I came across this Time photo essay entitled
Detroit's Beautiful, Horrible Decline today and it stirred something inside of me, something to do with my Michigan pride. Michigan gets a bum rap...I have
talked about this before. I have spent the majority of my life as a Michigander, and I get a little defensive when people start in on my home state, especially Detroit. My mom was born and raised in Detroit, back in its hey-day, and she remembers a magnificent, thriving city. Although the Time's photo essay focused on the heartbreaking decay of the city, I believe that there is still a beautiful side to Detroit...one that I was fortunate enough to capture during my trip home over the holidays.
I mean, sure...there are many vacant lots, an extremely high crime rate and some less-than-beautiful scenery. But there are parts of the city that still speak to its majestic heyday, and there are still
amazing people who call this city home.
Can you believe this building? The Fox Theater; absolutely gorgeous, and in the smack-dab middle of downtown Detroit. We attended a matinee showing of DreamGirls and it was a packed house. There is still life here...thriving, rowdy life.
After the show, we stopped at Avalon Bakery, which is a cozy, thriving little haven in a somewhat decrepit and abandoned area. The windows were steaming up as freshly baked bread was being pulled from the vast ovens, and there was hardly a free seat in the entire place.
I would love to see a photo essay devoted to these places- places where people still come together over a cup of coffee or catch an afternoon show. There is another side to Detroit, and it is beautiful in its own way.
Posts
love this post! i am also a native michigander and was married downtown at the renaissance center. there is definitely beauty in the 'ruin' but also thriving beauty that deserves to be shown as you've done!
Makes my heart go "pitter patter".
Well done, my fellow Michigander :)
such a thoughtful piece, christine. lovely.
Perhaps you could do a photo essay on the beauty of Detroit? Your photos are great.
that time photo essay is amazing ... i looked at it months ago and was struck with such sadness that a beautiful, formerly grand city was in such disrepair. i grew up in northern indiana and spent time every summer in michigan, including one entire summer as a camp counselor; i consider it home just as much as indiana. to hear of all the decline in michigan and the lack of prospects in the near future ... it breaks my heart. thank you for pointing out the hope that is still there.
thank you for this post! i've lived in michigan all my life. i agree that you should do a photo essay :)
I have said it before, we Love Detroit in our family. We live 2 hours away and someday hope to have a condo right down from Comerica Park. We participated in the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving and went to the Football game at Ford Field. Detroit does get a bum rap but it is coming back!
Detroit is definitely on the up and up! And if you read anything local, you'll see how the artist community is adopting Detroit and giving it a breath of new life. Great things are happening and it is sad when the media only portrays the negative aspects of this great city. I'll email a great article...
xo
I saw that Times essay too and loved the piece, but there's nothing quite like getting to see the grandeur alive and well. Thanks for sharing your side of Detroit!
Hi Christine,
This is my first post though I have been following your blog for months now.
Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy!
I appreciate your creativity and finding the joy in everyday living!
Congratulations on your continued professional success....You are opening our eyes to the positive, uplifting world around us.
As for Detroit, thanks for the beautiful pictures-the visual evidence of a complex, layered, vital city. I admit I have been getting a feel for this aspect of Detroit through the tv show, Detroit 187.
Do you watch?
Claire
A lovely post, Christine. While I've never been to Detroit, I grew up outside Cleveland, which is struggling through its own decline. It's heartbreaking to drive through downtown Cleveland and see all that abandoned, beautiful 19th-century architecture. I'm glad you've been looking for the upside in Detroit.