local leadership & sustained progress

[Hypestyles]

The NAACP will have its annual Freedom Weekend workshops by the end of April, 2009. I will be in attendance, and intend in particular to attend the 'Town Hall' meeting[[s). I want to ask the panelists what their general views are on encouraging accountability and cultural cooperation internal to the city of Detroit and external.

Even in acknowledgement of the continued presence of racial prejudice, systemic or otherwise, and the fact that there are various individuals who consider themselves adversarial to the city of Detroit and its residents, I feel like Detroit leadership can’t get out of its own way when it comes to rising above the bitter blame games of the past.

Often times it seems that city leaders, activists and others want to stress their pro-black credentials when it comes to election time or if a regional or local community issue comes to a head- The Cobo controversy is just one of many recurring standoffs-- ‘they’ want to take over the water department, , they’ want to take over the school boards; ‘they’ want to take over Belle Isle.. people say ‘they’ so much you would think it’s a corporation based out of Lansing, Rochester or somewhere.

And as much as that kind of rhetoric gets black Detroiters to circle the wagons and support a particular candidate or position, it does little to address substantive reforms in policies that need to take place to improve the quality of life here. It also perpetuates the assumption that there are no people of good will from other cultural groups outside or even inside the city, or the racial landscape of the metro area is the same as it once was in 1965, and it’s just not.
Because Detroit’s population is predominantly African-American, it seems like city leaders adopted the premise that these public city-based institutions are “black owned� by default and therefore free to use as political trump cards just to more or less benefit themselves. I have a problem with that.

African-American leadership has either been at the helm or have held key positions in these institutions for well over the past 30 years, and as of 2009, the state they are in is self-evident., but it seems like such a chore for Detroit residents to get some basic competency and transparency that other communities seem to take for granted. So when it comes to things like city government, city utilities or Detroit Public Schools, it’s like I’m being told “hey brother, we run this, and even if we want to run it into the ground, as long as ‘we’ run it and not ‘them’, then that’s all that matters". What are your thoughts?

http://www.freeinst.org/
http://www.detroitnaacp.org

[Retroit]

I think you've just described the problem precisely.

I find the racial aspect of Detroit quite interesting. Blacks who once suffered exclusion by whites are now trying to turn the tables and use their somewhat newly begotten powers in revenge. Ironically, it ends up hurting themselves because they fail to realize that although they may have an overwhelming population and political advantage within the city proper, in the metro area, they, or rather, Detroit itself, is still the minority. Not to mention their even smaller share of the economic wealth.

As unfortunate as it was for blacks to have been discriminated against when Detroit was majority white, it is perhaps equally unfortunate that since they've become the majority, they've created a self-inflicted segregation that fosters the same claims to privilege that plagued their former oppressors. [[I'm thinking of Moronica Conyours, specifically.)

As for the NAACP, I find it strange that they still exist. How much more "advanced" can you get than The President of The United States? Let's face it: they are race mongers. That any organization would define themselves by skin color is, in my opinion, the embodiment of racism.

But then, as I'm sure you'll hear from blksoul_x, the black people are only repeating what they've been taught by basic white amerikkka. So the stupidity continues...

Finally, on a personal note: If you are white, prepare to get absolutely nowhere, you racist! And if you are black, shame on you for thinking for yourself and not conforming to the black agenda, you Uncle Tom!

[[That last paragraph was facetious.)

[Novine]

"As for the NAACP, I find it strange that they still exist. How much more "advanced" can you get than The President of The United States?"

If one kid from Detroit Public Schools graduates from UM or Harvard or Yale with honors, does that mean that all must be well with the Detroit Public Schools and there's nothing more that should be done?

[dcmorrison12]

I think you've just described the problem precisely.

I find the racial aspect of Detroit quite interesting. Blacks who once suffered exclusion by whites are now trying to turn the tables and use their somewhat newly begotten powers in revenge. Ironically, it ends up hurting themselves because they fail to realize that although they may have an overwhelming population and political advantage within the city proper, in the metro area, they, or rather, Detroit itself, is still the minority. Not to mention their even smaller share of the economic wealth.

As unfortunate as it was for blacks to have been discriminated against when Detroit was majority white, it is perhaps equally unfortunate that since they've become the majority, they've created a self-inflicted segregation that fosters the same claims to privilege that plagued their former oppressors. [[I'm thinking of Moronica Conyours, specifically.)

As for the NAACP, I find it strange that they still exist. How much more "advanced" can you get than The President of The United States? Let's face it: they are race mongers. That any organization would define themselves by skin color is, in my opinion, the embodiment of racism.

But then, as I'm sure you'll hear from blksoul_x, the black people are only repeating what they've been taught by basic white amerikkka. So the stupidity continues...

Finally, on a personal note: If you are white, prepare to get absolutely nowhere, you racist! And if you are black, shame on you for thinking for yourself and not conforming to the black agenda, you Uncle Tom!

[[That last paragraph was facetious.)

Wooooooah there Retroit, hold your tongue! Detroit isn't the only culprit here! This region, whether your white or black, has VERY deep seeded racist mentalities. Both sides - urban and suburban are at fault. I've lived on both spectrums and have come to realize this. Plus, let's not forget the region as a whole is losing money and population.

[Retroit]

The difference is that Detroit city needs the suburbs more than the suburbs need the city.

[Crumbled_pavement]

The difference is that Detroit city needs the suburbs more than the suburbs need the city.

This is silly.

You need me more than I need you.

No, no, you need me more than I need you.

No, I don't need you at all.

Oh yes you do, you need me, but I've never needed you.

Nan nan nan nah. I can't hear you.

[Retroit]

Well, it is true that we need each other if we want a great city. Note I did not say that the suburbs and the city don't need each other. It's simply a matter of majority vs. minority. In a democratic organization, the majority rules. In Detroit city, blacks make up the majority. Some of the black leaders use this to their advantage by playing the race card as Hypestyles mentioned. In the metropolitan area, the suburbs make up the majority. Although the suburbs are mostly white, that really isn't my point. My point is that the political power that race mongers use to their advantage among the majority of Detroiters means nothing to the majority of the metro area.

In other words, if the minority [[i.e. Detroit) wants to get their way [[on let's say a Cobo deal), it would behoove them to take a less arrogant stance against the majority [[i.e. the suburbs).

[Detroitej72]

This is silly.

You need me more than I need you.

No, no, you need me more than I need you.

No, I don't need you at all.

Oh yes you do, you need me, but I've never needed you.

Nan nan nan nah. I can't hear you.

Yeh, but last I checked, the suburbs seem to have more money than Detroit.

[Crumbled_pavement]

Wooooooah there Retroit, hold your tongue! Detroit isn't the only culprit here! This region, whether your white or black, has VERY deep seeded racist mentalities. Both sides - urban and suburban are at fault. I've lived on both spectrums and have come to realize this. Plus, let's not forget the region as a whole is losing money and population.

Too much common sense in this post for anyone to actually pay attention to it.

[Bearinabox]

And as much as that kind of rhetoric gets black Detroiters to circle the wagons and support a particular candidate or position, it does little to address substantive reforms in policies that need to take place to improve the quality of life here.

What makes you think these folks have any interest in improving our quality of life? It's a politics thing, not a black Detroit thing. Solving problems and making things better requires effort, courage, and a modicum of competence. Scapegoating only requires you to shout louder than everybody else, and it's at least as effective at building short-term political capital.

Scapegoating is more prominent here because there is a greater disparity between the problems that exist and the courage, competence, and willingness to expend effort exhibited by our local politicians than is seen in most other places, but we didn't invent the tactic by any means. Most of the folks who use race use it because it works, not because they feel particularly strongly about it.

[firstandten]

What makes you think these folks have any interest in improving our quality of life? It's a politics thing, not a black Detroit thing. Solving problems and making things better requires effort, courage, and a modicum of competence. Scapegoating only requires you to shout louder than everybody else, and it's at least as effective at building short-term political capital.

Scapegoating is more prominent here because there is a greater disparity between the problems that exist and the courage, competence, and willingness to expend effort exhibited by our local politicians than is seen in most other places, but we didn't invent the tactic by any means. Most of the folks who use race use it because it works, not because they feel particularly strongly about it.

Also its about power to go along with the politics. People do not share power unless it is in their best interests to do so or the power is taken. The Cobo deal is a example of the former and the DPS takeover is the example of the latter.
Because Detroit is a majority black city this is what you have, but people regardless of color displays this type of behavior.

Politics is a zero-sum game I win ,you lose and people will use methods as distasteful as they may be to play that game.

Once I read this quote from CAY I knew it was just a game

"Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young: "Orville Hubbard was quite a man. Believe it or not, he was a person I admired. He and I disagreed on some things, but he was a hell of a mayor. I regarded him as one of the best mayors in the United States. ... He took care of business. He knew how to meet the needs of his people "

There's so little trust among the region from a historical basis, some Detroiters aren't convinced yet that regionalism is in there best interest and the politicans only reflect the views of their base.

[Bearinabox]

There's so little trust among the region from a historical basis, some Detroiters aren't convinced yet that regionalism is in there best interest and the politicans only reflect the views of their base.

I think they also shape the views of their base. Tell people enough times that things are the way they are because of all the racist white folks who want the city to fail, and they'll start to believe it, especially since many of them are not particularly well-educated or informed.

[kraig]

Ask not, what your City can do for you. Ask, what can you do for me, the politician. Here's how it works. If I, the politician, want something from someone looking to do business in my jurisdiction, then I oppose what they're trying to do. I get you my constituents to feel that you're being disrespected because the person I want something from is trying to do business in our jurisdiction.

I, the politician, then get you worked up and organize you to show up at all of the public hearings and discussions on the subject and make me look good.

After which, either the person that wants to do business in my jurisdiction will deal with me on our issues or I will continue to organize you to oppose them. Once I've gotten what I want, well, I understand your issues. But, I have to do what's best for the general public. But, thank you for all your assistance in helping me get what I want.

And if I or my allies don't get what I/we want. Then we, all of you and me, simply continue to oppose the person that wants to do business in my jurisdiction, while I get re-elected until I move on to another office or am term limited or whatever.

Meanwhile, after everything is said and done, and I've made noise, with your help, for 2, 4, 6 or however many years. You have exactly what you had before I was there. Nothing.

But, I got mine. Thank you.