Why does the Robertson story make my blood
boil? Why am I so agitated by the stories posted about the money pouring in to
this Detroit man?
Because we are MISSING THE POINT. It is time
to have a frank and honest discussion about what is really happening in Detroit
and Metro Detroit—two very different areas. And it’s time to stop dragging our
feet, to stop living in the past, and to get up and do something about it. Now.
Because it’s unacceptable.
The way I see it, there are three major factors
in this problem:
1.
Governance
2.
Racism
3.
Auto industry
Let’s start with the easy guy: the auto
industry. Metro Detroit was designed for cars. That’s what we do! As the motor
city, we produce the cars that Americans are proud to drive. There are three problems with this: cars are terrible for the environment, the cars are
hardly even produced here anymore, and the focus on cars has driven the design of Michigan's infrastructure for decades. Take a closer look at the Robertson story. There are no jobs in the city of Detroit
because factory jobs are no longer in the US—for better or for worse. I won’t
even touch that issue in this post (although according to some people, this may change in the near future).
In terms of infrastructure, unfortunately there is not a lot that can
be done at this point about the layout of Detroit. However, that doesn’t mean
that we need to move forward by following this precedent. Plenty of cities have
adjusted after having a sprawling design. It is possible, friends! Drive into
DC, Chicago, or San Francisco and you will notice the trains going along the
route of the highways. Joint infrastructure—we can make that work.
The truth is that encouraging independent
cars to be the transportation norm will solve NO PROBLEMS. We will have to
continue talking about the same problems. Instead, we need to work on the (yes, difficult)
task of switching our habits to public transportation and invest in mass
transit instead of further expanding our highways--the solution that most metro Detroit transit authorities emphasize.
Next up: let’s talk about racism. 13,248
people reached into their own pockets to donate to James Robertson when his
story was published. Transportation Riders United (TRU), a Detroit-based
transportation advocacy group started a petition to take advantage of thispublicity, to bring names to the movement for improved transportation through
metro Detroit. So, all 13,000 of those people signed the petition, right? Those
same people also voted to keep SMART in their communities, right? That’s what
they meant when they donated to Robertson, right? WRONG.
As of February 11,
there were 1,409 signatures on the petition. Similarly, the reason Robertson
has such a tough time getting to work is because the citizens in communities
throughout Metro Detroit have the option to opt-out of having SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) in their
communities. What does that mean? That means that these vital routes to THE
ONLY JOBS IN MICHIGAN are cut off. Detroit residents are stuck. Or they trek 21
miles in frigid temperatures to make it to the last factory job in the state.
It just makes me so angry that people flock
to stories of one person, ONE PERSON, when there are thousands of people in
Detroit alone facing the same challenges. To me, it seems like the unfortunate
echo of past race relations: we still feel like this person is below us,
because he is black. We are happy to help,
but no way are we going to vote to allow other blacks from Detroit to bus
in to our neck of the woods. We want to keep control, because we are still afraid, or
angry, or prejudice, or a million other terrible things. It breaks my heart to
see it happen, even in my closest friends, even in myself sometimes—this is the
way that people still see it. Put your vote where your money is, people. This
is larger than one person. Keep public transportation in your community.
Now, to address governance in this state. I
do believe: I do not think that people are cruel and are not voting to
bring in SMART to their communities simply because of underlying racism. This region has a
very tricky history of politics. People do not trust that the government can do
anything to help this region. That makes sense, as the region has been failing (in many, though of course not all, respects) for the past 50 years. But it doesn’t mean that we have to accept that and move
forward with this mindset. What can the government do?
Transparency, participation and
predictability are going to be key moving forward. Learn a lesson from the
transparency of other cities throughout the nation who publicly post meeting
notes, who actively engage citizens through modes that work, such as social
media and attendance at events where their target populations are. This is a
huge undertaking, and the government will not see results overnight. But that
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Start somewhere: start with one department and
make it reputable. Form connections with honest community and business leaders
who will vouch for you. Cut down on corruption. Engage others and ask them for
help. I promise you that by engaging others in the conversation you will not
only gain a million innovative, interesting ideas for moving forward, but you
will also gain a task force that you would not otherwise be able to afford or
attain. You may not be able to hire these people, but you can take advantage of
their passion for the city and engage them to activate their circles, as well.
EVERYTHING MATTERS.
Here’s what I’m saying, guys. I’m saying that
I am sick of the way things are in metro Detroit. I am sick of tiptoeing around
issues that have a giant impact on the way that hundreds of thousands of
people—old folks, working folks, and KIDS—are living. These issues have a
ripple effect. Making one change will directly impact other industries, other
issues.
BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DROP IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT RIPPLE.
We need to
stop scratching our heads and saying, “Yep, Detroit really is in rough shape.”
Shut up! Shut up, and do something about it. Because it is on all of us to turn
things around. Alright? This is the United States. People look to us, and people think
that we are well-intentioned, honest people. Let’s be the Americans we want to be.
So, what should you do now? Well
first, you should do some thinking. Reflect on how you live your life and what
you can do to have an impact on things in metro Detroit, or wherever you may
call home. These issues apply to so many of us, throughout the country.
Next, sign this gosh darn
petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/demand-a-transit-solution-1?source=c.em&r_by=534305. And start following the RTA, TRU, DDOT and SMART. AAATA does a
great job of engaging folks in the community—check them out for a good example!
But transportation is not the only issue
facing the city. Think about what else is going on, and what you can do to
help. Look at the way Dan Gilbert moved his entire company to Downtown Detroit,
and look at the ripple effects that is having. Look at the way the University
of Michigan is having a Detroit Week, and is engaging academic leaders and students to talk about these issues. Look at the way The Empowerment Plan and Ponyride are making moves
to spur economic activity targeted at social impact. What can you do? Where can
you join in on the conversation?
There are so many ways to make a difference
and to start something. I just want to see you do something. I want to see
those 13,000 people who donated to this campaign to raise their voices, as well
as their money, in a movement that matters.
Thank you for your time. I sincerely hope
that you do not feel alienated after reading this and that you rather feel
inspired by how angry I was while I wrote this. How angry I still am. I do not
mean to offend, but to activate. It’s time to do something. Now.
