  Rfban Member Username: Rfban Post Number: 146 Registered: 02-2004 |
Mr. Lobsterpots, I have a suspicion we bumped into each other at the Eastern Market? Anyway, glad to hear you had a great time. rfban1@gmail.com | ||
Lobsterpots Member Username: Lobsterpots Post Number: 29 Registered: 06-2007 |
We drove to Dearborn and went to the Henry Ford museum. We spent an entire afternoon there., in the museum alone. We saw the Rosa Parks bus exhibit. It was such a positive experience. One afternoon we drove up Woodward and passed Big Beaver Rd. to Bloomfield Hills and drove all around there around Cranbrook Rd. Saw how the ultra rich live, huge mega mansions. We drove back down and strolled around downtown, and went over to Greektown and bought our Michigan and Tigers shirts at a store on the corner near the casino. | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1949 Registered: 02-2007 |
Great, you went from the shortest description of a visitor's experience to Detroit on this site to the longest within a few post. I'm glad you got around this big ass area though and experienced it to the fullest. | ||
Lobsterpots Member Username: Lobsterpots Post Number: 30 Registered: 06-2007 |
The purpose of my trip was to expose and educate my daughter to an urban setting. She lives in an area where I grew up with her mother (we are divorced) that is not very culturally diverse. When she visits me on the weekend up here, she is exposed to a large town close to Boston that is more racially mixed. Our town is pretty much evenly black white mixed, and has been that way since the 80's. adding to that Asians, an Indians, Haitians, etc. truly a melting pot. There are striking parallells between this town and Detroit. There was a substantial white flight here as well, when black families moved from the higher priced inner city. It is very common here to see black children and white children walking together through our neighborhood to the park. At the grocery store, you see the true colors of this town where we all converge to shop. I should take pictures and post them of what a truly racially mixed community is and should be. When I moved here quite a number of years ago, I sensed she wasn't very used to this model, and I think felt a little out of place, having not been exposed to a more urban mix. Where she lives now with her mother is not diverse at all, the same area that I grew up in. When I graduated in the 80's, there was only one black family in town. I graduated with only one black girl in my entire class. In Detroit, my purpose was to expose her to both the metro area and suburbs, let her form her own opinions. You see, with children we are dealing with a "blank slate", sort of like an "empty hard drive" on your computer that we as parents are expected to educate, and fill with knowledge. She had no idea about the '67 riots or whatever we are calling them now, and I was born three years after that as well. In her own way, she eventually popped the question and asked me why things are so radically different on one end of Woodward versus the other. She also got a behind the scenes, first hand look so to speak as we drove through some of the economically distressed areas as well. I did my best to explain to her what happened, that eventually created this "divide", and we both watched the special report late one night on Fox news about the disturbance. The experience that exposed her to, instead of another mindless trip waiting in long lines at a a fun park, is far greater than any textbook that she could have read from in school. When the subject of black history is taught this fall, my daughter will have a distinct advantage over the other students of her class. Education concerning diversity, racisism, racial equality, and the ill-consequences of discrimination must be taught by the parents to the children at an early age, in order to break this cycle and repair this divide that seems to impede progress in Detroit and other areas as well. Tolerance must begin with parents first. We as a society whether in Boston or Detroit or wherever it may be, must work to denounce hatred, and learn from the shameful tragedies and events of the past. Thank you citizens of Detroit, Michigan USA for a wonderful, first class and enlightening experience. God Bless You. | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 2399 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wow!! Thank you, Lobsterpots!!! Your daughter is a lucky girl to have a dad like you. Thank you, too, for your openness and willingness to look beyond the surface at what Detroit is and what it has to offer. I'm glad it was such a positive experience for you. | ||
Detroitrunaway Member Username: Detroitrunaway Post Number: 60 Registered: 06-2007 |
Blksoul_x....must you always turn my smile into a frown. You know better than that. Of all people, you love Detroit. So just stop it...otherwise, I'll blow your cover and tell everyone on the post where you live so they can come and pay you a nice :-( visit. ME INCLUDED! | ||
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin Post Number: 4501 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wow Lob. I am glad that your trip was enlightening for you and your little one as well. Your story is a common one as people from this region seem to be more negative and closed minded about Detroit than people from outside the sate. I had much respect for those who are willing to come here and experience Detroit for what it is, the good, the bad, and the ugly. We may not be a theme park, destination city, however we are indeed a real one; one that never has to put up a front or a false facade for anyone. Once again, however I am glad that you enjoyed your trip here and that it would the first of many more, and I am glad that your daughter had the chance to be exposed to this microcosm... | ||
Quozl Member Username: Quozl Post Number: 1059 Registered: 07-2005 |
You say what Stylin? Everything within the city limits of Detroit is a theme park, the NEW Magic Kingdom. This forum is Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, the urban prairie is Frontierland, downtown is Liberty Square and walking the streets at night anywhere in Detroit is Adventureland! | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2525 Registered: 06-2004 |
no wristbands required | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4984 Registered: 08-2004 |
And I see you've met Dopey.... | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 403 Registered: 07-2005 |
It sounds like you had a fun and enriching time! I'm glad you did. Most people can't see past "Detroit" and aren't able to see it for what it is. | ||
Lobsterpots Member Username: Lobsterpots Post Number: 31 Registered: 06-2007 |
Dan We didn't know about the downtown tour. Please forward the info and well do it next year. We want come back for a return visit. Thanks! | ||
Detroitrunaway Member Username: Detroitrunaway Post Number: 62 Registered: 06-2007 |
Lob....you're making me smile. We've had a black cloud over our heads for quite sometime...but with visitors like you...and hopefully, the word you'll put out there...will add to the change that's taking place. Most of the time...when I brag on Detroit...most would say "of course you love your city...you were once a resident....but visitors have somewhat of a different point-of-view" when I asked when was their last visit. The responses are....back in the eighties...or not since the 70's. The more recent visitors were because of a layover at DTW...and never set foot in the city. Go Figure | ||
Blksoul_x Member Username: Blksoul_x Post Number: 38 Registered: 06-2007 |
'Dcastaway' quoted.... quote: You visit me!...wishful thinking!__go figure! as far as being worried about 'D-yers' showing up on 'The Block'...we know that ain't happening! Nevertheless 'LOB', glad you survived the 'D'! blksoul-atcha! | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9716 Registered: 12-2003 |
Lobsterpots, Thanks. Sometimes it takes an aware outsider to really get a taste of a place, and for you to not only bother to learn our town, and it's history...and then share it with your daughter firsthand...simply floors me. Cheers, sincerely, John | ||
Granmontrules Member Username: Granmontrules Post Number: 138 Registered: 01-2007 |
Wow! What a nice story. I hope all the naysayers and complainers about our WONDERFUL city read this thread! Welcome back anytime Lobster! | ||
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize Post Number: 1954 Registered: 02-2007 |
^^^I told others about the site, but chances are they wouldn't look it up. | ||
Rocket_city Member Username: Rocket_city Post Number: 341 Registered: 04-2006 |
^I echo all the positive responses. It's so nice to know that Detroit is appreciated aside from its claims to fame. To me, Detroit is everyones' city and is a sitting duck just waiting to be explored and experienced and willing to educate. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1332 Registered: 10-2006 |
Good to hear how well your visit went Lobsterpots. It was great to see so many different sorts of people as I walked with my parents along the Detroit riverwalk this past Saturday. I was wondering how many of them might actually be from outside the Detroit area. The walk was so crowded. Might be time to widen something other than a roadway, esp. the part of the walk near Hart Plaza to down below Cobo. | ||
Lobsterpots Member Username: Lobsterpots Post Number: 32 Registered: 06-2007 |
My late grandmother Genevieve and her siblings were the first generation in my family born in the US. My great grandparents (whom I never met) were Irish immigrant children and settled in Fall River, Massachusetts to escape to potato famine in Ireland. My great grandfather was a coal miner somewhere in West Virginia, and was given away as an orphan because his family was too poor to support him. He was working in the mines by the time he was 6 years old, and so the story goes his caregivers were very very cruel to him. He eventually made his way to Fall River, MA which was home to the booming textile industry at the time. Workers toiled in factories, and there were no labor laws, or minimum ages, or any of the labor standards we take for granted today. They lived in poverty, like many others. As long as I could remember, my grandmother Genevieve always wore a modest gold ring on her pinky finger. It was a childs ring with a small emerald chip. She always loved to tell the story how her uncle Carl who lived in Detroit, Michigan came down for a visit one time and gave it to her when she was a child. I never heard much about uncle Carl (or Karl). She told the story with such affection, about her very successful and very well dressed rich uncle (or at least in her eyes as a poor child he was). The way she talked with such pride about her uncle Carl and where he lived. Although she never visitied Detroit you would have thought that the streets of Detroit were paved in solid gold. She lived to 88 years and died 9 years ago she wore that ring until the day she died. It is being saved for my daughter now. That's our only known connection to the City of Detroit that I know of. I'd thought I'd share that story with you all, I wonder who uncle Carl was? and what he did for a living in Detroit? | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 1031 Registered: 12-2005 |
quote: If you know your grandmother's maiden surname and that of her mother, and provided that they are not a a very common name like Smith, chances are I could find your Uncle Carl very quickly in the 1920 US Census at Ancestry.com. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9718 Registered: 12-2003 |
It USED to be your only connection to Detroit! Did you see the Spirit of Detroit statue in front of the Coleman A. Young administration building at the foot of Woodward at Jefferson?! | ||
Lobsterpots Member Username: Lobsterpots Post Number: 33 Registered: 06-2007 |
Yes, we saw him. I wonder who he is and what he represents? | ||
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin Post Number: 4505 Registered: 10-2003 |
Maybe the owner of Carl's Chop House? | ||
Lobsterpots Member Username: Lobsterpots Post Number: 34 Registered: 06-2007 |
Mikeg: Well, my grandmother's name was Genevieve Ouellette (yes, my daughter and I went to Windsor and strolled down Ouellette Ave. It was a hoot to have a major street with our name and skysrapers named 1 Ouellette place, Ouellette plaza and such. ) She died at 80 not 88 that was a typo on Sept. 12, 98. Her maiden name was Foy and her mothers maiden name was Elizabeth Noon. Her fathers name was Charles Foy. My grandmother Genevieve had three brothers Charles, Tom, and Frank Foy. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9723 Registered: 12-2003 |
Lobsterpots, Don't know the who, and the what is in dispute. I've never heard of any model Marshall Fredericks might've used for this strong face and Barbie-doll like physique...yanno, waist WAY too small to allow digestion, chest WAY too big to stay upright, let alone allow forward motion without toppling! (It is a wonder how he EVER made it around the corner in the seventies to visit that naked dame in front of the Gas Building!) To me, it is obvious...in one hand a 'sun' representing the Deity (insert comfortable and convenient name here) and in the other a family raising their hands in thanks and/or praise. Scripture written behind says loads, and agrees with at least some of our history as demonstrated by the other works in Hart Plaza. quote: (or Freedom, depending upon the translation, we got the lamer or more ancient of the two terms, I'd say.) Here is a picture I took of 'Him', inspired by the perspective of an artist whose works are on the walls of the (relatively) new Park Bar behind the Fox/State/Fillmore block off Woodward.  I find unique synergy amongst the statues and monuments at Hart Plaza...Freedom through the Underground Railway...Liberties established through the blood, sweat, and tears of the Union members (before their leadership became corporate themselves)...Strength of and for the Oppressed in the Joe Louis fist...and finally, for me at least, our twisted attempt to reach God in the Noguchi monolith (although I'm pretty certain that is far from the artist's intent, between that and the curiously O-shaped fountain he designed there could be a little sexuality inferred, but even THERE I spin it back to God...it always helps to have a strong bias to inflict your mere understandings on the world around you!) Cheers! | ||
Ericdetfan Member Username: Ericdetfan Post Number: 122 Registered: 02-2007 |
Awesome! Almost nothing pleases me more than to hear that someone had an enjoyable time on a visit to Detroit. | ||
Trainman Member Username: Trainman Post Number: 465 Registered: 04-2006 |
I took my family on the train in Boston and the people mover in Detroit. Both were nice. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9733 Registered: 12-2003 |
You have a one-track mind, Trainer! Didn't you feel a wee loopy on the PM?! | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 554 Registered: 06-2005 |
Gannon, quote: Noguchi's intent, IIRC, is for his pylon to represent the DNA molecule of life. To me, Isamu Noguchi was one of the foremost American sculptors of the 20th century. I feel it is an honor to have major works by him here in Detroit. His studio in Long Island City in Queens, NYC, is now a museum. |
