East Lansing Insider: Alex Hosey Talks Civil Rights
On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Managing Editor talks to Alex Hosey, a local civil rights activist and youth reporter for ELi. Hosey spoke about his decision to sit for the national anthem during a basketball game several years ago, his experience as a Black young man in East Lansing, and his future plans, which include attending Michigan State University in the fall.
After sitting for the national anthem, Hosey’s parents asked him to write an essay, available here, to explain his decision. In it, he addressed his family history, including his grandfather becoming one of the first Black pharmacists in Ingham County and his family’s experience with redlining. Hosey also requested that the City apologize for its actions and for East Lansing Public Schools to teach about local and national racist housing policies. The City did pass a resolution acknowledging its past racist discrimination. After that, a panel was held at the Hannah Community Center to discuss race and racism in East Lansing. Hosey, a panelist, read his essay there.
You can see some of Hosey’s recent reporting for ELi on sports and the pandemic here and his interview for ELi with Ernest Green, a member of the Little Rock Nine, here.
You can listen to the podcast by following this link or listening below.
Future episodes will be available online and will air at 9 a.m. on Sundays on WDBM at 88.9 FM.