Diversity Issues

Black History Month in East Lansing offers opportunities for community engagement

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East Lansing is offering community events and recognition to celebrate and reflect on the history of Black Americans throughout February’s Black History Month. “The City of East Lansing acknowledges the significance of Black History Month as an important opportunity to commemorate the tremendous contributions of Black Americans to the history of East Lansing and the United States and recognizes the importance of Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on the complex history of the nation,” according to a resolution recognizing Black History Month from the East Lansing City Council. The resolution was approved unanimously by the council on Feb. 6, with remarks from City Councilmember Dana Watson. Watson noted some important events in East Lansing’s Black history.

Education

Former Lansing School District employee speaks out on racism accusations

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Keys. Laptop. Badge. These were the three items Claude Hogan was unsuspectingly ordered to hand over the day he was placed on administrative leave. 

This came as a shock to Hogan, who was the supervisor for a student athletic development program and has worked at the Lansing School District, or LSD, since 2015. All he was told was that he had breached a policy.

Education

Equine Learning Center promotes inclusive equine-assisted services for Lansing

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ECL, originally the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center, was founded by John Breaugh in 1979. Breaugh was the former principal of Beekman Center, the special education center next door to ECL. A welcome gate separates the indoor arena from the horse stables at the Equine Center for Learning on Nov. 27. The horses are led from their outside stables to the indoor arena for riding lessons during the weekday afternoons and evenings.

Arts & Entertainment

First Krampusnacht festival brings crowds to Old Town

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A haunting celebration of old European folklore filled the streets of Old Town on Dec. 9 with the city’s first-ever Krampusnacht Parade. Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, is a central and Eastern European holiday, traditionally celebrated on Dec. 5 or the following Saturday. The streets of Old Town were filled with many colorful depictions of Krampus, a horned, half-goat, half-man version of Saint Nicholas, who punishes naughty children, while Saint Nicholas rewards the good children. 

Greater Lansing Community News

High Schooler Lahari Raja Fights Food Insecurity in the Greater Lansing Area

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At age fifteen, Okemos High School Sophomore Lahari Raja has taken part in food drives in each of her hometowns. Her most recent is the annual Crunch the Hunger Food Drive, which is entering its second year. Her experience stems from her participation in her middle school’s food drive in Troy, Michigan, leaving her with the knowledge to implement one after moving to the Greater Lansing area. “I got to see what a difference one can of food makes. It left a huge mark on me and I think that’s what really got the gears moving,” Raja said.

East Lansing

Zeke the Wonderdog: More Than Just a Frisbee Catching Mascot Dog 

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Zeke the Wonderdog, known for his high-flying frisbee catches at Michigan State Football games, has left the Spartan Stadium crowd in awe and cheers with his performances during halftime and between plays at football games. It is a more than 45-year-long tradition and a staple hood of Michigan State football games in the fall. The tradition started in the 1970s when Gary Eisenberg, an MSU sophomore, competed with his yellow Labrador, Zeke, in several frisbee competitions. Zeke was just an ordinary dog at the time, but that would soon change. 

“He was just Zeke, there was no Wonderdog there, he was just my dog,” said Eisenberg. 

The two were noticed by Michigan State University when Gary and Zeke finished runner-up in the World Championship in Pasadena. After their impressive performance, they were asked to perform at an MSU home football game, and the tradition was born. 

“The response was overwhelming, the students went wild they just went bananas, they would stomp the bleachers chanting Zeke Zeke Zeke,” said Eisenberg. 

The original Zeke the Wonderdog performing at Spartan Stadium.

East Lansing

Inside East Lansing’s Ink and Needle Tattoo Shop

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Located in downtown East Lansing between cafés and bars stands Ink and Needle Tattoo. The tattoo shop is an East Lansing favorite for Michigan State students seeking to have their stories in ink. The shop is known to have a welcoming atmosphere and draws in all kinds of students.

Environment

Lansing Human Relations Department promotes National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week with Community Connect event

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Lansing’s Human Relations and Community Service Department (HRCSD) hosted its Community Connect event at the Capital Area Transit Authority (CATA) downtown transportation center as a part of National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. HRCSD has been doing this outreach event for the homeless for some years now but this is their second year holding the event at the CATA center to accommodate the increase in attendees. 

Government

Michigan Finding ways to Alleviate Housing Crisis Issue

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For decades, Michigan has had a continuous issue with housing and homelessness; something that the state has continuously been looking into. While the issue is ongoing, the state has taken many measures to alleviate the problem for families in need. According to the State of Michigan Housing Data Portal, out of all the homes on the market in 2021, only 1.9% of homes were vacant and available to rent or for sale. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that in Michigan alone, there is a 190,000 unit shortage of rental homes that are affordable and available for low income renters. Published in June of 2022, The State of Michigan released Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan, a first for Michigan, where it outlines past and present issues that the state is having with housing.