our view
Speak your mind ToTally Tammy
Bing’s plan to shrink the
city: unclear and unsure
Legendary in her own way
By Steven Malik Shelton By Tamara Lawrence
Mayor Dave Bing’s proposal to downsize Detroit raises very
Spring cleaning is not
serious questions and concerns, both legal and moral. He is also
just a time set aside for
very unclear about exactly what areas of the city are to be affected,
cleaning your house. Add
where people will be relocated, how residents are to be compen-
your soul to the checklist.
sated if they decide to move, or what is to be done if they are either
Life is messy and some-
unable or unwilling to leave their homes and businesses. “If we
times we fall into the trap
don’t do it,” explained Bing. “This whole city is going to go down.”
inside that mystic mess,
Bing’s basic premise seems faulty in that it rests on the rea-
especially as women.
soning that Detroit is a liability because it has too much land and
not enough people. Yet we all know that land is a vital asset and
For all my beautiful la-
resource that can not be manufactured or produced.
dies, I would like to wish
Successful is as
Of course it would be great if the land available in sparsely
you a very happy Women’s
populated areas of Detroit could be used and developed, and this
History Month. Without us,
is what Bing has indicated that he would like to do. But he is hazy
there is no history.
successful does
on who is to be in charge of the development and who will ultimately
Every single female on this Earth is a legend. You
benefit from this development.
don’t need an Oscar or Grammy to prove that.
Historically poor and Black communities have not fared well
In this week’s edition we are shedding some light on where the
from so-called urban renewal, gentrification and eminent domain
We carry history within our wombs. Every day, with
jobs are in Detroit, because contrary to popular belief there are still
programs. And since there is supposedly such an abundance of
God’s blessing, we give birth to history and we nurture
jobs available; you just have to know where to look.
land with too few residents, would it not be more practical and hu-
it on the horizons of our nature. Feel that heartbeat in-
Sure, everywhere you turn you see reports about the dire state of
mane to offer people in other areas of the United States who live in
side your chest? History began with one single heart-
the economy, both locally and nationwide. But the truth of the matter
crowded and displaced conditions to relocate to Detroit?
beat.
is that opportunity is what you make it.
Bing believes it is necessary to downsize Detroit because of a For the past few days, Mother Nature has given us
If you have recently been laid off, this may be a prime opportunity
dwindling population within its borders that is far less than what it a warm taste of early spring and you should be enjoy-
to figure out how you can capitalize off of a skill that you enjoy. Or
used to be 60 years ago when it had the industrial might to mass ing every little tender, sweet drop of it. Frost on the tini-
perhaps you have always dreamed of starting your own business.
produce most of the world’s automobiles, and that city services are est petals is melting away and the sun is no longer shy
The period after job loss provides a unique opportunity in that you
being overloaded because they must be provided to fewer citizens of the winter blast.
can use that time to complete your business plan and begin building
over larger areas. This is complicated further when one factors in
As women, we should take advantage of this fun
a client database while collecting unemployment.
high unemployment and an evaporating tax base.
sunshine and clean out all that filth that is clinging to our
Even if Bing’s vision for the city was practical and feasible,
School is another thing that people tend to put off because of
surroundings and our hearts. We need to stop abusing
there are fundamental legal barriers and hurdles that stand in his
work. The federal government has released a plethora of programs
our little boys, and we need to stop poisoning the minds
way, especially if he seeks to turn the newly acquired land over to
and grants to make it possible for adults to go back to school for
of our little girls by telling them they are Barbies. No
private companies or corporations for development.
little or no money. Outside of the traditional school options, there are
one should ever want to be a doll. You are a princess
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution stipulates that
always a multitude of seminars and workshops taking place all over
who will one day transform into a dynamic queen.
no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due
the state that offer free information about how to do many different
process of law and private property may only be acquisitioned for
We need to let go of the past. Your ex-lover is your
things.
public use and then only with just compensation.
ex for a reason. If not, then he or she would not be
The sky is the limit for the possibilities of what can be done to Even if Bing plans to seize the private property of Detroit resi-
your ex.
jump start new and exciting opportunities for yourself as long as you dents for the public good, as stipulated by eminent domain prec-
We need to stop allowing our children to walk out
are willing to put forth the effort. Nothing worth having is going to edents, he must deal with the Michigan Constitution which requires
the house looking so nasty. There have been times I
come easy so if you approach things with the expectation of putting that “private property shall not be taken for public use without just
would walk in a store and see a child with a nappy head
in what you expect to get out of your endeavors you will never be compensation therefore being first made or secured in a manner
and ashy, crackling skin.
disappointed. prescribed by law. Compensation shall be determined in proceed-
ings in a court of record.”
Instead we need to feed our children powerful
Our economy’s not broken; it’s just a little bruised right now. And
So unless Mayor Bing is prepared to give fair and just com-
thoughts and words. Most of all, we need to hug our
with the right attitude and a will to succeed, you may be surprised at
pensation to Detroit residents who are willing and ready to sell their
children. They don’t bite.
how much you can accomplish. There are a million and one ways to
legally make money and now is your chance to find one that you can
property, and prepared to bring convincing powers of persuasion to We need to stop stealing money from each other.
work at and enjoy at the same time.
bear on those who are not, his plan may indeed remain just that: We need to not care about how the strip clubs’ rules
a plan. and regulations are changing but how our youth are
not changing. They are so focused on being hood rich.
ComiC ConneCTion
Tacky combination. Last I checked, there is no such
thing as hood rich. Either you‘re rich or hood, not both.
This is an excellent time to work on yourself, wheth-
er you are a woman or man. Start looking into the eyes
of someone when you speak. Give daily compliments.
If you want to bungee jump, go ahead and do it. Do
whatever will help you live your life. That’s all you can
do with it. Live. Once you’re gone, you’re gone. No sec-
ond chances.
Most of all, remove that tiny thorn from your heart. I
know it hurts. Just don’t freeze in that malignant poison
of your mess. Instead, you should find yourself bundled
safely inside God’s legendary messages.
Follow Tammy at www.twitter.com/Totally_Tam-
my!
www.frontpageconnect.com • March 19, 2010 5
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16