Tor-tour

On a three-hour car tour of Detroit, my grandfather blazed through at least two red lights and a couple of stop signs; I am confident these were not the only traffic violations committed August 29, 2011. I am unsure if I was more in fear for my life or carsick.

Tales behind the wheel with a 10 days from 87 year old grandfather—fascinating.

Equally as fascinating:

We usually avoid the city—preferring instead to sit and stare at each other in the living room—because Detroit is so sad. It’s awful. Growing up, I have spent enough time in Michigan to consider the state a second home; we (or part of the family) lived there for a short stint in between Georgia and Virginia after all. I won’t fantasize and pretend I knew Detroit in its heyday, yet I have vivid memories of a happily hustling, bustling city.

The city today is comparable to a wasteland. Empty lots are scattered throughout the area, rough roads with likely rougher sections are the new norm, burned buildings—so many burned building(!!!)—everywhere, signs pleading the public to “save the _______,” absolutely zero traffic anywhere—during lunch hour, in the heart of this city. And while it’s depressing for me to visit Detroit, unless I go straight to Comerica Park, Ford Field, or Joe Lewis Arena and back out at game’s end, I can’t fathom how heartbreaking these trips must be for my grandparents. They grew up, were educated, and got married in these parts. For them, it’s a city of dead memories. If the building wasn’t burnt down, it was renamed. Property is abandoned. Crime loiters around typical safe havens—playgrounds, public parks, golf courses. When recounting the experience to Uncle B later this same day, he questioned the driving skills of grandfather. Did he remember to stay at least two car lengths behind each car at a stop light/sign… to provide an easy escape? He was not joking. Our driver, avoiding stopping altogether.

Michigan is the only state experiencing population decline, Detroit harbors half the people it once did. The entire H side of the family resides in various suburbs of The Mitten. These natives are stoic during conversations about the state of city, the only place they know. They do not believe Detroit has the resiliency to bounce back.