5 BIG ideas for a Better Detroit
Since starting Motor City Connect I’ve been a big proponent of a better Detroit. In fact, that was one of the main reasons this group was created.
We have a lot of challenges in this region.
The US vs. THEM mentality (this applies to skin color as much as it does union/non union, and where you live) is certainly one that sticks out.
There is an entitlement issue that needs to get worked out.
There is a lot of disconnectedness between the communities.
We have leaders who haven’t actually led us in the right direction (this is one area which is improving).
The area is far too spread out. Ever take a drive from Brownstown to Clarkston or from Wixom to Grosse Pointe Shores?
Our anchor, the city of Detroit, suffers from a lot of criminal activity and parts of it look like a warzone. There have also been major improvements on this front.
I could go on and talk about city taxes (both those charged and not collected), lack of mass transit, and a lousy football team (oh, sorry about that. I think they’ll hit 500 this year) but I digress.
This message isn’t about what’s wrong with the D, its about how to make it better!
Step 1: Recognize we are all Detroit.
I don’t care where you live, if your area code is 313, 248, 586, 734 or even parts of 810, you’re part of the D. My man John George of Blightbusters says it best: “when the rest of world looks at the globe, the only thing they see is Detroit”.
Step 2: We’ve got to change our mindset
We have been focused on lack and competition for so long we haven’t embraced or really even noticed the planetary shift in consciousness. We live in a very abundant world. There is enough of whatever we want for all of us. The best part is if we were each to get VERY clear on exactly what we wanted we would realize we don’t all want the same thing.
We are a dynamic, creative and very determined area. We need to embrace these characteristics and use them to our advantage.
Step 3: Let’s all start moving in the same direction.
The outpouring of love and support for Detroit over the past two years has been amazing. So many groups have stepped up to lead the change, its really, really cool. With the exception that they are all doing it their own way…in a vacuum. Real, sustainable change will not occur until the leaders of these groups come together to work together. Egos must be checked at the door and ideas on how to best serve our community must be openly discussed. Then when many of the ideas have been shared we can make a decision on which ones to implement and create a prioritized list.
Imagine how much more effective change will be when we have all people marching in the same direction at the same time.
Step 4: Self love
The rest of the world won’t stop beating us up until we do it ourselves. While there are a lot of people who do love it here, there are still even more who don’t. Its interesting to me how many people haven’t been downtown in 20 years. Or those who go to a game and spend only the time it takes to park and view down there.
There are so many cool things happening: the riverwalk, midtown, the area around Ford Field and Ernie Harwell Park (oh wait, they haven’t smartened up and changed the name yet) heck even the casinos are cool!! Get your butts down there and check it out (as a side note chime in and tell us what your favorites are).
Step 5: Repeat. Always repeat.
We’ve got an unprecedented opportunity to make change. Let’s do this. Let’s do it together. Let’s do it NOW!
A very easy way to connect with leaders in this area right now is join the Connect the D movement. You can join the movement HERE.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I’m interested in your thoughts. Please take a moment and share them!
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Terry, very well stated I must say! You really nailed it on this one, we have to act as if we are one big community..Detroit. When you travel and someone asks where you are from..don't you answer Detroit? Outside of a few other major cities in the US, Detroit is one of the most interesting and exciting places to live and visit. There has been a lot of love given Detroit by movie stars and people who travel here for events like the Super Bowl or Final Four and we need to continue to be proud of where we live. Let's hope the positive vibe continues and we can all be part of it.
Terry,
You hit the mark very well. I am an import - having moved here 30 years ago from the East Coast. This area has issues that I have not seen elsewhere.
I think communication and collaboration are very much lacking in our area. Too much us vs. them. It is not just in the greater Detroit area, where city vs. suburbs and East side vs. West side are ongoing conflicts, but also state wide - between the Western side of our state and the Eastern side. We act as if we are not all in the same game.
In the HRAGD organization, in which I am highly active, there is even oppositon to going downtown for a social venue.- and we are the Human Resource Association of Greater Detroit! When we did finally venture to the Whitney last summer, it was an alltime record turnout!
I commend your efforts and will do all I can to support greater Detroit!
I agree with your comments. We are all part of Detroit whether we live within the City limits or not. There are so many beautiful places in Detroit that most media outlets never seem to focus on.
Detroit Photo Blog
I encourage everyone in the region to get out and see Detroit. The expanded Riverwalk is spectacular. Rent a bike, bring your own or take a stroll and see Milliken State Park and Harbor. Go to a local restaurant for lunch or dinner. Stop in one of the historic churches and see incredible architecture...take in a downtown festival, sporting event, museum, etc.
Wow Terry, thank you for this post; so sincere, so true, so real. I live in the City. I see many good things that happen here and know many wonderful people that reside here. I am a community leader myself and proud of the changes I'm seeing in my neighborhood :)
I agree that it's time to join forces and do what we can to make it a better Detroit. It can be done. A new way of thinking is where it starts. I will be sure to join the Connect the D movement.
Thanks so much Terry!
Great starting point! I'm also encouraged to hear someone other than myself talk about ending the Detroit city tax, which is a barrier to both business and home buyers returning to the city.
couldn't have said this better ....we are all in this together!
Dan Gilbert is in the midst of bringing literally thousands of young, energetic, new workers into the city in a variety of new ventures. He would not do this without a strong belief in Detroit. Last I checked, he's a pretty smart guy!
I would suggest that if you have a chance is to attend the
Undoing Racism training hosted by http://www.pisab.org/. This would give you a true perspective on why we are having problems in Michigan (and the USA in general) and why it will continue until MASSIVE change in the system and mental attitudes are done.
We should be fighting a "war against poverty" not the current trend of fighting a "war against the poor" of America.
It's interesting you brought this up. I was at Ignite Detroit last night and I got into a conversation with two people about this. I think the most important thing we have to do is get the leaders from every community together and get them to admit that there is in fact a problem and it needs to be addressed. Keep the egos, the blame and all other garbage at bay. I think these groups are doing a great job at punching people in the face with info and they need to keep doing it but like you said, at some point in time, they need to come together and work together. Wonderful article!
I think this is very well put. Mindset is everything! I think one concrete idea to benefit the D is to keep the Michigan Film Tax Incetive.
"Be the change you want to see in Detroit" thats what it comes down. Once the mindset on both sides changes and we work as one unit, it will be nothing short of absolute amazing-ness for Detroit...yes amazingness
I agree with everything you said. The first step to turning Detroit into the city we all know it can be is for the region as a whole to finally embrace that cause. Once we can get the masses not just talking good about Detroit but also acting on it we will see real progress!