Dispelling Some Myths

This is entirely a knock-on-wood post. A lot of the things I'll say have never happened to me personally, actually could -- here or anywhere.

Here, being Detroit, MI. Detroit has quite a reputation. I've met a lot of people who have really crazy notions about the city and beliefs that have none, little, or a lot of truth to them. I just wanted to explain my views, experiences, blah blah, on the city.

1. There are NO cars on fire. I hear this a lot. Why? I have no idea. I don't drive around and just randomly see cars ablaze, ever. I saw a car (the only one I've ever seen on fire) in flames in [a city next to but not actually] Detroit. It was a couple blocks from my school at the time and it was on fire because Eminem was filming a scene for 8 Mile. Completely staged, not-at-all random. I don't know where this myth came from, but I hope it goes away -- it's just crazy.

2. Crime doesn't consume the city. In all honesty, Detroit is no stranger to the list of dangerous cities in America. It is dangerous just like a lot of other cities are. But, not every part of the city is dangerous. I've lived in a few places in and around the city; I've worked and gone to school all around the city, as well. I've never -- thankfully -- been assaulted, carjacked, been offered drugs, shot at, had my house broken into.

The biggest brush with crime I've had was when I was about 7. I was riding my bike and a bunch of kids stopped me at the corner, ordering me to let them have my bike. I laughed at them and rode away.

3. Our mayor is a gangster. A whole book series, a movie, a sequel and a reality show could be made about Kwame Kilpatrick. People like to eat up how quickly he fucked up his public image (and worsened Detroit's). I don't believe he's a gangster; he's just a young, dumb, stubborn liar. Kinda like a little kid. He gets into trouble, won't admit guilt, and makes everyone endure his stubbornness. And unfortunately, he's our mayor. :(

I hoped that those explanations open a few eyes. You won't see flaming cars on the road here, you don't have to fear for your life, belongings, etc here, and our mayor is a childish idiot, not a gangster.

Later