The Stonewall Riots in New York City in 1969 brought attention to the harassment and violence that LGBTQ+ people faced in America. But it wasn't just America that was paying attention. We talked to an assistant professor at Michigan State University about how Pride celebrations have evolved in Mexico—which saw its first Pride celebration in 1979.

GUEST:

Alejandra Márquez, assistant professor of Spanish at Michigan State University

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Immigrant advocates in Grand Rapids say ICE tried detaining people at routine check-ins. Now, immigrants face a difficult choice: show up and risk arrest, or stay home and break the law.

GUEST:

Gema Lowe, volunteer organizer with the immigrant rights group Movimiento Cosecha GR

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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You may be wondering why you haven’t seen swarms of mayflies yet. Cold water temperatures have delayed their arrival—but don’t worry, they’re on their way. Experts predict the mayflies will begin hatching in Michigan over the next couple of weeks.

GUEST:

Richard Merritt, former entomology professor at Michigan State University

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Scholar and poet Shonda Buchanan grew up in Kalamazoo with a deep love for Nina Simone. Her new book, The Lost Songs of Nina Simone, captures the singer's spirit in a unique blend of poetry, memoir, and historical reflection.

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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A UM student who has been active in the pro-Palestinian protest movement on campus, says he was followed by apparent plainclothes private surveillance teams contracted by the university. And he has video to prove it.

GUEST:

Josiah Walker, UM student

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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Maykol Bogoya-Duarte is a Detroit high school student, who was just 3.5 credits away from earning his diploma when he was pulled over by Rockwood police for alleged tailgating. Bogoya-Duarte, who was already under an active deportation order and planning to fly back to Colombia with his mother, was detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement during the May 20 traffic stop. He had hoped to finish his high school diploma by the end of this year, but now faces imminent deportation. We talked to Bogoya-Duarte's attorney and a reporter about the student's case, and what it can tell us about the bigger picture for undocumented students in Michigan.

GUESTS:

Hannah Dellinger, Chalkbeat Detroit reporter

Ruby Robinson, senior managing attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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How Lansing native Terk Brunk, aka Sabu, changed wrestling and became a global sports hero for Arab Americans

GUESTS:

Shaffee Abraham, former radio host and ring manger for Sabu

Khalil AlHajal, Deputy Opinion Editor at the Detroit Free Press

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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The Senate may soon vote on a federal budget packed with President Trump’s priorities. The bill passed the house last month with major changes to Medicaid. Michigan’s Republican representatives argue these aren’t “cuts” – they say that they’re “protecting” Medicaid by removing “waste, fraud and abuse.” These changes, whatever you call them, could result in millions losing Medicaid coverage by 2027, according to estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Nearly two million Michiganders, including many people with disabilities, are enrolled in eMdicaid. State officials may be left with the choice to let many people lose coverage or make cuts elsewhere to cover losses in federal funding.

GUESTS:

Amanda Rhines, director for Disability Network Lakeshore and member of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council

Terry DeYoung, board president of Disability Network Lakeshore and former disability concerns coordinator for the Reformed Church in America

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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