There are many Michigan communities hurting badly right now. What can you say about what this year has been like, for people who have family, and friends in Lebanon, or Gaza, or Israel? Bilal Beydoun lives in Dearborn - the town where he grew up. And he’s one of about 82,000 Lebanese Americans who live in Michigan, many of whom still have ties to Lebanon. Today, he shares his personal story and perspective.

GUEST:

Bilal Beydoun, lifelong Dearbornite, Lebanese-American 

There are many Michigan communities hurting badly right now. What can you say about what this year has been like, for people who have family, and friends in Lebanon, or Gaza, or Israel? Bilal Beydoun lives in Dearborn - the town where he grew up. And he’s one of about 82,000 Lebanese Americans who live in Michigan, many of whom still have ties to Lebanon. Today, he shares his personal story and perspective.
GUEST:
Bilal Beydoun, lifelong Dearbornite, Lebanese-American

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

Stateside

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/3RJN5Ul">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

On Dearborn, Lebanon, and What "Safe" Means

On today's episode, we sat down with Mara Cecelia Ostfeld, an associate research scientist and the research director at the University of Michigan's Center for Racial Justice at the Ford School of Public Policy.

Mara helped us better recognize the attitudes of Michiganders across the Detroit Metro area relative to immigration. Ostfeld and other researchers focused their survey on Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Ypsilanti. Across those populations, residents were asked, "Do you think it should be easier or harder for foreigners to immigrate to the U.S. legally?"



Then, Michigan Public's own Steve Carmody, in part inspired by Mara Cecelia Ostfeld's study, spoke to residents from other cities and counties including Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott. Abbott desires a President who will reduce the flow of immigrants moving in from the Southern border.

In other areas, like sections of Detroit and Pontiac, some Black Republicans, like Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, maintain that "Young Black men are saying right now that they feel that people who are illegally coming into this country are getting treated better than they are.”

Altogether, the topic of immigration looks to be a key factor in attracting voters in the upcoming election. Former President Trump and Vice President Harris each have a plan for solving what many identify as a problem with immigration. Those solutions tend toward mass deportation on the one hand and the creation of earned citizenship pathways on the other.

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:


Mara Cecelia Ostfeld, associate research scientist and research director at the Center for Racial Justice at the Ford School of Public Policy at UM


Steve Carmody, reporter for Michigan Public

On today's episode, we sat down with Mara Cecelia Ostfeld, an associate research scientist and the research director at the University of Michigan's Center for Racial Justice at the Ford School of Public Policy.
Mara helped us better recognize the attitudes of Michiganders across the Detroit Metro area relative to immigration. Ostfeld and other researchers focused their survey on Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Ypsilanti. Across those populations, residents were asked, "Do you think it should be easier or harder for foreigners to immigrate to the U.S. legally?"
 
Then, Michigan Public's own Steve Carmody, in part inspired by Mara Cecelia Ostfeld's study, <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2024-10-16/immigration-is-a-key-issue-for-many-michiganders-as-they-cast-their-vote-for-the-next-u-s-president">spoke to residents from other cities and counties</a> including Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott. Abbott desires a President who will reduce the flow of immigrants moving in from the Southern border.
In other areas, like sections of Detroit and Pontiac, some Black Republicans, like Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, maintain that "Young Black men are saying right now that they feel that people who are illegally coming into this country are getting treated better than they are.”
Altogether, the topic of immigration looks to be a key factor in attracting voters in the upcoming election. Former President Trump and Vice President Harris each have a plan for solving what many identify as a problem with immigration. Those solutions tend toward mass deportation on the one hand and the creation of earned citizenship pathways on the other.
GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>
Mara Cecelia Ostfeld, associate research scientist and research director at the Center for Racial Justice at the Ford School of Public Policy at UM
</li>
<li>
Steve Carmody, reporter for Michigan Public
</li>
</ul>

Where Do Michiganders Stand On Immigration?

Meredith Kennedy- Fisher is the executive director of Miigwech, Inc., an organization that aims to increase voting among tribal citizens this election year.

She talked with host April Baer about what tribal voters care about in the upcoming election, some barriers for members who really want to vote, and a guide for every tribal ID that exists in Michigan.

Kennedy-Fischer says people don't realize that there are 12 federally recognized tribes that exist in Michigan.

"Now, a lot of that has to do with the fact that there is a lack of education within Michigan curriculum about Native people," said Kennedy-Fischer. "We're always in the past. We're never in the present or the future."

Listen to the full conversation on today's podcast.

GUEST:

Meredith Kennedy- Fisher, executive director of Miigwech, Inc.

Meredith Kennedy- Fisher is the executive director of Miigwech, Inc., an organization that aims to increase voting among tribal citizens this election year.
She talked with host April Baer about what tribal voters care about in the upcoming election, some barriers for members who really want to vote, and a guide for every tribal ID that exists in Michigan.
Kennedy-Fischer says people don't realize that there are 12 federally recognized tribes that exist in Michigan.
"Now, a lot of that has to do with the fact that there is a lack of education within Michigan curriculum about Native people," said Kennedy-Fischer. "We're always in the past. We're never in the present or the future."
Listen to the full conversation on today's podcast.
GUEST:
Meredith Kennedy- Fisher, executive director of Miigwech, Inc.

Ensuring Ballot Access for Tribal Voters

The practice of Anishinaabe contemporary artist Kelly Church marries traditional craft with stunning visuals in her Black Ash basketry. In this conversation you'll hear how she learned the craft, how it's done, and the impact of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer on the tradition. You can see Kelly's work at the UM Stamps School in Ann Arbor now.

GUEST:
Kelly Church, Anishinaabe artist

The practice of Anishinaabe contemporary artist Kelly Church marries traditional craft with stunning visuals in her Black Ash basketry. In this conversation you'll hear how she learned the craft, how it's done, and the impact of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer on the tradition. You can see Kelly's work at the UM Stamps School in Ann Arbor now.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>Kelly Church, Anishinaabe artist</li>
</ul>

On Dearborn, Lebanon, and What "Safe" Means

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