Latest news with #Ypsilanti
New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
I Don't Know if I Believe in God, but I Believe in Gospel Music
Before I began listening to gospel music about 12 years ago, I was not the most obvious candidate to become a fan of the genre. Raised by divorced parents who were not particularly religious, I didn't give much consideration to faith. Though my father was a longtime member of the Christ Temple Baptist Church — a Black congregation in Ypsilanti, Mich. — he wasn't a regular presence at Sunday service nor did he pressure me to join him when he did go. My mother, who was a nonobservant Jewish woman, spent much of her adult life criticizing what she viewed as a patriarchal religion; we never attended synagogue, and I didn't have a bar mitzvah. My mother's iconoclasm shaped my attitude toward life, including my taste in music. As a teenager I was drawn to punk rock — loud, fast, angry music that reflected my vague and indeterminate outrage at the world. I defied authority, ranting and raving against the powers that be, including cops, politicians, security guards and my teachers at school, though my defiance usually involved little more than cutting holes in my clothes and quoting song lyrics. I was a perpetually cynical and distrustful young man who believed the world's problems could be solved by my music and clothing preferences, not by organized religion. As I matured and entered my 30s, my father and I grew closer. We bonded over Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield and Aretha Franklin, artists who sang love songs distinctly informed by their respective backgrounds in the Black church. These singers were my conduit to gospel. After hearing the Swan Silvertones sing 'Mary Don't You Weep' on a compilation album of early R&B and gospel groups, I was instantly hooked, and I sought out their LPs as well as records by the Davis Sisters, Marion Williams, Brother Joe May and the Blind Boys of Alabama. I was drawn to the music not because of its religious lyrics but because its rhythms and vocal harmonies moved something deep in my core. I felt the music in my soul before I had even acknowledged the existence of a soul. Each minor chord on the piano, each impassioned cry from the singer broke through my cynicism. I was carried away — if only for a few minutes. I came to understand that the music's religious spirit was inseparable from the music: Each served the other, to help us express our connection to and yearning for the ineffable, to give form to that which is unseen. When a gospel vocalist sings of faith and love of Jesus, it sounds to my ears like a higher power is pouring out of them, using the artist as an instrument. At the top of the Staple Singers' 1965 song 'Let Jesus Lead You,' for example, the band leader, Pops Staples, launches into the opening and his three children follow, creating a simple call-and-response: 'Let Jesus lead you/Let Jesus lead you/Let Jesus lead you/All the way/All the way/All the way from Earth to glory,' before Mavis Staples takes over, her voice slowly building, from mortal earth to the heavenly realms. The sound of the Staple Singers' early records is blues-influenced, trading church organs and a large chorus for a small band, stripping the music down to its raw core. But like much gospel, the Staple Singers' music hinges on a buoyant joyfulness that invites the listener to share in their exaltation. Listening to this song, I clap my hands and stomp a foot on the backbeat. My heart swells with each repetition of the refrain, and I feel myself transported to places I've never visited but that the music conjures for me: some storefront church or a down-home revival. I'm connected to a history, to a not-so-distant past that is not a part of my personal experience but is bound up in my cultural heritage. It reached into the hidden, malnourished and underserved parts of my spirit that I so often tried to repress. To paraphrase Mahalia Jackson's memorable description of gospel, the music brought good tidings and good news to my life. In a world that increasingly fosters self-interest and social isolation, gospel points me toward something more intimate, more collective. Though I don't subscribe to any particular denomination, I aspire to lead a life of curiosity, generosity and compassion — all the best hallmarks of any faith and of great gospel music. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
16-07-2025
- CBS News
One in custody, police seeking tips, after fatal shooting in Ypsilanti
A Ypsilanti, Michigan, man has died as a result of gunshot injuries, with local police and deputies seeking tips from the public to assist in the investigation. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said deputies were notified of the shooting after the victim, Dajon Ryans, 25, was taken to a hospital. The incident happened between 7:25 and 7:45 p.m. Saturday near a McDonald's restaurant at Ecorse Road and Towner Street in Ypsilanti. A 27-year-old man from Washtenaw County has been arrested in connection with the case, deputies said. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office and Ypsilanti Police Department are seeking assistance from the public for any additional information. Those who wish to provide information can contact Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office tip line at 734-973-7711, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, or Metro Dispatch 734-994-2911.
CBS News
30-06-2025
- CBS News
Two arrests made in Washtenaw County drive-by home shooting incidents
Two men have been arrested in connection with a series of drive-by shootings of homes in Washtenaw County, the Michigan State Police reported. A 21-year-old man from Ypsilanti and a 22-year-old man from Belleville were arrested Sunday and are lodged at Washtenaw County Jail, pending arraignment on charges. Troopers do not suspect there are any other people involved in the case, the report said. A semi-automatic rifle and fired bullet casings consistent with what was seen during the shootings were recovered at the time of arrest. Search warrants also were served at "involved residences" by the MSP Emergency Support Team. The series of shootings went under investigation June 17, when the Michigan State Police, Brighton post, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office began looking into incidents reported along Tuttle-Hill Road in Willis. "During the last two weeks, both agencies were aided by tremendous cooperation from the community where the shootings took place," the report said. The most recent shooting that officers believe to be connected to this case happened Sunday in the 8000 block of Talladay Road.
CBS News
27-06-2025
- CBS News
Man arrested for breaking into Ypsilanti businesses while out on bond for similar incidents
Man arrested for breaking into Ypsilanti businesses while out on bond for similar incidents Man arrested for breaking into Ypsilanti businesses while out on bond for similar incidents Man arrested for breaking into Ypsilanti businesses while out on bond for similar incidents Ypsilanti police say they've arrested a man allegedly behind a series of break-ins at downtown businesses in May and June. Businesses say the man smashed glass entryways with rocks before emptying the cash registers inside the stores. There was some surprise from employees at several downtown Ypsilanti businesses, not just because police caught the man in general, but because he was caught while out on bond after already being arrested on these allegations from the May break-ins. Police say they arrested the man Wednesday night after he was allegedly caught smashing into Ypsilanti businesses for the second time. World of Rocks says it was one of the businesses the man is accused of breaking into in May, just for him to be arrested, released on bond, and arrested again for the same allegations. "I heard that news this morning. I'm happy he's no longer on the streets doing it to more businesses for a third time," said World of Rocks lead artist Erin McCaffery. McCaffery was one of several who said they were never told about the man's arrest or his release, information that would have been important for them to know as victims of the break-ins. "I know that this was just one person, and the community really showed up. We got a lot of verbal support of people coming through and just voicing their concerns and how happy they were that we met our goal for the door," she said. McCaffery said the man raided their register, but the damage to their front door was what financially hurt the most. Several other businesses that didn't want to speak on camera told me their experience was the same. When announcing the second arrest on Facebook, the Ypsilanti Police Department said, "While we understand its continuation is frustrating, we appreciate your patience as we continue to work to resolve these matters." Ypsilanti police have not identified the man arrested for the break-ins.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
Former EMU officer charged for allegedly hiding camera in locker room
The Brief Former EMU officer Alex Colarossi was charged for allegedly hiding cameras in a hotel and locker room, violating the privacy of colleagues. A cybersecurity expert advises checking for hidden cameras in hotels; suggests using phone cameras to detect infrared signals. Colarossi resigned amid the investigation; three female victims were identified, with more digital evidence still being reviewed. YPSILANTI, Mich. (FOX 2) - A former Eastern Michigan University police officer was charged for allegedly hiding cameras in a hotel and locker room to spy on colleagues. What they're saying Hotel rooms and locker rooms are where we expect the most privacy, but not in the case of 27-year-old Alex Colarossi, who was accused of concealing cameras. The former officer for EMU allegedly hid a camera in the hotel room of a co-worker during a police union conference in Grand Rapids last January. Police say a camera was also placed in the locker room at the EMU Police Department. Sources tell FOX 2 there are three female victims across two departments, and there is still more digital evidence to go through. Cybersecurity expert David Derigiotis is not surprised one bit. "These are things I'm always very paranoid about, so I'm always checking for hidden devices," he said. "I've seen blackmail cases around it or people who are just looking to take advantage of people when they're at their most vulnerable." Derigiotis has a routine when he stays in hotels or vacation rentals. "You can do some very low-tech things, such as looking for where there could be little pinhole cameras installed, maybe if you see an alarm clock that's tilted towards the bed. If you see power sources where a cord is plugged in, and you're not sure where it's going," he said. For $20-$30, you can buy a hidden camera detector on Amazon. But if you don't want to take it that far, there's another route. "I turn the lights off, and you can just simply open the camera app on the phone, scan it around, and it may pick up a very low infrared light that's blinking or shining," he said. "I think it's important to have some level of paranoia, because when it does happen, it can be very damaging; it's certainly an invasion of privacy." What's next Former officer Alex Colarossi resigned from EMU Police amid the state police investigation. A statement from the chief there says in part: "These allegations are deeply troubling to me and our entire team, and we take them very seriously. Upon becoming aware of the situation, the individual was immediately placed on administrative leave and the University initiated steps to terminate him. As the Michigan State Police, Sixth District, investigated the matter, the individual resigned his position. According to our present understanding of MSP's investigation to date, the former officer's actions appear to have been targeted to a co-worker. There is no indication of similar actions of this nature against anyone else on our campus." The Source FOX 2 used information from EMU police and court documents for details in this report.
