An Arab American Woman from Michigan -- Miss USA

I didn't watch the pageant last night, and I won't comment on the value or virtues of beauty pageants, but I do find it relevant to note that a Lebanese American woman from nearby Dearborn, Michigan (home of Ford Motor Company) was crowned Miss USA last night.  Michiganders, of course, are thrilled that good news can come out of our state.  But more importantly, it is a reminder that America is a diverse country.

Rima Fakih is an immigrant and a Muslim woman who attended Catholic schools.  She is the first Muslim, Arab, and immigrant to be crowned Miss USA.   She is a reminder of what America can be at its best, a place of opportunity.  It is a reminder that while we may be a Christian majority nation, there is planted in our Constitution the protections that allow people, of whatever background, to find their place in society.  

Although I don't normally congratulate beauty contest winners on my blog, I think in this case, because it is a boundary breaking event that reminds the nation that we're not just a bunch of white Christians, I will offer my word of congratulations to a fellow Michigander. 

The Greening of Detroit

People who are smart in planning their future will look for jobs in industries that are growing, not shrinking. Smart people, then, will go green.
Earth Day is an opportunity to focus on the tremendous job growth potential in green industries. I have written extensively about how labor union jobs are not the future (even though I support them), how Black workers need to ditch service jobs, and how STEM jobs (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are the way forward.

A great city to see the future up close is Detroit. Of all places, a city best known for old school manufacturing might actually lead the way in green job creation.

Read the rest at The Loop.