Detroit bistro owner claims racism is prompting eviction

[Wesley Mouch]

Resurget Cineribus. The second half of Detroit's motto translates into "It shall rise from the ashes" and it's happening. The City of Detroit is transforming and nowhere is that more evident than Downtown. Except for one business who says they're being forced out because they're black.

At the heart of Detroit's rebirth, a racial battle is brewing.

"It's very painful. We were just trying to do good business and wanted to make things nice for the people for Detroit," Marilyn Hall said.

Hall had big dreams for her restaurant. She sunk her life savings in to this place, leased the space, and in November 2013, she and her son, Gerald Watson, opened Mo Better Blues on Adams in Detroit. But she says, new building owners came in and now Mo Better is no more.

"They allowed us to build this place out, spent over a quarter million dollars in it, and then wanted to get us out and put somebody else in it," Watson said.

Sign short term lease on property. Invest long term in property. I say they were being evicted because they were stupid.

[Hermod]

Sign short term lease on property. Invest long term in property. I say they were being evicted because they were stupid.

Naive or inexperienced would be much better adjectives, Wesley. I do agree that major investments with a short lease was not the prudent way to proceed.

[Wesley Mouch]

Stupid was intentionally pejorative, as is the use of the 'race card'. I hesitated to write that, but then I decided it was appropriate. The race card does seem to be played mostly after making a stupid move, it seems to me. [[Although some just play it all day long, e.g. Sharpton.)

[Danny]

It's just like Nolan Finlay said from Gilberttown to Midtown, " Where are the black people?"

Racist rich white yuppies kick them out.

It's a sure sign that white folks want Detroit back. No more Africantown!

[Zacha341]

Hah. You wont see Sharpton rolling into town on this one. There's nothing in it for him.

Stupid was intentionally pejorative, as is the use of the 'race card'. I hesitated to write that, but then I decided it was appropriate. The race card does seem to be played mostly after making a stupid move, it seems to me. [[Although some just play it all day long, e.g. Sharpton.)