When The Underdog Wins (Or, Why I Love Detroit)

Mindfuliterations 

Just the other day, I was having a discussion with a Detroiter I know from Twitter. Although we were discussing computer issues, I made mention of the fact I had moved from Los Angeles to Michigan.

He asked me what made me move here, as he often hears more about people leaving the state than moving to the state. While a long-distance relationship originally moved me here, it hasn’t been what’s kept me here. Yes, I’m still in the same relationship, and yes, the relationship is still going strong.

My partner and I have discussed relocating to other cities. We have family in Florida, as well as California. I have a large number of friends scattered throughout the great state of Texas. (And it is a great state!) We both have that adventurous nature of wanting to experience new places. But any and every time we’ve discussed a move, we always come back to the same conclusion: we want to stay in Michigan, specifically the Detroit Metro.

You may be wondering what could possibly make us want to stay in a region whose largest city is known for having a staggering rate of violent crime and an unrivaled unemployment rate. I could answer this question in many ways, coming from many perspectives.

So, why do we stay in Detroit? And the even bigger question: Why do we want to stay in Detroit? (And when I say Detroit, I mean the City and the suburbs.)

We have family here.
While we have family in various other parts of the country, we have more family here. Family is something that is very important to both, my partner and me.  Even still, Detroit is centrally located in respect to much of our family. We can get to New York, Florida, Virginia, or even California with an easy flight out of Detroit.

We’re both huge fans of the underdog.
The underdog? Yes, the underdog. You don’t have to look very far to find an underdog in Detroit. Whether it’s our football team, the Detroit Lions or the auto-industry, we’ve got plenty of underdogs in Detroit. What makes the underdog special? Lots of things. The underdog has to fight for things just a little bit harder than those who have everything handed to them. The underdog has so much untapped potential and usually a pretty interesting history. And best of all: hardly anyone expects the underdog to make it, but when the underdog does? It’s like magic.

Detroit has some of the most persevering people I’ve ever seen.
Detroit Lions fans are hardcore. How we’ve kept from jumping off the Ambassador Bridge after so many unsuccessful seasons, I’ll never know. And this is coming from someone who has only been a fan for 6 years. How the people who have been fans for more than that still manage to get out of bed in the morning, is a question that could baffle the most prolific philosopher. But it speaks to one of two things. Either Detroiters are crazy, or they’re some of the most persevering people in this country. I prefer to believe the second hypothesis, although on many Sundays, I’m inclined to believe the first.

Detroit has amazing architecture.
When I’m in downtown Detroit, there’s one thing that always puts me into a state of awe: the absolute splendor of much of Detroit’s architecture. And it’s not just the big fancy buildings. As I drive through the small suburban streets on a crisp autumn day, the craftsman bungalows and stately tudors can’t help but make me remember a time when I didn’t even exist – a time that is called middle America. A time when we didn’t have any of the digital distractions that make our live more convenient, yet also more chaotic. A time when milk was delivered to your doorstep by a friendly milkman, and a time when we actually took the time to know our neighbors.  In Detroit, you’ll find the architectural masterpieces by great architects such as Albert Kahn.  Because of its architecture, there was a time when Detroit was referred to as the Paris of the West. Detroit architecture, whether decayed or not, is some of the most amazing stuff you’ll ever see.

Detroit has a rich history.
Much of Detroit’s history, to put it honestly, really sucks. In my first few months of living here, I was on the verge of being obsessed with reading everything and anything I could get my hands on relating to Detroit history. I was astounded at the tribulations newly freed slaves had to face. I was even more outraged after reading the stories of Dr. Ossian Sweet. I was heartbroken when I read the tales of the blockbusting that took place in many of our Detroit neighborhoods.  And all I could do was shake my head after learning about the wall placed on Eight Mile Road in order to secure real estate development loans.  The riots of ‘67 speak for themselves.

But, all of this terrible history aside, there is still much good to be found in the history of Detroit. On Monroe Street, in downtown Detroit, you’ll find the Second Baptist Church of Detroit – a church that served as a station of the Underground Railroad. We are the birthplace of the automobile industry. Ever hear of Stevie Wonder? How about The Supremes? If you have, you’ve heard the Motown sound.  Detroit’s role in the Industrial Revolution cannot be stated enough.  I am proud to live in a city with such a fascinating and rich history.

Sports, sports, sports.
If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably seen me tweet about a Red Wings game. Or a Lions game. Or a Michigan game. Or a Tigers game. If there’s one thing I learned when I moved to Michigan, specifically the Detroit area, it’s this: Detroiters love their sports. After living in three states and many different cities, I’ll make the bold claim that Detroit has some of the best sports fans in the nation. It’s kind of like a thread that ties us all together. You can strike up a conversation with just about anybody about the Lions, the Tigers, the Wings, or the Pistons. Chances are, they’ll know about a great play in last night’s game, or make a deprecating joke about the Lions.

You can actually afford to have a great qualify of life in Detroit.
Having been raised in California, the prospect of living in anything except for an apartment was a foreign concept to my concrete-fed mind.  However, after moving to Michigan, I learned that the Great American Dream of home ownership could actually be attainable in my lifetime. For less than $200,000, you can easily find an amazing house with a yard, a white picket fence, and plenty of space for the dogs or the kids. And, you can find it in a safe neighborhood with tree-lined streets that are a sight to behold, especially after a fresh snowfall.

We have the Four Seasons. (The actual seasons. Really)
Another thing that was foreign to me, having grown up in Southern California, was the concept of seasons. The most I’d ever known of winter was a 50 degree, rainy day. I don’t recall ever seeing the fall colors, and I certainly don’t recall there ever being the first snowfall of winter. Although I don’t enjoy driving in the snow or on icy roads, there’s nothing more serene than the quiet that comes along with winter’s first snowfall. There’s few things more breathtaking than the sight of the reds, yellows, and oranges you’ll find on oaks, poplars, and maples in the month of September. Spring brings with it 40 degree temperatures and excitement about ditching our snow boots. Summer brings warm nights, a sky that’s lit until 10:00pm, and the cool breeze that comes along with being out on a boat on one of our many lakes. The seasons are just one of the things I fell in love with.

Detroit has potential.
As I said: hardly anyone expects the underdog to win. But when the underdog does, it’s like magic. When I look at Detroit, I see a city that was once great; a city who longs to be great again. When I look at Detroit, I see a city that is can’t wait to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, much like its motto proclaims. I see a place filled with people who love their city and want nothing more than to see it rise again. I see an area with diversity. An area with grit. An area that I hope will one day be greater than it ever was. An area that will make those Detroit-haters shut their mouths once and for all.

The People.
I’ve already said that Detroit has some of the most persevering people you’ll ever find. But, what I didn’t say is that Detroit also has some of the nicest people you’ll ever find; people who genuinely care.  The people of Detroit and the surrounding suburbs are real. These are people who will look you in the eye; people who will help you carry your furniture into your house, or help you find an honest mechanic. Now, not all of the people of Detroit are like this, but what city’s residents are perfect?  Sure we’ve got crime, but who doesn’t? To be cliche, I’m not about to let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.

To sum it up, I love Detroit. It challenges me, it makes me think, and it makes me have something that I think we all need to have a little more of: Hope.  I love it here. This is my home. While many people are leaving, I will be staying. After all – when the underdog wins?  It’s like magic.