Disgrace in Detroit

Disgrace in Detroit

"This appears to be a case of circling the wagons: Wright, a black man, is under attack, so the NAACP, an organization that seeks the advancement of black people, is defending him. In doing so, the NAACP is committing an analytical and moral error. Wright is under attack not for the color of his skin, but for the content of his ideas. To defend him is to countenance those ideas. Through its actions, the NAACP is in effect arguing that anti-Americanism is acceptable, so long as its source is black. The association is sanctioning both invidious ideas and an invidious racial double standard."

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Richard Hobbs's picture
Submitted by Richard Hobbs on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:36am.

I was born in Detroit, almost 48 years ago. Lived there for my first 9 years and continued to visit my father there until I was 19.

We moved to the burbs and lived in a time that I can only compare to the T. V. Show, the Wonder Years. Farmington.

My father would take me to work though, and he worked in home remodeling so, we often went into the many inner city homes. Things were stirring even then.

In 1968 though, the proverbial fan was hit and it wasn't pretty at all. Riots, fires, and looting were occurring all over the place.

It became very tense. . . . until the fall, when the Tigers won the World Series. Strange as it seems, but the entire city was in Peace for several months during that time. Maybe it was the cooling weather, but I believe it was baseball fever that took over the rioters and looters.

I returned to Detroit 2 years ago, the first since 79. It looked like an atomic bomb had gone off there. It was horrible. I showed my wife and daughter where we lived in the city, and it was awful now.

I then took them to the burbs, back to the very home that I cherished, and nothing had changed. It was still a wonderful place to live. The yards were well maintained, children playing in the streets. People were friendly and smiled when they saw you on the street.

We walked down the main city street and came to the old Cinema, that had been restored. Light bulbs covered the marquee and bright yellows and reds adorned the entrance. When I walked up to it, I got this feeling. Its what I guess Chris Matthews gets when he's listening to Barack. A chill traveled up my leg into my spine and spread out all over my body. It was like an epiphany was exploding inside me, as I gazed at the cinema. I stood there smelling the popcorn and seeing the many people lined up to watch a second run movie. The heebie jeebies stayed with me as I sat down in my seat, while a man with a banjo played on the stage as a warm up act for the patrons. I was saddened about the years I lost, not living in that community.

I had completely forgotten those feelings, but now it had all come back again. We then drove a short distance to the still standing A&W Root Beer Drive In. Ordered a Root Beer Float and Chili dog while I soaked in the memories of when I was a child, before my parents divorced and moved me to a god forsaken town, called Bristol Virginia, to completely screw up the remaining years I had as a child.

Revisiting Detroit was depressing, totally a mess. But a mere 10 miles northeast, if that far, stood a community that I still loved and which still shined bright in my memories and still shines bright today. (They don't have sweet tea in their restaurants, and their food is a bit "bland" are my only complaints.)

We went back into the city one last time. I wanted to find a Top Hat restaurant and get a cheeseburger, but they were all shut down. I found a White Castle, which was okay, but not near as good as the stainless steel counter tops found at the Top Hat, where pie slices and donuts were properly displayed under glass, in obvious view to all 9 year old boys, having breakfast or lunch with their father.

Maybe Aristotle's vision of Greece's city states was right. 50,000 is the maximum number that he predicted would be the point in which the people would lose touch with their communities and their individuality.

Its sad what has happened to Detroit. Even worse, Detroit will likely vote for Obama 95% to McCain's 5%. Which tells you a little something about his supporters. And if he allows the people that destroyed Detroit to influence his administration, then God help us all.


Submitted by USArmybrat on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 9:12am.

I've just finished reading some of David's Mom's "explanations" of the Black Liberation Theology and some of Hack's and Jeff's discussions about Obama's "we're angry and bitter" speech" and then I saw your comments on this situation in Detroit. It occurred to me that it all sounds so similar, that people with this same mindset are always ready to try to excuse the inexcusable. They have their "liberal blinders" on and will only see what they want to see. It is truly amazing to me to what extent all of them will go to present Obama as pure and unblemished, and never hold him accountable for ANYTHING. Pretty much how the NAALCP does when they constantly excuse any behavior if it is done by one of color.

muddle's picture
Submitted by muddle on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 8:25am.

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 9:34am.

Whatever they are doing to fight crime isn't working and it hasn't worked for a long time. Crime pays, especially if you are being paid to overlook it.

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 7:28am.

You want to talk about just one?

Based on what I have been reading in the Detroit Free Press they have enough disgrace to last them for generations. It is astounding what that community lets their politicians get away with.

BPR's picture
Submitted by BPR on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 10:29am.

_
I was doing some research on Dave Simmons and came across some things that were not good. I told my husband I am so glad that we live here.
If we get like Detroit we are moving.

This makes you think about some things.

______________________________
We Will Stand


Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 04/12/2008 - 7:20am.

It really doesn't have to be this way. Why is it that everytime people decide to vote based on color instead of qualifications and proven work history their community implodes?

According to clayton counties own web site the gang violence over there has increased since they voted for victor-walking-small-loves-crime. Maybe it is conincidence? All of the communties you used as an example voted in their problems. They asked for it and they got it.

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