Today on Stateside, the nation's second largest Protestant denomination voted Tuesday to reaffirm the church's ban on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. We talk to two United Methodist pastors about what it means for the church going forward. Plus, 67 years ago, a young activist named Coleman A. Young went toe-to-toe with congressmen on the feared House Un-American Activities Committee over allegations that he was involved with the Communist Party.
Listen to the full show above or find individual conversations below.
Rep. Slotkin discusses national emergency, wary European allies, and constituent services
- The freshmen members of the 116th Congress have begun their congressional careers in the middle of one of the most tumultuous times in American history. Stateside is checking in periodically with one of these new lawmakers, 8th District Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin, to find out what it's like to be learning the ropes of serving in Congress right now.
Before he was Detroit Mayor, Coleman Young went toe-to-toe with congressmen during the Red Scare
- Sixty-seven years ago this week, the hunt for Communists came to Detroit. Coleman A. Young, who would later become Detroit's first African-American mayor, was put in the spotlight when the House Un-American Activities Committee traveled from Washington to Detroit looking for Communists in workplaces and local government.
- Rachel Clark of the Michigan History Center joins Stateside to describe what was happening during Detroit's brush with the Red Scare, and how Young was caught up in the quest to root out Communists.
- This segment is produced in partnership with the Michigan History Center.
Ragatz: More teachers are getting political. Should they?
- Teachers aren't shying away from politics these days. In the November 2018 election, there were a record number of teachers – more than 1,000 – running for elected office. Early last week, hundreds of teachers traveled to El Paso, Texas to protest the detention of migrant youth.
- We turn to Michigan Radio’s education commentator Matinga Ragatz to talk about what's driving teachers to be more politically involved, and if they can do so without compromising their role in the classroom.
United Methodist pastors reflect on divisive vote over ban on same-sex marriage, LGBTQ clergy
- The United Methodist Church is the second largest Christian denomination in the United States. The church now faces a likely wave of defections after delegates at a crucial conference on Tuesday voted to stregthen the church's ban on same-sex marriage and gay and lesbian clergy.
- Emotions were high, with some supporters of more LGBTQ inclusion in tears. Stateside hears from Reverend Joy Moore, of Bethel United Methodist Church in Flint, as well as Reverend Tim Ziegler, pastor of West Side United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor, about their thoughts on moving forward after this divisive vote.
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