This summer, I started a venture: doing DukeEngage in Detroit. Detroit is labeled as a city of crime, hopelessness and bankruptcy. At least, it is what the media propagandized, and it was the impression I had of Detroit before I arrived in the city. However, after I got off plane, I started to doubt this idea. On my way to the place I live in, I saw many motivating slogans hung on buildings, such as “Nothing can stop Detroit!”, “Go Detroit!”, etc. Is Detroit really hopeless? I don’t know.
Next day, the interactive bus tour and scavenger hunt gave me an opportunity to know the true Detroit. Many bus stops in Detroit have beautiful wooden benches, which are provided by Sit On It Detroit. These benches are made by wood from abandoned houses in Detroit, and each bench has a built-in bookshelf providing books to passengers. On the walls of abandoned houses, local residents painted great draws with positive themes, which made the bus tour became a tour in gallery. Admittedly, things like making benches and painting on the wall are little and even negligible compared to the problems Detroit faces, but they turn a place that is supposed to be hopeless to a city of hope and energy, and this spirit matters. At the end of the bus tour, we visited The Heidelberg Project, which makes neighborhoods become the heaven of arts. When we were walking in the neighborhoods, we talked to an old lady. She sits in an automatic wheelchair with white hair. She said she has lived in Detroit for fifty years and Detroit is the best city in the world. We knew from the conversation that she is writing a book about the city she loves the most. I was impressed by her smile, her energy and her love of the city. She is like a young girl with ambition, energy, passion and love. Moreover, I saw the spirit of Detroit from her.
After I came back from bus tour and scavenger hunt, I was exciting and motivated because I was surrounded by energy, arts and thousands of young hearts. The media use cameras capture the abandoned houses and poverty in Detroit. That is true in Detroit. However, cameras cannot capture energy and hope, which can only be felt by heart.
People respect phoenix, because phoenix can be reborn from the ashes, which makes phoenix great. Similarly, every great city needs a test and rises from ruins. Now Detroit is tested, and fortunately, Detroit people have the spirit and belief to lead Detroit to the great. I am lucky, because I can witness and be part of this process. During two months in Detroit, I wish I could contribute to this great city and makes it a better place.
Next day, the interactive bus tour and scavenger hunt gave me an opportunity to know the true Detroit. Many bus stops in Detroit have beautiful wooden benches, which are provided by Sit On It Detroit. These benches are made by wood from abandoned houses in Detroit, and each bench has a built-in bookshelf providing books to passengers. On the walls of abandoned houses, local residents painted great draws with positive themes, which made the bus tour became a tour in gallery. Admittedly, things like making benches and painting on the wall are little and even negligible compared to the problems Detroit faces, but they turn a place that is supposed to be hopeless to a city of hope and energy, and this spirit matters. At the end of the bus tour, we visited The Heidelberg Project, which makes neighborhoods become the heaven of arts. When we were walking in the neighborhoods, we talked to an old lady. She sits in an automatic wheelchair with white hair. She said she has lived in Detroit for fifty years and Detroit is the best city in the world. We knew from the conversation that she is writing a book about the city she loves the most. I was impressed by her smile, her energy and her love of the city. She is like a young girl with ambition, energy, passion and love. Moreover, I saw the spirit of Detroit from her.
After I came back from bus tour and scavenger hunt, I was exciting and motivated because I was surrounded by energy, arts and thousands of young hearts. The media use cameras capture the abandoned houses and poverty in Detroit. That is true in Detroit. However, cameras cannot capture energy and hope, which can only be felt by heart.
People respect phoenix, because phoenix can be reborn from the ashes, which makes phoenix great. Similarly, every great city needs a test and rises from ruins. Now Detroit is tested, and fortunately, Detroit people have the spirit and belief to lead Detroit to the great. I am lucky, because I can witness and be part of this process. During two months in Detroit, I wish I could contribute to this great city and makes it a better place.
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