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. Weekly Summer Edition MichiganDaily.com Ann Arbor, MI ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY FOUR YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM 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 0 U N I W a. a m z d 0 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 N rI Ami Monda city'sc develo quentl ers ch bombir Prot descril hoods affecte lence i "It Mayor that th childre ani, on are her respon come n The ing de attemp bring o "I h come n issue i local need t Hieftji Afte cil me and ev new ch ing ger 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 omen's soccer -mi "-d.O. 2o a meyer, Ezurike have OPINION............4 de the shift to the ARTS ......................................7 CLASSIFIEDS........................8 VSL successfully. CROSSWORD...............8 >> SEE PAGE 10 SPORTS ................................10 I . - . -. NEWS Detroit Beat At the helm of GM, Mary Barra faces many challenges. >SEEPAGE 6 OPINION Maternal deaths From the Daily: Detroit needs to revamp health care for expectant mothers. SEEPAGE 4 ARTS Nobody's smiling Common's new album paints a serious, emotional portrait of Chicago. SEEPAGE 7 SP w Kop mat NW I