Detroit, Michigan - the place I call home. You've probably heard about it on the news, and no, it's not the state capital. At one point in history, it was considered the poster child for cities across the United States. Detroit was the place where Henry Ford changed history, and Motown emerged. It's where the Tigers almost won the World Series, and the Lions never won anything.
After the race riots and "white flight," Detroit took a detour down the road of infamy. When you hear about Detroit, your mind probably fills with images illustrating a reputation that has been well painted for you; a reputation hard to forget and easy to believe. Detroit is known as the city that declared bankruptcy; it's where abandoned houses have been left to decay, real estate is unattended, street lights don't turn on, and the water system has been forgotten. It's become notorious for racial tension and violence. Many people think Detroit is only a place where shootings occur daily, racism is commonplace, selling drugs is the typical occupation, women are mistreated, poverty is rampant, and danger is imminent.
Detroit is
so much more than that. I hope I can play a part in changing that reputation.
Detroit is a place that has stood as a forerunner in U.S. history. There is an array of exquisite architecture that remains as monuments to the city's story. It's the birthplace of Motown and other music legends. On the weekends, you can choose to visit the Fox Theater or the Detroit History Museum. People gather at local jazz clubs like Cliff Bell's or Bakers Keyboard Lounge. There is the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which has been long ranked one of the top 10 symphonies, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, which holds an art collection ranking among the top six in the United States. If the arts aren't your thing, take a visit to the Detroit Zoo, grab a hot dog at a Tiger's baseball game, or go cheer on the Red Wings. Try some shopping at the Eastern Market on a Saturday morning. In the summer, you can go swimming at Belle Isle, take a stroll along the River Walk, and have dinner on the Detroit Princess Riverboat. The list goes on and on. Detroit may have it's problems, as every city does, but I think the media has long shadowed its beauty.
Let me tell you what I see in Detroit - the things that make it
truly beautiful.
The beauty of this city comes from the faces I see every day. Any city can have special events or amazing buildings, but it's the people that make a city and a culture. The people in Detroit are some of the most loyal and tenacious I've met. It doesn't matter what comes against them, be it race riots or bankruptcy, residents of Detroit are dedicated to this city. These people know how to live through adversity. As the sign I pass every day says, "Nothing stops Detroit." Detroiters are resolute; their strength is rare. Many residents who consider themselves to be Detroit "lifers" have lived through some of the city's worst days, and don't plan on leaving. The people of Detroit are proud to call this their home, and that's a characteristic I admire. Their pride is both contagious and inspiring. You can't live here long and not develop an overwhelming sense of honor to call this your home.
One of the things I love most is the community Detroiters have built. I think many people would be amazed at the camaraderie in Detroit neighborhoods. People stick up for each other. Neighbors actually
know all of their neighbors. Sometimes I lose track of who lives in what house because neighbors are so invested in each others' lives. Everyone knows the mail man and the man who regularly walks his dog on a first name basis. On that point, everyone knows the name of everyone's dog. Block clubs meet regularly, and neighbors gather their resources together to better their community. One neighbor will be seen shoveling driveways and another will be mowing yards. Summertime is filled with people chatting on the porch, back yard barbecue's, and children running out to the ice cream truck. The smiles and laughter of the children are infectious. I don't know how your heart can't melt around them. Detroiters are people who know how to
see beauty in brokenness and know how to
make beauty from brokenness. They don't run from their past, but they take pride in how far they have come. I want to be more like that. I want to be a part of that kind of community.
A lot of people may think I'm crazy for living in Detroit, but spend some time here, and those people may change their minds. This is where my heart is. This is my home. And this is where I'll stay.
