Community pride and unease about the media fuel a strong backlash against Fox 2 News coverage Tuesday by M.L Erlick of building code violations at Detroit Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda-López's home. "So to be successful, your home needs to look like the Jones'? Nice, Fox News, real nice," one comment says.
The reporter responds in a Facebook post.
By M.L. Elrick
If you've been following the reaction on social media to my latest investigation, you may be feeling a sense of deja vu.
The report held a public official accountable for their actions (or, in this case, inaction), was based on public records, eyewitness accounts and, most importantly, empirical evidence. Everyone involved in the story was given a chance to respond to my findings, and everyone was treated with respect.
Most people found the story fair, thorough and relevant.
Others provided another reminder why Detroit continues to struggle to provide a vibrant and healthy home for ALL people: Name-calling, hypocrisy, race politics, entitlement, denial and enabling.
I am a big boy -- a big white boy, as many posters noted -- so I understand this comes with the territory. I scrutinize public officials, so -- as a de facto public figure -- I expect to be scrutinized, too. Fair enough.
I could go point-by-point on why the trolls are wrong about my background, my motives, my funny looks -- OK, they're right about the funny looks -- but I think the only thing that merits comment is to note the irony of people accusing others of making unfounded accusations and assumptions, stereotyping and name-calling, and doing precisely that themselves.
Also notable is what they don't do -- they don't find anything factually wrong in the report.
Whatever you believe, whoever you are, thanks for watching FOX 2 Detroit -- and thanks for reading.
