DIVERSITY and a little history. by dtownkitty
The Detroit area is not just black and white. We have large Hispanic, Indian, and Asian communities. But in this seemingly racially divided city, we manage to get along. We have the largest population of middle eastern people living outside of the Middle-East. We also have a large population of Jewish people. One interesting sight is Altar road in Dearborn. There sit large protestant and orthodox churches next to the costliest mosque in the U.S. For years I attended a mega church in Detroit that was made up of such a diverse bunch that you couldn't tell who was the majority. And this in the city that gives us Eight Mile Rd. This is not to make light of our problems. In a state comprised of roughly 80% white and 20% black the statistics reverse themselves in the city of Detroit. 70% black and 30% white. And it is no secret that the majority of Detroiters are poor. Some may say it began with the race riots and the ensuing "white flight" but that was probably just the start of a greater mistrust between us all. Look into the city's housing situation for black immigrants from the south and the controversial demise of the historic Black Bottom neighborhood.
I wonder how many people know about a wall that was built in Detroit to separate blacks from whites. It's legacy is "8 mile rd". Or how the riots of '67 began. I grew up knowing white kids that never once went into the city and were told one thing about it by adults - "if you go there you'll get shot". And conversely, some black kids that were afraid to drive with a blonde girl in the suburbs.
Ignorance is only bliss for so long. Sooner or later we can no longer exist without one another . We are responsible for each other. And I know that MANY people here have begun to realize that in recent years. We are making progress towards understanding each other and working together to build a great city to live, work and play in! And if character and determination are any indication - it's going to be great!!
