Detroit has been bleeding for years and nobody seemed to care but now that the wound is completely open and oozing there appears to be even less protection for Detroit from the doom of bankruptcy. Is it doom or is it part of the long-term plan for revitalization of the city? From my viewpoint, much like the carpetbaggers in the south, the entrepreneurs of today are swooping in to pick on Detroit’s carcass and digest the last remaining morsels of a once vibrant city for the sole purpose of making a buck. There is money to “be made” in Detroit and politicians seem eager to get in on the action. Everyone knows it except for the downtrodden, jobless, and those just getting by. Detroit, which was the motor city, the home of Motown, and the birthplace of so many creative people is now the dead carcass left for the pickings of the rich entrepreneurs with connections. I have no doubt that Detroit is going to raise again much like a Phoenix. However, many people are going to lose a lot in this transition period.
It is difficult for me to understand why the federal government hasn’t taken much interest in the cause of saving Detroit. I see what has happened in Detroit as being no different from a natural disaster much like Katrina, Sandy Hook, or the countless hurricanes in Florida. The federal government recognizes the need to swoop in and revitalize places hit by “natural disasters”. However, Michigan hit by its own form of a natural disaster, albeit economic, simply is ignored and left to its own devices. I am sure some people will remind me to remember the auto bailout. However, that was for a company, not for the people of Michigan. Yes, many benefited because they didn’t lose their job, but nothing has been done about the losses in Detroit. I still cannot believe that Detroit’s population has dwindled to just over 700,000. It is just amazing to think of all of those people leaving. Much of the disaster that is now named Detroit was caused by unfair trade practices and the push for globalization. Our government pushed for these policies, which have hurt so many in our country and have continued to cause depletion in manufacturing industries across the country. There are probably many other cities, like Detroit, that are much in the same boat.
While watching the news I learned that we are continuing our financial aid to Egypt. This caused me to look up how much we spend on aid to other countries and I discovered that it is around $50 billion a year. We invest in these countries seemingly to promote our own agenda. However, why are we ignoring the continued plight in our own country? Everyone I talk to wants the roads fixed, bridges repaired, school buildings made safe, and many other things completed. Nothing ever is done. All we hear about is privatization. The drumbeat is, “Government can’t do anything right and private corporations do it right.” Is this what is happening in Detroit? Are we selling off Detroit to private corporations? Is Bill Gates or someone like him, going to buy the DIA? Every time I drive to Chicago, I cringe at the thought of privatization when I pay those ungodly toll trolls. Recently, I saw the results of privatization in my own classroom at school. I saw a room prepped for the school year that just lacks some basic cleaning. It is a matter of pride. I remember the pride that the local workers took in my room when they had managed to get all the paint splatters out of the sink. I don’t see that in my room any more. Schools in Michigan have been nudged towards privatization of some services and this could eventually lead to teaching as well. I personally don’t see how a “for profit” company is going to make schools better and I am not sure it is the best choice for Detroit. However, I don’t have a real voice in this fight. I am just a voter. I am not a citizen of Detroit and our senators don’t seem particularly moved to do anything about this issue either. All I can do is voice my opinion about the issue. It isn’t hard to see where I am coming from. I am just a online voice for the little people, the voiceless, those that don’t have the money or means to be an entrepreneur and go out and make a profit off from this situation.
I just don’t want the Detroit Institute of Art to be sold off in a fire sale to the top bidder. I don’t want people to lose their pensions for pennies on the dollar. I think we are better than that. I think we are a nation that when push comes to shove we stand up for each other. We take care of our own. It’s time we started doing this again. We have to stop looking at our neighbors and worrying about the “SNAP”, they may be on, and start thinking what we can do to help each other. How can I make my students lives better when they are having a hard time? Detroit is no different. How can we help this situation as a nation? We step up when other states face national disasters why can’t we do this for Detroit?
Detroit holds potential to be a great destination city as it is unique in its placement on the water and is a heartbeat from Canada. It has treasures like the DIA, Belle Isle, and of course other nearby attractions like the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. It is obvious that the entrepreneurs are aware of all of this. We cannot let all of this become some kind of playground for the rich and powerful. Detroit has to be kept open to the public. It cannot and should not become a place where only the connected are wanted. Stephen Colbert and many others have made jokes about the city. Detroit has become a laughing stock but seriously can’t we do more? When Stephen spoke to the Detroit Free Press editor, Stephen Henderson, it is interesting to note that Henderson said his wife is the marketing director at the DIA. Let’s hope that doesn’t mean she is ready to market the art. I will never forget the Diego Rivera mural, which to me represents Detroit in the best way. It doesn’t belong anywhere but in Detroit. Detroit is bleeding. Where are the Red Cross and FEMA when we need them?