 
Tponetom
Member
Username: Tponetom
Post Number: 139
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 5:55 pm: |    |
What advantages have you gleaned from living or working in Detroit that could be credited, in part, to the City. |
Charlottepaul
Member
Username: Charlottepaul
Post Number: 1701
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 5:58 pm: | |
Wow that is deep!
Might have to think on this thread for a bit. |
Eric_w
Member
Username: Eric_w
Post Number: 336
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 6:03 pm: | |
Nothing at all-actually being from & living in Detroit hurt me greatly. I lost out on several good jobs years ago in suburbs due to my city residence back then. |
Yvette248
Member
Username: Yvette248
Post Number: 943
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 6:19 pm: | |
My family and network of friends growing up. |
Oakmangirl
Member
Username: Oakmangirl
Post Number: 370
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 6:21 pm: | |
Charlottepaul,
Indirectly, didn't you land a good job and buy a house without a subprime loan, or maybe it all just comes down to making better decisions than hoi polloi? |
Ray1936
Member
Username: Ray1936
Post Number: 1933
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 6:22 pm: | |
My childhood, a most valuable thing. Sort of what Yvette just said. |
Michigan
Member
Username: Michigan
Post Number: 1179
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 6:48 pm: | |
I for one enjoy the company of the hoi polloi, Miss uppity-up-nose-in-the-air! Now let me get back to cutting this catalytic converter out of this Explorer... |
Tponetom
Member
Username: Tponetom
Post Number: 140
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:14 pm: | |
I am pondering an answer to my own question.
A life time of events, good and bad, cascade through my mind, and the good, far exceeds the bad and I owe Detroit for that. I grew up in an environment that seemed to give you everything you need, like an education and friends and vocations as well as avocations and a thousand different venues for entertainment. For that, I owe. |
Buyamerican
Member
Username: Buyamerican
Post Number: 174
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:17 pm: | |
I wouldn't trade my childhood memories living in Detroit for the world. Detroit in the 40's, 50's and 60's was a great City. Maybe as a child growing up during those years I didn't see as much as others did, but we could play outside until the street lights came on, play kick-the-can in the alleys with our friends, ride our bikes for blocks and blocks and never have to worry about someone shooting us. I knew every neighbor on my block and loved them all. Everyone sat out on their porches during those lazy summer evenings. Everyone looked out for each other...now everyone looks the other way.
Neighborhoods were clean, no litter or garbage. People swept the sidewalks and streets and were proud of their small piece of property. It's a shame to see what my neighborhood looks like now, and I have to wonder why. Incidentally, we were not wealthy by any means. Hard work, long hours and lots of love. |
Mpow
Member
Username: Mpow
Post Number: 275
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:31 pm: | |
street smarts.. |
Vetalalumni
Member
Username: Vetalalumni
Post Number: 740
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:41 pm: | |
An appreciation for automobiles and music. An eyewitness account of voluntary segregation in action. A bit of street smarts as well. |
Jams
Member
Username: Jams
Post Number: 6200
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:43 pm: | |
$124 + change |
Vetalalumni
Member
Username: Vetalalumni
Post Number: 741
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:45 pm: | |
lol Jams |
Oakmangirl
Member
Username: Oakmangirl
Post Number: 372
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 8:53 pm: | |
Michigan,
Nice one, but shouldn't that be a Buick? BTW, no need to use "the"; "hoi" means "the" in Greek, m' thinks. I bet Professorscott knows, or he could send a grad student to find out, so he can report back here to what he calls his blog that's really a forum. |
Southen
Member
Username: Southen
Post Number: 288
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 9:05 pm: | |
A lot. The city has been my inspiration and my photos of Detroit actually got my foot in the door for my profession. |
East_detroit
Member
Username: East_detroit
Post Number: 1204
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 11:00 pm: | |
Character.
Instant street cred in other cities. |
Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 3672
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 11:10 pm: | |
What East_Detroit said plus a lot of perspective, humility, and understanding of the importance of history and ideas in shaping a place.
Detroit has made me love cities more. If one can learn to love what little of our former city remains, then surely you can appreciate most urban spaces.
Interpreting your question more literally, I feel like I owe Detroit my residency. I want to live there as soon as I can. |
Lefty2
Member
Username: Lefty2
Post Number: 145
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 1:05 am: | |
I have actually garnered a great deal from the various philanthropic venues in the city. I just hope the future is well endowed with the rich history we see today so more can enjoy. |
Boshna
Member
Username: Boshna
Post Number: 182
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 1:58 am: | |
I've gained a cheap, safe place to live and the love/good will of my neighbors for restoring the only abandoned house on my block. |
Crash_nyc
Member
Username: Crash_nyc
Post Number: 1033
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 3:46 am: | |
My home growing up (East Outer Drive), every job I ever had before moving to NYC (Rivertown & Downtown), my education (St. Peter & Paul, U of D High, & Wayne State), my introduction to techno, house, industrial & the underground (Music Institute, Warehouse, Red Door, Shelter, City Club, etc, etc....), and my street cred ('nuff said!). |
Detroitduo
Member
Username: Detroitduo
Post Number: 854
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 4:47 am: | |
Detroit helped to save my marriage and also introduced me to the BEST friends I have ever had the pleasure of knowing in my life. For that I love Detroit, but I am not so sure I "OWE" anything to Detroit. For as long as I live here, I will continue to do what I can to help the City in the right direction...
Actually, I think that is a perfect follow-up question! What have you gained from the City? What have you done to give back?
Sometimes it seems this City is full of parasites, sucking the life from it, while not enough Givers.... |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 6524
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 6:43 am: | |
The Street Prophets have been owing Detroit city services abd community development for years and we do a very go job keep it intact. |
Michigan
Member
Username: Michigan
Post Number: 1181
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 7:52 am: | |
Auto-didact? I'll have to teach myself what that means. Oxford, didn't Rob Lowe, Amanda Bines, and Michael J.Fox all go to school there at one time or another?
(Message edited by michigan on September 17, 2007) |
Miss_cleo
Member
Username: Miss_cleo
Post Number: 886
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 8:03 am: | |
How about what does Detroit owe you? Are you getting your monies worth from the city? |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 2467
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 8:58 am: | |
A level head, a good work ethic, the mindset that you don't hire other people to do what you should be able to do yourself. Also, giving my grandparents and great grandparents a livelihood so they could build the foundation of my family in America. |
Gazhekwe
Member
Username: Gazhekwe
Post Number: 518
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 10:04 am: | |
I met my wonderful husband, and made some good friends, learned a lot about divestment and neighborhood change. I wish there was something I could do to bridge the great divide. I don't know about owing Detroit anything, but I have written off quite a bit of financial loss from investing in Detroit. |
Xd_brklyn
Member
Username: Xd_brklyn
Post Number: 311
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 10:38 am: | |
First for providing the city where my parents met and married, and then as the beginning for my extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Next, would be for giving me a solid list of friends, the DIA, and particularly the DIA's Line series (saw Robert Duncan there in '82), the good times on Detroit's music scene circa 1980, the magic of baseball at Tiger Stadium (Norm Cash, The Bird, Jim Northrup), Wayne State (graduated with money in my pocket), and a decent paying job at the Ponchartrain that allowed me to tour France and then land in New York. |
None
Member
Username: None
Post Number: 42
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 10:57 am: | |
Inspiration, that feeling of awe one has as a child that everything and anything is possible, unlimited opportunity to do whatever dreams may come your way and the canvas to do it upon.
I Love Detroit and always will, Thank you for all you have done for me and my family.
God bless and good day. |
Goat
Member
Username: Goat
Post Number: 9826
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 11:16 am: | |
Nothing! But they do owe me a football team! |
Tponetom
Member
Username: Tponetom
Post Number: 141
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 11:49 am: | |
Alphabetically speaking, from A to Z ? I owe Detroit: Academia sources and the Zoo, among a host of other things. |
Paulmcall
Member
Username: Paulmcall
Post Number: 410
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 12:19 pm: | |
Nice employment with the Parks and Rec. dept while I was going to school at Wayne State in the early 70's. |
Margaret
Member
Username: Margaret
Post Number: 142
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 12:47 pm: | |
quote: "What advantages have you gleaned from living or working in Detroit that could be credited, in part, to the City."
such an interesting question, I love it! let's see: our family's financial security, thanks to Uniroyal and Detroit's industrial might during the 50s and 60s; an intimate knowledge of soul music and dancing that amazes folks out here in the West (LOL! very few out here can DANCE); an understanding of racial tension that can come only from experience; a summer of working as a Good Humor Girl; memories of Boblo Island outings and of Great Lakes freighters' amazing horns and whistles echoing in the night; a chance to dance as a teenager on CKLW's "Swing Time" (anyone else remember that???); a heartfelt appreciation for unpolluted places on this earth; and regular childhood access to Vernor's Ginger Ale (even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it). |
Tponetom
Member
Username: Tponetom
Post Number: 142
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 1:28 pm: | |
Margaret: (My wife's given name that evolved to Maggie, Peggy, and, from me, 'Babe.')
Re: My A to Z assessment. "Y" reminds me of the NE YMCA. Handball, yes, but more exciting were the dance classes we took there. 12 dollars for six lessons. A married couple. the Amato's, were the instructors. She was a wisp of a girl and he was kind of chubby, well, kind of dumpy looking guy and we had our reservations during that first lesson. BUT, when they took center stage, the magic secrets of dancing exploded in their movements. To this very day, we still try to "waltz to a rock and roll tune."
I just bought two 12 packs of Vernors, here in Tucson, for 4 bucks each. When I was a kid, in Detroit, I could not afford the dime for Vernors when Coke was a nickel. (Without the ice cream.) |
56packman
Member
Username: 56packman
Post Number: 1756
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 2:04 pm: | |
Well, I should give Detroit back the albums I borrowed:
|
Waz
Member
Username: Waz
Post Number: 200
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 2:44 pm: | |
A wonderful and diverse selection of music there, packman. And that "Whipped Cream & Other Delights" cover is one for the ages.
Does that mean this thread is going to take a change in direction to a musical discussion a la the "helping out-of-towners" one? |
Quozl
Member
Username: Quozl
Post Number: 1438
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 2:53 pm: | |
Pyromania, Def Leppard vs. Rumours, Fleetwood Mac
Rumours was unspeakably huge when it came out, an amazing pop confection from a blues-based band that had labored for a decade in semi-obscurity before tacking on a couple of Southern California granola heads to make things go down sweet and smooth for the radio. Like Thriller a few years later, it just dominated radio for months and months, as single after single was released to chart success and acclaim. And even its non-single cuts have since permeated the collective consciousness of the music world; if there's a record that's as recognizable as this one, start to finish, every cut, odds are it's a greatest hits album, not a standalone work like this one. Pyromania was similarly unavoidable in its day, although that was largely due to the fact that it was a product of the MTV era, and the video for "Photograph" played constantly, everywhere that videos had any reason playing, and many places where they didn't. Looking back, Rumours now seems far slicker than it needed to be, but the same complaint applies to the buffed-to-a-sheen production given to Pyromania by Robert John "Mutt" Lange (a.k.a. Mr. Shania Twain). Since "slick" is probably an expected and desirable quality for Southern California pop, and it is not an expected and desirable quality for metal, we're gonna pick the Mac.
Winner: Rumours, Fleetwood Mac |
Lefty2
Member
Username: Lefty2
Post Number: 152
Registered: 07-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 7:28 pm: | |
goat - Nothing! But they do owe me a football team!
Concur! Is this gonna be the big year |
Jjw
Member
Username: Jjw
Post Number: 455
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - 5:15 am: | |
When I have a lot of tasks to do, I always think of Detroit and the assembly line. I model what I have to do from that and accomplish it quickly. For that reason, I am thankful of Detroit. |
Oakmangirl
Member
Username: Oakmangirl
Post Number: 387
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 - 3:57 pm: | |
Hmmm...advantages of being a Native? I am fearless around giant rats, and New Yorkers fear me. There's no relation between the two. |
Ferntruth
Member
Username: Ferntruth
Post Number: 162
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 8:20 am: | |
I owe Detroit nothing, and it owes me the same. |
Detroitbill
Member
Username: Detroitbill
Post Number: 323
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 11:58 am: | |
Detroit has offered me alot over the years, great history, good people, whats its like to persevere in times of hardship and loyalty among some people when others run. These are all good lessons for personal life. Its has also taught me some very sad things about human behavior and what damage ignorance can do. Overall its been a very interesting ride so far. For this reason I , as mentioned by someone earlier, owe them my residency and put my money where my mouth is in this regard . My many friends who have left for other cities, bragged often when they left and boasted about their new locations, some still do, but , oddly enough everyone of them tells me now that they miss Detroit often saying its not a bad place afterall. They all tell me they miss the type of people you meet here and how important they become to you as you get older. |