If you are like everyone else who has never been to Detroit (or maybe just hasn't been below 8 Mile lately), you probably know it by its music, cars, and destitution. Mostly the latter anymore. So, when I tell people I'm moving to Detroit, I find myself always having to follow it up with an elaborate explanation as to why. (The subtext being "Why would a well-traveled, highly educated, middle aged, white women want to give up her life in a low crime, low pollution, 25 sq mile piece of manicured paradise that she shares with a couple hundred thousand other well-traveled, highly educated, white people to move to a place like, uh, Detroit?" Or maybe when I put it like that, I needn't say more.)
Well, to save me the trouble of repeating myself and you the disservice of losing the essence in a sound bite, below is montage and a few hours worth of reasons why I cannot wait to call Detroit home. (If you don't have time for them all, then at least watch the first video, "Redefining Dreamland".)
I love Detroit for ...
Its pride and its honesty about itself ...
"Redefining Dreamland" A 2011 Detroit Documentary (TRT: 1 hour 14 minutes) from Orange Creative on Vimeo.
Its history ...
Martin Luther King, Jr. debuts his "I Have a Dream"
speech at Cobo Arena, June 23, 1963.
Its even older history ...
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| "Detroit Dive Team Finds 18th Century Cannon in Detroit River" from CBS News, September 10, 2011 |
Its welcoming attitude ...
MotorCity Pride from 4exit4 on Vimeo.
"Detroit is a city that truly appreciates your contributions and having you here". For members of Detroit's GLBTQ community, that appreciation is manifest. Whether through activism, business ownership, historic preservation, or as cultural curators, the gay community is changing the landscape of the city.
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| Thanks to Declare Detroit. |
Its optimism ...
"Lemonade: Detroit" - 17-minute short. from Erik Proulx on Vimeo.
Its talent ...
Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences choir students perform their version of
"Empire State of Mind." As part of a class assignment, students rewrote the lyrics to
show pride in academic achievement and their hometown of Detroit.
"Empire State of Mind." As part of a class assignment, students rewrote the lyrics to
show pride in academic achievement and their hometown of Detroit.
Its exuberance ...
La Fanfare de Détroit (VF) - 5 minutes from Detroit je t'aime on Vimeo.
The Detroit Party Marching Band, a massive collective of amateur
musicians, make spontaneous merriment on the streets, on public
transport, and any other space they can squeeze themselves into.
Its sense of humor and ability to make its own fun ...
People Mover from 4exit4 on Vimeo.
Detroit's iconic above-ground, downtown loop is good for more
than just getting from here to ... here.
Did I mention its talent ...?
than just getting from here to ... here.
Did I mention its talent ...?
It you haven't seen the Superbowl 2010 Eminem commercial
for Chrysler, then crawl out from under your rock and prepare
to have your hair blown back by the power of his "back up" choir
and the inspiring scenes of local people doing their thing.
for Chrysler, then crawl out from under your rock and prepare
to have your hair blown back by the power of his "back up" choir
and the inspiring scenes of local people doing their thing.
Its ability to find treasure in what other people call trash ...
Some equate Detroit with the death of the American Dream. But,
today, the young people of the Motor City are making it their own
DIY paradise where rules are second to passion and creativity.
today, the young people of the Motor City are making it their own
DIY paradise where rules are second to passion and creativity.
And its beauty, even in its destitute places, ...
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| For more photos of Detroit, please go to Abduzeedo |
Say what you will (and there is a lot to say on both sides), I cannot wait to be a part of this place.
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