cityblues's Blog

I want to begin this post by declaring my love for the City of Detroit! Much like a parent, dealing with a troubled child..it is time for Detroit to get a dose of Tough Love!! The people who remain in Detroit will tell you in a minute that they love Detroit unconditionally! I love Detroit too, but I'm afraid to say that my love does have "conditions".  

Condition 1: Safety  

We all hear the numbers...Those ever-climbing crime rates that Detroiters suffer through. The numbers that have crowned us 'Murder city" time and time again throughout the years! As much as I want to jump on the bandwagon of those who say that the perception of Crime in Detroit is exaggerated by the media...I just can't. Only those who have thus far escaped the grips of Detroit crime can exclaim that the perception is just that and not a reality! If you or a loved one have ever come face to face with a violent crime, you know it changes your life forever. My cousin, Charles Phipps, was a Detroit police officer who was shot and killed while off duty by a band of criminals, because he was in the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time! He died the day after his wife gave birth to their son. I love Detroit, but safety is a condition of my love. When your children can't play outside for fear of gunshots or it takes hours for the police to respond to a crime...I love Detroit, but Detroit needs to love me back by keeping me and my family safe!    

 

Condition 2: Education  

There is a growing problem in suburban schools....infiltrators! Children whose parents have enrolled them in "better" schools despite not living within the "legal" boundaries of that school district. Most of these children live in Detroit and their parents have found that they are not being properly educated in Detroit public schools, or the presence of violence has made the school no longer safe for their children to attend. Detroit children are dropping out of school at record rates and that just spirals into adults who have no opportunities, thus becoming a drain on society. Detroit schools have been floundering for decades! If my child can't be educated simply because I choose to live in Detroit..then it's not worth it. I love Detroit, but Detroit needs to love me back and implement changes that assure our children receive a quality education.

 

 

Condition 3: Diversity  

 Yes! I said it!! That big 8 mile border and the mentality that it stands for has done more harm than good for the residents of Detroit! Detroiters are separated from the rest of Michigan and somehow that needs to be addressed! To me, there is nothing more beautiful than diversity. For me..a diverse neighborhood is one that welcomes all colors from all walks of life, respectable people, living together. Believe it or not...there are places like this in existence  ...in America! Diversity is a hard sell when the very people that you need to come live in the city to make it diverse....are too scared to put down roots there because of the crime and lack of quality education...see how one thing effects the other? and round and round we go.....    

  

Perhaps my "conditions" are a tall order for Detroit, but I say that the "If you build it they will come' prescription that so many think will heal Detroit isn't enough. We can build up Downtown, we can move new innovative businesses into Detroit's core...but if the surrounding neighborhoods are allowed to continually decline, it will do nothing for the quality of life for the RESIDENTS of Detroit. I am all for making Detroit a pleasurable experience for visitors, I understand that in politics..perception IS reality! There are many Detroit gems that we can tout, we have all heard of them..from Motown, to The big 3, to the Fox theatre and so on...However, these gems have been muddied by the on-going mayoral scandal as well as our ineffectiveness to deal with Major issues in the city. I know there are many who say that they will "never' leave Detroit.

There are many who will admonish me for suggesting that we "run" instead of staying and fighting. To those who say "Roll up your sleeves and fight for the city that you proclaim to love"...I say this: I have yet to find sufficient reason to risk my life and the lives and education of the children I love for the sake of Detroit! (Now them there is fighting words)!  

Ode to Detroit:  

 I love you

you treated me well growing up

  I remember your beauty

until your scars began showing up  

 I love you

I remember your tree lined streets  

 when neighbors were neighborly

 and would actually speak

  I love you

that is no mystery

 your streets hold the memories of my family

throughout history  

 I love you

 Detroit

My shining star  

 I'll always love you

Detroit

but for now

it's from afar