MoJo: How to Bring Detroit Back From the Grave

[Jimaz]

How to Bring Detroit Back From the Grave

"Warning! This city is infested by crackheads. Secure your belongings and pray for your life." So reads a hand-scrawled sign just off I-75 in Detroit, where a post-apocalyptic cityscape of looted and charred homes has come to represent a sort of sarcophagus of the American Dream.

But beyond simply fueling murders and bribery scandals, decades of hard times have finally birthed new signs of life here in the Motor City, as its gritty neighborhoods attract a burgeoning community of artists, hipsters, and socially minded entrepreneurs. "With a little bit of motivation, you can make anything happen here," says Jason Williams, a.k.a. Revok, a renowned Los Angeles graffiti artist turned Detroiter, whose lively murals adorn walls not far from the crackhead sign. "It's all about the reality that you create for yourself."

For those willing to brave the nation's most dangerous major city, Detroit offers a tight-knit and successful creative community. The birthplace of Motown and techno still manages to turn out chart-busting artists like Eminem and Jack White. And growing numbers of bohemians have found that a few thousand dollars will buy them a classic brick townhouse or a loft in an art-deco skyscraper. Where old buildings have fallen, hundreds of urban gardens sprout....

[iheartthed]

So, we're like 4 or 5 years into the Detroit-fetish age of America and these types of articles still can't find anybody to focus on other than Phil Cooley and Dan Gilbert?

[Pam]

I was expecting a different Mojo.

[j to the jeremy]

I was expecting a different Mojo.

agreed......

[DetroitPlanner]

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot. Don't let go!" The MFA!

[mikeg19]

So, we're like 4 or 5 years into the Detroit-fetish age of America and these types of articles still can't find anybody to focus on other than Phil Cooley and Dan Gilbert?

I hear it's tough to get an interview with Matty Moroun

[rex]

lol... how do you bring detroit back from the grave?accept advice from a graffiti vandal

[Wheels]

Calling graffiti art just breads more art crimes!

[GoGrixdale]

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot. Don't let go!" The MFA!

+1 we need The Electrifying Mojo

[daddeeo]

We need less ignorant people.

[GoGrixdale]

We need less ignorant people.

?

Less ignorant than The Electrifying Mojo? Don't know that Mojo caused any harm. Made a lot of folks happy.

Less in the world?

[Kevgoblue]

All things being equal, if Detroit is brought back from the grave the game of musical chairs will continue. Hoards of newly enlightened, affluent, educated people will merely displace the current poor uneducated people.

Shortly thereafter they will moan over the loss of Warren [[or replace with any inner ring sub of your choosing). We will hear story after story of what a beautiful suburban tree lined community it used to be. About how the kids could play outside without their mothers fearing for their safety.

Significant changes to the regional educational system and empoloyment opportunities are needed to see any meaningful improvement.