What Killed Detroit (racism, radio, rated)

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by PhilaPenn

I though Philly was in tough shape, but not like Detroit. Detroit is a special situation. Its a very racially charged area to begin with, take that and mix it with unemployment, and slim prospects for a better life and what you end up with is people who feel they have no options and thus don't care about anything. I think the fact that Det. is predom black speaks to the fact that black have and have always had fewer options open to them in America. The country claims to have gotten beyond its racist past, but in some respects its citizens still harbor some bigotry. Whites have a fear blacks that dates back to the slave uprisings of the 19th century, and beliefs instilled through media esp early 20th century films, portraying blacks as violent, irrational beasts. Some of those paradaigms have survived today, it much more subtle forms. The media would lead you to believe that more blacks commit crimes each year than whites, or other groups which actually not the case. It would also have you believe the majority of people on public assistance are black, which is also not the case, when in fact white women make up the largest group on public assistance. Blacks stereotype white as well. Many distrust whites today because of the practices of their forefathers. Many blacks still believe that white people conspire against them. As long as blacks are viewed as something to fear, and whites are viewed as oppressors, it will be hard for Detroit or anywhere else to make progress.

As much as many people don't want to believe this, it is very true.

[Huckleberry3911948]

the march to get cheap labor at any cost.

[Vicman]

You could say that contributed, but it couldn't be a primary cause.

BTW there is a better way to desegregate schools: voluntary magnet programs. That way admission counselors determine which out-of-neighborhood kids qualify to go to the schools. It works well in cities that have them.

Originally Posted by dmetro

In my opinion, one event drasically changed Detroit forever: forced busing. In order to "racially diversify" the public schools, Detroit bused children in well maintained, safe neighborhoods to dangerous inner city schools, while inner city children were bused into newer, nicer schools in the better neighborhoods. Of course, the residents of the more desirable areas were furious, and many of them decided to leave for the suburbs, where there was no inner city to speak of. In fact, my Grandparents left for this very reason. And in my opinion, the whole plan was ridiculous from the start. The only reason that the schools were "segregated" was that most neighborhoods were predominately one race, white or black. So the schools weren't segregated, they simply reflected upon the demographics of the neighborhood. And now, sadly, Detroit is doomed forever because of this outrageous policy.

Lafitte: I would say it's part of the problem, but also there is racism against Whites in some (I don't know how many) Black people in Detroit. In Texas there is much less racial tension and all races coexist in the city.

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

As much as many people don't want to believe this, it is very true.

[Huckleberry3911948]

the ghetto belief system lived out on a daily basis is harmless as long as it stays on TV, when it spills out into the living room from watching it 12 hrs a day, you wont believe what happens next.

[Maxine3]

What is "the ghetto belief system" ?

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by Maxine3

What is "the ghetto belief system" ?

"blade"

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Vicman

You could say that contributed, but it couldn't be a primary cause.

BTW there is a better way to desegregate schools: voluntary magnet programs. That way admission counselors determine which out-of-neighborhood kids qualify to go to the schools. It works well in cities that have them.



Lafitte: I would say it's part of the problem, but also there is racism against Whites in some (I don't know how many) Black people in Detroit. In Texas there is much less racial tension and all races coexist in the city.

Vicman, I agree with the magnet system as a way to have integration without it being forced. Buffalo has this system and eventhough the school district's student population there is around 58% or so, there are still mostly White High Schools within the Buffalo City School District. I think there is only 1 HS there that is around 90% Black, but the rest are pretty mixed, with the plurality being either mostly Black or mostly White and includes groups like Hispanics, Native Americans and some with an Asian student population.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Vicman

You could say that contributed, but it couldn't be a primary cause.

BTW there is a better way to desegregate schools: voluntary magnet programs. That way admission counselors determine which out-of-neighborhood kids qualify to go to the schools. It works well in cities that have them.



Lafitte: I would say it's part of the problem, but also there is racism against Whites in some (I don't know how many) Black people in Detroit. In Texas there is much less racial tension and all races coexist in the city.

I wouldn't disagree with most of the statement, except for one thing, which Texas are you referring to?

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Vicman, I agree with the magnet system as a way to have integration without it being forced. Buffalo has this system and eventhough the school district's student population there is around 58% or so, there are still mostly White High Schools within the Buffalo City School District. I think there is only 1 HS there that is around 90% Black, but the rest are pretty mixed, with the plurality being either mostly Black or mostly White and includes groups like Hispanics, Native Americans and some with an Asian student population.

Then Detroit should have tried that. I still do not believe school busing killed Detroit. Detroit was declining, but what hurt Detroit economically was its dependence on the auto industry.

[Vicman]

The Houston area. If you look at Houston it's like a patchwork of neighborhoods with different socioeconomic and racial groups. There is none of this White-people-in-suburbs and poor-people-in-Detroit mentality in Houston that there is in Detroit. Both the city (the older business districts) and the suburbs (newer business districts in Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands) have economic growth.

I understand there were some racial tensions in Dallas, but it's not as severe as in Detroit. Notice that AT&T and Comerica (yes, that Comerica) moved into the City of Dallas recently.

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I wouldn't disagree with most of the statement, except for one thing, which Texas are you referring to?

I agree that the #1 thing that would have saved Detroit would have been diversity in its economy. Houston is well aware of that, so it's trying to lessen its dependence on the oil industry. The 1980s oil bust hurt Houston after the boom period in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Then Detroit should have tried that. I still do not believe school busing killed Detroit. Detroit was declining, but what hurt Detroit economically was its dependence on the auto industry.