“This is Detroit, in case you all forgot”
A professor of mine has this quote as part of his e-mail signature. It is a line I cannot get out of my head. It gives off both a sense of pride and a sense of embitterment in that no one has actually forgotten the name or existence of Detroit; however, people do not recall it at present for the way it actually is. The image of Detroit on the national scale is one that remains highly industrial and one of class and race violence. However, if you are reading this blog, you know much better. To everyone else, Detroit may not be what it once was, but neither is any city. Every city is a living, breathing, and continually changing entity. No city can remain at a stagnant ideal. Detroit is alive, well, and awaiting your bestowal of a second chance.
Not sure what that quote means, but it reminded me of something that one of my suburbanite co-workers said today. We were talking about our childhood. He said he lived in Detroit on the eastside and made sure to say his father was a Detroit police officer (meaning they had to live in the city back then). I said, we (my family) lived there by choice. Although I am not quite sure if it was actually by choice, but it never ceases to annoy me how folks look down on the city. He lived in the city 25 years ago and still felt the shame.
The quote is from the movie Four Brothers.
I have been to Detroit once. Was this last summer. Went there to buy a set of rims and tires off a guy I won on ebay. I fell in love with the city. I am from the Columbus, ohio area. He lived in one of the nicer areas probably a suburb of Detroit. As i traveled north on 75 coming into the city the first thing I noticed was all of the factorys and the GREEN sky. It was about 4am. The second thing was Detroit Central Station. Such a beautiful builing. I got off the highway just to get close to it. Still dark out at this time just drove around it a few admiring the building. Well I called the guy i was buying the rims from and went to his house. Just a few blocks north of 8 mile road off of Gratiot. Bought them and had to stop by the station again. I am amazed by this city and I want to learn all about it. THE GOOD AND THE BAD. I want to see the old homes from Detroits glory days even if they are bad neighborhoods now! I did not get a chance to explore much while I was there because I had to work later that day. Didn’t even get to see downtown which I guess is very beautiful. Any info on the good and the bad would be greatfully apprciated as I am planning a return trip very soon as I want pix of Detroit Central Station again.
Boston Edison District. big, beautiful, old houses. some restored to their former glory and some seem ready to collapse from a strong wind.