Detroit

In the eight years we have lived in Michigan I never went Detroit until Laney's citizenship appointment. Jesse commented while we were there, how it felt like time had stopped there in the 1970's. You do strongly get that sense as you drive around. With the exception of few of the high rise buildings from the auto industry and others, the architecture looks like it hasn't progressed since the 70's. Many of the old buildings are are now dilapidated, vandalized, and vacant, but you still get such a feeling of how nice Detroit was in it's heyday. A lot of the buildings have quite lovely architectural detailing.

It was something else spending time in Detroit. A way of life I am just not accustomed to. It made me feel like I've always taken for granted the way things are in the many places I've lived. We had made an appointment to have Laney's hair braided for her citizen ship appointment. In the hair salon we were in lock down for 3 hours while her hair was braided. Why? Because that's how they operate there. Their means of safety from robbery at gun point. I can't even imagine living like that day in and day out. Whenever we drove the streets, drivers made their own rules and no one flinched, no one yelled out their car window, or shot the offending car the bird. It was like no rule was rule and you didn't mess with the anarchy of it all. I couldn't help, but reflect how good one real strong industry can bless and prosper peoples lives, and shatter them too, when that industry sends those jobs away for lower wages and bigger profits for the few. And, yeah I know it's not all the auto industry. I know that Detroit was devastated more than once due to rioting, and it's never recovered. I don't relish seeing the poverty and pain of it all. I just wish we here in Michigan would learn the importance of employment diversity, for now and for the future, and get over the 100 unhealthy years of dependancy on the auto industry. I think we are finally starting to get it with some of the farming industries, wineries, tourism, and renewable energy industries. I hope so anyhow. The visit to Detroit makes me curious about the long term effect the auto industry has had on saginaw and Flint. Another road trip for another day...