I am happy that this is not the case. I quickly learned that if you are in Detroit attempting to take in the city it is impossible to not experience it. It did not matter that I missed a fact our tour guide shared because I was too busy appreciating the beautiful murals or that my scavenger hunt group spent 20 minutes on top of the Z garage taking in the view of the city rather than scurrying around to get enough points to win. For me, authentic Detroit has come through in the smaller interactions. My propensity to get distracted and focus on specific aspects of Detroit is what has allowed to truly appreciate the city. I did not really feel the “Detroit hustles harder” slogan when our tour guide discussed the city or when the articles I read prior to arriving emphasized Detroit’s drive. It became a reality for me when I talked to a lady at the nail salon about the beauty business she ran on the side, when the crowd at Detroit Demo Days went wild at any mention of the city, and whenever my boss enthusiastically discusses the work TechTown is doing. The bits of the city’s history that really stuck with me were not the facts I learned while reading the Detroit Wikipedia page but the information I learned while playing the interactive games meant for kids at the Detroit Historical museum. The picture below is of something I noticed my first night in Detroit that really stuck with me. The neon letters hung outside the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit compose a message I feel as though the city is constantly telling the rest of the world. It is certainly a phrase that all of us had to say to our family and friends when they expressed concern over our choice to participate in this DukeEngage. Detroit just knows something that the rest of the world does not: the city is strong, its people are passionate, and that everything will be just fine.
I will be the first to admit that I miss out on a lot. This is not because I am oblivious or absorbed in my phone. Most of the time I miss out because the world is so busy, I get easily distracted, and I fail to appropriately observe and take in what is around me. I was worried about this happening when I came to Detroit. I knew the city was vibrant, full of culture, and always had something exciting going on, but what if I missed out?
I am happy that this is not the case. I quickly learned that if you are in Detroit attempting to take in the city it is impossible to not experience it. It did not matter that I missed a fact our tour guide shared because I was too busy appreciating the beautiful murals or that my scavenger hunt group spent 20 minutes on top of the Z garage taking in the view of the city rather than scurrying around to get enough points to win. For me, authentic Detroit has come through in the smaller interactions. My propensity to get distracted and focus on specific aspects of Detroit is what has allowed to truly appreciate the city. I did not really feel the “Detroit hustles harder” slogan when our tour guide discussed the city or when the articles I read prior to arriving emphasized Detroit’s drive. It became a reality for me when I talked to a lady at the nail salon about the beauty business she ran on the side, when the crowd at Detroit Demo Days went wild at any mention of the city, and whenever my boss enthusiastically discusses the work TechTown is doing. The bits of the city’s history that really stuck with me were not the facts I learned while reading the Detroit Wikipedia page but the information I learned while playing the interactive games meant for kids at the Detroit Historical museum. The picture below is of something I noticed my first night in Detroit that really stuck with me. The neon letters hung outside the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit compose a message I feel as though the city is constantly telling the rest of the world. It is certainly a phrase that all of us had to say to our family and friends when they expressed concern over our choice to participate in this DukeEngage. Detroit just knows something that the rest of the world does not: the city is strong, its people are passionate, and that everything will be just fine.
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They won’t like us. This was my biggest fear as we started working with the fellows of Detroit Food Academy. After a potluck-style dinner at my boss Julie’s home, I left feeling at ease, knowing I had finally connected with the fellows—living symbols of Detroit—in a genuine, authentic manner.
I stepped out of the Uber and was first approached by a sign that read “Health and Peace Everyone” and immediately knew I was in for a treat. I stepped through the gates and peered through the tinted glass into a house unlike many others. One could easily describe it as a beautiful mess: a mix of old and new, recycled and purchased. I was immediately drawn to the spice shelf that displayed beautiful colors in “Drought” juice bottles. This sparked conversation with my boss, who proceeded to explain that she refrains from buying things. “My house is made out of garbage.” I was stunned. How could someone possibly make something so beautiful out of and take value in someone else’s trash? I suddenly remembered that she had previously mentioned that she made her bicycle herself, yet I had overlooked this until now. I proceeded to the backyard, where there—much to my disbelief—stood a blue school bus. Noticing my jaw drop, Julie’s sister gestured for me to check it out. On the way to the bus, I soon realized that there was a plethora of fruits and vegetables at my feet, which I later found out was Julie’s garden that she ate from exclusively. As I walked through the bus, I felt as if I had entered another home. Instead of bus seats, I approached a bed, running kitchen appliances, a couch, and a bath tub. Julie’s boyfriend Andrew described how this was his home as he lived to travel. After he met Julie, they toured the country together in that same vehicle. While he had a home now, the bus was still a part of him that he was not willing to give up. As Ajay and I were eating, one of the DFA fellows approached us and asked us to come on the trampoline with her. Soon enough we were jumping in harmony with all the fellows, not even thinking about the miserable heat or our beeping phones. They later trusted us with helping them cook, which meant we were finally being accepted. Behind each observation and person is a story. My version of authenticity is uncovering these stories, and I plan to continue doing so throughout the entirety of the experience. Before arriving in Detroit, I remember reflecting on my last semester at Duke and feeling a bit disappointed in myself. I noticed that I had become a bit more complacent than normal; I was content relaxing in my dorm and finishing a season of Netflix instead of feeling motivated to go out and explore things I was normally passionate about. I had heard criticism about “voluntourism” and wanted to ensure that I did my best to involve myself in the community. I vowed to go out and explore Detroit whenever I could. I went to “Detroit Demo Day”, an event where local entrepreneurs and companies pitched to an audience to win their share of over one million dollars. Numerous social entrepreneurs, influencers and community members were in the audience; I knew that fully immersing myself in the event would help me understand Detroit in an authentic manner. Dan Gilbert (the founder of Quicken Loans) spoke at the event, and I was extremely intrigued by the ways in which audience members reacted to what he had to say. Gilbert made it a point to endorse funding for public schools in Detroit. Many audience members in my general vicinity lauded Gilbert, but many started began jeering at Gilbert. I was confused; did these people not support the public education system or was there more I was missing? Many of my colleagues at DFA were surrounding me and I felt comfortable asking them about the general dynamic in the room. They explained that a majority of people in the audience felt that Gilbert and Quicken Loans were contributing to the revitalization of Detroit, but others felt that they also contributed to gentrification (and thus rising rental costs for people of lower socioeconomic class), monopolized real estate and weren’t helping those who needed it the most. These sentiments echoed what has come to be a recurring theme in what I learn about Detroit; the city’s narrative changes depending on who you ask about it. I’m glad I took the time to pay attention at the event and ask those around me (many of whom had lived in the city their entire lives) about the various dynamics I observed in the auditorium. I can’t make any sort of definitive statement about Detroit and its future; I’m learning more and more about the city but not coming to any sort of “conclusion” about it. I think that’s part of the beauty of exploring a completely new place. I tend to generalize and compartmentalize what I observe and make blanket statements. One thing I’m certain about is that the culture of unity, selflessness and resilience here is unlike anything I’ve observed before. I’m not sure whether Detroit is in the process of revitalization or whether what’s taking place is unfair to certain demographics or necessary for the community as a whole. I’m confident that by taking the time to observe my surroundings and speak to those who have been here far longer than me, I’m understanding Detroit in a more authentic manner. To me, that means refraining from drawing conclusions about a place I am constantly learning more about. An example of the culture of selflessness in Detroit.
A few weeks ago, I went to the Detroit Institute of Arts, and to be honest, I found it quite boring. After spending no more than thirty minutes walking briskly through the art-lined hallways, I retreated to a bench. This past Saturday, a friend of mine came to visit and because of the 95º weather and near 100% humidity, I suggested we find indoor activities. To my surprise, my friend wanted to go to the DIA. I hesitantly agreed to her request but warned her of its mediocrity. However, while walking through the museum for a second time, I was more intentional with observing the art and reading the informational labels next to it. I was shocked at how much I missed the first time: A Joseph Alber’s square, a chair designed by Otto Wagner, and an entire exhibit on 18th century American furniture. I observed art that challenged conventions of coloring in the lines (See photo below) and romantic tradition. By taking the time to truly observe the art, my experience at the DIA was much more worthwhile and meaningful. My experience at the DIA is an example of how being authentic makes life more fulfilling. I had another encounter with authenticity this past Friday while touring Quicken Loans and their expanse of buildings in downtown Detroit. It was truly incredible to see how one family of corporations (one of which is Bedrock) had a dream to transform the city into a hub of innovation and a hotspot for millennials; they most certainly have achieved that dream. We saw a basement with large vaults converted into conference rooms as well as modernized office spaces with perfect views of Campus Martius Park, as seen in the photo below. While observing a model of the city that highlighted each building owned by Bedrock, I began to grow weary of the sheer amount of space owned by the family of corporations. The more I walked around the city, the more I saw the iconic Quicken Loans logo on signs and The Bedrock “B” atop buildings. It is easy to say that Quicken Loans and Bedrock have transformed the city of Detroit because they rightly have done so. What once was an empty ghost town that numerous Detroiters told me no one dared to visit is now an incredible conglomeration of youth, innovation and pride. But to be authentic—to truly consider the work of Quicken, one begins to see an oligarchy forming right in the heart of downtown. It’s like the corporation is playing a game of monopoly; they continue to buy property and pass go, collecting money and adding their name to whatever entity comes next; they’ve already claimed the Qline, so it will be interesting to see what’s next. I cannot discredit the immense role the corporation has had in downtown, but upon deeper reflection, I feel a sense of apprehension for the future of Detroit: What happens when Bed Rock and Quicken lose interest in downtown? What if other corporations want to move to the city but can’t because of Quicken’s monopoly? To consider these challenging questions, one must observe more than just the beach in the heart of downtown or the magnificent art deco skyscrapers. It requires authenticity: engaging with the community and looking beyond surface level. When we are intentional, we uncover hidden truths behind the conventions of everyday. Whether they lead to a newfound appreciation of art or an uncertainty of a corporation, insightful observations lead to a deeper understanding of the environment around us. When visiting new cities, many people just focus on the physical things. They look at the architecture of the buildings, go to different monuments and taste the food, and truly believe that they are part of the culture while they are on the trip. But what people fail to realize is that the people make the place. Sure, all these material things might have influence from the people of the city or place but actually communicating and learning from the people can serve us much better if we are trying to immerse ourselves. This was my intention from the beginning while I am staying in Detroit. Many people talk about what Detroit looks like from the outside, but never take the chance to talk to the people.
While I was here, whenever I had a question about something concerning Detroit, I would always ask a random person I saw in the city. Most times, I would get a very nice, polite answer and sometimes they would even go farther and tell me something else that never occurred to me. This willingness to talk to strangers is a common trait found in many Detroit people, and it has helped me learn the culture so much. I usually go into different coffee shops around the city, and I really got to know the employees who work there. Many of them are so nice and have huge pride for Detroit despite any negative comments that come out from it. They are dedicated to their city and want to make anyone who visits leave with a smile on their face. I also believe a big part of Detroit’s culture is its African American population. Sure, there are people who are less fortunate than others, but this factor does not take away from their sincerity and politeness. I have had many opportunities to talk to random people I saw on the streets about what life is like in Detroit and how they feel about where the city is going. One constant answer that I received from most people is that the collective black people of Detroit try to support each other in every way so that the city can become better again, especially the suburbs and outside the downtown area. Talking to different people was my best effort to get immersed in the city. I think I learned more from talking to people than I would have eating any food, reading any plaque on a monument or reading any book about the city. Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real. To me, authenticity is not just a mental state but it is portraying your true self regardless of the time or place. An example of being authentic is being perceptive of one’s own surroundings and one’s perception of those surroundings. Being in a different place can put one’s own authenticity in jeopardy. When one interacts with an unfamiliar environment, he or she closes in and loses sense of their own surroundings. Authenticity is actively resisting this phenomenon. During my time in Detroit, I have definitely had to put things into perspective. Initially, when interacting with the city, I let my prior perceptions and judgements pervade throughout my experience. However, when I put things into perspective and immersed myself into the enriching history and continuities of the Detroit area, things became more clear, and I increasingly started to perceive things for what they are instead of allowing my primary judgements to clutter my inner sense of reality and how I fit into the landscape of the Detroit. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity of attending the 2018 EmpowerHER Summit sponsored by the Michigan Women Forward at University of Detroit Mercy. In Detroit, especially in the Downtown area, we are given this portrait of Detroit as an area where growth is led by large and multinational corporations investing in the city. Though corporate investment can be very advantageous to an area, Detroit’s growth has been highlighted by the nature of the larger corporations. With this perception, we lose track of the community-led entrepreneurial spirit. During the Summit, I learned so much about the massive female-led social enterprises within Detroit alone. The ideas and organizations covered the whole gamut of industry including workforce development, healthcare, beauty products, jewelry, clothing and apparel, food, technology, and more. My prior sense of growth was probably grounded in the entrance of larger companies and organizations “revitalizing” communities. However, I have been exposed to the true process of equitable, grassroots entrepreneurship, which stems from individuals who care about the communities. Pictured below on the slide is one of my favorite speakers from the Summit, Erin Patten. Erin, cofounder of DāO Detroit, a unisex beauty and wellness company headquartered in Detroit, MI. Her incredible story of combating racial and sexist remarks regarding her experience working in the fashion retail industry communicated that one can be their true authentic selves, seen in her ardent support of natural expressions of beauty in her products. She and the other women I heard from are prime examples of the true, authentic spirit of Detroit’s resurgence. When I first got to Detroit, I was reluctant to bike around the city. Biking wasn’t something I did often and I didn’t plan on starting anytime soon. But I have found this week more than ever that not only is biking enjoyable, but it has also enabled me to really explore Detroit and experience it in a new light. The bike has forced me to put the phone away, refrain from conversation and instead look inwards, and actually appreciate simply existing in Detroit and taking in my surroundings. On Monday a bunch of us biked downtown to watch the fireworks over the Detroit River in honor of the International Freedom Festival, which celebrates Canada Day and America’s Independence Day. As we biked down Cass Avenue and watched the fireworks begin to explode, framed between the skyscrapers of downtown, I could only relish in the moment. Chugging along the road and navigating the hordes of people and cars all trying to be a part of this fireworks display showed me a community of Detroiters I had not yet been exposed to. The entire time I was feeling pure happiness—excitement to be there, to be a part of the city’s long held traditions, and to be thinking of nothing else but my surroundings.
Even today, Lee, Sofia, and I biked to Eastern Market to see the artisan market and the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard (DCFY). Our path took us down big open roads I had never seen before. With nothing but my bike and I in my thoughts, I felt free: free to look inwards and reflect on my time in Detroit so far as well as free to look forward at the buildings, people, and greenery around me. Biking around Detroit, I have observed more of the city than I think I could have just walking with friends. While that has its own benefits in itself, there is something about biking that has made me feel empowered, independent, and simply more in the viewpoint of a Detroiter. I think I am still trying to figure out who my authentic self is, but what I am realizing is that I come pretty close to it when I am on a bike and unchained to anything but the thoughts in my head and the places around me. Authenticity is being true to yourself and what you stand for and I think being on a bike has done wonders for me on that end. It has not only helped me reflect on my experiences so far, but has also made me think about what I seek to get out of the rest of my time here. I think having self-awareness and appreciation for the environment that surrounds you when exploring a new place is often challenging. I feel like our situations allowed for a great deal of lackadaisical observations because we simply went to another city in the United States as opposed to somewhere abroad. We fall victim to the generalization that one big city in America is just like another, but the reality is that that cannot be any farther from the truth. When you take time to slow down and observe the Motor City you find that you are somewhere that is much unlike any other city in the world. It is a breeding ground for cultural sects such as pioneering blue collar nature transforming into an incredibly transcending technological hub. This does not even factor in the reality that Detroit is tremendously ethnically diverse. You can go from the Hispanic murals in Southwest Detroit to the African American paintings throughout downtown to the Arabic wood engravers near the Canadian border. What is incredibly astounding about all this diversity is that you can view it all in a matter of blocks. I have tried to fully immerse myself in this authentic Detroit experience during my recent bike rides. I have seen things that I did not realize were there by simply taking the time to look around more instead of focusing so heavily on where my destination is. One thing I have truly been impressed with in Detroit is the desire to maintain this tradition and heritage as much as possible. Much of the homes throughout Detroit’s historic districts have been minimally changed in the past century, and even as their value begins to trend upwards there is still that silent agreement between buyers and sellers that the authenticity of the area will be maintained. I feel like the same thing is happening with the larger properties. Take the old train station that Ford recently bought for example. This building laid vacant for so long and there was growing fear that it would eventually be condemned and consequently torn down, but Ford stepped in to both further their business potential and preserve the city that they had such significant role in growing. Another example of this preservation of authenticity can be seen below in the image I have attached to this blog post. This is an example of how Quicken Loans has sought to both enhance the downtown area while preserving its heritage with the conversion of a safe into the meeting room. This is just one of many examples of how they have attempted to do this with great success.
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