Everyone’s impressed with that Chrysler / Eminem Super Bowl Commercial: Imported from Detroit; but it’s not the Motor City I’ve grown accustomed to—heck, there’s more brand identification in that cheesy, glittery, ball-dropping “D” used to ring in the New Year: a decline in education, a decline in jobs, and/or a decline in pay. Everything going down down down except prices. Try buying a new vehicle under those circumstances; might be easier stealing one.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud to be a Detroiter, which includes those outer-rings of suburbia. Who doesn’t need a good conversation piece when out of town?
“Where’re you from?” a stranger might ask.
“Detroit,” I’d answer, which is code for yeah, I’m a badass, don’t mess with me … I’m so baaaad I’m gonna go all Bollywood on you by chirping that ridiculous song by T-Baby:
“It’s So Cold in the D.”
—Why?
—Well, why not?
I’m no more of a badass then your grandmother, or your elderly neighbor. The only difference: I’ve seen the worst product of human potentional enter my classroom on a daily basis.
First, let me apologize for the T-Baby link. It’s a poorly executed song paying homage to yet another dead body, another homicide stat—I’m fairly certain the guy in the video didn’t choke on a hotdog at the Coney Island. If “It's so Cold in the D” is really about some fallen victim of the streets of Detroit then he’s definitely turning over in his grave. It’s a shame when someone fails in their attempt to elevate the aftermath of murder into an “art form.” You’d be better off watching Detroit 187.
My “D” consists of public school failures who think they’re the cat’s meow, who think they’ve got nine-lives. I’ve got this student, can’t spell for shit, he’s been working on his memoir—as if people are dying to know all about his troubled past. He doesn’t think he needs an education.
“Hey teach,” he says, “how do you spell juice?”
“It rhymes with moose,” I answer. I continue with my paperwork.
“How do you spell moose?”
“M-O-O-S-E.”
He’s busy writing each letter. An older gentleman, waiting for the finished product, takes a peek. “Hey teach,” he says, “I think he just spelt goose.”
It’s definitely cold in the “D.” Not all high school dropouts can become millionaire rappers. But there's still hope for Detroit. Check out the following link for more on the gritty, real Detroit:
http://www.palladiumboots.com/exploration/detroit .
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9 comments:
The amazing thing about American kids is that theough they seem to come nowhere near the skill standards of, say, Europeans or Asians--they have this incredible self-confindence, presumably because they're American.
I am puzzled by this.
When you're told your entire life that you're the greatest, and never have to proove it, some folks come to believe it.
Enjoyed the read and link. I watched part 1 and hope to view the rest soon. I am hoping they talk about Hantz Farms. I believe in the potential of that vision. MW
Just click them ruby slippers Dorothy and say.."Dey's no place like homie"
WTF were those people thinking putting out that video...one thing is certain they will never have a chance to be the 21st century Supremes.
I am only getting to see the picture of Detroit from you guys, so I don't know what the used to be Detroit was about.
My father though, gave a very rosy picture of Michigan, since he was educated there. Perhaps that is why I have a soft corner for Michiganers, since they remind me of my father...
Hey Walking Man, does this mean you're not buying their ringtone?
Mona, because of what I do, my Detroit worldview is rather limited--for that, I apologize.
Charles, some youngsters think they're the greatest without ever be told.
Ivan, tread lightly my man, tread lightly.
MW, there's plenty of planting going on in the "D," just gotta haul a few outside of the Coney Island and dig a hole.
Just three years ago, our CBC was playing Motown almost every day, when some artists came here to perform.
Gandmas would get on the phone.
"Why do you play all that?
CBC flak catcher: "Because we like it."
And we do. Where is it now?
Mona...It's still the same place, we just don't bother to hide the Detroit attitude anymore.
JR-I know I am a Pollyanna on the subject, but I have such love and hope for our fair city. Lots of great memories stemming from childhood. Detroit is an acquired taste for sure, but I love it.
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