Donate
  • About
  • Rent College Pads
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
Search
News
Opinions
Sports
Classifieds
Comics
BMA
Events
Subscribe

Friday, June 9, 2023
Print Archive

Eastern Echo
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
  • Search
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
Search

Subscribe to the Echo

Donate to The Echo

You can support the Echo by donating through the EMU Foundation and selecting to apply your gift to a specific fund. Any of the funds listed below will provide support to the Echo.

01049 -- EMU Echo Editor Endowed Scholarship:  Provides financial support for the current EMU Echo Editor.

02414 -- Scott Stephenson Eastern Echo Scholarship:  This expendable scholarship is for the benefit of student(s) in the School of Communication, Media & Theater Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences.  It will be awarded to a full or part-time junior or senior EMU student majoring in journalism and working for the Eastern Echo.  The student should be working to self-finance their education and not be eligible for need-based grants.

00825 -- Student Media Development:  Provides support for the Student Media program.

Thank you for supporting the Echo and EMU Student Media.

Give Now


6/23/2020, 7:41am

Podcast: June 22, 2020

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag
Podcast: June 22, 2020
The Eastern Echo Podcast Logo Fall 2019

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

Liz Hornyak: On today’s episode, alumni of an EMU sorority strip their letters to demand action from the national organization. In city news, members of the local community call on the mayor of Ypsilanti to resign, and one local mother finds a way to provide for her community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sorority Sigma Delta Tau has faced backlash for their response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The organization made multiple social media posts with resources for members, but made no plan to donate to the cause. The organization also faced criticism for failing to explicitly post the phrase, “Black Lives Matter”.

Alumni of EMU’s Delta Alpha chapter of the organization have stripped their letters to express their dissatisfaction with SDT’s response. One of those alumni, Savannah Gariepy, released a document listing specific demands addressed to the SDT National Board of Directors. SDT has since appointed Victoria Alexander to the newly established Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Another graduated member, Cindy Anim-Gyan, said in a statement to the Eastern Echo, “Never in my life before joining Sigma Delta Tau, have I had a friend base and support system that was so fearless and progressive that they were willing to post and say things they know would cause tension and uproars within their families and friendships. Even though I may not always be proud of Sigma Delta Tau’s words and actions, I am forever proud of my sisters.” 

Gariepy also urged members of sororities under the National Panhellenic Conference  to “place pressure” on their national organizations and “do more than release a generalized statement.” 

The NPC, for those who aren’t familiar, is an umbrella organization for sororities globally. Many EMU sororities, including SDT, fall under this umbrella. The NPC has issued multiple statements and resources concerning racial inequity. You can find the statements we mentioned today linked on our website. 

Many members of the Ypsilanti community are calling for Mayor Beth Bashert to resign. This is in response to a racial comment she made during a city council meeting on Tuesday, June 16. 

During a vote concerning the reappointment of city human relations commissioner Ka’Ron Gaines, Bashert said, “Since I will be crucified if I vote against any Black person on any commission, I'm going to vote yes.”

Other council members criticized her statement, and all members aside from Bashert voted no. Later in the meeting, Council Member Nicole Brown asked Bashert to apologize. Bashert brushed the discussion aside, saying, “Thank you, I will consider your comment.” She took to Facebook with an apology the following day.

Bashert alluded to the incident during a virtual town hall forum that was held last Thursday. The event was intended to create space for the community to speak directly with city leadership. At the start of the meeting, Mayor Bashert stated, “Due to recent events. I’m going to take a backseat roll in this meeting.” 

During the same meeting, Police chief Tony DeGiusti commented on the city council’s decision to set aside funds for a social worker in the police department. He believes a social worker would be better suited to answer some of the calls the department receives regularly . Some expressed concern over the plan, saying social workers should instead be part of a separate organization. 

Later in the evening, Heather Freeling, a member of the Police Advisory Commission, voiced her support for defunding the police.

She said, “What that really means is moving away from the stunted conception of what public safety looks like. Investing in mental health, housing services, and other community-based organizations, and not just law enforcement.” 

Mayor Bashert provided a Zoom meeting link to a joint Police Advisory Commission and City Council meeting set for Tuesday, June 23. Part of the meeting is reserved for public comment, where individuals will have three minutes each to present their statements. You can find that link on our website. 

In other news, Ypsilanti resident Tosha Estermyer has stepped up to serve members of the local community. The coronavirus pandemic has forced thousands of Washtenaw County residents out of work. In response, Estermyer set up a ‘no questions asked’ community pantry. Six different tables that sit at the end of her driveway are filled with food, cleaning supplies, and toiletries that have largely been provided by the community. 

Estermyer said in an interview with the Echo, "The community support has been phenomenal in terms of keeping it going . . . people drop off food daily; not a day has gone by where someone hasn't dropped off at least a couple boxes of food. It's been a mixed venture of people dropping things off and people giving us monetary donations for us to go purchase items that go the fastest." 

Estemyer says she and her seven children help to stock and sort the table. The pantry is available every day, and she plans to continue setting it up indefinitely. Anyone is welcome to donate or pick up non-perishable food or other items. Monetary donations are also welcome to be dropped off or delivered. The pantry is located at 5981 Big Pine Drive. 

Host: Liz Hornyak

Script: Ronia-Isabel Cabansag

Produced: Lauren Smith

Share



Related Stories

Courtesy of Bashert 4 Ypsi on Facebook.

Ypsilanti Mayor Beth Bashert facing criticism from community and leaders after racist comment at city council meeting

By Austin Elliott

Ypsilanti woman running 'no questions asked' community pantry to help local families

By Austin Elliott

Ypsilanti City Council hosts public forum on police reform

By Ronia-Isabel Cabansag


The Eastern Echo welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.


Most Popular


6/3/2023, 8:29pm

Review: 'A Small Light' is a dramatic retelling of the Franks' story

By Sydney Brown

National Geographic has a new historical drama called "A Small Light."


6/3/2023, 7:30pm

Review: Sleep Token's 'Take Me Back To Eden' is a masterpiece


6/6/2023, 8:00am

At least...


Podcast


4/27/2023, 11:33am

Eastern Echo Podcast: Editor-in-Chief Layla McMurtrie Signing Off


3/2/2023, 11:36am

TheBlockE Podcast: Episode 12 - MAC Tournament Controversy


2/18/2023, 4:41pm

TheBlockE Podcast: Episode 11 - WHAT'S GOING ON?!


2/12/2023, 2:39pm

Echo Interviews: Kings of Color President Dylan Hughey discusses Black History Month


Tweets by TheEasternEcho
Eastern Michigan Echo To Homepage
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Freelance
  • Submissions
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Distribution

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2023 The Eastern Echo

Powered by Solutions by The State News.