Michigan school district to phase out use of Rebel mascot
WYOMING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan school district plans to phase out the use of its longtime mascot because of its association with the Confederacy.
The Godfrey-Lee Public School District opened public discussions last year on the use of its Rebel mascot, which is a Confederate soldier caricature. The school board voted Monday to phase out the mascot, noting a survey found the mascot “and the associated symbolism ... did not reflect the diversity of our district.”
A board-appointed group will recommend a new mascot, along with a new name to replace “Lee Rebels.”
Some students and parents said that they were uncomfortable with the tie to the Confederacy. Others said there was nothing wrong with the mascot and said people were being overly sensitive or were too worried about political correctness.
Eastern Michigan investigates black doll hanging at dorm
YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — Eastern Michigan University says it’s investigating after a black doll was found hanging from a shower rod inside a campus dorm.
The Ypsilanti school says in a statement that a resident adviser in Best Hall found the doll Monday in a bathroom shared by suite mates and a guest of one of the suite mates told investigators it was placed there as a “prank.” The school says the person indicated there were no malicious or racist intentions.
The school, however, said it’s taking the matter seriously. It says there’s “absolutely no place at Eastern for hateful and racist actions, regardless of their intent.”
The school’s police department and the Office of Wellness and Community Standards are investigating.
Opera singer, husband appear in court on sex assault charge
HOUSTON (AP) — A renowned Michigan opera singer and his husband have appeared in a Texas court to face charges of sexually assaulting another man in 2010.
University of Michigan professor and countertenor David Daniels and William Scott Walters each made an initial appearance in a Harris County court Monday and were released on $15,000 bonds. A Harris County District Attorney spokesman says they were ordered to surrender their passports.
Daniels and Walters were arrested in Ann Arbor, Michigan, last month on warrants arising from the criminal complaint of Samuel Schultz. He told The Associated Press the couple drugged and assaulted him when he was living in Houston as a 23-year-old graduate student.
Lawyer Matt Hennessy says his clients are innocent and looking forward to a court hearing on Schultz’s “false claims.”
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