A fair and balanced story about Detroit

**xphillipjrx** · May-18-10, 10:04 AM

Heard this on NPR this morning. The folks at Dateline NBC could have replaced five minutes of their hour long story with something like this and they would have received far less criticism http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=126899903 .

**wazootyman** · May-18-10, 11:05 AM

I'm glad you posted this. It's a great story - it doesn't ignore the problems, but it goes out of its way to feature positive going on within the city.

In my opinion, causing an outsider to believe in the city's recovery instead of writing it off as a lost-cause can only lead to good; many of them never hear about anything about this city beyond its burnt-out houses, an old train station and crime.

**kryptonite** · May-18-10, 01:53 PM

Yes - exactly!! And if they think Detroit sucks then they can F-off and stay in NYC and such places and pay $3,000 a month to rent a 1-BR with four other people in a high-rise. We will pay $500-$1,500 for a brick house with a fireplace, yard, trees, garage, driveway and still have money left over to go to places like Dakota Inn, Mexicantown, Jakoby's, Union Street, Z's, the DFT, sports, music, the Redford Theater, casinos, great pubs - on and on...

**Gistok** · May-18-10, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Hah!! I've been saying the same thing for years! Let these jokers keep up the front that Detroit is nothing more than a zombie filled wasteland. That will help keep out the undesireables: yuppies, suburbanites, carpetbaggers....

Only open-minded, tolerant, intelligent folks need apply, Thank You. Come and re-build with us!!

Detroitsgwenivere... you seem to have an aversion to yuppies and suburbanites in your part of Detroit... But don't worry... we generally tend to avoid your neck of the woods and head straight for Detroit's jewels, along the riverfront, downtown, Midtown and in New Center... as well as the nicer intact neighborhoods of the city. Not only do we patronize them [[restaurants/theatres/museums) in vast numbers, but we also support them thru volunteerism via being volunteer ushers in the Theatre District and docents/patrons in the Museum District. And our suburban/yuppie dollars will continue to help keep these oasis's afloat.

**Gistok** · May-18-10, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by kryptonite

Yes - exactly!! And if they think Detroit sucks then they can F-off and stay in NYC and such places and pay $3,000 a month to rent a 1-BR with four other people in a high-rise. We will pay $500-$1,500 for a brick house with a fireplace, yard, trees, garage, driveway and still have money left over to go to places like Dakota Inn, Mexicantown, Jakoby's, Union Street, Z's, the DFT, sports, music, the Redford Theater, casinos, great pubs - on and on...

Unfortunately... the $500-$1500 monthly figure... is starting to turn into the annual figure seen on the State of Michigan SEV on Detroit residential tax records....

And where are you going to get the money to visit those nice restaurants when your job moves away to another state or country, and the local bad reputation prevents new employers from moving here??

And when you do move to another town for a new job... you find you're lucky to get 20-30 cents on the dollar for what you residence was once worth... especially in Detroit.

**Gistok** · May-18-10, 02:52 PM

With the State Fair GONE after a 150 year run, the Grand Prix GONE, the midtown Festival of the Arts GONE, and now the New Center TasteFest GONE... some of you people who've posted here do need a reality check....

All you Nero's need to put your fiddles down now... Rome is actually burning....

**kryptonite** · May-18-10, 02:57 PM

Actually to keep this focused on the original posting for this thread, I can say that for 30 years I have endured a barrage of negative news reports and articles relating to Detroit's many problems. Whether it be in newspapers, magazines, television reports, public statements by celebrities and politicians. The positive reports have been few and far between and that I know of fairly limited to NPR and PBS.

Detroit earns much of it's negative image, granted. However, it was good to hear the PBS report this morning that not only reported on burned out residential areas but also reported on beautiful neighborhoods that are well maintained. We deserve a few BALANCED reports on the city. In recent years I have seen very positive articles about Detroit in the Miami Herald, NY Times, and on NPR. These types of stories I personally appreciate a great deal.

I have even heard people from other cities/states/countries relate that they cannot believe any place would be as terrible as Detroit is presented in the media when they find out I am from Detroit. I always proceed to tell them that there is a whole different side to Detroit that is rarely covered in the media.

**Gistok** · May-18-10, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by kryptonite

Actually to keep this focused on the original posting for this thread, I can say that for 30 years I have endured a barrage of negative news reports and articles relating to Detroit's many problems. Whether it be in newspapers, magazines, television reports, public statements by celebrities and politicians. The positive reports have been few and far between and that I know of fairly limited to NPR and PBS.

Detroit earns much of it's negative image, granted. However, it was good to hear the PBS report this morning that not only reported on burned out residential areas but also reported on beautiful neighborhoods that are well maintained. We deserve a few BALANCED reports on the city. In recent years I have seen very positive articles about Detroit in the Miami Herald, NY Times, and on NPR. These types of stories I personally appreciate a great deal.

I have even heard people from other cities/states/countries relate that they cannot believe any place would be as terrible as Detroit is presented in the media when they find out I am from Detroit. I always proceed to tell them that there is a whole different side to Detroit that is rarely covered in the media.

Kryptonite... I agree 100% with that assessment. We do become rather defensive about our reputation, and for good reason.... we need to get out of the economic morass that the city [[and all of Michigan) is currently in. Bad publicity is not helpful... and to sweep it under the rug becomes even worse...

**detroitsgwenivere** · May-19-10, 12:26 AM

Heyyyy, where's my post????

**detroitsgwenivere** · May-19-10, 12:31 AM

Well Gistok, I happen to live in one of our Jewels [[Corktown), and we're glad to have you patronize our local businesses to your hearts content.

But if your a yuppy, then please feel free to return to your suburban domicile as soon as your wallet is empty. And have a nice day.

**Gistok** · May-19-10, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by detroitsgwenivere

Well Gistok, I happen to live in one of our Jewels [[Corktown), and we're glad to have you patronize our local businesses to your hearts content.

But if your a yuppy, then please feel free to return to your suburban domicile as soon as your wallet is empty. And have a nice day.

Well since I don't frequent the casinos... there's likely to be something left in the wallet upon my return...

**detroitsgwenivere** · May-19-10, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Well since I don't frequent the casinos... there's likely to be something left in the wallet upon my return...

That makes two of us.

Speaking of "fair and balanced" coverage of Detroit, has anyone seen the TIME guys around lately?

**sumas** · May-19-10, 01:18 AM

I for one am happy to hear balanced reporting. This city has lots of local heros! So many great people here. The 501 c 3s contribute extensively to our quality of life and yes Virginia there is quality of life here in Detroit.

The problem remains that the quality of life exists in pockets.