I watched a video titled How Detroit Went From A Booming Metropolis To A Shrinking City. I specifically chose this video as I felt I was lacking in my knowledge of Detroit’s history and a more identifiable timeline of events. The video title is describing a number of different aspects and industries that initially flourished in Detroit which allowed for the automotive industry to take over the city and cause an influx of citizens, boosting its population. Prominently, the African- American population moved away from discrimination and danger in the south and towards a city overflowing with employment in its booming industry. The most interesting part of the video is the description of how rising racial divides led to a flight of white people to the suburbs and moreover, how this then led to automotive plants moving their plants outside the city.
Before watching this video, I struggled to understand the relation between multiple different events throughout Detroit’s history that I had heard about and how they were connected. What was most surprising was how each seemingly separate thing was based on an earlier problem. For example, in the 1970’s there was a large rise in crime that was based on economic downturns that stemmed from white flight. This rise in crime snowballed with a multitude of other effects, enticing more citizens to move away from the city, reducing revenue that ultimately led to bankruptcy in recent years.
I enjoyed learning more about the interconnectedness of Detroit’s history. Most of what I have learned about Detroit and its shortcomings focuses specifically on the automotive industry so it was helpful to see how race and social dynamics had a large effect as well. To accurately help the company I am working with, I know that it will be essential to gain a better understanding of the community and its history. In doing so, I can have a better context about pertinent issues and which shortcomings not to repeat.
Before watching this video, I struggled to understand the relation between multiple different events throughout Detroit’s history that I had heard about and how they were connected. What was most surprising was how each seemingly separate thing was based on an earlier problem. For example, in the 1970’s there was a large rise in crime that was based on economic downturns that stemmed from white flight. This rise in crime snowballed with a multitude of other effects, enticing more citizens to move away from the city, reducing revenue that ultimately led to bankruptcy in recent years.
I enjoyed learning more about the interconnectedness of Detroit’s history. Most of what I have learned about Detroit and its shortcomings focuses specifically on the automotive industry so it was helpful to see how race and social dynamics had a large effect as well. To accurately help the company I am working with, I know that it will be essential to gain a better understanding of the community and its history. In doing so, I can have a better context about pertinent issues and which shortcomings not to repeat.
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