Coleman Young 1973 Inaugural Address...

[majohnson]

"I issue a warning to all those pushers, to all rip-off artists, to all muggers: It’s time to leave Detroit; hit Eight Mile Road! And I don’t give a damn if they are black or white, or if they wear Superfly suits or blue uniforms with silver badges. Hit the road."

Above is the quote that matters. Notice he was telling drug pushers and drug offenders to hit 8 mile and established that rule would not be applied selectively based on a person's race.
It is frustrating that I continue to hear people claim Young told white people to hit eight mile.
And yes, it should be 1974.

[lilpup]

"I issue a warning to all those pushers, to all rip-off artists, to all muggers: It’s time to leave Detroit; hit Eight Mile Road! And I don’t give a damn if they are black or white, or if they wear Superfly suits or blue uniforms with silver badges. Hit the road."

Above is the quote that matters. Notice he was telling drug pushers and drug offenders to hit 8 mile and established that rule would not be applied selectively based on a person's race.
It is frustrating that I continue to hear people claim Young told white people to hit eight mile.
And yes, it should be 1974.

It wasn't taken then as you interpret it here - it was taken for what he said - criminals, go hit the suburbs

Now had he said Detroit was going to rid itself of criminals by catching them or probably even if he had been non-specific by saying he was going to drive out crime it wouldn't have created the fuss that it did. BTW this is also what entrenched the Eight Mile symbolism.

[Danny]

"I issue a warning to all those pushers, to all rip-off artists, to all muggers: It’s time to leave Detroit; hit Eight Mile Road! And I don’t give a damn if they are black or white, or if they wear Superfly suits or blue uniforms with silver badges. Hit the road."

The result, crime increased slowly there today! But quicker at the dominating black communities in the Metro-Detroit suburbs! Thanks a heap Coleman Young for that awkward speech!

WORD FROM THE STREET PROPHET!

As more rip-off artists, muggers and guys wearing bloods and crips are about to hit 20 Mile Rd.

Neda, I miss you so.