Detroit:Tear Down the Blight

Fox 2 Viewer Commentary - My story is that I'm a white person that can trace part of her roots back to Robert the Bruce of Scotland on her mother's side. When it comes to my father's side the waters get a whole lot murky. I have recently begun to research the past of the side of the family. I know that My grandfather's family came from Germany, and settled right here in Michigan between Detroit and Livonia.

They were farmers and carpenters. My grandfather was a cabinet maker in Detroit during the 1950's and 60's however that is where the trail leaves off as the older members of my family have since passed. I am independently searching online at this point to figure out where in Detroit they settled and what the family tree looks like. I have chosen to work this story, to find out the history of my family of life long Detroit workers.

What was great about Detroit?

Detroit was great because it has such a rich history in South East Michigan. It was in Detroit were true industry was born. We were a city that was founded by the French. However, our history goes back even further among the Native American tribes who settled this region. Detroit was a pivotal battle during the War of 1812. We are also a home of a branch of the Underground Railroad which gave way to freedom for many African American slaves. From Detroit we have the Motown sound, and at one point we were called the Paris of the west for our beautiful architecture. Detroit has faced many challenges in the past and always rose from those ashes. It is what has always made Detroit beautiful.

What is great about Detroit?

Detroit is beautiful because of its ability to bounce back for struggle. All anyone needs to do is to look at the skyline and see that it has the power to be as it once was, a great city, people just need to give it a chance.

What is your idea to make Detroit great?

Last year on a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, my dad took me through the areas that he played in as a child. Many of these areas today are shells of what they once were according to his memories. Today they are burnt out buildings and trash filled streets. But the beauty in the original construction can still be seen. A person just has to look, and the people need to come together and give Detroit a chance. They need to work together and rebuild a city that has been damaged by war among its own residents. The powers that be in Detroit need to stop focusing on downtown and move into the areas that need the help. They need to tear down all the buildings that have been wrought with blight and rebuild. By doing this they could provide jobs to so many people. Let some of these unemployed workers go out into the city and work together to make a better community.

Those powers that be in Detroit have made downtown new again, but they need to stop focusing on it. They need to extend the clean up towards the suburbs. It is the people of Detroit that made Detroit great, and it is the people of Detroit that have to work together to make it great once more regardless of the color of a person’s skin.