We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
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One of the poems written by Joslyn Gaines Vanderpool in her collection.

Escape from State Terrorism by Aung Way

It feels good when someone shows appreciation for something that you have done. A simple gesture of gratitude can promptly put a positive spin on an otherwise mediocre day. I have always felt that positive reinforcement goes a lot further than any negative feedback. I do understand sometimes someone might have to just break it down to brass tacks. That may be necessary but uncomfortable, however if done skillfully it can still be a favorable transaction. I believe that you would agree that being positive is good. Am I wrong?  

In our July 6, 2008 - July 19, 2008 edition our feature story was “ Local Woman Teaches Lessons of Dignity”.  It was about Marilouise Smith-Mays , an educator and librarian . She owns Private All Ages Language School (PAALS), which assists those who need tutoring or reading assistance.

When I was eight I remember my mother walking into the kitchen where I was sitting and announcing, “This is my week to be mean.” Nothing else. I was utterly confused. I understood the parent child relationship that every week, no everyday, had the potential of mom being mean. What made this week any different than any other? Being at that age I did not get the connection when she made that announcement about once a month. I would just politely get up from where I was hearing that announcement and send myself to my room. If mom was going to be mean I was not going to be the one to bring her there.

In our March 30 - April 12, 2008 edition our feature story was “Sentencing Children to Die in Michigan?”.  It was about Efren Paredes, a Latino and former high school honor student from Berrien County, was  arrested at the age of 15.

Life is a drag isn't it, getting up every morning to go to work? Or for your second and third shifters you have the added pressure of your schedule being not quite like everyone else’s in your world. You probably work at a job that you don’t mind but it’s not really a dream job is it? On top of that if you have kids you have the added pressure of dealing with that 25/8. You love them but you had no idea it was going to be so taxing some times.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
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There was a point in time in your life that you had an impossible dream. Only at the time nothing seemed impossible. Your dream was pure. In your mind there was not anything that could deter you from reaching your dream. You had unbridled enthusiasm. You spoke about your dream with pride and confidence. If anyone were to ask you what was in your future you were able to answer without hesitation a profound statement that spoke on your ultimate goal in life.

A Different Drug Problem......
(Editor’s note -  this has been circulated on the internet and I thought I would share it with my readers.)

Warning by Diane Gardin

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Mother's Day Poetry

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P O E T R Y  by Aung Way

An Open Letter to Johnny Gill and Those Like Him

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A poem by Ruby Richardson

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"I Count It “All” A Blessing" by Mr. Jonathan E. McClayton

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"Shirley" by Mellissa Dey Hasbrook

Poetry for Black History Month

During Black History Month we have asked community members “Are we living the dream?”

Your letters to the editor.

2008 Nu Poet Collective consists of Rina Risper, Tiya Kunaiyi, Logic and Tupaco.  We will be performing around town during February.  There are no plans to resume the Poetry Readings during the week.
Please send your poetry to tncp@comcast.net or mail to P.O. Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48906.

We are beginning our 7th year and finishing up our 6th.  It has been unbelievable.  In 2008, don’t be afraid to explore your dreams and fulfill your goals.

Your letters to the editor.

Letters to the Editor

Your letters to the editor.

In the November 11, 2007 to November 24, 2007 edition, in the “Excuse me are you listening?” column, I wrote about my experience with a duct cleaning company who used fear to try and charge me $500.00 for their service and the ad said $49.99. 

Your Letters to the Editor

Your Letters to the Editor...

Questions and Answers on Civil Rights from Linda V. Parker Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights

    Thank you for being the father, brother, husband, uncle,grandfather, father-in-law and friend when we needed you. 

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles. Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature. If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

What is prayer and what results do you expect from it?

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

What is prayer, and what results do you expect from it?

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

What is prayer, and what results do you expect from it?

 What is prayer, and what results do you expect from it?

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

“Today there is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence. It is either nonviolence or nonexistence.”

   Children who are the kinship program experience emotions that are difficult to express to others; however, the magic of poetry allows them to shape emotions into verses and unlock the multitude of internal doors. Poetry provides the key to others, who need to  understanding their daily lives. The poems in this edition are from poets from the Allen Neighborhood Center Kinship Support Group located at 1619 E. Kalamazoo Street.

Letter to the Editor:

Protect Our Young Men From Corrupt Police and Prosecutors in Jackson County

     The New Citizens Press has certainly been a viable voice in the community. It speaks and it says something! People listen, learn, and take courses of action based on the informative and responsible reporting of this newspaper.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.

If the Lansing School Board cuts teacher pay by ‘x’, benefits by ‘y’ and inflation is at ‘z’, what is the cost to students?

A poem by Langston Hughes

On November 7th of this year, 58% of Michigan voters voted in favor what is called the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI).

Hospice of Lansing, Sparrow Hospice Services and Visiting Nurse Services of Michigan Hospice are mid-Michigan's original hospices

As treasurer and spokesman for the City Hall Recall Committee, I want to personally thank the dozens of petition circulators for their herculean efforts and those 7,687 Lansing voters who signed petitions in this historic effort to recall Mayor Virg Bernero.

It was an incredible time and I am hoping that we will be able to serve at risk youth in the Lansing area in the same way.

What are we looking at?  We have the retreads who currently are seated in Congress working to hold their seats.

Dear TNCP, Lansing voters are lining up in droves to sign our recall petitions for a myriad of reasons.

We would love to hear your thoughts about our articles.  Letters, e-mail and photos should include your name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.  Letters may be edited for length and clarity; photographs can only be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope.  Address : The New Citizens Press, Opinions, PO Box 19006, Lansing, MI 48901; or e-mail us at tncp@comcast.net.
**Please note that you will need to provide your full address, first and last name and signature.  If you send you message by e-mail please include your phone number.