Thursday, July 24, 2014
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
PHOTOSTAFF ABROAD: "SNAPPING" THE CHILDREN OF GHANA
Allison Farrand spent a month studying abroad in Ghana where she met many children and confronted her own ethics as a photographer.
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Ann Arbor, MI
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
ELECTIONS
City Council proposes
two amendments to
Ann Arbor's charter
ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
Jackie Simpson, the new director of Trotter Multicultural Center, stands in the facility, which is currently being renovated.
University names new Trotter
Multicultural Center director
My month spent studying abroad in
northern Ghana was most definitely a
transformative experience. I came away
with a new understanding of heat, an
obsession with mangos and a deep love for
a culture that emphasizes kindness above
all else. However, it would be remiss of me
to display these photos without recogniz-
ing the slew of political issues that come
with photographing people, and especially
children, abroad.
My fellow students and I had daily dis-
cussions about how uncomfortable we
felt in certain situations, as a group of
anthropology and African studies majors
are bound to do. Our professor, from a dif-
ferent era and with less sensitivity to the
political effect a group of Americans can
have abroad, placed us in many situations
where we felt extremely uneasy. Once, our
plans suddenly changed from visiting a
school on a weekend with a few donations,
to interrupting classes in the middle of a
busy school day with immense fanfare. I
was forced to confront my discomfort and
the political and historical context of my
skin color.
But this is a photo story about northern
Ghana, not a space for my personal reflec-
tions. I should explain that these children
repeatedly asked me to "snap" their photo.
So Idid, they laughed atthemselves frozen
on my camera screen, and I taught them
how to "snap" me.
This is who I met. These are the photos
I brought back.
- ALLISON FARRAND
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Appointment
reflects renewed
effort to address
student programs
By IAN DILLINGHAM
Editor in Chief
In response to student input on
campus diversity issues from the
Winter 2014 semester, the Uni-
versity appointed the now-for-
mer director of the University's
Spectrum Center Jackie Simpson
as the new director for the Trot-
ter Multicultural Center Monday.
Simpson will focus on improv-
ing programming alongside
ongoing efforts to improve the
physical space for the upcoming
academic year. In an additional
appointment, Trey Boynton, cur-
rently director of diversity and
inclusion in University Hous-
ing, will be appointed director of
MESA in August. Prior to these
appointments, one director, Nina
Grant, oversaw both organiza-
tions.
In an interview with The
Michigan Daily Tuesday, E.
Royster Harper, vice president
for student life, praised the two
new appointees for their dedica-
tion to improving student life on
campus and willingness to work
with students during their time
at the University.
"What I'm trying to do is have
two really strong leaders in those
areas, as we rethink how we
engage most students," Harper
said.
The announcement follows the
University's pledge in January to
allocate $300,000 to the Trotter
Center's facility renovations, fol-
lowing a protest by members of
the Black Student Union.
In a Wednesday interview,
Simpson said she was just begin-
ning the process of learning
about the renovation projects
already underway. She also noted
that, while the building was cer-
tainly in need of repairs, it was
still beautiful and a great space
for students to meet.
Simpson added that she has
already begun meeting with
campus groups such as the BSU,
which is one of nine student
organizations that currently hold
office hours in the Trotter Cen-
ter.
BSU vice chair Geralyn Gaines
said her organization was opti-
mistic about the appointment
See TROTTER, Page 6
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few provisions recent confusion surrounding the
candidacy of Bob Dascola.
would relax Dascola's residency was ques-
tioned by the city in federal court
esidency req's. earlier this year over a 1970s char-
ter provision that required candi-
By EMMA KERR dates for office to both be registered
Daily News Editor to vote and show proof of residency
in the city, which the court even-
d a City Council meeting tually found was unenforceable
y heavily focused on the because the provision was voided
charter and infrastructure bythe courts in previous years. The
pment, discussion was fre- decision largely left the city with-
y interrupted as protest- out legally established residency
anted, "Boycott Israel, stop requirements for candidates.
ng Gaza." The provision approved by
estor's comments included City Council relaxes previously
ptions of how their liveli- enforced rules to allow anyone to
relate to and have been run for Council as long as they are
d by recent conflict and vio- registered to vote in their ward
n Israel and Gaza. when they file for their candidacy.
is with our money, Mr. The second proposed amendment
,that they blow up hospitals, to the charter ensures the same
ey kill innocent mothers and policy also applies to city boards
tn," Mozhgan Savabieasfah- and commissions.
e of the protesters, said. "We Though both Councilmembers
'e to tell you that we hold you Christopher Taylor (D-Ward 3)
sible, and we are going to and Jane Lumm (I-Ward 2) asked
many, many times." that the issue be postponed due
group continued chant- to the time-sensitive nature of the
spite Mayor John Hieftje's eligibility question to the coming
ts to quiet the crowds and election, City Councilmembers
rder to the meeting. voted unanimously to let the voters
ear you, that you are going to decide on the proposed require-
many more times, but if your ments in the November general
s that you want to interrupt election.
government, then you will The council also addressed pur-
o give that some thought," chasing land to turn into public
e told the group. parks in the Burton Park and Glen-
er protesters left, City Coun- dale areas, as proposed by Coun-
mbers opened discussion of cilmember Stephen Kunselman
entually agreed to putting a (D-Ward 3). Some council mem-
harter up for vote in the com- bers, as well as Mayor Hieftje, said
neral election in response to See CHARTER, Page 2
ORTS INDEX
Vol. CXXIV, No. 1161 j@)2014 The Michigan Daily
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>> SEE PAGE 10 SPORTS ................................10
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