GPP and their Farmers Market smack dab in Kercheval.

[Detroitnerd]

Well for me this is less about race and more about walkability. I'm glad it's not as welcoming to motorists from any direction. Paris is not welcoming to motorists. I think it's a great place to be.

And I understand that you feel that way. But perhaps in your impatience to dismiss the connotations the market presents, you miss the way this is certain to alienate and disturb Detroiters. Detroiters, especially African-American Detroiters, have a long history of being faced with walls and barriers to hem them in. In the case of the Grosse Pointes, the barriers were often social -- a "points system" employed by real estate agents to keep out ethnic whites, Jews and blacks -- as well as the physical blocking-off of through streets.

Might I suggest that this is an opportunity to explore that history and perhaps develop a sensitivity to these issues that will help bridge these divides, rather that waving them away in the interest of leaving a stubborn problem unexamined?

[corktownyuppie]

And I understand that you feel that way. But perhaps in your impatience to dismiss the connotations the market presents, you miss the way this is certain to alienate and disturb Detroiters. Detroiters, especially African-American Detroiters, have a long history of being faced with walls and barriers to hem them in. In the case of the Grosse Pointes, the barriers were often social -- a "points system" employed by real estate agents to keep out ethnic whites, Jews and blacks -- as well as the physical blocking-off of through streets.

Might I suggest that this is an opportunity to explore that history and perhaps develop a sensitivity to these issues that will help bridge these divides, rather that waving them away in the interest of leaving a stubborn problem unexamined?

Well that's what I was asking you when I said...

how would you suggest they have done it differently?

Your response was:

If the city fathers didn't realize after blocking off the street with a pile of snow that blocking off the street was controversial, I don't know what to tell them. Maybe they should block off the street with a public sculpture of a burning cross instead ... jesus ...

Remember, I grew up on the wrong side of Mack Ave at the GPP border. I know all too well the feelings of being ostracized, excluded, alienated, etc. I'm not dismissing the connotations of the market. I can understand how the intentions can be misconstrued. But I also think the people misconstruing have a part to play in finding solutions as well. GPP has explicitly stated, and with no equivocation or code words, that DETROITERS ARE WELCOME to the market.

So is there more they can do? I'm not sure. Part of me wonders if Detroiters will feel alienated no matter what is done. But of course I'm open to further discussion. Which leads me to repeating the original question...

How would you have done it differently?

[Detroitnerd]

... Which leads me to repeating the original question... How would you have done it differently?

You confuse the function of criticism with that of uplift. Those criticizing bad ideas are under no onus to tweak a bad idea. Some ideas are simply bad ones.

Stated simply: Putting the market there shouldn't have been done in the first place. Too many Detroiters will see the market for what it is: a barrier. A barrier with a big locally-grown, completely organic, GMO-free, sustainable happy face slapped on it, but a barrier nonetheless.

[Danny]

It's horrible!!! It's Richville's way to cut off the black community from the white community. Demarcation in action folks. Next thing those rich white folks want is cut off every last neighborhood street from Mack Ave.

[corktownyuppie]

If your final conclusion is that they should just not put the market up at all, then I guess it is what it is.

It does beg an interesting question. Can the impoverished ever really feel welcomed by the privileged? I think we can [[and should) make honest attempts, but in the end, maybe every decision, every action, every opinion is going to be misunderstood.

I'm poor, you're my rich next door neighbor. You buy a big boat. I see this as you "rubbing it in my face". Then you invite me to join you, "I see this as you taking pity on me". Finally I may realize that your intentions are sincere, but I feel "inadequate" in relating to you because there is no real give and take in our relationship.

This stuff is complex stuff. And I do think that there's a lot to be discussed. But I will stop short at agreeing that the solution is for you to simply not buy the boat because if the way it will make me feel.

[EASTSIDE CAT 67-83]

And I understand that you feel that way. But perhaps in your impatience to dismiss the connotations the market presents, you miss the way this is certain to alienate and disturb Detroiters. Detroiters, especially African-American Detroiters, have a long history of being faced with walls and barriers to hem them in. In the case of the Grosse Pointes, the barriers were often social -- a "points system" employed by real estate agents to keep out ethnic whites, Jews and blacks -- as well as the physical blocking-off of through streets.

Might I suggest that this is an opportunity to explore that history and perhaps develop a sensitivity to these issues that will help bridge these divides, rather that waving them away in the interest of leaving a stubborn problem unexamined?

Det Nerd
Well I guess the ultimate test will be whether or not they accept food stamps at said marketville, if they do well its frickin Kumbaya land and all is right in the world...if not it becomes highly suspect and we turn the clock of progress backwards.