I recently decided to go back to school and get my Associates Degree in Entrepreneurship at MMCC. Yes, I already have an Associates Degree but it is older than the hills. Somehow, I never had to take a humanities class – until now.
Before I go any further let me say that I think everyone should be required to take at least a couple of these and yes, I do have another one I need to take. Why? I think knowing something about another culture or another time is part of what makes us interesting and well-rounded individuals.
I wasn't really interested in the "usual" humanities classes, but one history class really caught my eye – "Exploration of the Mafia" taught by J. Bond. I had no idea who the instructor was, but growing up I heard lots of mafia stories about The Purple Gang. One local story was of them coming to Leebove's house in Clare to "cool off" when things were "hot" in Detroit. Another story is about how Livingston
shot Leebove. Leebove was an associate (not a made member) of The Purple Gang, Livingston and Leebove had some business differences and Livingston thought Leebove was going to have The Purple Gang kill him. A case of kill or be killed. Livingston got off by pleading "temporary insanity." My father, about 13 or 14 at the time, was working across the street from the Doherty Hotel when it happened. He was an usher at the theatre and saw Leebove's body wheeled across the street. Of course it was covered with a sheet.
I once asked my mother who was born in Detroit in the mid 1920's how they got their name. She had heard that during the Cleaner and Dyers War in Detroit they would throw purple dye in a company's machines if they didn't pay them for "protection." During class we were broken into crews for a presentation. Our crew chose The Purple Gang and we found that there were at least 9 different legends as to how they got their name (including my mom's story.)
During the course of taking this class the Morning Sun did a story on "unusual" college classes and this class was one of those featured. For anyone who thinks this is an "easy" class, let me assure you it isn't. There was a lot of reading, studying, class participation, writing and even a group research/presentation project.
Recently a friend told me she decided against taking this class. I was very sorry to hear that she had changed her mind. Her reason was that she found something she thought would be more "useful." The only thing I have to say about what she said is that I found this class to be extremely useful.
Jeremy Bond, the instructor, has designed this class in such a way that it makes you come up with your own decision as to what really happened. While many people think history is learning facts about past events, there will always be questions left unanswered. Was there a conspiracy to shoot JFK? Was organized crime behind it? Did the mafia pay Lee Harvey Oswald to kill him? What really happened to Jimmy Hoffa? Where is his body burried? Was he a good president of the Teamsters? Some questions we'll never really know the answers to. But it sure is fun to figure out all the options.
Hats off to you JB – you are a great instructor. Thanks for all the good times. I wish you and future crews the very best in the future.
This is very kind, Janet. Thank you; I enjoyed this semester very much, and, as you can no doubt tell, I love teaching and in particular this class. You contributed to the success of your peers this semester, Janet, and I appreciate that very much. - JB
ReplyDeleteI agree Janet, It was a fun class and Jeremey is a great instructor and I indeed learned a lot from his class.
ReplyDeleteI am writing a book about Leebove, Janet. Might your father be willing to talk to me about his recollections of Clare in those days? Sorry if he is deceased; I couldn't tell. But I wanted to ask.
ReplyDeleteRobert (the_bell_place@yahoo.com)