inspirations Everyone has a story to
tell, including the city you call home. The city of Detroit is a particularly compelling study, chock-full of cour- age, expansion and tension. We invite readers to join the Michigan Chronicle as we take a look back at our city’s incredible history.
By Cameron Lee SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Detroit is a hard-working
city full of history. Under- standing the citys past will undoubtedly help you to see its future potential.
The Motor City, once the
fifth largest city in the United States, was built on the foun- dation of blue-collar dedica- tion, economic innovation and African American migration. Detroit also became a beacon of hope for its citizens and Black America.Built from the foundations of the automotive industry, Detroit developed into the prototypical working class city, in combination with its factory workers and the early 20th century migration of Blacks from the segregated South. As the city headed for the latter half of the 20th cen- tury, the area became one of the country’s largest and most demographically metropolitan cities.
However, following an array
of contentious factors, includ- ing the 1967 civil disturbanc- es, Detroit began to feel the extensive regional problems that continued to adversely affect its development. In ad- dition, the 1974 Milliken v. Bradley Supreme Court case dealt with the Detroit Public Schools busing issues and the differences between de facto (in practice) and de jure (in legal principle) segregation. Ultimately, the case restricted a city’s right to deliberately alter school district lines.
Turn of the Cen- tury
During the early 20th cen-
tury, the southern United States was in the midst of great social tension as its Jim Crow Laws, the Ku Klux Klan and African Americans’ grow- ing desire for social equality all swirled around society.In the southern states, Blacks occupied society’s basement as house-servants and share- croppers, which reinforced their lower class identities. Lynching became White south- ern America’s vigilante form of policing its Blacks, especially those who wanted to exercise their voting and other fun- damental democratic rights. Between 1882 and 1920 there were nearly 3100 lynchings of African Americans.
By 1915, African Americans
decided to fight the accepted racism by migrating to the urbanized North. Stemming from the prospect of equality, freedom from persecution and increased economic opportu- nities, Blacks flocked to north- ern cities such as New York City, Chicago and Detroit. As the northern shift took place, the urban populations explod- ed. In 1920, Detroit was home to just over 990,000 people. By the 1950 US census, however, its population had doubled. This shift would spur urban industrialization while providing increased op- portunities for Blacks.
At the time that blacks
made the great migration to the North, the Detroit automo- tive industry began maturing under Henry Ford. He was in the midst perfecting his mass- production philosophy, and brought his ideas to the auto industry and its workers. Mr. Ford’s economic innovations began to modernize the func- tions of production and work- force relations for Detroit and the world. Ford Motor Com- pany’s assembly lines func- tioned based on assigning em- ployees’ specific job functions that increased production and revolutionized worker output. By 1914, the company com- pletely transformed the De- troit economy by introducing the $5 workday and satisfy- ing its employees’ desires for competitive salaries.
During the World War I
era, Ford Motor Company and other northern companies sent labor agents to southern states in order to actively re- cruit Blacks that were seen as an untapped labor resource.
Detroit reaches a tipping point
Heading into the mid-20th
century, Detroit reached its highest levels of automotive production and population as the city swelled to 1.85 million people. The Motor City had become a hard-working me- tropolis with economic foun- dations centered around car production.
Monica Morgan
ments were the foundation of the region and generations of families were directly em- ployed by an automotive com- pany or one of its subsidiar- ies.
Even today, new vehicle
The Communicating Arts Credit Union (on side of building, rear), a historic Detroit building. While business boomed for
Tension rang from Tele-
the auto industry and many Detroiters, Blacks and Whites, lived completely separate lives within the same city limits.
Soon, White Detroiters’
growing distaste for Blacks, White migration to nearby suburbs began. As the 1950s progressed, the city that originally served as a beacon of hope for so many people would soon become a place where racial tensions would erode many relationships.
1950 would represent a sta-
tistical climax for Detroit that would not be reached again during the 20th century.
Tension: Pull- ing Detroit at its seams
Beginning in the late
1950s, as “Black Detroiters began moving out of an era of rigid segregation,” says native Detroiter Howard Sims, “the population began to swell and the auto industry continued to boom.”While there were positive signs coming from Detroit’s cash cow industry, its White middle class began to move to the surrounding areas of Southeast Michigan. This came as a response to the growing white opposition to Black social mobility, as Whites resented their neigh- borhoods being invaded by “colored people.” This acceler- ated the suburban segregation and real estate practices that prevented Black movement.
Soon, newly sprouting sub-
urban housing markets devel- oped into racially exclusive communities that were vehe- mently opposed to outward black-migration.
In the following decade of
the 1960s, the Detroit com- munity of just under 2 million saw an 18 percent population decrease. The factor that pre- vented further depletion was a 60 percent increase in the city’s Black population during the same period, especially as they were continually pre- vented from moving to sur- rounding neighborhoods. This inequality fanned the flames of resentment among the Af- rican American community as Detroit headed for the end of the decade.
1967 Regardless of the tense
residential circumstances across the region, one event in 1967 would have the most violent and lasting effects on the Detroit psyche. One July night, Detroit police raided a Black city bar and violently repressed many of its patrons. Following the raid, terrifying violence broke out as Detroi- ters expressed anger over this and many other violentpolice raids, along with the perceived commonality of police bru- tality and social inequality against Blacks.Black Detroi- ters were also frustrated with the region’s economic differ- ences, and some citizens used militant violence to protest their disenfranchisement.
Immediately following the
original incident, violence broke out across the city and lasted for five explosive days.
Detroiter Monica Morgan
still has memories of watch- ing the events with her family on television, and how sur- real the events seemed from her vantage point. Even from the outside, Ms. Morgan and others could not fully grasp the damage the disturbances had on the Detroit psyche.
Ultimately, following the
National Guard’s mobilization, the casualty rate ultimately exceeded 1,200 people along with more than 7,000 Detroi- ters being jailed. The civil disturbance, which quickly became nationally known as the Detroit riots, burned a dark scar into the city’s con- sciousness.
graph Road to Woodward Avenue and everywhere in between.The 1967 riots fur- ther accelerated the shifts that accelerated the significant social and economic changes in Detroit’future.
A new era The early 1970s signaled a
further shift in the racial sen- timents and composition of the city, and ushered in a new political machine. Soon, the Motor City’s anti-establish- ment political groups trans- formed the city with a biracial political revolution.
The voice and leader of this
political change was Coleman Young, an influential Black state senator whose repu- tation grew during the civil rights era. Mr. Young, a vocal African-American leader, rep- resented a stark contrast to the White political leadership that previously led the Detroit electorate.
Mr. Young was committed
to making a change in the city. His campaign was not only fo- cused on improving Black civil rights, but he worked to end police brutality. In Septem- ber of 1973, just two months before the end of the mayoral campaign, one Detroit Police Department special task force alone was responsible for 22 suspect casualties.
Blacks were outraged with
the establishment violence and wanted a politician whose priority was protecting minor- ity citizens across Detroit. As a result, Young’s mayoral campaign focused on creating a police force free of excessive violence.
Mr. Young won the conten-
tious 1973 mayoral election and brought a new agenda to city politics. “Coleman Young’s election came at the right time for Detroit because he represented a “new Detroit,” says Mr. Sims. To Young, this new Detroit involved improv- ing the rights of Black Detroi- ters who felt abused by city of- ficials.
Mr. Sims also noted that
“the mayor focused on pro- moting Blacks to various of- fices within Detroit’s public agencies and services. Soon, these jobs provided Black De- troiters with a direct route to the middle class.”
While Mr. Young’s agenda
accelerated civil rights, his administrations policies quickened the suburban shift and further polarized the Black and White communities. Sur- rounding municipalities saw Young was an uncompromis- ing, militant Black mayor.
Angry citizens often com-
plained that Young widened the wedge between the city and its suburbs. Not only did they believe Mr. Young stimu- lated a mass exodus, but also further influenced two of the city’s professional teams, the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Pistons, to move outside the city limits during his terms in office.
While Young’s confronta-
tional political style made him beloved by the Black popula- tion, this style often alienated him from the White elector- ate.
As Young’s tenure handed
increasing control over city politics to Black Detroiters, there was a consistent 10-11 percentunemployment rate in the city. Compared with an av- erage national unemployment rate of just over 7 percent during the same period, city economics under Young were also never really prosperous.
These economic realities
were not only a reflection on the homogeneity of Detroit’s dependence on the auto in- dustry but also Young’s tense relationship with suburban businesses and towns.
As a result of this conten-
tious relationship, Coleman Young’s tenure focused on im-
proving life for the Black elec- torate rather than strength- ening the diversification of Detroit’s commercial endeav- ors.
Detroit and the
Supreme Court During the beginning of
Young’s tenure, the Supreme Court unintentionally in- creased the suburban flight that was already splintering the city.
In 1973, the Detroit case
of Milliken v. Bradley went to the Supreme Court over the Detroit School District’s right to bus White students from beyond city limits back into city schools with high Black attendance rates. The aim of Detroit’s schools was to pre- vent the further polarization of city schools that were already 64 percent Black by 1970. The High Court ruled in a close 5- 4 decision against the citys busing rights. To the Supreme Court, the presence of segre- gation in the schools was not government initiated and did not justify its integration prac- tices.
Ultimately, the ruling
stopped the city’s desegrega- tion plan and Michigan’s public schools became the second most segregated in the coun- try. By 1976 Detroit’s public schools were 80 percent Black and increasing racial polariza- tion continued.
Economics in the Motor City
During the 20th cen-
tury, Detroit’s auto indus- try spurred US growth and shaped the city into an indus- trial powerhouse. The city put the country on wheels and produced the machines that became the icons of American innovation.These develop-
S
AUTO SHOW ACCESS:
VOLUME 70 – Number 17•• News Briefs
Ford appointed global supplier
communications manager
Angela Spencer Ford has
been appointed to Chrysler Group global supplier com- munications manager. In her new position, she will imple- ment communications initia- tives to support the company’s global supply base.
Ford joined Chrysler Group Angela Ford
in 2000 as communications manager of safe- ty programs. Since that time, she has served in a number of other communi- cations posi- tions, including manager of Safety and Government Affairs, and
most recently as communica- tions manager of Diversity and Human Resources.
Detroit schools set to close
The Detroit Public Schools
plans to close 51 schools, sav- ing the district nearly $19 mil- lion a year.
See Briefs page A-4 Michigan Chronicle to
increase newsstand price In its 70 years of publication, the
Michigan Chronicle has had few price changes. However, due to inflation and the cost of operations, we are forced to increase the price of the paper. Effective Jan. 17, it will be $1. This rate will also apply to the Michigan FRONTPage. Since the 1960s the Chronicle has only increased its price three times.We have maintained the 50 cent newsstand rate for as long as possible, but economic realities have caught up with us.
For 70 years, we have been “the
voice of the community” and will endeav- or to remain so for years to come.
Sam Logan Publisher
INSIDE EDITORIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-6 INSPIRATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
DIRECTORY OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-4 & B-5
SPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 & C-2 HOROSCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-6
ENTERTAINMENT. . . . . D-1 thru D-3 CLASSIFIEDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-5
DR. KING TRIBUTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
THE LINCOLN MKRconcept vehicle on display at the North American International Auto Show is one of several sedans starring at the show. – AJ Mueller Photography
Detroit auto show revs up with
ion with the GM Style event. The invite-only affair, emceed by Jimmy Kimmel, host of
celebrities, but what does it all mean? W
By Marcus Amick SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
ell, it’s finally here. After all the anticipation, the 2007 North American International Auto Show kicked off this past Saturday in star-studded fash-
ABC-TV’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” was covered by just about every major network in the city. Dubbed by GM as Detroit’s largest ever gathering of cars and stars, the style show opened with Jay-Z stepping out of a cus- tomized “Jay-Z Blue” Yukon Denali.
HOLLYWOOD BASH The gala featured celebrities strolling
the runway in some of today’s hottest fashion lines, paired with more than 15 GM vehi- cles, including
COMMENTARY
the Camaro convertible concept. Models included Hollywood celebrities such as Carmen Electra, Vivica A. Fox, Nick Cannon, Cheryl Hines, “Dreamgirls” star Jennifer Hudson, Christian Slater, and Detroit native Kristen Bell, star of the CW television network’s “Veronica Mars. ”
Marcus Amick Grammy award-winning R&B artist John Legend per-
formed at the event and former Detroit Pistons star John Salley was also on hand for the affair.
There’d been a lot of buzz about the GM Style event months before the affair among journalists and others hop-
See Star Power page A-4
GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD nominee Jennifer Hudson showcases General Motors’Escalade. – Monica Morgan photo
Also inside
Public rejects
Coleman’s save superintendent
résumé DPS moves to
MANY FEMALE consumers like the extra space offered in the Ford Edge.
Automakers breaking ground with women
By Melody Deniece Moore CHRONICLE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Fifth Third partners with Vista Maria See page B-1
Get tax credits you deserve
See page B-1 Women are being sought
after by automakers that are creating special features in the latest cars to appeal to women.
From the vehicle’s style to its
color to extra interior space, certain features are attractive to women and car manufacturers are reaching out more to that market.
Courtney Caldwell, founder
of Road and Travel magazine, said automakers are doing so without ignoring male con- sumers.
“(Automakers) have been try-
6 89076 06419 4
www.michronicle.com
ing to make vehicles more appealing, while at the same time not turning off men,” Caldwell said. “The Ford Edge has a huge console that can be
used to put a purse in and it can very easily hide it. It’s just as good as laptop or a lunchbox.”
Caldwell said the Dodge
Caliber has features tailored to what women like. For example, the Caliber has a chilled glove compartment, which Caldwell says women can use to keep their child’s milk cold, while men can keep their drinks cold while tailgating.
The buying power of women
has grown over the last five years and automakers are capi- talizing on it. According to national statistics, women account for 80 percent of vehi- cle purchases.
Ford Motor Co.’s new
crossover utility vehicle (CUV), the Edge, offers features that
See Women & cars page A-4
By Bankole Thompson CHRONICLE SENIOR EDITOR
The Detroit School Board
moved to include Super- intendent William Coleman among a list of finalists seeking the district’s top job, despite objections from a 40-member community advisory committee.
Dr. Connie Calloway of
Normandy Public School in Missouri and Dr. Doris Hope- Jackson of Calumet Public School-District 132 in Chicago were the two highly recom- mended candidates for the posi- tion, according to the commit- tee.
Dr. David Snead, former DPS
superintendent, came in third with Coleman ranking behind.
However during a Jan. 4
board meeting, board member Tyron Winfrey made a motion for Coleman to be included in the finalist stage.
“The board was trying to nul-
lify some of this controversy to allow him (Coleman) to come before the board and the com- munity,” Winfrey said. He said it
See Coleman page A-4
DR. RACHEL KEITH (left) and her husband, Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Damon Keith.
Metro Detroit mourns health care advocate Wife of respected judge
Cornelius A. Fortune CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Dr. Rachel Keith, 82, a
woman who defied the odds at a time when women had to strug- gle for respect as doctors, died Jan. 4. The cause of death was not known at press time.
The wife of Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals Judge Damon Keith, Rachel Keith pioneered the way for other African American women to become physicians.
Keith was born in Monrovia,
Liberia, on May 30, 1924 to par- ents who were American med- ical missionaries. The family
returned to America in 1926, and settled in Richmond, Va. She completed her undergradu- ate studies at Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., in 1943, where she was second in her class.
Dr. Keith completed her med-
ical degree at Boston University School of Medicine in 1949 and began her internship at Harlem Hospital in New York. She com- pleted a two-year residency in internal medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 1953 and entered private practice in 1954.
“She was well respected in See Rachel Keith page A-4
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Dinner,
By Bankole Thompson CHRONICLE SENIOR EDITOR
On Sunday, Jan. 14, all roads will lead
to the Mariott Hotel-Renaissance Center where the Michigan Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Con- ference, under the leadership of its pres- ident, Dr. Claud Young, will honor the Jan. 15 birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a ministerial dinner.
This will be a gathering of civic and
community leaders and Black clergy. The Rev. Tellis J. Chapman of Galilee
Missionary Baptist Church will receive the Pastor of the Year Award. Rev. Charles Adams of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church will keynote the event.
Frank Taylor,
chairman of the De t r o i t - b a s e d Southern Hospital- ity Group, is the general chairper-
COMMENTARY
son of this year’s celebration. He has expressed concern about how King’s legacy is being honored today.
Bankole Thompson He wants the younger generation to
study King. However, I want to take the charge to
the Black church, unquestionably one of the most powerful and influential groups in our community.
See SCLC page A-4
Nate Shapiro dies
Final services were held Jan. 7 for
Nate Shapiro at the Ira Kaufman Chapel. He died Jan. 3 at the age of 87.
Shapiro, registered professional engi-
neer, was presi- dent of Con- sulting Engin- eering Associates Inc., a Detroit- based firm found- ed in 1956.
He was born in
Detroit, attended Cass Technical High School and Wayne State Uni- versity.
He was an exec- Nate Shapiro
utive board member of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP-Golden Heritage member, and in 1955 received Engineer of the Year recognition from the City of Detroit.
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production, sales and jobs related to automobile use ac- count for more than 10 per- cent of the jobs across Metro Detroit. While the area is synonymous with automotive production, the region’s heavy dependence on the industry has exacerbated its economic issues. In addition to the long population decline that De- troit has endured, following the 2008 financial crisis, the auto companies felt an even greater economic crunch.
The international econom-
ic recession, along with in- creased competition from for- eign competitors, took a great toll on the city.The domino effects of racial segregation, contentious leadership and a lack of economic diversity have all hurt Detroit in recent years.
Revival For Detroit to again become
a prosperous model city, simi- lar to its status a century ago, the community needs to di- versify its economic interests and move past the legacy of its former leaders. While this is easier said than done, current mayor (and beloved former Detroit Piston) Dave Bing and surrounding administra-
Cameron Lee
tions must continue working to eliminate the polarization between Detroit and its subur- ban communities.
Logistically, Detroit will
need to condense its future commercial and housing de- velopments to a smaller area. A city large enough for nearly 2 million people (138 square miles) is far too large for its halved population. Keeping de- velopment in a more contained area will make Detroit safer and easier for its residents and public officials to maintain.In the past, Mr. Sims noted that “Detroit’s business leaders distanced themselves from the city and took their interests with them.” Heading into the future our leaders need to take pride in our region in order to prevent businesses and jobs from leaving the area.
At the same time, Detroit
will need to focus on attract- ing modern and diverse in- dustries (film, technology and others), such as the recent successful movies filmed in Detroit. These intelligent and inclusive policies will improve the infrastructure of Detroit while bridging the transporta- tion and cultural gaps between the suburbs and the city. This will reverse the negative views of our beloved home.
As we look back on our
city’s checkered history, one can be certain that one day Detroit will once again serve as a beacon of hope for anyone facing adversity.
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
November 24-30, 2010 Detroit: A city of character, past and present
Page B-7
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