During my last trip to Michigan, I went to Detroit to see a concert at the Fox Theater. The Fox is an old, beautifully restored theater in a very happening part of the city. Not even a block away, you can find Ford Field (home of the Lions), Comerica Park (Tigers), and a few trendy bars and restaurants. Without a football or baseball game, there was less chaos than there could have been, but a nearly sold out show still meant plenty of people out and about. It was great to see.
I’m not from Detroit, but I grew up close enough that it was very accessible. I can remember going to Hart Plaza to watch the Freedom Festival fireworks and going to Joe Louis Arena for hockey games and concerts. Back then, “The Joe” was a common place to see a big act. I remember the Auto Show at Cobo Hall and Greek Town. I remember the old Tiger Stadium. I might have forgotten more than I can remember.
I can’t help but compare Detroit to Milwaukee. Detroit is full of contradictions—big venues and big events. Great nightlife and major universities. Cool festivals. Detroit is also failing in too many ways to list. High poverty, high crime, and a mostly devestated school system plague the city.
Sound familiar? What will it take to turn these cities around? Education has to be part of the solution, but education alone is not enough. I really believe that young people with vision and resolve will need to step forward and work to rebuild and recreate the promise of a better future.
What will that future hold? It’s hard to say.
