Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Diaspora
Every so often, I will run into someone who is also from Detroit, and we'll stumble on that fact as we talk. We will compare where we went to high school, and what neighborhood or suburb we are from, maybe deduce which friends we have in common. Mixed in with this, always, is some kind of lament for the city, almost an apologetic reflection on why it is we are not there and the tragic thing that happened most recently. It's the kind of discussion expatriates have, and refugees. I have actually heard people from New Orleans talking, and it is the same pattern-- that the city is still home, but in a way is gone now, just gone. These conversations, sadly, happen most often between the best educated, the ones that a city like Detroit needs the most.
Allison Dickson and a few others sent me the cover story from Sports Illustrated this week, in which Mitch Albom writes about Detroit from the inside. It was mostly about "survivors" among those in the city. There was something profoundly sad about that, to have it be that the best thing a person can do in a place is not to die. That's not a functioning place or a good place.
I know that sometimes I get angry about the management at General Motors. The fact is, I am angry at the leadership of the city of Detroit as well, and the suburbanites who did not care. And, maybe, at myself. I went home after law school and became a prosecutor, think that it was a way to help, and it was. I made some mistakes, but I also made some things better. In the end, though, it did not seem to be making much of a difference. The tragedy was overwhelming.
So now, in Waco or Houston or New York, I will meet someone who is in the diaspora, and our conversation will follow that arc once again, from old familiars to the current tragedies. While we are safe from the crumbling buildings, the holes in the road, the foreclosures, the death of companies, and the million little tragedies behind side doors with milk chutes, they all are standing behind us, too close to ignore.
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I love American big cities. I love it even more when they have the leadership to revitalize and re-invent -- witness Cleveland, Birmingham, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Brooklyn, St. Louis. even New York -- to name a few.
I love the Big Cities that are in the midst of re-imagining themselves, despite startling odds -- like Pittsburgh. (Best Big City airport in the U.S., BTW.)
And I love the Big Cities that never went away because they valued and protected their "inside the loop" gifts -- Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston and Philadelphia, in particular.
Not that they all still don't have problems.
(Heck, not that Waco doesn't have LOTS of problems ...)
And that's why Detroit's horrific fall has been so troubling. Over the past 50 years, there have been just as many smart, inventive, creative people in Detroit as there have been in other American cities ... why did they fail so miserably? What's different about Detroit's leadership or civic will?
RFDIII
I love the Big Cities that are in the midst of re-imagining themselves, despite startling odds -- like Pittsburgh. (Best Big City airport in the U.S., BTW.)
And I love the Big Cities that never went away because they valued and protected their "inside the loop" gifts -- Chicago, Minneapolis, Boston and Philadelphia, in particular.
Not that they all still don't have problems.
(Heck, not that Waco doesn't have LOTS of problems ...)
And that's why Detroit's horrific fall has been so troubling. Over the past 50 years, there have been just as many smart, inventive, creative people in Detroit as there have been in other American cities ... why did they fail so miserably? What's different about Detroit's leadership or civic will?
RFDIII
# posted by 
: 12:10 PM
: 12:10 PM
Man, this is downer week, isn't it?
First, we find out your students are killing pandas for hygiene purposes, then we learn that your book has an unhappy ending, next, we see a poor puppet get electrocuted and now you're talking about Detroit...
First, we find out your students are killing pandas for hygiene purposes, then we learn that your book has an unhappy ending, next, we see a poor puppet get electrocuted and now you're talking about Detroit...
# posted by : 12:37 PM
: 12:37 PM
Anon 9:40
I'm pretty sure the fist is tied to Joe Louis.
~*~*~
Depressing is what Detroit is. I remember when RenCen opened in the late 70's. It bustled for a while, but truly it never 'did' what had been envisioned. I left when I finished college; as much as it is home, I knew I would not make mine in the area. Now your reason to head downtown is to go to a Tiger or Lion game or the casinos. There is virtually nothing left in the 'old' Greektown except the Casino. With the economy the way it is, it will be a long time before there will be much reason to visit (except for family).
I was reading a small book on GP history and the initial settlers built 'summer' homes along the Lake. The area I grew up in was valued for what it offered during the summer months - a lake breeze comes to mind (in the days before AC). That and its proximity to Canada duirng prohibition.
I'm pretty sure the fist is tied to Joe Louis.
~*~*~
Depressing is what Detroit is. I remember when RenCen opened in the late 70's. It bustled for a while, but truly it never 'did' what had been envisioned. I left when I finished college; as much as it is home, I knew I would not make mine in the area. Now your reason to head downtown is to go to a Tiger or Lion game or the casinos. There is virtually nothing left in the 'old' Greektown except the Casino. With the economy the way it is, it will be a long time before there will be much reason to visit (except for family).
I was reading a small book on GP history and the initial settlers built 'summer' homes along the Lake. The area I grew up in was valued for what it offered during the summer months - a lake breeze comes to mind (in the days before AC). That and its proximity to Canada duirng prohibition.
I spent a week in Detroit in 1986. It’s been twenty three years and it doesn’t sound different. I went to a computer conference there in Cobo Hall. I stayed at the Hotel Pontchartrain across the street. From my window I could see the new, gleaming Renaissance Towers on the waterfront. All of Detroit’s commerce seemed to have been sucked into those towers.
One afternoon, I walked into downtown just to see what it was like. I thought that I would be relatively safe, that I would just blend in with all the other people leaving their offices and businesses. I got to the Dayton Hudson building at 5 and it was empty. There were no people. It was a ghost of town, just piles of empty brick buildings. I listened to my own footsteps echoing off the facades as I walked back to the waterfront.
In the mornings I jogged by the campus of the Detroit Free Press. Well, at least along the chain link fence that kept me out. Not so unusual were the piles of trash that had blown against the fence, but what was unusual was that that trash seemed to be everywhere littered in Detroit proper. This presented a striking contrast to the city of Windsor to the south just across the Detroit River. Windsor was bright, clean, and vibrant. The Detroit River might have well as been the Berlin Wall.
It was two days into my stay that I heard murders reported on the news. It was mentioned during the weathercast. How odd that murder was considered as common as the weather.
That’s what I remember. There is no melancholy in this recollection. I have no history, no neighborhood friends, no memories of childhood good times, high school friends.
When I contemplate a place like Detroit, there is nothing but a continuing sense of wonderment at how we sometimes choose to govern ourselves, and at the people we elect to care for our future.
Urban decay is a long slow process. Sometimes spurred on by economics; sometimes by choice. Sometimes it’s abated by creativity and leadership; sometimes left to take its course. One time, Detroit mattered to its citizens. To some, I guess it still does.
One afternoon, I walked into downtown just to see what it was like. I thought that I would be relatively safe, that I would just blend in with all the other people leaving their offices and businesses. I got to the Dayton Hudson building at 5 and it was empty. There were no people. It was a ghost of town, just piles of empty brick buildings. I listened to my own footsteps echoing off the facades as I walked back to the waterfront.
In the mornings I jogged by the campus of the Detroit Free Press. Well, at least along the chain link fence that kept me out. Not so unusual were the piles of trash that had blown against the fence, but what was unusual was that that trash seemed to be everywhere littered in Detroit proper. This presented a striking contrast to the city of Windsor to the south just across the Detroit River. Windsor was bright, clean, and vibrant. The Detroit River might have well as been the Berlin Wall.
It was two days into my stay that I heard murders reported on the news. It was mentioned during the weathercast. How odd that murder was considered as common as the weather.
That’s what I remember. There is no melancholy in this recollection. I have no history, no neighborhood friends, no memories of childhood good times, high school friends.
When I contemplate a place like Detroit, there is nothing but a continuing sense of wonderment at how we sometimes choose to govern ourselves, and at the people we elect to care for our future.
Urban decay is a long slow process. Sometimes spurred on by economics; sometimes by choice. Sometimes it’s abated by creativity and leadership; sometimes left to take its course. One time, Detroit mattered to its citizens. To some, I guess it still does.
# posted by : 1:20 PM
: 1:20 PM
I left and I sometimes feel bad for leaving but I cannot imagine what it is like there right now. I have not been there in 11 years.
Detroit reminds me of that kids book a long time ago called The Giving Tree.
A lot of people have taken and taken and taken and taken. Coleman Young, Corrupt Wayne County and the hideous Ed Macnamara political machine, Kwame, The school board with their limos, the politicians with their corrupt spending, like horrible Barbara Rose Collins - everyone running Detroit seems like they are out for themselves. You just cannot do this for like 3 generations. The city that was once a beautiful strong tree is now just a STUMP you know?
You combine this with high crime, terrible schools, everyone leaving the city, no tax base, it all adds up. Also there is no like real sense of history there I remember when they tore down Little Harry's I was like HUH???
Now I guess the Casinos are putting money into the city and I guess GM to its credit when it took over the Renaissance Center , but even the auto companies for the most part left Detroit..
Mitch ALbom's article was very moving and he is right that the media ALWAYS picks on Detroit. However so does the Detroit Media... when all they report are the murders etc. However maybe there is nothing else to report?
I remember 1997 when it was all the HOCKEY TOWN stuff.. Imean that seems like it was mostly people from the BURBS you know?
Detroit reminds me of that kids book a long time ago called The Giving Tree.
A lot of people have taken and taken and taken and taken. Coleman Young, Corrupt Wayne County and the hideous Ed Macnamara political machine, Kwame, The school board with their limos, the politicians with their corrupt spending, like horrible Barbara Rose Collins - everyone running Detroit seems like they are out for themselves. You just cannot do this for like 3 generations. The city that was once a beautiful strong tree is now just a STUMP you know?
You combine this with high crime, terrible schools, everyone leaving the city, no tax base, it all adds up. Also there is no like real sense of history there I remember when they tore down Little Harry's I was like HUH???
Now I guess the Casinos are putting money into the city and I guess GM to its credit when it took over the Renaissance Center , but even the auto companies for the most part left Detroit..
Mitch ALbom's article was very moving and he is right that the media ALWAYS picks on Detroit. However so does the Detroit Media... when all they report are the murders etc. However maybe there is nothing else to report?
I remember 1997 when it was all the HOCKEY TOWN stuff.. Imean that seems like it was mostly people from the BURBS you know?
Prof,
If the Greektown Casino went bust, then Greektown is offically dead.
It was a fun place to go and eat when I was growing up. Flaming cheese and flaming sausage. When I was there in September, everything was closed except the casino and Fishbones. All the old Greek restaurants -- gone.
Granted it was the same day they threw Kwame in jail. I bet you wi ll all beleive that his mother was re-elected to Congress in November. The cycle just doesn't end.
Tyd ~
I remember my parents talking about Little Harry's and Joe Muir's.
I was just thinking. Aside from family still living in the Detroit metro area, the only 'friends' I have there are tied to the auto industry. Everyone else left.
The question is, if we all left what would it take to bring us back (besides warmer temps, less snow and aging parents)?
If the Greektown Casino went bust, then Greektown is offically dead.
It was a fun place to go and eat when I was growing up. Flaming cheese and flaming sausage. When I was there in September, everything was closed except the casino and Fishbones. All the old Greek restaurants -- gone.
Granted it was the same day they threw Kwame in jail. I bet you wi ll all beleive that his mother was re-elected to Congress in November. The cycle just doesn't end.
Tyd ~
I remember my parents talking about Little Harry's and Joe Muir's.
I was just thinking. Aside from family still living in the Detroit metro area, the only 'friends' I have there are tied to the auto industry. Everyone else left.
The question is, if we all left what would it take to bring us back (besides warmer temps, less snow and aging parents)?
Christine--
Apparently the casino is operating while in bankruptcy. Still, how do you go bankrupt as a casino?
That's sad about the Greek restaurants... it was the one lively street in the 1980's. I guess the casino killed them off, as many predicted.
Apparently the casino is operating while in bankruptcy. Still, how do you go bankrupt as a casino?
That's sad about the Greek restaurants... it was the one lively street in the 1980's. I guess the casino killed them off, as many predicted.
I HAD NO IDEA that ALLL of the GREEK TOWN restaurants were gone!!!????!! that is TERRIBLE!! Even like Pizza Pappolous or whatever? and all of them NO I mean really?? ALLLL of them??? There is not even anymore that thing that Drunk Night at The Shelter? St Andrews too???
THAT SUCKS!!!!!!!!
It makes me really really sad that when I finally do get back there there will not be much left even!!!
THAT SUCKS!!!!!!!!
It makes me really really sad that when I finally do get back there there will not be much left even!!!
Oz, I'm due to go to Detroit in April/May, and given that the MOT cancelled the production that was to have been right before mine, I'm more than a little nervous.
I've never been there, apart from changing planes at the airport a few times. I'll let you know how it goes.
I've never been there, apart from changing planes at the airport a few times. I'll let you know how it goes.
I miss driving past the Brown Bomber's fist.
I was in Dallas yesterday and didn't think it looked like a big city compared to Detroit. We were in downtown Dallas. I was smoking outside and it struck me that this is the first downtown outside of Detroit I've really ever been to as more than a tourist and that this one doesn't look like somewhere I can't walk alone at night. It was pretty sad. I still think Detroit is a better big city than Dallas, I think we have more skyscrapers and we have the Ren Cen.
I was in Dallas yesterday and didn't think it looked like a big city compared to Detroit. We were in downtown Dallas. I was smoking outside and it struck me that this is the first downtown outside of Detroit I've really ever been to as more than a tourist and that this one doesn't look like somewhere I can't walk alone at night. It was pretty sad. I still think Detroit is a better big city than Dallas, I think we have more skyscrapers and we have the Ren Cen.
Tyd -
No Hellas or greek bakeries - nada.
If you want some food you have to go over a few streets to the Old Shaleleh(sp) or to the Baltimore (Ted's in our family) where you can get a decent cheese burger and a shot for lunch.
No Hellas or greek bakeries - nada.
If you want some food you have to go over a few streets to the Old Shaleleh(sp) or to the Baltimore (Ted's in our family) where you can get a decent cheese burger and a shot for lunch.
TT,
The good news is that baseball season will have started when you're there.. Too bad you missed Tiger Stadium! I went there with the Prof. in its final year. What an amazing place to see a ballgame!
The good news is that baseball season will have started when you're there.. Too bad you missed Tiger Stadium! I went there with the Prof. in its final year. What an amazing place to see a ballgame!
# posted by : 10:23 AM
: 10:23 AM
I heard they tore down Tiger Stadium!!!!! What was wrong with it????
I leave and all hell breaks loose...
I leave and all hell breaks loose...
I've been going back to rockin Grosse Pointe for years now to see my mum. Last summer they sold a house in the city for $1.00. I try to describe where I'm from to people where I am now (London UK) and it feels like describing another planet. Oh dear.
# posted by : 8:56 PM
: 8:56 PM
Tyd
I spent many beautiful afternoons and evenings at Tiger Stadium. After they repaired it in the early 70's it was apparent the next step would be replacement. It was in BAD shape and didn't offer the amenities that today's fans want. My brother sent me a collage of the old stadium with shots he took during demolition. I think it is only half demolished - typical for Detroit.
The new ball park is GREAT. I have new memories from the new park including game 1 & 2 of the World Series and the first year flying ant game.
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I spent many beautiful afternoons and evenings at Tiger Stadium. After they repaired it in the early 70's it was apparent the next step would be replacement. It was in BAD shape and didn't offer the amenities that today's fans want. My brother sent me a collage of the old stadium with shots he took during demolition. I think it is only half demolished - typical for Detroit.
The new ball park is GREAT. I have new memories from the new park including game 1 & 2 of the World Series and the first year flying ant game.
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