72% of the population of the United States is white yet we have a Black President.
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Point MidTownMs!
I would vote for Mr. Gilbert! Detroit has been in the hands of some fools for the past 30 years and have driven many good investors away in the name of black enpowerment. That's not the way to build up a city. If Detroit is ever going to be a strong city to compete with other major cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, etc, this ENTIRE metropolitan area has to come together and help build up this city. This is everyone's city. It has nothing to do with your race! We need EVERYONE to work together to make a bigger and better Detroit!
Very well said. My observations would lead many people to believe that it's more so the "He/She doesn't understand us because they haven't lived here" as opposed to the black/white situation. And we all know that although it shouldn't matter, race does matter. Well most prominent people who would run for mayor of Detroit don't live in Detroit. Which tends to make Detroit residents [[and I don't mean all of them or most of them) suspicious right off the bat. Plus the horrific voter turnout for an election would also lead most people that most of the city doesn't care who's running the city. It's kind of a weird problem when you think about it.
To prove a point, who do you think would win a hypothetical election? Dan Gilbert, presently, as the city do gooder? Or Kwame Kilpatrick, the "Hip Hop Mayor" circa his first election? My bets Kwame because he "identifies with the people and knows what it takes because he's been there."
Talk about racial preferences in voting is moronic and we should stop. First, I do believe most Detroiters [[and most people anywhere) vote for the person they think will do the best job. They may not always be correct, but that is their intent. Second, since no one's real intent can be ascertained other than by confession, you never can be sure why any election goes the way it does. But a larger point is that no one needs to identify the motivation for their vote. Being an American is full justification for you to vote [[or not vote) as you like. Your vote is free to be cast by you for any motivation. A vote based on sound judgment or based on partisan loyalty or racial pride/hatred are all equally valid. Your vote is yours to spend as you like. I'd be happy to vote black or white. I will vote for my dog if he can make it easier to license a private business and promised to abolish the city income tax.
... does mr. gilbert currently live in detroit?
...what would his policies be on addressing public safety, neighborhood redevelopment, blight removal, mass transit..
http://bedrockmgt.com/properties.html
Bedrock has updated it's website with info on 1520 and 1528 Woodward. Looks like they want a repeat of the Madison Building idea with street level retail and business incubation on upper floors.
I am convinced that Detroit will not come back unless there is gentrification done on a mass scale. Part of that movement will probably include a white mayor. If the person is someone who cares about the city and can make things happen I wouldn't have a problem with it. Mr. Gilbert probably will need more vetting but he would most likely be as good if not better than the slim pool of black candidates that might want the job.
Thats my whole point about making this thread. Their need to be a major changes, politically, physically, economically, etc. Keep electing the same type of official is not working. Dan Gilbert can be the first in America to bring a major city back to its feet, without being a "typical politcian", but a business man who "Leads" Detroit in the right direction as he does so well with all of his businesses. Very possible