As I mention in my website [[www.detroits-great-rebellion.com), white flight
began after the '43 riot at a trickle pace but kicked in during the '50s &'60s when the interstates came in and provided the vehicle [[no pun intended) for people to work in the city and live in the fledgling suburbs.
Detroit was most definitely considered a progressive city under Cavanagh.
President Johnson considered Detroit 'the' Model City because so many blacks were middle class. Cavanagh also brought in a Michigan Supreme Court judge,
George Edwards, to take over the police department. Even his replacement, Ray Girardin, was considered very civil rights oriented.
Also, Detroit was the last big city to riot. Many believed Detroit would not
riot because Cavanagh had a handle on things.
The riot of 1967 was a rebellion against circumstances. If you were fortuanate enough to grow up middle class or better then it is going to be difficult to understand the frustration, anger and despair of growing up poor.