The Hood is Good.
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My Hometown
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Photo by: Kenneth Gjesdal
Detroit Attractions
The Art
The D e c l i n e
Reconstruction 3
Photo by: Erik Aldrich
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Photo by: Thomas Hawk
My Hometown
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very time I am asked where I am from, I hold out my right hand and point to the bottom of my thumb. I was born in Garden City, Michigan: a small town in the Metro Detroit area. Since then, I moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin for almost two years, only to return to Michigan again. I now live in another suburb that is approximately 45 minutes from Detroit. I have always taken pride in being from Detroit, even though people begin to assume I live close to Eminem. Though his home is within 12 miles of my home, neither of us live the neighborhoods that were portrayed in 8 Mile.
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Before moving to Chicago for school, Detroit was my artistic getaway. The graffiti, sculptures, and galleries were my exposure to creative inspiration. People typically don’t think of Detroit as being beautiful, but only those that have taken the time to explore what the city has to offer can appreciate it. The several attractions and landmarks are symbols that make me proud to have been born in Detroit. Sports, especially baseball, were also a large part of why I enjoyed going to Detroit. Getting pictures and autographs of as many Tigers players as I could was always a treat, as my family began to fill our house with displays of the signed memorabilia. Those guys were the closest people to celebrities that I had been lucky enough to meet in person.
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Illustrations by: Tiffany Vedua
Photo by: Washington Post
I have become so used to the environment of the urban decay, that I do not consider Detroit as scary as people often find it. Though I would not consider myself anywhere near brave enough to linger around the gang-ridden streets, I am perfectly content with spending a day in this city, sight-seeing as I would in any other city. I see Detroit for the diverse community it is. The cultures
of Mexican Town, Greektown, or all of the suburban inhabitants combine to form a wide range of different kinds of people. Many of these people have the perspective I do: we all want to see our hometown pick itself back up again. Nobody wants the city to forever be regarded as having high unemployment, violence, and homelessness rates.
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Detroit may not be the prosperous Motor City that it used to be, but it is currently undergoing the rebuilding process. Henry Ford’s invention of the assembly line was what gave the auto industry its significant growth spurt. This led to Detroit becoming a major leader in manufacturing. Today, many companies have been hit by the decline of the economy and are barely bringing in enough revenue to stay afloat. Violence by juvenile delinquents has lowered the graduation rate and increased the crime rates. Other cities—such as Chicago—have been successful in rebranding themselves; Detroit’s government is, too, currently attempting to take slow steps toward improving the lives of its residents. Construction workers are in the process of restoring and renovating buildings for new businesses, street lights are now finally doing their job of adequately providing light on the streets, and it seems that more people are finding that walking around is not too intimidating. More jobs and homes are also being developed, and people are actually moving to Detroit. Change is taking place—for the better.
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Photo by: Milestoned
No, I do not really live in “the hood�—neither does Marshall Mathers. Yes, Detroit has been notorious for crime and debt, but that does not define the city in my opinion. The mix of art, culture, music, and sports are what does define it. The economy has surely fallen in the past few decades, but improvements are up-and-coming.
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Photo by: Michael N. Patterson
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Detroit Attractions
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xpansive greenery, tropical fish, and a petting zoo are not the first associations most people make when thinking of Detroit, but all are available to the public at the Belle Isle State Park. This park is the largest cityowned island park in America. Some of the features making Detroit a more inviting, family-oriented setting include an aquarium, nature center, some museums, and a shoreline drive. I can still remember
my first time going to the aquarium as a child that the building itself was not very large, but the most captivating exhibit that caught my attention was the tank with someone feeding the electric eel. The small zoo/nature center building has unexpected species of reptiles and birds, but also an interactive pen in which children are able to touch goats and other farm animals. The famous Ice Tree also calls Belle Isle home. This tree remains frozen all day—using an internal fountain and the winter temperatures. This mechanism allows ice to form layers around the tree, creating a unique sculpture every time. Belle Isle is one of the many oases from the busy city life or the destitute suburbs.
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I played softball from ages 11 to 16, and baseball turned out to be the only sport I ever fully understood. The Detroit Tigers became the only Michigan sports team I found myself particularly attached to, so I was fascinated by the team and the MLB atmosphere as a child. In 2009, the preservation of the old Tiger Stadium no longer held up, and it was, therefore, dismantled. Comerica Park became the new field for the Detroit Tigers in 2000. It was named after Comerica Bank, which was founded in Detroit. Not only does the stadium house the baseball diamond itself, but it also contains the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel and the Comerica Carousel—both of which were enjoyed by my brothers and I. My family and I make it an effort to attempt to see at least one Detroit Tigers’ game each season. Since I ended my softball career, I am no longer one to be very informed about sports, but I still always enjoy attending these games. I have run the bases of Comerica Park several times, but touching the sand and rounding the corners still has not gotten old to me.
Photo by: Dennis Cox
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Photo by: Phil Squattrito
Before I was old enough to find things other than Dragon Tales and Sesame Street interesting, my view of Detroit was where we went to watch live performances of my favorite television programs. The Fox Theatre is credited as having the first designs for a speaker system, in an era where films were transitioning from silent to talkies. At the front of the theatre is an iconic marquee that was restored in 1987 from its initial condition in 1950. Unfortunately, during my first visit to Fox Theatre, I paid no attention to the ornate interior or how old the venue was, but to the grown-ups dressed as dragons, birds and Dora the Explorer onstage.
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Photo by: David Yarnall
Even though I have called Detroit my home for the past 19 years, there are still places I have yet to visit, such as the Heidelberg Project. The mission of the Heidelberg Project is to unite people of all races and classes to bring art to the lesser maintained sections of the city. Tyree Guyton, the creator of the project, started it all in a neighborhood on the east side in 1986. The
concept began as a protest against riots and to preserve childhood via the fantasy portrayed from the abandoned homes. Painting old houses at first, he inspired young children to help create an improved image of Detroit neighborhoods. As an art student, I would love to one day be able to walk down this street and see the all the work in this sort of outdoor gallery.
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Illustrations by: Tiffany Vedua
The Art
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rt in Detroit is a visual getaway from all the hardship that the city has endured. From arsons to hate crimes to the economic downturn, my city has been hit hard; however, Michiganders take pride in the efforts that are being taken to restore the beauty that is once was.
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Photo by: Ian Green
When a Detroit resident thinks of art in the city, Marshall Fredericks’s Spirit of Detroit statue typically comes to mind. In 1958, Fredericks unveiled his work to be displayed in front of the City County Building (now the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center). The statue is made of cast-bronze, but has oxidized and formed a patina layer. The man holds a bronze orb with rays—a representation of God—in his left hand, and a family in his right. The wall behind the man reads, “Now the Lord is that Spirit And where the spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty” (II Corinthians 3:17). Growing up, this 26-foot tall piece was known to me as the “guy with the jerseys on him,” because it would be dressed in the uniforms of the Detroit teams during play-offs and championship games. I was not yet old enough to comprehend that this was art to represent and unite those that lived in Southeast Michigan.
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Diego Rivera was a Mexican muralist that depicted the period of intense manufacturing in Detroit— particularly that of Ford Motor Company. His 1932-1933 series of the Detroit Industry is comprised of twenty-seven panels that were done on wet plaster (referred to as fresco), which took him eleven months to complete. The murals were inducted into the Detroit Institute of Arts as a gift from Edsel B. Ford.
Photo by: Gabrielle Pescador
Rivera believes it is his greatest artistic accomplishment, for it is noted as one of the most coveted works of Mexican art in America. His murals are intended to be for the public—he enjoyed when viewers were able to analyze the paintings for the associative themes concealed in the images. The city of Detroit had considered selling these murals in order to repay debt, but they had earned the recognition of being a National Landmark.
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One of my favorite art pieces of all time is Robert Graham’s Monument to Joe Louis, located at Detroit’s Hart Plaza. The sculpture itself is simply a large arm suspended by beams in the shape of a pyramid, with the hand in a fist. In dedication to the racial struggles that the boxer, Joe Louis, and other AfricanAmericans faced, the fist represents the power of overcoming such injustice. This is another Detroit Landmark that I had not initially known the meaning of when I was growing up. Street art and graffiti are not surprisingly another way for the artists in Detroit to express their creativity. While much of the spraypainting may appear very appealing, some have chosen to take to my favorite Detroit sculptures to display their opinions. Vandalism is an issue that comes with almost any urban environment, so the artists seem to have brushed off the defacing of their work. Robert Graham is quoted saying that the Monument to Joe Louis is “working” if it was able to stir up conversation and emotion. It is a shame that some people choose to commit crimes such as this, but it comes with the territory when facing a town like Detroit.
Photo by: Mikoyan
Illustration by: Tiffany Vedua
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Another art hub in my hometown is the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). As one of the top six art museums in the United States, it is common for creators to appreciate worldrenowned art and seek inspiration in a place that seems to have it all. The original DIA was founded in 1885, but was relocated to its current address on Woodward Avenue in 1927. Paul Cret was the designer of the new Beaux-Arts-influenced “temple of art.” The ornate columns, corridors, and moldings all over the museum make going there feel like it is no longer Detroit, but somewhere in Paris or Rome. The DIA is home to the first Vincent van Gogh piece to be included in an American Gallery: Self Portrait. A handful of Diego Rivera’s work—which is another collection that the gallery prides itself for possessing—is also displayed. At this time, the DIA is involved in some financial conflicts; as much of the country is. With little attention being paid to the arts, it has become more difficult to preserve and sustain the works of Monet, Matisse, and Picasso. In order to prevent the need to sell the most-coveted pieces of the museum’s collection, a Committee to Defend the DIA is initiating a campaign to obtain the resources to maintain it.
Photo by: Bill Pugliano
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The two sculptures and my visits to the DIA have definitely contributed to my aspirations of becoming an art student. Not only that, but the artistic gems of Detroit inspired me to seek out my dream in a big city. Though I am attending school in Chicago, I will never love my hometown any less.
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Photo by: Ian Freimuth
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The D e c l i n e
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rowing up, I was taught to never be in Detroit alone, to be extra cautious, and even more aware of my surroundings. The beaten-down, dilapidated appearance of some parts of the city were enough to make me listen. Detroit’s notorious reputation stems from its dramatic economic fall and rise of violent crime. “Enter at your own risk” is a warning that police have been known to mention to those arriving downtown. In October of 2013, Forbes named it the “Most Dangerous City” for the fifth consecutive year. 2013 was also the year that Detroit filed America’s largest municipal bankruptcy case to date. The declines of businesses, population, and safety have combined to make Detroit scare people away.
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Photo by: Teresa Welsh
Poverty has struck Detroit residents immensely. In 2013, 58.6% of the children in Detroit were below the poverty level. Overall, 36.4% of the residents live below the poverty level. There are over 75,000 abandoned homes, while there are over 20,000 homeless individuals. Several other cities have made efforts to aid in homelessness, but Detroit had faced other internal conflicts—thus, drawing attention away from the issue. It is surprising that this has resulted from a city that once had the highest per-capita income in 1960. After the scandals and incarcerations of former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, finding a mayor that can single-handedly bring Detroit back up again would be impossible. There always seem to be new candidates claiming they are aware of all the city’s issues that need to be addressed, but then it all ends up being too much to handle.
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The primary focus of the police forces are youth and gang violence. The prison, neighborhood, outlaw motorcycle, and street gangs add to the decrepit image of Detroit’s infamy. From the cocaine operations of the Black Mafia Family to the bootleg trading by the Young Boys Incorporated, organized crime seems to always be ubiquitous. Most of these gangs are neighborhoodbased, and are involved in a drug trade referred to as “Dirty Sprite.” The notorious 8 Mile was made famous by Eminem in his feature film, but this street really was the location of the numerous chaotic arsons. Rioters like to celebrate “Devils Night”—the evening of mass vandalism on the day before Halloween. With this environment of gangs in underdeveloped neighborhoods, children are choosing to not get educated in school, but on the streets. Because of the lack of children attending school, unemployment arises.
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Photo by: Brad Devereaux
Photo by: Groundspeak
Urban unemployment is at its highest in Detroit. Today, the boom of the automobile industry is not very apparent. International competition has caused a decline in production. Back when the city’s economy was booming, the managers, businessowners, and other white collar workers had begun to move away from the urban environment and into the suburbs. When African-Americans ever tried to move into the suburbs, realtors refused, for image was everything. Segregation in neighborhoods was still common, so only middle to upper class white families had access to such residences. With this clustering method of separation, African-Americans took to Detroit; they were considered cheap labor at the time, so it was more convenient to have them live near the up-and-coming factories. As a result, the image of diversity and working together to form a stable economy had ruptured.
Most people associate Detroit as being the decayed wasteland that Eminem grew up in, and are scared to ever go there. Though there are definitely certain areas that do live up to the stereotype, the city’s struggles originate from the fall of the economy. The city of Detroit is proud of its roots in the auto industry, but that is barely evident anymore. The thriving manufacturing is not what it used to be—the debt is insurmountable. Thousands of homes are abandoned, but there are also thousands of families that do not have a place to call their home. Territorial boundaries have been made by gangs or other criminals. Children are often influenced by the destruction, and may not see to their graduation. This then leads to the already high percentage of unemployment. Detroit had had its peak once before, but a rough series of events followed, leaving it to depend on tax revenues from casinos.
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Photo by: Memories by Mike
Reconstruction
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etroit is a prime example of a once flourishing metropolis that had hit its rock bottom; however, the city is not allowing itself to remain at that level. Michigan residents—even those not from Detroit—want to see a positive change. Numerous philanthropic clubs are offering as much a lending hand as possible by trying to spread the optimism for restoration. Elected officials are paying close attention to the details of what needs to be accomplished in the rebranding process. Efforts by successful corporations are being made to inject some funds into the redevelopment of commerce and renovate the dilapidated portions. There is still hope for the Motor City to regain its glory.
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Photo by: Daniel Lobo
The land and buildings are undergoing reconstruction to liven the enthusiasm for downtown workers. Campus Martius is a depiction of the changing atmosphere. What used to simply be a park for gathering—until its fire in 1805—is now also a venue for live shows, a beach in the summer, and an ice rink in the winter. In recent years, my family and I have enjoyed spending evenings at Campus Martius eating in the unique restaurants. The transformation that this plaza has undergone foreshadows a brighter future for the rest of the city.
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Several nonprofit organizations have continued to influence improvements as well. For instance, Motor City Blight Busters demolishes ramshackle remains of abandoned buildings and updates the architecture to be more sturdy and secure. Groups such as this are partially to thank for the cleaning up of the debris from arson and other forms of vandalism. Bill Clinton has presented the “Points of Light” award to this charity, for demonstration of outstanding volunteer work. In addition to the achievements of the Blight Busters, the Young Detroit Builders have trained young adults in residential construction. While rebuilding homes, the members are building their character with leadership and counseling services. Not only do the neighborhoods start to look better, but performances in school— and eventually, the workplace—will show signs
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Photo by: Corine Vermeulen
of improvement. The student members are often arranged to have stable careers after finishing their time with the program. Michigan governor, Rick Snyder, has appointed individuals to serve as managers in bettering the conditions of cities in the Lower Peninsula. He placed Kevyn Orr, an emergency manager, in charge of financial advising. In an attempt to aid immigrants and also instill a spark into businesses, he declared the granting of visas to thousands, with the stipulation being that he or she must have earned an advanced degree. He claims that with the addition of jobs, more will be able to sustain taxes, and will thus, relieve a portion of the city’s debt. The government is taking matters seriously, as far as indicating that bringing Detroit back is a must.
Photo by: Albert Duce
Unemployment is slowly decreasing with the reintroduction of workplace opportunities. In the past four years, the number of Detroit workers has increased approximately 9%. Business owners are grasping the opportunities to move forward by providing a new beginning for workers. An example of an entrepreneur making the best out of a bad situation is Quicken Loans owner, Dan Gilbert, who has invested $1.3 billion toward saving businesses in Detroit. Not only will his efforts to save the economy better the city itself, but also his company.
The sum of all that needs to be tended to in Detroit is overwhelming, but so is the combination of efforts to fix it. Members of the Motor City Blight Busters and the Young Detroit Builders have produced high quality results of reparation and bettering education. Because the students are learning necessary career-building skills at a young age, this will allow them to enter the workforce prepared to conduct business. These successful employees will contribute to the success of the rising economy. Economic expansion and residential refurbishment are the keys to the ultimate reinstatement of Detroit.
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