. The houses would be run as Community-funded Hospitality Houses. Each house is capable of providing short-term to long-term housing for up to seven people. The houses would be large enough to expand into emergency shelters. Hospitality Houses would provide wrap-around care in the form of transportation to and from the daytime warming center, jobs, or care continuum sources and may also work with PATH and grassroots coalitions as local campsite supports (eg. tents, bags, propane). A short-term 90-day residency program would allow applicants to work with a peer support specialist to find rehabilitation resources, housing and employment. The county will be responsible for: • Procuring funding via public sourcing, taxes, reallocation and grants. • Sourcing labor and property management through professional, nonprofit, grassroots homelessness organizations, the faith community, neighborhood associations and community organizing groups such as the Washtenaw General Defense Committee. • Securing and managing property. • Incentivizing neighborhood cooperation in which the neighbors of a hospitality house may actively participate in the operations as volunteers and peer resources. The community at large, including business owners, would have an opportunity to be part solution in which cohorts may apply for permanent communal housing with other members. This is accomplished by establishing the house as an intentional community and allowing that community to purchase the house. The property would be held in a community land trust. Given the decision-making power available to the applicant cohort, this would satisfy demand number three. Why This Will Work: Hospitality Houses Fulfill Family and Growth Needs Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs states that every human has “deficiency” and “growth” needs. The lack of meeting deficiency needs will cause a person to fatally deteriorate. Community-funded hospitality houses provide for all human needs such as water, toilets, showers, laundry, medicine and harm reduction supplies. They would be a means to acquire alternative shelter supplies and provide safe overnight shelter and safety. With the understanding that being given the opportunity to bond with others is as essential to survival as food and shelter, hospitality houses provide for the emotional needs of their guests. Housemates and guests are trained in conflict resolution, communal living norms, and co-counseling techniques. Growth needs are the natural pull humans have for learning and experiencing their empowerment. The need to grow and evolve is hardwired into us. We must be given opportunities to develop our skills, talents and curiosity in order to reach our full potential. Life skills and enhancement programs can be offered to residents that would include problem-solving, social skills and enhancement courses. Community-funded hospitality houses do that. Each facet of this proposal is connected to a program that exists in Washtenaw County. Putting them together under one umbrella program is an efficient way to deliver various individual services. The current system is constantly putting out fires and applying bandages and in general, wasting funding. Community-funded hospitality houses provide a base of operation for an economical, organized and effective system. To learn more about the group "Shelter Now" and support their demands, visit linktr.ee/shelternow OCTOBER 6, 2023 On the night of Wednesday September 22, signs were placed in front of empty commercial spaces across downtown Ypsilanti, highlighting their misuse. ׉ 7cassandra://XIAsUpyZYIugqnthx29Of64yHY8BnNr_9azj5RH3GL4T`eIfK6c׉EOCTOBER 6, 2023 HERITAGE National Hispanic Heritage Month: From progress to prosperity and power On September 12, 2023, President Joe Biden said, “In recognition of the achievement of the Hispanic community, the Congress, by Public Law 100-402, as amended, has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating September 15 through October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.” In the preamble of President Biden’s Proclamation, he noted, “… we honor the diverse history of generations of Latinos, whose aspirations and achievements have shaped the soul of our nation.” History, Heritage and Progress In 19th century America and the first half of the 20th century, Hispanic Americans faced all kinds of setbacks and discrimination. It was not unusual to see big signs in Texas that said, “NO DOGS NO NEGROES NO MEXICANS.” The contemporary history of Hispanics or Latinos in America is complicated. The governments of the United States and Mexico signed a diplomatic agreement which allowed hundreds of thousands Mexican men to come to America as guest workers under a large-scale labor program known as “The Bracero Program.” States and local governments were issued certificates which authorized farm owners to hire laborers they needed at very low wages. While young American men and women were fighting in Europe as part of the Allied Forces in World War I, the Bracero laborers were working in agricultural fields in Texas, Florida, Arizona and California. Thousands of the Bracero laborers worked on the back-breaking jobs of laying the transcontinental railroads. The war ended and American troops returned home; Bracero laborers were asked to leave the country and return to Mexico. Most of them did. A few thousands stayed behind because, during the war, the agricultural food farmers of California, Texas and Florida expanded their agri-businesses and needed more farm laborers. But during the Great Depression of the 1930s, millions of unemployed Americans needed any kind of job. Consequently, the remaining Mexican Farm workers were displaced by poor and hungry Americans. The Second Bracero labor program was launched by the U.S. and Mexico in 1944 during World War II. It was WILL SHAKESPEARE Groundcover vendor No. 258 said, “There is no one term that everybody loves equally.” The second PBS guest was Mr. Hugo Chavez, Study Director at the PEW Research Center. He agreed with Christina Mora. He presented some survey statistics on identity. On the term, LatinX, the PEW surveys stated that 76% of Hispanics have not heard of it; 20% heard about, but do not use it; and only 3% of Hispanics use the term supposed to end in 1947 but it officially ended in 1964. The young veterans who returned home after the war chose plentiful jobs in manufacturing, transportation, construction and service industries. The GI Bill provided opportunity for free education and skills development. The low-wage jobs of picking apples, picking bananas, cutting sugar cane, planting lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, onions, corn and other vegetables and fruits did not appeal to many Americans of the post war era. The “Dust Bowl” phenomenon displaced millions of people in the lower Midwest after the war. The government encouraged them to move to California and replace the Bracero Program laborers. Many did, but left after complaining about the working conditions. Millions of Mexicans who labored as Bracero or guest workers were trailblazers. Hispanic/Latino Americans have come a long way. They were in the 1950s and 1960s invisible and highly marginalized. Cesar Chavez (19271993), head of the Farm Workers Union, and other Hispanic Americans, such as Joan Baez, joined Reverend/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the August 28, 1963 March on Washington, D.C. Chavez shared Dr. King’s dreams of freedom, liberty, equality and justice. PBS Weekend edition invited two Hispanic/Latino scholars to help answer questions about identity. Why do some members of the community want to be called Hispanic? Why do some want to be called Latino or Latina? Why do some members of the community want to be called LatinX? Why do many Hispanics of Mexican descent want to be called Chicano or Chicana? Ms. Christina Mora of the University of California, Berkeley, author of “Making Hispanics” said that the terms Hispanic and Latino are used interchangeably based on geographic connection, generational connection or national origin connection. She “Latinx.” The Hispanic/Latino American population has reached more than 64 million people. They represent 19% of the U.S. population total; in 2022, Latinos accounted for 40% of California’s population. Economic Prosperity and Political Power It may come as a surprise to many people when they realize what the current data says about the economic power and the purchasing power of Hispanic/Latino Americans. On Wednesday, September 27, NBC News Cable Network published an article by Brandon Gomez titled, “U.S. Latino economic output grows to $3.2 trillion, according to a new study.” Mr. Gomez outlined the following key points: The U.S. Latino economy continues to grow reaching $3.2 trillion in 2021, up from $2.8 trillion the year prior, according to a new report by the Latino Donor Collaborative in partnership with Wells Fargo Bank. If Latinos were an independent country, their GDP would rank fifth in the world, ahead of the United Kingdom, India and France. Industry for Latinos remains steady in accommodation and food services, construction, administrative support, waste management and transportation. Mr. Sol Trujillo is the Chairman of Latino Donor Collaborative which commissioned the study of Latino economic power. During his appearance on CNBC, Mr. Trujillo said, “Latinos are the engine of growth in the U.S.” He noted that the economic impact of Latinos in California, Texas and Florida are staggering. The dollar impacts amount to $682 Billion for California; $465 Billion for Texas; and $240 Billion for Florida. The study suggests that because of the Latino community’s youthful and strong population share in the nation, coupled with high labor force participation, we should continue to see high levels of growth powered by see LATINX page 10  Thursday, November 2 • 7:30pm Lydia Mendelssohn Theater Reggie Watts is headed to Ann Arbor this November to share his memoir, Great Falls, MT, a candid reflection on his childhood growing up in Montana. This is a free event requiring advanced registration to attend. Find the link to register at aadl.org/reggiewatts. Brought to you in partnership with the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. GROUNDCOVER NEWS What’s Happening at the Ann Arbor District Library Open 10am–8pm Daily Hang out in any of our five locations across town, browsing books, magazines, newspapers, and more, or check out movies, CDs, art prints, musical instruments, and home tools— you name it! Study and meeting rooms, fast and free WiFi, and plenty of places to sit and hang out. Homework Help Get homework help with Brainfuse, an online tutoring service available with your AADL login. Live expert tutors are available from 2-11 pm every day to assist in math, English, college application prep, resume writing, and more! Visit aadl.org/ homework for more. Fifth Avenue Press AADL founded Fifth Avenue Press in 2017 to support the local writing community and promote the creation of original content. The imprint publishes works by authors who live in Washtenaw County. Consider submitting your finished manuscript to Fifth Avenue Press today at fifthave.aadl.org. FEATURED EVENT 5 eIfK6ceIfK6c בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://svvGDLbhriEFrMe-uMK-S6QLvVf99hcbGTzUSAZNS7I `I׉ 7cassandra://Ij9dmdtPWtKkdaI10uCIrQoTaeRSUdfIdlx1Ht1Zkok%`׉ 7cassandra://stjoUVtO3rjwm0XQDAKoyg8FjyGaMjwWUJuoPpxDpI8R`׉ 7cassandra://hMgcpbwZRUC9jHjMlHFIQ9qQe-oZ7FFE9yXzEjYExaA<͠ ieKfK6cנeKfK6c"r89ׁHhttp://us.Thׁ ׁ ЈנeKfK6c!̺9ׁHhttp://litionAgainsttheWar.orgׁ ׁ ЈנeKfK6c ہ̋9ׁHhttp://nityCommons.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EZ6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POVERTY OCTOBER 6, 2023 American made: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond on how society’s well off benefit from other people’s poverty NATHAN POPPE Editor, Curbside Chronicle Matthew Desmond has lived through or lived alongside poverty for much of his life. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author and sociology professor has made it his latest mission to focus not only on the lives of the poor in America but also how the rest of the country persistently benefits from them. His new book “Poverty, By America” lays out how many lives are made small to make room for others to grow, while making the case for ending poverty sooner rather than later. Think of it as a call for a healthier country — one where a car accident or a medical bill doesn’t lead to financial hardship. Desmond has been touring the country and leading discussions around his new book, which was released in March. On the road to a tour stop in Connecticut, Desmond spoke to The Curbside Chronicle about how he’s trying to spark a new kind of discussion around poverty. “I think that it’s to all of our interests to end poverty in America,” Desmond said. “I feel like so many of us are hungry for this conversation. I think audiences are interested in engaging this book even when it challenges them or pushes them. … I’m really trying to make this both a political project and a personal one, too.” The Curbside Chronicle: You’re no stranger to experiencing the trappings of poverty. How did it shape your upbringing? Matthew Desmond: Growing up, there were parts of my life where I didn’t really stop and think of myself as poor, right? I knew that when my family went out to eat at Denny’s, I was asked to order the least expensive thing on the menu. We’d get our gas shut off, so it turned into a little camping adventure where mom cooked over a fire. As I got older, I saw how poverty put pressure on my parents’ marriage. Losing our home when I was Matthew Desmond started studying housing, poverty and eviction in 2008, living and working alongside poor tenants and their landlords in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Illustration by Abbie Sears in college was a sobering reminder of how poverty builds up. At Arizona State University, I met people who had a level of economic security that nobody in my hometown did. Even the things other students talked about were different. I didn’t know sushi was something you could eat. I remember getting a scholarship and wanting to celebrate at a sushi place. My friend and I had no idea what we were doing, and we ate a big spoonful of wasabi and got headaches. What was it like losing your childhood home? Desmond: Our home wasn’t a shanty. It was a small ranch home on a two-acre plot in the country, but it was ours. There were parts of it that my family all loved and felt connected to. I didn’t have a car, so I asked a friend to drive me back home to help my parents move. I remember being embarrassed. Something I’ve seen during the eviction process is how people carry the weight of that experience on their own shoulders. I think my job as a sociologist is — I’ll quote C. Wright Mills — to turn personal problems into political ones, right? To help others see this problem isn’t just on us. "Poverty, By America" points to a lot of problems. What would you say is the biggest obstacle to ending poverty in our country? Desmond: The biggest myth about In his latest book, Matthew Desmond interviews a man named Julio who was balancing two jobs and almost no sleep before collapsing in a grocery store at the age of 24. Julio would later join protests against low wages and worked to successfully raise the minimum wage in his community. Illustration by Abbie Sears poverty today is that we have to abide by it and tolerate all this suffering, hunger and homelessness in our midst. But we don’t. I think that a big obstacle is having the political imagination and moral courage to envision an America without poverty. The next step is translating that into action. Not only big political action but also personal action as well. Early in your new book, you write, “If America’s poor founded a country, that country would have a bigger population than Australia or Venezuela.” When you encounter a statistic like that, how does it feel to weave that into your narrative? Desmond: I have a lot of friends and family members below the poverty line. I feel accountable to them when I write. A lot of the people I met in Milwaukee are still very much in my life and a lot of my friends back home. I feel like I have a responsibility when writing about these issues to make you feel it and to draw you emotionally into a problem. If I can’t do that as a writer, then I’ve failed in a way. What I’m trying to do on a page — even when the evidence is statistical studies, appendices from government reports or technical, even technocratic, boring stuff — I’m still trying to look for that point that has emotional power as much as a scientific or intellectual one. I’m thinking of my audience as including people who I love living below the line. That motivates me. One concept that really stuck out to me while reading "Poverty, By America" was how economic security leads people to make better choices for themselves. Has that concept always been obvious to you? Desmond: Not at first. I spent time with a woman named Lorraine who lived in a trailer park. One day, she blew her whole monthly allotment of food stamps on groceries for one anniversary meal. I remember when that happened. I thought to myself, “How am I gonna write about this? Are people going to use this to make see DESMOND page 10  ׉ 7cassandra://stjoUVtO3rjwm0XQDAKoyg8FjyGaMjwWUJuoPpxDpI8R`eIfK6c׉EOCTOBER 6, 2023 PUBLIC POWER Public power is climate action SCOOP STEVENS Groundcover contributor Whether or not our power is controlled by the public through democratic institutions is the existential crisis of the day. This was the gist of the Public Power is Climate Action meeting held at the University of Michigan SEAS Dana Building on September 17. The speakers were: Seth Berry (Pine Tree Power Campaign and Former State Rep., Maine), Michelle Deatrick (DNC Climate Crisis Council and Washtenaw County Climate Crisis Chair), Yousef Rabhi (Washtenaw County Commissioner and Former State Rep., Michigan) and Jeff Irwin (State Senator, Michigan). A century ago, DTE Energy was granted the privilege of supplying energy to the public in Michigan. It has now become inefficient, destructive of the environment and racist, said Commissioner Rabhi; therefore this privilege needs to be revoked. This will not be easy to do. The first step is to believe that it can be accomplished; this was emphasized by Sen. Irwin. Public ownership of power has now become a movement, with Ann Arbor being the focus point in Michigan. If this is enacted, the City of Ann Arbor will be purchasing the electrical energy infrastructure from DTE Energy. This past week, Ann Arbor released an initial study it had done on the feasibility of public power with the recommendation that an additional feasibility study must be done to determine how much it will cost to acquire what it needs from DTE. From there, the Ann Arbor City Council can choose to begin the process. but if it doesn't, there will probably be a ballot proposal, possibly in 2025 or 2026. Even if Seth Berry, Michelle Deatrick, Yousef Rabhi and Jeff Irwin, pictured left to right. Panel was moderated by Greg Woodring (not pictured). Photo credit: Lisa Querijero the council initiates the process, voters would still have to approve a referendum on the contract to acquire DTE assets. The advantages of public ownership of power are numerous; there will be a faster transition to renewable energy, more reliability, greater economic opportunity and, in the long run, lower utility costs. Panelists said that the next step towards the public ownership of power is to get the University of Michigan Board of Regents on board with the public power movement. Their influence could tip the scales in favor of public ownership of power and solving the climate change crisis. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 The struggle continues — free our energy! We once said “one struggle, many fronts.” The digital age has turned our lives into “one struggle, too many fronts.” We have lost our focus on the struggle for freedom in its many dimensions to a narrower focus on the endless work of compliance culture with its digital dimension and the promise of techno supremacy for some. This process uses up our time. Everyone is in a hurry because the next demand is calling us to stay busy, or at least look too busy to change course from wasting our time to using our time more creatively. So the United States is once again asking Saudi Arabia to raise oil production and help burn up all available oil as fast as possible. Investors love their monopoly on our energy supply. Can we break free and produce plentiful low-cost energy? The sun is laughing! Wind and water are also calling us forth. International Day of Peace on September 20 and 21 had important sessions on “public energy.” Let’s engage with AnnArborCommunityCommons.org and AnnArborCoalitionAgainsttheWar.org and free our energy supply from the oligarchs of energy wars. Ann Arbor for Public Power is worthy of our attention due to the need for publicly run renewable resources. The earth is smiling at us.That could inspire us to smile at ourselves, a good habit to promote positive struggle, as reality converges in a way that brings new worlds into view. that is happening now as we detach from our illusions and experience the natural flow of “Timeless Time.” Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, was also the deadline to submit to this October 6 edition of Groundcover News. Today is a good day to discover ourKEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 Nothing is what you think it is; the domination of conceptual thought usually separates that consciousness from a more complete awareness sometimes referred to as “the all good expanse of primordial purity and the Clear Light of the Void.” I first saw those words in Walter Evans-Wentz’s early translations from the Tibetan original teachings. There are more translations available now as Tibetan meditation masters gain a following worldwide. Our body, speech and mind complex can thrive in many contexts of the physical world in history. Look at the “Passage of Time” published by the Independent Media Institute’s Human Bridges project. The vastness of hominin prehistory is changing the story of who we are. Stone tool technology and the invention of writing took eons to evolve. Get ready for the awareness breakthrough selves anew and prepare for the climate change of our lifetime. “Tell the Truth'' as Extinction Rebellion declares. Your imagination wants more free play as the work before us becomes clear and we hear the call to do the necessary work and use our power responsibly. The struggle continues until the end of time — even the death of a universe may not be the end of the struggle to free all beings from attachment to ego-clinging. Persevere until the great going beyond that leaves nothing behind. October 8 I will celebrate my 81st birthday. I think on this day we should celebrate the Day of Che as the main focus and honor all 80-plus-year-olds. We can develop our visionary potential and put it to work. For example, Che’s quote, "We are realists, we dream the impossible.” We can be reborn anew! eIfK6ceIfK6c בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://vdGAQBNB88RwIIZ7BjJN5SSkyVPz9qYTCc_d7nxbw5c `I׉ 7cassandra://t55YQluuBeE_bH20B6OHAd2KDgzgLwx7itcsNHFtdx07`׉ 7cassandra://HhugxsOh4QK5dm0j_qhD4G6JvIq3AeNWMdh9i3AC3cMS`׉ 7cassandra://ba_NCHn04qAiJNyp6Fyt5Nufcc9YH6WrMBX15WVZLfQ@(͠ ieKfK6c#נeLfK6c&9ׁHmailto:tact@groundcovernews.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS THINK ABOUT IT Editor’s Note: Many will remember the film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” which referred to the type of contact which includes some kind of animated entity. An encounter of the fifth kind “refers to human-initiated contact with extraterrestrial life forms or advanced interstellar civilizations, claiming direct communication between aliens and humans,” according to Wikipedia.) In 2021, I was coming home from work at Walmart on Michigan Avenue — going west — when I saw very high up in the sky twinkling lights in a V formation. I wondered to myself if it was a UFO. While I was thinking this, the UFO materialized about 100 feet in front of me, coming straight towards my car! I could not believe my eyes; I got so scared. I saw light shooting out with red lights going around it. The bottom of the craft was a dark, stone gray, like a rock formation. I floored it. I wasn't sure if they were going to initiate contact — good or bad — the bad is what worried me. I’m aware that biological entities like to take souls with help from insect creatures and entities like the Greys (look these up on YouTube for more information). They also want to harvest us for future evolution. The “galactic federation” wants to eventually make us a supreme race. The government has known about anti-gravity crafts since the Reagan era. The aliens use a force field around them to protect themselves, to get into higher speeds and use portals to pass through our non-advantageous, non-habitable environment. Light frequencies protect them from the magnetic pull into our atmosphere. With this shield or bubble they go out into different dimensions. I saw the same craft after I got home from Walmart. It was materializing out of a portal. They were visible, then they switched into some kind of invisible layer that they probably created to observe us. Portals can be made anywhere by these entities, using the higher control of the minds of some of these entities. So when I got home, I knew I was fairly safe. My car was extremely magnetized for about a week — electromagnetic frequencies were turning my radio on by itself. The last thing I saw were galactic TERRI DEMAR Groundcover vendor No. 322 symbols on my car, since all these episodes happened this past year. Impressed in the snow on the hood of my car and a trunk I saw triangles, squares, dots and a V in all directions. Some people are born with higher consciousness, usually these are people who had to trust their instincts at an early age to survive, for self-preservation with a family not always there for them. When that happens, you as a child become more aware. I’m in a higher chakra because I believe all are one, connected to this mighty universe. Even rocks have life! These children are so intelligent, foreseeing futures. Most are telepathic; they are artists a lot of times and are super intuitive. I don't know how sensitive they are, but they are definitely star seeds (people who were actually born on another planet). Since I've developed a higher self, I've had dreams come true. I can almost predict certain behavior types in humans. To avoid conflict at an early age, I have had to be very intuitive. I don't know if I am a star seed from OCTOBER 6, 2023 My UFO encounter of the fifth kind: Are they real? another galaxy. True, I have higher awareness which actually makes me misunderstood, but like all higher beings, I do better on my own, because we already know what to do next! If a person wants to achieve more awareness around them and connect to the universe, they need to meditate. Focus on breathing and being one with all, then use vibrational sound waves. I think 820 megahertz is accurate for the root chakra. I have to see it for myself — sound vibrations will develop me more, I'm sure. You have to do this every day to bring consciousness to a higher level. You can buy tuning forks and bowls made from India that have a glass bowl with a glass wand. Go to Amazon.com to see the different sound wave machines. I also have a UFO indicator machine; if there are strong magnetic waves around me, it will go off to tell me with a loud beeping sound. I have a laser light that draws them to my location. Most people go in groups out to the desert to bring biological entities to UFOs and to make observations. A shaman in the Amazon forest can help make contact through chanting meditations. Roots for mind-altering experiences still have the same effects; they will come to you if you believe in a higher power. ׉ 7cassandra://HhugxsOh4QK5dm0j_qhD4G6JvIq3AeNWMdh9i3AC3cMS`eIfK6c׉EOCTOBER 6, 2023 PUZZLES GROUNDCOVER NEWS CROSSWORD from the International Network of Street Papers 9 Groundcover Vendor Code While Groundcover is a non-profit, and paper vendors are self-employed contractors, we still have expectations of how vendors should conduct themselves while selling and representing the paper. The following is our Vendor Code of Conduct, which every vendor reads and signs before receiving a badge and papers. We request that if you discover a vendor violating any tenets of the Code, please contact us and provide as many details as possible. Our paper and our vendors should be positively impacting our County. • Groundcover will be distributed for a voluntary donation. I agree not to ask for more than the cover price or solicit donations by any other means. • When selling Groundcover, I will always have the current biweekly issue of Groundcover available for customer purchase. • I agree not to sell additional goods or products when selling the paper or to panhandle, including panhandling with only one paper or selling past monthly issues. • I will wear and display my badge when selling papers and refrain from wearing it or other Groundcover gear when engaged in other activities. • I will only purchase the paper from Groundcover Staff and will not sell to or buy papers from other Groundcover vendors, especially vendors who have been suspended or terminated. • I agree to treat all customers, staff, and other vendors respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten, harass or pressure customers, staff, or other vendors verbally or physically. • I will not sell Groundcover under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • I understand that I am not a legal employee of Groundcover but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. • I understand that my badge is property of Groundcover and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers. • I agree to stay off private property when selling Groundcover. • I understand to refrain from selling on public buses, federal property or stores unless there is permission from the owner. • I agree to stay at least one block away from another vendor in downtown areas. I will also abide by the Vendor Corner Policy. • I understand that Groundcover strives to be a paper that covers topics of homelessness and poverty while providing sources of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word. If you would like to report a violation of the Vendor Code please email contact@groundcovernews.com or fill out the contact form on our website. ACROSS 1. "We're #1!," e.g. 6. Low-___ diet 10. Computer architecture acronym 14. Kind of ticket 15. ___-Altaic languages 16. "What's gotten ___ you?" 17. Pricker 18. Japanese soup 19. Hardly haute cuisine 20. Clerical drudges 23. "___ Flux" 24. Couch 25. Laborer who moves bricks (Brit.) 28. A Judd 30. "___ we having fun yet?" 31. Pristine 36. Drop, to an editor 38. Cow chow 39. French Sudan, today 40. Commiserator's words 45. Mother Teresa, for one 46. Whip 47. Fit as a ___ 49. Mark over a long vowel 52. Worse than fair 53. Sophomore, e.g. 57. Old European capital 58. ___ Bowl 59. Flooded 62. Coagulate 63. Carbon compound 64. Bar offering 65. Does some tailoring 66. Regard 67. Neuters DOWN 1. Short order, for short 2. "___ Baby Baby" (Linda Ronstadt hit) 3. Above 4. Current 5. Open rear seat in old cars 6. Spice in Indian cooking 7. Husk 8. Coarse file 9. Loose garment pulled in at the waist 10. Conservative doctrine 11. Arm of the sea 12. Cache 13. Small woods 21. N.Y. neighbor 22. 18-wheeler 25. Muslim pilgrimage 26. After-lunch sandwich 27. Kosher ___ 28. Civil rights org. 29. Chemical compound 32. "___'s the breaks!" 33. Full house, e.g. 34. Jewish month 35. Sup 37. Petitions 41. God with a hammer 42. Slouched over 43. Roswell sightings 44. Organic matter used for fuel 48. Draft 49. Soil enricher 50. Like an old woman 51. Kind of drive 52. Church song 54. "Clair de ___" 55. ___ vera 56. Houston acronym 60. Diffident 61. Towel stitching eIfK6ceIfK6c בCט u׉׉ 7cassandra://dzT9M1uOOhth--3VnWbfJLa6uzrktlRuuVOZDwEx6ks 7`I׉ 7cassandra://CmOcBJxdXEV84bJmUfM54Bf3IA7NpF5CwctunYIR6oo'`׉ 7cassandra://KNf0kT214DKvfnLbWxq0w1msfQSmRupvxpXR7Q4XfoIOh`׉ 7cassandra://6aCxPq6ryKkuX_SowDMY50t0s4wp_bi4ZDGw11QCYf8<͠ ieLfK6c'׉E10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS RACIAL JUSTICE OCTOBER 6, 2023 Area leaders discuss what reparations might look like for Black residents On February 15, 2023, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution which established the Advisory Council on Reparations. According to the Washtenaw County website, the purpose of the council is to outline the specific ways that county policies and practices have historically and continually harmed the lives of Black people and to develop recommendations for the Board of Commissioners in the form of a Washtenaw Reparations Plan. The plan will include recommendations around specific actions to address and redress the sectors of homeownership and access to other quality affordable housing, increasing business ownership and career opportunities, strategies to grow financial equity and generational wealth, closing the gaps in health care, education, employment and pay, neighborhood safety and fairness within criminal justice. In 2021, the Washtenaw County Racial Equity Office convened a committee of subject matter experts and industry leaders to explore the possibility of economic and social reparations to those in Washtenaw County who experience the on going, compounded, negative impact of the institution of American slavery. The establishment of the Council on Reparations is a continuation and deepening of Washtenaw County’s commitment to Targeted Universalism. To effectively create systems of equity, we must build systems of accountability that begin with committees, and be recommended through the Racial Equity Office with appointments confirmed by the Board of Commissioners. Ann Arbor officials heard calls for MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 acknowledging harm and then clear pathways for repair. This Council centers community voice and engagement, encouraging transparency and building community trust. The Chair of the Board of Commissioners shall recommend all appointments to the Advisory Council on Reparations, subject to approval by the full Board of Commissioners. Members of the Advisory Council on Reparations shall, at minimum, represent the following sectors: Housing and Real Estate, Education K-12, Education Post-Secondary, Workforce Development, Economic Development, Health, Art, Civil Rights Law, Criminal Legal System, Food Security, Transit, Faith-Based Community, Environmental Justice and Racial Equity Office. Individuals interested in serving on the Advisory Council on Reparations shall apply consistent with the appointment process utilized by similar boards, commissions and reparations from residents who spoke at their July 6 meeting, at which City Council approved a new law limiting police traffic stops to avoid racial profiling. Several residents expressed hopes the City would take more steps. Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, who plans to run for Council against Eyer in 2024, called for “massive reparations,” saying white people in the United States owe Black people $97 trillion. “And you know why you owe them?” she asked the Council. “Because you extracted free labor from them, hundreds of years, and you piled it up, and you became the rich people that you are today. ... Start thinking about giving it back.” The $97 trillion figure some cite is based on estimates the U.S. benefited from over 222 million hours of forced labor between 1619 and the abolition of slavery in 1865. Ann Arbor officials acknowledge policies like exclusionary zoning, racially restrictive covenants and deed restrictions historically kept Black people out of various neighborhoods. As a result of systemic racism, Black families lagged in building generational wealth and officials acknowledge many Black people have been priced out of an increasingly expensive Ann Arbor. Lefiest Galimore, who applied to Lefiest Galimore, longtime Ann Arbor resident. serve on the Washtenaw County Advisory Council on Reparations but was not chosen, said he’s lived in Ann Arbor since 1971 and watched as neighborhoods where other Black families once lived have become gentrified and many Black people today can’t afford homes where they grew up. “That’s an injustice,” he said, agreeing reparations are needed across the U.S. for descendants of people who were enslaved and helped build the country and its wealth. I had a chance to talk and interview Mr. Galimore. He said, “County and City leaders should be more transparent with the Black community on the issue of reparations and to seek their input on reparations because one person might see reparations in one way and another person might see it another way, so the Black community should be informed and start having real discussions on the issues on how reparations would look like for Black residents in Washtenaw County.”  LATINX from page 5 Latinos. Latinos or Hispanic Americans now have enormous political power. About 17% of registered voters in Florida are Latino/Hispanic Americans. The Democratic and Republican parties compete for their votes. With each Census Bureau’s report of Hispanic/Latino population growth, the share of that community’s vote in the U.S. continues to grow. The PEW Research Center’s findings on the topic of “Hispanic/ Latino Voters” and the “Hispanics and the Future of America” manuscript published by the National Institute of Health National Library of Medicine especially the section titled, “Latino Civic and Political Participation” are great sources of information on the political power of Hispanic/Latino Americans. Conclusion Many universities, colleges and K-12 schools in Washtenaw County and across the nation are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with stories, lectures, conversations, dancing, music and of course, their ethnic foods. Civic leadership, cultural diversity and arts/entertainment representation are additional areas of progress. In his September 12 proclamation, President Biden noted that he valued the leadership of his four Latino Cabinet Members. There are several members of the House of Representatives who are Hispanic or Latino. The U.S. Senate has two Latino members from California and New Jersey. Within the past ten years singers and artists such as Selena Gomez, Bad Bunny, Cabello, Anitta, and other young Latino/Hispanics have made waves in - the music entertainment industry. The representation of young Latino musicians and young Hollywood/Broadway actors is much better than a generation ago. However, some actors who are among the six million Latino Americans who identify as “Afro Latinos” told BuzzFeed that “white Latinos or lighter skinned Latinos are often favored for roles, leaving “Afro Latinos with fewer opportunities to shine.” Many critics have condemned Hollywood’s lack of inclusivity. ׉ 7cassandra://KNf0kT214DKvfnLbWxq0w1msfQSmRupvxpXR7Q4XfoIOh`eIfK6c׉EOCTOBER 6, 2023 ADDICTION Fentanyl, Fenta-not!!!! This article is an ode to the countless beautiful souls lost to the menacing grip of the fentanyl opioid epidemic that casts its shadow not only over our beloved city, wonderful state and great nation, but also around the globe. This includes the young child in New York who recently passed. Drug addiction, in its myriad colors and forms, plagues our society. However, within this piece, my focus rests on fentanyl — a formidable foe that has recently emerged to strike indiscriminately at lives from all walks of life. Let us start at the genesis — opioids derived from the poppy flower. These blossoms flourish in temperate regions such as Afghanistan, the Golden Triangle, Turkey, India, Mexico and parts of the Middle East. They serve both legitimate medical and illicit purposes, fueling the clandestine drug trade. Mexican opium transmutes into the infamous black tar heroin, while Afghan opium becomes Afghani heroin also known as tan, brown, cement or dog food, finding its way to the shores of the United States, where the concoctions receive their final touches through cutting agents. These agents augment the drug's weight and profitability for the dealers — akin to a risky financial investment known as "flipping." Amidst the illegal trade, the raw poppy flower is scored and sliced, to MOHAMMED ALMUSTAPHA Groundcover contributor produce a sap that is dried into a potent paste, later transformed into various opiate constituents like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone and heroin. This intoxicating brew is reminiscent of the opium dens frequented by Chinese migrants who built the railroads in days gone by. In the legitimate medical arena, the entire poppy flower is harvested, extracting other opiate alkaloids for medicinal purposes, akin to the opioid-laden medications that have controversially made headlines in recent times. You may wonder, why our bodies even harbor receptors for these active opioids. The answer lies within our own biological marvel — we produce our own opioids — endorphins — under times of stress. These endorphins, akin to the euphoria induced by hot food or intense exercise, act as natural pain suppressants. I can attest to the allure of euphoria that temporarily eradicated my pain, mental and emotional alike, through my emergency room visits. But let me be clear; this is no endorsement of such destructive paths. Drugs may offer a temporary escape, but true solace and growth come from healthier avenues. So, what drives the haunting spike in overdoses we witness today? Fentanyl, an opioid, not an opiate, lies at the epicenter of this crisis. Unlike opiates sourced from opium sap, opioids are synthetic creations developed in laboratories. Methadone, an iconic example, birthed by German Nazi scientists during World War II, aimed to replicate opiate-like pain relief. Suboxone, too, plays a pivotal role in treating substance addiction, sparing users the throes of severe withdrawal without inducing euphoria. Yet, it is fentanyl that commands our gravest concern. This man-made chemical possesses unthinkable potency, requiring minuscule quantities to deliver devastatingly lethal blows. A kilogram of fentanyl, a fraction of what one might expect, can extinguish half a million lives — echoing horrors of nuclear proportions. My heart aches for those ensnared in the desperate cycle of illegal drug use, gambling their lives against this formidable adversary. The route of fentanyl's arrival is a troubling tale of unscrupulous intentions. To gain insight into this phenomenon, let us revisit history — the opium wars. Centuries ago, when the British Empire reigned supreme, they sought vengeance on China for restricting their trading privileges. The response? A calculated campaign to cultivate poppies on Indian fields, saturating the Chinese market with opium — a painful chapter that mirrors today's fentanyl wars. In light of all this, I implore you to remember — life's beauty transcends the pursuit of momentary serenity through substances. Better ways to heal and grow exist. Yet, for those whose lives intertwine with drug users, I advocate for harm reduction. Obtain harm reduction kits, embracing clean needles, alcohol pads and needle filters, assuring safe usage and preventing further harm. Consider the path of methadone clinics or Suboxone for controlled maintenance, devoid of harmful highs, instead focusing on rebuilding life's splendor. I beseech all to appreciate the gravity of this matter. Fentanyl's wrath disregards the sanctity of life and family bonds. The ruthless drug dealer is blind to the lives shattered in his wake, fixated solely on his next fortune. In closing, I leave you with peace. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11  DESMOND from page 6 arguments to disparage people?” But you know, my job is to write about things honestly. Lorraine certainly didn’t apologize for what she did. And she paid for it. She was hitting up food pantries for the rest of the month. She was living so far below the poverty line that even if she had scrimped and saved a third of her income — which would be astounding — then she could maybe buy a bicycle at the end of the year. Even that would come at the cost of going without things like heat or medicine. Lorraine helped me see that folks like her are not in poverty because of the decisions they’ve made but rather the decisions they’ve made are conditioned and steered by their poverty. We see this in the research on raising the minimum wage. When we raise the minimum wage, you get all these benefits. People stop smoking and cases of child neglect go down. Babies are born healthier because the stress of poverty is relieved. The debates about minimum wage are often only focused on one macroeconomic question, “If we raise the minimum wage will it cost us jobs?” The book addresses that, but I also want us to ask another question, “If we don’t pay more, then what do we cost people?” The time you spent with Julio illustrates that cost. The moment when his younger brother offered to pay for an hour of his time just to play with him was heartbreaking. It’s hard to believe he balanced two fulltime jobs paying minimum wage. How did that impact him? Desmond: Julio told me he felt like a zombie. He could barely sleep, you know, and collapsed in the aisles of the grocery store when he was 24-yearsold. But he also got politically involved after that. When he went to his first rally in his McDonald’s uniform, he was really scared. He thought that he might lose his job. But he saw a lot of folks that looked like him. They were fighting for bigger wages, too. For him, it felt like church, and he was a deeply faithful person. He told me he believed in both God and politics. Joining that movement gave him not only a real, tangible victory but also gave him an identity and a community as well. Let’s end on the cost of making a huge dent in poverty and alleviating homelessness in America. You estimated a figure of $177 billion to really make a difference. What would you say to someone who reads that number and has sticker shock? Desmond: The reason I put that number in the book is to show us how incredibly attainable it is. If you look at this study published a few years ago, it shows that if the top 1% of Americans just pay the taxes they owe — not getting taxed higher, just stop evading them — then we could raise that $177 billion total. This is a thought exercise and a challenge for us. It’s a clear example of how we need to reject the scarcity mindset of, “We can’t afford to do more to fight poverty in America.” The answer is staring us right in the face. We could afford to do more if we stopped subsidizing the affluent so much and letting corporations and rich families get away with such tax evasion and avoidance. Courtesy of The Curbside Chronicle / International Network of Street Papers Cover of Desmond's book. “Poverty, By America” is available now on hardback, paperback, ebook and audiobook. eIfK6ceIfK6c בCטFu׉׉ 7cassandra://1jKfbzfZGXhbf3T-UQUr_oj3_zuN2WuJ-OFCwfjHYGE%`׉ 7cassandra://mytp1heoURTK4DuLEN-GGyNwFy7pgjt9KLJncQ2QuFw͋`h׉ 7cassandra://i0ZSbDgUa7Sd7YZragHz4KgCYqUahQ84F7PAl1DOjCY-G`׉ 7cassandra://1Hau9_P8bgpjw3SBO7PZ0_obUrRVdF93LC2LRuv_A7AS͠4eLfK6c)נeMfK6c+d 9ׁHhttp://PEOPLESFOOD.COOPׁ ׁ Ј׉E12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD Baked macaroni and cheese KADEN WATTS Wolverine Pathways student contributor Ingredients: 1 lb dried elbow macaroni ½ cup salted butter ⅓ cup all-purpose flour 1 ½ cups whole milk 4 cups shredded medium sharp cheddar cheese 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese ½ Tbsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. paprika Directions: Preheat oven to 350F. Boil the pasta, then drain. Make the cheese sauce by combining a fat (butter) and starch (flour) and allowing it to brown and bubble for a minute or two, then slowly whisk in the milk in stages to avoid lumps. Cook the sauce until it’s nice and thick. Add in both kinds of shredded cheese, saving a handful of each kind for topping. Stir well. Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta. Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with shredded cheese. Top with the rest of the mac and cheese, top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake for 30-40 minutes and prepare to thoroughly enjoy! OCTOBER 6, 2023 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Stay for the Community! By joining your membership supports Local Farmers, Local Producers, & the Local Economy Member Drive is Oct. 2nd to Oct. 15th. Special offer for those that join. $2 OFF NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP ANY PURCHASE OF $15 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 11/5/2023 ׉ 7cassandra://i0ZSbDgUa7Sd7YZragHz4KgCYqUahQ84F7PAl1DOjCY-G`eIfK6c ׈EeIfK6c eIfK6c  ,GCN October6.23eH*<2