Make Detroit More Attractive

Fox 2 Viewer Commentary - What is your story?

My name is Ivan Azaan Tarver. I am 25 year-old Black male from Detroit. Like most families my family came to Detroit seek better opportunities and leave the segregated south. Back during the early 60s Detroit was the place to be. My mom was born and raised in Detroit. During the 1967 riots she said “ I remember tanks rolling down my street”. After the riots Detroit was left in dismay. My family was forced to survive the best way they could. As whites left the city for suburbs the Black folks populated the east and Westside of Detroit.

When I was born in 1985, Detroit mostly Black. The city was very impoverished at the time. The DPS school system was more of babysitter for us young Black kids. We did crossword puzzles and played cards in the back of class . Learning was not primary for me. First I had deal with my issues at home. After leaving home you had deal issues in the neighborhood. After a! ll that came school. Coming up my family never did much shopping or working in the city. We were forced to go to Livionia, Southfield and Farmington to find work and the things we needed. Ever since I can remember Detroit has suffered from poverty, crime and lack of resources.Whenever I left Detroit I was always labeled, as a criminal or this person you should fear just because I was from the “Motor City”.

What was great about Detroit?

The people make Detroit. The honest hard-working people of Detroit. Even though Detroit has faced many hardships the people remain loyal to the city.

What is great about Detroit?

The people make Detroit. The honest hard-working people of Detroit. Even though Detroit has faced many hardships the people remain loyal to the city.

What is your idea to make Detroit great?

We have to make Detroit more attractive. We have to give people a reason to want to stay and come here. Driving through Detroit you get the feeling of Depression. We bring life back to the "Motor City". We need more culture!