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Kid Rock (Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr )
Symbolism matters.
Why do you think the folks at the Ilitch organization picked Kid Rock for the debut concert next Tuesday? Because they wanted to make a symbolic gesture that they're all about promoting local talent and workers.
They see Kid Rock as a home-grown hero. It's understandable. But in this case it was a mistake. A matter of being tone-deaf.
Local critics point to the Confederate flag he used to have on on stage, and his unbridled support of President Trump. Those values don't mesh with the majority of Detroiters. Why should that matter? Because about $324 million of the $863 million arena came from public funding from the city. That's not pocket change.
My guess is the lion's share of fans who will attend the multiple concerts Sept. 12-20 will be from the suburbs and other areas of the state, not Detroit. There's nothing wrong with Kid Rock performing at the venue, but he shouldn't be the first.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who has been a big booster of the new arena, told reporters the other day: "My feeling is, if you don't like Kid Rock's politics or music — don't go to the concert."
Some find his remark offensive.
"I feel like it's a slap in the face," National Action Network Michigan president Rev. Charles Williams II tells Metro Times. "I mean you're talking about 80 percent African Americans in this city who are being disrespected by what Kid Rock represents.
"That statement shows [Duggan is] very disconnected to what 'black lives matter' means, what Colin Kaepernick is doing, and what the Confederate flag means to African Americans."
America is wrestling with the correct level of political correctness. Yes, there is such a thing as too much. But when Donald Trump took the throne, he tried to do away with it all together, setting political correctness back many decades. Some in America saw that as a green light to openly say and write the most racist and offensive things. Charlottesville, Va., helped push it back in the right direction.
In this case, the Ilitch organization and Mayor Duggan should wise up.
It's not a matter of going or not going to concert, as Duggan puts it.
The people of Detroit have put up big bucks to make that venue a reality. They were never given a choice.
Why disrespect them?
