AltWeeklies Wire
What Would MLK Think of Barack Obama?new
You know what I, aging old white guy, think would make Martin Luther King Jr. proudest? That while Barack Obama paid homage to him last week, he made it clear he is not running as a black man. He is running for president as a supremely qualified American who happens to be black. Martin dreamed, at the end there, of an America "where his children would not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character."
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
09-09-2008 |
Commentary
Novelist Megan Abbott is the New Queen of Noirnew

The Detroit writer hits Hollywood paydirt and turns on James Ellroy.
Metro Times |
Norene Cashen |
09-09-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Brian Wilson is Back With a Triumphnew
Although the word has been used frequently throughout his career, both justifiably and not so justifiably, Brian Wilson's That Lucky Old Sun is an artistic triumph.
Metro Times |
Bill Holdship |
09-09-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Brian Wilson, That Lucky Old Sun
'Transsiberian' Raises Hitchcocknew
Old Alfred gets worthy nods in Brad Anderson's winning suspenser.
Metro Times |
Jeff Meyers |
09-09-2008 |
Reviews
Tags: Brad Anderson, Transsiberian
Detroit's African-American Writers, Playwrights and Poets Get a Space of Their Ownnew

The development of the African American Literature Special Collection at Wayne State University's Purdy-Kresge Library began in April 2005, when Assistant Dean and Development Director Barton Lessin was approached by Don Vest, co-owner of Broadside Press.
Metro Times |
Norene Cashen |
09-02-2008 |
Books
For Obama, Many Hurdles Remainnew
How can bright, literate Americans still believe he's a radical muslim?
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
09-02-2008 |
Commentary
Big Sean May be Detroit's 'Next Big Thing'new
"I just feel like everything is going well," Sean beams. "I'm still under 21. Everything comes in due time. I realize that, so I'm just happy. After all, what young rapper wouldn't want to be sign to the biggest artist in the world at Def Jam?"
Metro Times |
William E. Ketchum III |
08-26-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Get Out the Butter; Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is Toastnew
Friday's double-whammy of a total ban on travel outside the tri-county area and Attorney General Mike Cox's announcement that new felony charges are being filed against Detroit's mayor are the final nails in his political coffin. As far as we're concerned, the question isn't, "Can he survive?" No, all that remains to be seen is when the exit comes, and by what means.
Metro Times |
Staff |
08-12-2008 |
Politics
Immigrant Poet Zilka Joseph Straddles Two Worldsnew
Joseph lives, works and studies here in Michigan, but her poetry tells the story of a woman who exists in two different places. Born in Bombay and raised in Calcutta, Joseph has been in this country since 1997. In a physical sense, moving here meant leaving everything behind. In her poems, she shows that it isn't where you live that matters, but what lives on in you.
Metro Times |
Norene Cashen |
08-12-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
Rising Detroit Rap Star Invincible Creates Sonic Calling Card from Activism & Dissentnew
Here's the deal: Invincible is one of the best emcees in the country, as many will tell you, gender notwithstanding, though the odds are stacked against her: 1) She's a woman working a male-dominated genre 2) She's gay and 3) She's overtly political -- her sympathy for the Palestinians, and politicking in a pop world often spells fiscal failure.
Metro Times |
Brian Smith |
08-12-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
When it Comes to Foreign Affairs, the Criminally Insane is the New Normalnew
Even a salamander should be able to see that the Iraq War hasn't done a damn thing for us, except terribly damage our prestige. Yet, remarkably, millions of people seem ready to vote to install a President John McCain, who is promising even more war.
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
08-12-2008 |
Commentary
Examining CNN's Series on Race Relationsnew
While CNN's ambition must be lauded, somehow you want Black in America to do more, say more.
Metro Times |
Jim McFarlin |
07-29-2008 |
TV
Renaissance Man Jeff Daniels on His Plays, Music and His Upcoming Appearance in Detroitnew
Actor, playwright, activist, musician and proud Michigander, Jeff Daniels, keeps his creative plate full. His newest play, Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid, is currently running at The Purple Rose. But this week he also comes to the Detroit Film Theater for a special engagement, performing for one night only with Sigourney Weaver in A.R. Gurney's Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, Love Letters.
Metro Times |
Norene Cashen |
07-29-2008 |
Performance
Rep. Bart Stupak Pushes for Regulating Oil Speculatorsnew
The sophisticated finance boys on Wall Street are making fun of Stupak, the Michigan congressman who is so much of a hick he cares about poor people who are having trouble affording gasoline. What really bothers them is that he is now in a position where he may be able to do something about it.
Metro Times |
Jack Lessenberry |
07-29-2008 |
Politics
The Hard Lessons Learn There's No Easy Waynew
To simply say newly storied Motor City trio tours, however, is almost an understatement. The Hard Lessons spent more than six of the last 12 months on the road and they estimate that they've performed at least 600 shows since they formed nearly five years ago.
Metro Times |
Bill Holdship |
07-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: B&G Sides, The Hard Lessons