Edition No. 33
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
In March 2021, 92nd Street Y hosted their democracy summit—a collection of conversations focused on the future of our democracy. Two of those conversations looked at the role art played.
Forever Remembered
This past Memorial Day, we released a special video presentation to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our freedoms.
American Democracy
The Citizens Research Council of Michigan (CRC) issued an annual summary of the Michigan tax system geared toward an understanding of taxes among the average citizen.
State of Democracy
In late March 2021, 92nd Street Y hosted their Democracy Summit—a virtual series of conversations about the state of our democracy from various journalists, scholars, activists, artists, and public servants. The summit took an in-depth look at the future of our democracy, especially since the year 2020 asked big questions like, “Who does it serve?” and “How does it function?” Some of the topics discussed include local democracy, voting, and the role of the press. Two specific forums spoke to the mission here at The War Memorial. The work we have been putting forth centers on creating a more perfect union, built upon arts, culture, and humanities but driven by inclusive patriotism.
That is why we want to share with you two different forums, Art and Democracy and Late Night Democracy, which articulate important ways art shapes and forms the future of our democracy. View these two segments below. And if you're interested in viewing the whole summit, click or tap here.
Art and Democracy
Art and Democracy addresses how and why art strengthens our democracy. It also tackles various roles artists play in deepening our understanding of America and in turn, one another. Hosted by WNYC’s Kai Wright, inaugural poet Richard Blanco and Mahogany L. Browne, author of Black Girl Magic, share insights into the intersection of poetry and democracy.
Late Night Democracy
Late Night Democracy looks at the role of comedy and satire in our democracy and how writers, comedians, and late show hosts weave humor into democracy to make it not only funny but appeal to the masses. This thirty-minute summit features comedians Amber Ruffin, Sarah Cooper, Ashley Nicole Black, and Aparna Nancherla.
Memorial Day 2021 at The War Memorial
In case you missed it: This past Monday, Memorial Day 2021, we released a special video presentation to honor and remember the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our freedoms. As a patriotic institution, we spent this holiday remembering our servicemen and women, whose sacrifice and courage must be preserved and shared as we strive to create a more perfect union built on reflective and inclusive patriotism.
Outline of the Michigan Tax System
Many people complain about taxes but very few actually know much about them. For 37 years, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan (CRC) has been trying to address that knowledge gap by issuing an annual summary of the Michigan tax system geared to the average citizen, someone who is neither an accountant nor a tax policy expert. On May 17, the scrupulously nonpartisan CRC issued a new edition of its Outline of the Michigan Tax System. Their 2021 report offers succinct descriptions of 41 state and 23 local taxes and reports on changes to the Michigan tax system made over the previous 12 months. According to CRC, there was not a lot of change in the Michigan tax system over the past year:
“…nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
“Let the games begin! This update includes entries on three new taxes on gaming and sports wagering. In-person sports betting at the three Detroit casinos launched in March 2020, while new Internet and sports wagering options became legal in January 2021. There were few other tax policy changes. Fees were increased for vehicle registration transfers, and the historic preservation credit against the state income tax – repealed in 2012 – was restored; but major changes to the tax system were largely absent.”
To download the new edition of CRC’s Outline of the Michigan Tax System, click or tap here. The annual report, however, does not look at Michigan’s tax burden relative to other states. CRC also reports on that, but less frequently. To view the most recent comparative tax burden analysis (2016), click or tap here.
A few of our latest virtual offerings!
What Does The Future Hold For Nonprofit Newsrooms?
Last month, we welcomed Stephen Henderson and Bev Weintraub, two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists who helped us explore and better understand the growing number, expanding role, and the increasing importance of nonprofit newsrooms at the local and national levels.
Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra: Oboe Quartet in F-Major, KV 370
This past March, we welcomed our friends from Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra to record a live performance of Mozart’s Oboe Quartet in F-Major, KV 370. It was a joy to hear live music being performed in the historic Alger house again!
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.