Don't Believe Everything You Hear, Part 1

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” or “Don’t believe everything you hear”… aren’t these ideas introduced in grade school? Yea people are more drawn to the books with shiny covers and intriguing titles, that’s human nature. However, to look beyond the glitz and sparkle is a remarkable ability that allows people to overcome doubt and fear. So in an effort to carry this same notion established early on, I’ve challenged several misconceptions I’ve heard during my time in Detroit. Based on personal experience, I’m attempting to shed some light on these misunderstandings one reader at a time because this is a city that’s worth the effort.

Detroit Skyline

As you read on you’ll see three common misconceptions that I’ve heard on more than one occasion. Don’t worry there are lot’s more… I couldn’t fit all the great quotes I’ve heard in one post. So keep an eye out for “Part 2”. 

“Detroit is SO dangerous, you're so going to get robbed or kidnapped!”

For starters…I’m not a big person, 5’2” (on a good day) weighing in at a whopping 119lb’s! Those that think of a typical Detroiter would say this description of a person walking around after dusk is a recipe for disaster. Again…Wrong! I like to consider myself a free spirit so if the mood strikes and I feel like stepping out of my apartment after 5pm, I’m going to do it. And after living downtown for over two years trust me I’ve taken many strolls by myself and as you can see I’ve lived to tell about it.

This is a very common misconception and usually the first question people ask when they inquire about my decision to live in Downtown Detroit. Again, after two years living in this bustling metropolis I’ve never been in a position where I’ve felt unsafe. Since my feet are my main source of social transportation, I’ve ventured outside the safety of my apartment more times than I can count…. always returning home in one piece and I still proudly own all of my purses.

On a daily basis it’s unusual to not run into law enforcement of some kind. Each day I take the Detroit People Mover to work where I’ve met more Police officers than any normal person should. I’m a friendly person so striking a conversation is something I would naturally do. These various conversations have reassured the validity of my 5pm decisions to take a stroll. However, law enforcement does continue to encourage Detroiters to use common sense when out and about because just like any other big city it is possible to be faced with an unsafe situation. Think of it this way, if you were in Chicago or New York you wouldn’t wander into a dark alley… same holds true for Detroit.  

"Detroit is so dirty, I mean there is graffiti and trash everywhere!"

First of all the proper name is “Street Art” and it’s not everywhere. As a matter of fact on a recent historical tour of the city I learned that there are a number of regulations in place that allow for citizens to propose locations where they can create street art. There is a mutual understanding that if the art is offensive in any way the city will remove it or ask the artist to adjust their vision to be more socially acceptable. This is a growing trend that pays tribute to the new life growing in my beloved city. It’s full of culture and expressive ideas with nothing being held back. 

Pure Detroit is a local retailer who created a Pintrest page dedicated to the recent “Street Art” boom in Detroit… click here to check it out and help to abolish this common Detroit misconception.

A Street Artist painting a masterpiece in Downtown Detroit

 

As for trash… Various organizations in Detroit have developed an initiative called “Clean Downtown” in which there is a daily workforce dedicated to removing litter in the streets. Many large cities have issues with street clean up; it’s all in how you efficiently manage the cleanup that makes the difference. In Detroit, you’ll notice a number of trashcans lining the streets and the Clean Downtown crew emptying them on a daily basis. This group also helps to beautify the city by powerwashing, painting and pulling weeds in the downtown area. 

“Tumbleweeds outnumber people”

First, what’s a tumbleweed? And secondly I feel the only thing that outnumbers the people are the misconceptions attached to the city. Granted Detroit is no New York, but it’s not a desolate Gilligan’s Island either. In the historical tour I recently participated in, hosted by Detroit’s DHive, it was noted that there are only about 4,000 living spaces available in the downtown Detroit area and as of November 9, 2013 the availability of these living spaces is at 98-99% capacity! And there is a waitlist for a number of apartment and condo complexes! So everyone that can live in Detroit... IS living in Detroit! Again, what’s a tumbleweed?

Detroit is a city that’s on the mend and while there may be a number of misconceptions, it only takes opening the eyes of one person at a time to turn those fallacies into funny stories. Love Always, Detroit.  

Just a Reminder...