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Detroiters explore a sensitive subject this weekend in a Facebook group conversation that reflects the hopes and hurdles for a changing city.
The topic is race and the revealing, blunt dialog has elements of an encounter group -- emotion, vulnerability and affirmation -- without the hugs.
It also resembles a radio call-in show, which is fitting. The back-and-forth is at a group called Friends of Angelo B. Henderson, which has 2,800 members and was started by the WCHB talk show host who also was a minister and community activist.
"It has become a cool thing to jog or ride your bike through Detroit," comments Trent Phillips. (Posed photo is not local)
Although Henderson, 51, died in February 2014 at his Pontiac home, the digital discussion page thrives as one of his community legacies. The dominant focus since mid-afternoon Saturday, with 79 comments in 30 hours, is a post by Terrence Carr about this observation while "having work done on my car by the hood mechanic:"
White folks, men and women, are randomly jogging by. This is the deep east side. . . . We both are puzzled as to where do they come from and where do they live?
He has long noticed the phenomena. I am just paying attention to it. . . . When something puzzles me, I can't leave it alone. Where do these random white folks live? And it would help if they didn't look at us the way they do when they jog or ride by.
Carr lives in the Algonquin-Mack area, he adds in response to a question.
A few commenters speculate that joggers may be from the nearby Grosse Pointes. "It has become a cool thing to jog or ride your bike through Detroit," notes Trent Phillips. "There's old buildings and neighborhoods that [are] reconsidered treasures. . . . They have bike clubs and jogging clubs."
Carr's observation and puzzlement kindle the type of freewheeling exchange that's typical of social media. In this case, where participants are members of a moderated group, the discussion about gentrification, culture gaps and a sense of commumity is largely constructive, respectful and illuminating about the post-bankruptcy city. Essentially, it's about Old Detroit and New Detroit -- without touching those third-rail phrases.
Below is part of what's being said by men and women -- mostly African Americans -- who are friends and admirers of Angelo Henderson. (This article's writer, a group member, posted six comments. None are quoted here.)
Terrence Carr, who started the discussion, lives near Algonquin and Mack.
► "A privileged attitude:" I get bothered watching them navigate through "black Detroit" and not be bothered or worry about a certain element in our neighborhood. They have not been constantly victimized with the thought of nefarious action imposed on them. They sustain a privileged attitude of being protected by law, as well as the arrogance that a certain element would [not] dare to bother them because of their privilege.
They can be naive to the surroundings, but we cannot due to our constant victimization. They believe they are making our areas better.
If me and a few of my friends reverse roles and walk, run, skateboard through their areas, everybody is on high alert. If I do the same in my own area, I have to be in high alert. It don't seem fair that they can live on such a high and we can't have the same feeling. -- Dia Kabuum
►City-suburban gap: That is a problem I have also. I am nervous as hell driving through the burbs, even though I have my government-forced paperwork showing I have purchased my right to go from point A to B. I can't freely stroll through the points or any other burb unless I'm catching the bus.
Though I have to let my brothas around here know I'm not a mark, I don't have the anxiety when I drive through the city as I do when I'm in suburbia. I wish white folks and the cops in suburbia showed us the same courtesy as we show them here. -- Terrence Carr
► Outsider status?: White people have been moving into Detroit in the middle of the night. What's so funny is they can actually live wherever the hell they choose or want too. You might soon feel like the outsider in your own neighborhood. . . .
And guess what y'all?! Ain't nobody gonna so much as touch one of 'em. They are safe as safe can be, walking or riding a bike, and they know it. The crims will come after any of you or us before they think about going after one "out of place"-looking white person, male or female. They know they are safe -- that's why they ride solo or in places you or I would not dream of riding through. Has anyone checked to see if there is a "special white persons 911 number" for neighborhood frightful moments? They might have a secret police code and "super cops" arrive pronto. -- Sandy (from two posts)
"Nothing but positive results can come from networking," Terrence Carr comments in the thread he kicked off Saturday afternoon.
►"They don't seem interested:" I hope not. The neighborhood is for everyone, but the vibe I get is funky. . . .
They look and look away before there's a chance to speak. My mechanic said the same thing -- that they seem to not want anything to do with the people walking the street. And yes I look at them a certain way because like I said, it puzzles me. To be honest, I would like to get to know them. We look out for each other over here. But they don't seen interested. . . .
I've been here since 2008 and never seen nothing but the locals until now. . . . Hopefully when we have our annual block party in a few weeks, they'll take a break and drop in. . . . -- Terrence Carr (from four posts)
► "Late to the table:" I've noticed the same thing in the Midtown area. Plus, they run in the middle of the street. I think they're just reclaiming what they feel is theirs anyway.
Their grandparents left, their parents raised [them] in the subs. They're coming back to fill the jobs we weren't trained for. . . . No they're not tryin' to be our neighbors. They know we won't be able to hang in there much longer. Insurance, taxes, utilities will wipe out our incomes. See, they plan way ahead of the game.
We gotta stop being late to the table. We've had time to plan for this pending doom, but we just can't get our "leaders" to cooperate with each other. Then you can't get our people to follow, so we keep coming out the little end of the horn. -- Ifraj Schkoor
► "I predict . . ." I've seen a lot of the new people in the Van Dyke-Lafayette area. For some reason, the new people don't show any fear. I would love to purchase a home in the E. Grand Blvd and Lafayette area. I predict, in less than ten years, the current average Detroiter won't be able to afford to live in that area. That area is just a jog, or a bike ride, from Belle Isle. -- Craig
► "They are everywhere: "I live at Chicago and Hamilton and they are everywhere! At least 40 bike riders a day, as well as walkers. . . .
I have lived all across the city because of a broken home, I have always felt safe -- now more then ever. My first line of defense is what . . . I call love! I address everyone the same, with dignity! I embrace the young men at the gas station. I speak first. I ask them how their day is going. I ask "are you OK?" I tell them to be careful. I wish them well and I tell them I love them! I show concern as well as compassion! It pulls them back into humanity and creates a humane environment! -- Tangela Harris (from two posts)
► "Melt away a layer:" Tangela Harris, you are right with that point. Sometimes it just takes a kind word and a smile, or perhaps a compliment about something. I've done that many times. I think it does melt away a layer of trying to be and look hard or intimidating. -- Sandy
► Courtesy, respect: My wife does the same when she's gardening in our front yard -- always says hello, even the hardest-looking guys with their headphones blaring or talking loudly on their phone. Some ignore her, but some now speak to her first -- ask if she needs a hand or give her a compliment about our flowers. -- Chris Bryant (white DPS teacher)
► "A cool thing:" They ["random whites"] might live in the burbs and are just jogging through. It has become a cool thing to jog or ride your bike through Detroit. There's old buildings and neighborhoods that [are] reconsidered treasures, and when they have their gatherings and what-not they speak on these things. Notice the bike trails everywhere. They have bike clubs and jogging clubs. . . .
They live in the Pointes, Indian Village, Midtown, New Center and downtown, so they jog in those areas and bike in those areas. I live in the Alden Towers -- a lot of them live here. . . .
When people are jogging they are not trying to talk and be social. Do you stop and talk and be social when you're in the burbs? The Arabs and Chaldeans say a lot of Blacks could be more social and vocal and friendly when they come in their stores, so it goes both ways. People are scared on both sides. So what else is new? . . .
White people come in and do their thing without supposed fear, you ought to be celebrating. There's hope for a change. -- Trent Phillips (from four posts)
► "Meet and greet:" In fact I do stop and talk to people in the burbs. I'm not just strolling through sightseeing. I wouldn't take the risk of a bad encounter with a bad cop just to see how the other half lives. So yes, Trent Phillips, I do stop and talk to whomever.
And if I'm using their neighborhood as a venue for exercise, I would take the timeout to meet and greet. Nothing but positive results can come from networking. -- Terrence Carr
► "Jog with them:" I love it! All are welcome! Growing up in the D, around Dexter/Fenkell was multicultural and a great experience. Hope it comes back too. Many of you born after 1967 may not realize how beautiful it was. We should get our act together and jog with them not against them or you will be left behind -- again. -- Lawrence Walker
► Neighborhood evolves: The only white joggers I was used to seeing were in the U of D area. Now, there are joggers, dog walkers, shoppers and bike riders right in my neighborhood, Most of time we end up having conversations. . . .
Lawrence, you are so right. I've met quite a few of the white people that are in my area. They seem to be cool people. Even had some conversations about gentrification with them. Diversity in neighborhoods is good.
But I'll never forget the story of Detroit and how we got to this place. But at the same time, I don't blame random white people on bikes for what has happened to Detroit. That's a mistake that some people are making. . . .
Sometimes people tell me that I "act like I'm white" when I ride my bike at night or walk my dogs at night. So I look like I'm not afraid myself. But I am. -- Tracy Neal (from three posts)
Terrence Carr's neighborhood. (Google Earth photo)
► Detroit teacher says: As somebody who's lived in Detroit since 2003, I can tell you from experience that I don't get a special response time by cops because of my race. It might be better because I live in East English Village, but no better than for my black neighbors.
As for white folks not acting scared at gas stations, it might be naivete or they aren't trying to come across as being the stereotypical scared white person. Believe me, I'm watching my surroundings when I'm getting gas, but I also am not making it obvious that I'm doing it. Just because I'm getting gas in the city doesn't automatically mean that I'm a target for everyone at the station who has darker skin than I do.
I'd much rather that folks who look like me get involved with their community and out and about in it than stay locked inside their homes and isolated. But I do hope that nonchalance is a front, because criminals can spot an easy mark a mile away.
For me, it helps I've taught in DPS for 16 years now, and truly believe if you're respectful of others and friendly, they'll let down their guard -- and it doesn't matter what the race is. Folks just want good neighbors, period. A far cry from when I moved in and the teens next door were ignorant enough to ask me, "You're moving here?" By the way, they were horrible neighbors -- and lost their house seven years ago. Just a coincidence, but the block has improved without them. -- Chris Bryant
► "Someone dropped he ball:" They started [comng] back into the city with the New Center area (Woodward and Grand Boulevard area), then inched on down to the theater district. Did you not notice the old warehouses being bought and renovated into expensive lofts? . . . All the waterfront property has been bought or owned since I was 21. . . . All property around the Wayne State area now belongs to the DMC medical financiers. They have been taking back the City of Detroit since before Kilpatrick was put out of office.
The only ones that didn't notice were the ones who couldn't see the forest for the trees and the smoke that was put before us. We all need to wake up. Stand up before it really is to late. . . . We should be standing up, looking at what's going on and staying. . .
Black Bottom was once ours -- our homes, our business -- because we stood together. But someone dropped the ball. We need to pick it back up again. -- Yvonne McCaskill
Note: Comments are not in the order originally posted.
