What is “The Call” Really About?

I heard a commercial for The Call on my way home a few days ago.  I wasn’t paying attention but I caught the end of it and wasn’t really sure what was going on, only that it was some call to prayer.  Over the last few days, I have heard much more about this event and decided to look into it a bit further to figure out what is really going on.  So, here’s a little background.  It takes place in Detroit at Ford Field today, 11/11 and is a 24-hour event.  The oft-cited purpose for the event is a 24-hour prayer to lift Detroit out of its darkness and that people will “gather to this city that has become a microcosm of our national crisis — economic collapse, racial tension, the rising tide of the Islamic movement, and the shedding of innocent blood of our children in the streets and our unborn.”

Obviously, the “rising tide of Islamic movement” part has put many Muslims in Michigan on alert (since removed from their website). However, the leaders of the event claim that it is open to all religions and is not anti-Islamic. Instead, it is anti-extremist and anti-terrorist.  The Dearborn Patch did a great article about this and one of the comments included multiple links to places so that people can decide for themselves what the real intention of this event is.  I have read through these links and wanted to share with you what I have found.

First of all, regardless of what you may think their position is on Islam, the website boasts an “anti-abortion” (I say anti-choice) agenda and seems to claim some pride in George W. Bush being elected president after they held a similar prayer event surrounding the 2000 election. That should pretty much inform you on my reaction as I began reading more. In addition, the way they define Detroit has put me on a bit of the defensive.  They claim it is the “place where they say there is no hope” and that through this event God will ” forgive our national guilt.” It’s as if they are blaming Detroit and Michigan for the nation’s ills, and will ride in on their white horse of prayer to save the day.  I don’t really buy it.

However, I try to keep an open mind.  It’s entirely possible for people to have this as their agenda to put that aside and truly create a space where others can freely worship, in their own style, and discuss their opinions freely – even disagree. And, maybe some good will come out of people gathering to focus on how to help in Detroit.

This took me into further research on the person behind this organization and event, Lou Engle.

Anti-Bullying Law in Michigan *Wink**Wink*

This semester, I have been taking Education Law at Wayne Law. I had never really considered much about education law before this class, but I recognized my lack of knowledge of how our education system works and wanted to find out what the law behind it is. This class has been fantastic and has opened my eyes to the complexities that surround the fundamental element of educating our children and ourselves. It has also showed me that, currently, Michigan is far behind in recognizing the rights of students throughout their education.

Recently, we talked about bullying and acts of hate, related to the schools ability to step in and stop it.  I have seen the video from Jamey Rodemeyer, the student who recently contributed his voice to the “It Gets Better” campaign, then was found by his sister because the bullying he was subjected to was too much to handle.  We have read cases about how bullying gets worse and worse as technology changes, and how most states have taken active steps toward developing Anti-Bullying legislation and programs to stop bullying and help the victims.  I learned Michigan is one of the few states who had no state-wide legislation.  Without such legislation, the students have a much harder time recognizing a right and a recourse against the actions of the bullies and even perhaps a school system that might encourage it.

Then, I saw the articles about the “Anti-Bullying” bill going through the state legislature this week. I say “anti-bullying” with the greatest amount of sarcasm, because the language in this bill actually provides a shelter for bullies if they make a statement of “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a school employee, school volunteer, pupil, or a pupil’s parent or guardian.” This bill is actually creating a means through which people can legally and legitimately bully others.  It’s sickening.  I’m sure it will be subject to legal challenge if passed.  It has already been through the ringer in regards to criticism for how it worked and what it says.  Did I mention the father of the child who this bill is named after, Matt Epling (the child), has loudly spoken out against this bill for exactly the language quoted above?