Prior to my arrival, I tried to learn as much as possible about Detroit, and my preconceptions (the same ones that drew me to the program in the first place) about Detroit have not been changed but rather affirmed. As an avid consumer of hip hop culture, the biggest things I knew about Detroit were Eminem, Danny Brown, and Big Sean. My first introduction to the city was their joint track under Eminem’s label, a brazen middle finger to the world called “Detroit vs. Everybody.” It’s a song which truly embodies what has resonated with me most about the city, the “me against the world” attitude first coined by Tupac (RIP). However, I soon learned that the sentiments of these local Detroiters are much older, as I found another connection to Detroit through my other great passion, basketball. The “Bad Boys” of the late 80s and early 90s, starring Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, among others, were a group of guys who didn’t really fit in on other teams and were written off as misfits, until they came together as brothers and won consecutive NBA championships in ’89 and ’90. Although their methods were a bit extreme, their “chip on the shoulder” attitude that permeates the city even today is amazing to be a part of, whether you see it in the countless young people ditching Wall Street to do more fulfilling work in Detroit, or the kind folks on the streets who offer salutations and directions and welcome tourists like us into their city. Its a feeling that I share to a degree, as an Asian American growing up in Hawaii and living in Durham; I don’t really fit into any societal mold and I don’t really want to. It will take a village to revive what was once America’s richest city, and I hope to offer whatever I can to be a part of the solution. Exactly what? I don’t know, because I don’t really know what my calling or career should be just yet, and I don’t know how exactly to solve all of Detroit’s problems. However, working at TechTown, engaging in their entrepreneurship curriculum, and meeting countless people who have disregarded the riches of the big cities is a big step in figuring that out. While on my own journey, I’m excited to see Detroit, a place that is constantly written off, disregarded and ignored, once again become great.
Prior to my arrival, I tried to learn as much as possible about Detroit, and my preconceptions (the same ones that drew me to the program in the first place) about Detroit have not been changed but rather affirmed. As an avid consumer of hip hop culture, the biggest things I knew about Detroit were Eminem, Danny Brown, and Big Sean. My first introduction to the city was their joint track under Eminem’s label, a brazen middle finger to the world called “Detroit vs. Everybody.” It’s a song which truly embodies what has resonated with me most about the city, the “me against the world” attitude first coined by Tupac (RIP). However, I soon learned that the sentiments of these local Detroiters are much older, as I found another connection to Detroit through my other great passion, basketball. The “Bad Boys” of the late 80s and early 90s, starring Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, among others, were a group of guys who didn’t really fit in on other teams and were written off as misfits, until they came together as brothers and won consecutive NBA championships in ’89 and ’90. Although their methods were a bit extreme, their “chip on the shoulder” attitude that permeates the city even today is amazing to be a part of, whether you see it in the countless young people ditching Wall Street to do more fulfilling work in Detroit, or the kind folks on the streets who offer salutations and directions and welcome tourists like us into their city. Its a feeling that I share to a degree, as an Asian American growing up in Hawaii and living in Durham; I don’t really fit into any societal mold and I don’t really want to. It will take a village to revive what was once America’s richest city, and I hope to offer whatever I can to be a part of the solution. Exactly what? I don’t know, because I don’t really know what my calling or career should be just yet, and I don’t know how exactly to solve all of Detroit’s problems. However, working at TechTown, engaging in their entrepreneurship curriculum, and meeting countless people who have disregarded the riches of the big cities is a big step in figuring that out. While on my own journey, I’m excited to see Detroit, a place that is constantly written off, disregarded and ignored, once again become great.
4 Comments
Melanie Burkett
6/15/2015 10:37:37 pm
Sounds like you're seeing first hand the power of pop culture -- music, sports - to create identity and community. A powerful testament to why the humanities are so important! I hope you find time to experience Detroit's music scene while you're there!
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harry
6/17/2015 03:24:32 am
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harry
6/17/2015 03:34:54 am
While you are on the topics of us against the world and music,check out the oldies version -the MC5 (for Motor City 5).
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Katherine
6/23/2015 04:34:13 am
David, I'm glad you have already observed the amount of people flocking here to find more fulfilling work. It really is exciting and astounding! I look forward to seeing the results of the work you bring to TechTown.
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