community
By Tom Watkins
I have just returned from
China, a nation with more than 1.3 billion people and 5,000 years of history and civilization. A place that has survived warring states, civil war and the insanity of the Mao era of the Great Leap For- ward and Cultural Revolution — which produced neither.
While the world has suf-
fered major economic indi- gestion over the last several years, China had a hiccup and is leading the world out of the global recession.
Over the last 21 years I
have crisscrossed China on slow and bullet trains, bikes, planes, rickshaws, motor scooters, public buses, sub- ways, mules and horses. I have seen the spender of ultra- modern cities such as Shang- hai, Beijing, Hongzhou and Shenzhen, and have been in villages that are a throwback in time.
I am enamored with the de-
cency of the ordinary Chinese people and enthralled with the language, history and culture that few in America have had the opportunity or interest to see up close and personal.
My fascination with China
was sparked by a wonderful fourth grade teacher many years ago.
My youthful curiosity was
the initial draw to this myste- rious land and its people have become a magnet.
It was a historical period
when I first came to China in 1989 as hundreds of thou- sands of Chinese students had gathered in Tiananmen Square in the center of the nation’s capitol seat of power, Beijing, to protest corruption and call for greater freedom and democracy.
I will never forget the night
in Tiananmen Square in late May 1989, where I was troll- ing for someone to speak to in English, when a swarm of students surrounded me, pep- pering me with questions. “Do the people in America support us?” “Our leaders refuse to meet with us. Would President Bush meet with protesting stu- dents in America?” Then the soul searching questions that make me reflect and shudder to this day: “Will you describe democracy and freedom?”
These questions have pro-
found meaning for the people of China. Chinese leaders manage the world’s fast- est growing large economy,
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
China – the election year boogie man
politicians and ordinary citi- zens alike will complain and fret about issues they do not like about China’s policies, few stop to recognize how ordinary U.S. citizens have benefited from China. From buying our debt and producing consumer products cheaply, China’s involvement in Amer- ica’s economy has helped keep inflation, interest rates and consumer prices low.
We forget what our mothers
told us: “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” If we want to manufacture the low- end consumer products from car components to clothes in America, we can’t expect to pay the “Chinese price.”
With congressional and
Tom Watkins
one that has become Amer- ica’s banker, is hyper-entre- preneurial, and remains a one-party, socialist country — although with “capitalist char- acteristics,” as the late leader, Deng Xioaping explained their system.
Given what it is taking place
in America today, it would be equally wise if we reflected on the meaning of “freedom and democracy” as well.
Clearly there are human
rights and economic issues our country has with China. The litany includes currency manipulation, unfair trade and labor practices, theft of intel- lectual property, and treatment of religion and minorities, es- pecially the Falun Gong, Ti- betan and Uyghurs, to name a few.
These issues should not be
overlooked, but they should also not be used as a political football that prevent the nec- essary engagement with one- fifth of the world’s population.
America needs China’s
engagement on the geopoliti- cal stage to help address the nuclear threat of Iran, the ever-changing political shifts in central Asia, global warm- ing and addressing the global economic downturn.
This is not to suggest Amer-
ica will not or should not have disagreements with China and vice versa. Given the differenc- es in our values, philosophies and political systems, this is inevitable. Yet, we also need to grasp that how these differ- ences are addressed have the potential to impact all of hu- manity.
The U.S. and China’s future are inextricably linked. While
the race for governor heating up, the rhetorical China bash- ing and promises from candi- dates about bringing back the glory days of manufacturing to Michigan are the 21st cen- tury equivalent of a snake oil salesman — it is hogwash. It may sound good to the depres- sion weary unemployed auto worker but is a pipe dream at best. Tell the political candi- dates to stop the blame game and produce specific plans to produce jobs in Michigan. Blaming China is not a plan.
Michigan has lost nearly a
million jobs in the last decade. A small percentage of this re- ported loss is attributed to currency manipulation and outsourcing to China. While not insignificant, more jobs have been lost to technology, productivity gains and other states than to China.
Making China the boogie
man for all our ills may once again have political traction, but it is simply untrue and will do nothing to produce jobs for the decent and hardworking Americans in desperate need.
So, as the political season
heats up, remember the last gubernatorial race when China bashing was in high style and ask: How many jobs did it create?
China will continue to rise.
However, with thoughtful lead- ership at the state and national level, their rise does not have to come at our demise.
Tom Watkins is a education
and business consultant in the U.S. and China. He served as Michigan superintendent of schools, 2001-2005, and president and CEO of the eco- nomic council of Palm Beach County, Florida, 1996-2001. He can be reached at tdwat-
kins@aol.com.
Royal Oak festival
Event organizers recently
announced the 13th annual Arts, Beats & Eats festival will take a new approach to select- ing this year’s local music lineup. The festival has estab- lished a 14-person committee responsible for selecting the local musicians to perform during this year’s festivities. This year’s festival will take place in Royal Oak on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6.
The committee will select
bands and artists to fill the festival’s 175 local music slots, spread across eight stages throughout the festival weekend. A total of 60 slots will be granted and guaranteed to talent from last year’s fes- tival. Another 100 spots will be granted through a music selection and nomination pro- cess, which could include ad- ditional performers from the 2009 festival, and 15 bands that will be selected through Sonicbids and a special online application process.
Prominent committee
members will include Detroit rock and blues legend Stewart Francke, who has performed every year of the festival; Oak- land Press music writer Gary Graff; WDET-FM radio person- ality Ann Delisi; Metro Times music editor Bill Holdship;
Real Detroit Weekly publisher John Badanjek; WRIF radio personality Anne Carlini; musi- cian and owner of Tempermill Studios Dave Feeny; founder/ owner of the Detroit School of Rock; and Pop Jason Git- tinger, Campus Martius event programmer and music event producer.
Njia Kai. Marla Swartz of
Eldar Entertainment, a staple of the music selection process for Arts, Beats & Eats, will continue her collaboration with the festival as a member of the selection committee but will no longer handle the booking of the festival’s local talent lineup. Eight festival stage managers, who will be announced at a later date, will book the bands and manage arrangements for performing on the stages they manage.
“We want a fresh start with
the local music scene as we move into our new home in Royal Oak. We have a great lineup of respected people from the Detroit music com- munity, and will offer our most transparent process for deter- mining the local lineup in our history,” said Jonathan Witz, Arts, Beats & Eats producer.
Another innovation Arts, Beats & Eats will be adopting
MDCH launches smoke-free campaign
The Michigan Depart-
ment of Community Health (MDCH) kicked off a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign to raise awareness on the indoor smoking ban, which takes effect May 1. The PSA titled “Smoked Lasagna” will run in partnership with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) and the Michigan Cable Telecommuni- cations Association (MCTA).
“It’s exciting to begin this
new era in Michigan where going out to dinner won’t mean being exposed to secondhand smoke for patrons or for em- ployees,” said Janet Olsze- wski, MDCH Director. “This is good news for all Michigan citizens.”
“The MAB and its member
stations are proud to part- ner with MDCH in promoting smoke-free workplaces, bars and restaurants,” said Karole White, President and CEO of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
The MAB will run the spot
as part of its Non-Commercial Sustaining Announcements partnership with MDCH.
“Cable systems through-
out the state are dedicated to keeping the public informed and we are pleased to do what we can to help raise awareness of Michigan’s Smoke-Free Air Law,” said Colleen McNamara, executive director of the Mich- igan Cable Telecommunica- tions Association.
The MCTA will run the
spots as part of its Cable Paid PSA Program with MDCH.
The new smoke-free spot
and additional information on Michigan’s Smoke-Free Air Law can be found at www. michigan.gov/smokefreelaw.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm
signed legislation that prohib- its smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars, hotels or any place that serves food or beverages. The Ron M. Davis Law, named after the late chief medical officer of the Department of Public Health, will make Michigan the 38th state to ban smoking in public places.
©2010 McDonald’s
this year is the introduction of Sonicbids.com as a means of accepting and processing appli- cations from local musicians. The selection committee will guarantee 15 prime-time slots at the festival to applicants from the talent booking and professional connection site, which hosts a community of more than 220,000 bands and 19,000 promoters from across the globe.
“Festivals like Arts, Beats
& Eats are essential to foster- ing local music culture,” said Francke. “The committee is looking forward to connecting stellar, well-respected neigh- borhood bands and artists with the public. There’s noth- ing like a weekend of great music from artists with roots in your own hometown.”
While the committee will
consider applications already submitted by mail, they en- courage bands and artists to submit online applications at www.SonicBids.com/ArtBeat- sAndEats by May 15, or they can apply directly to the fes- tival office by mailing music submissions to Arts, Beats & Eats, 17 Water St., Pontiac, MI 48342.
BLACK
McDONALD’S
®
April 21-28, 2010
Page C-7
FRANCHISE OWNERS
THAN SELL GOOD FOOD
“I have been blessed, and it just makes me feel good to help others and give back.”
- Deborah Virgiles, Detroit Metro McDonald’s franchise owner, hopes to be an inspiration to those in her community. We just have to be involved – whether it’s supporting and nurturing causes that support children or uplift the city.
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