Introducing Detroit
Tell any American you’re planning to visit Detroit, then watch their eyebrows shoot up quizzically. ‘Why?’ they’ll ask, and warn you about the off-the-chart homicide rates, boarded-up buildings with trash swirling at their bases, and plummeting population (down from 1.8 million in 1950 to 886,000 today). ‘Detroit’s a crap-hole. You’ll get killed there.’
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Clearly, the Motor City has an image problem. While the aforementioned attributes are true, and while the city does waft a sort of bombed-out early East Berlin vibe, it’s these same qualities that fuel a raw urban energy you won’t find anywhere else. And that manifests in the city’s arts and music scene. They shred a mean guitar in ‘the D.’ Very mean.
Once the pride of the nation for its car-making savvy, the city fell to pieces when the auto industry tanked. Now it’s struggling to reclaim its place. It’s a grim but fascinating destination.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: They'll start turning out the lights
by windblowner 27 May 2012
Well, yes, the city of Detroit has been a third-world shithole for over 40 years now. This is hardly surprising.
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They'll start turning out the lights
by Usher73 27 May 2012
[In Detroit|http://finance.yahoo.com/news/half-detroits-streetlights-may-city-160617398.html]
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RE: Detroit vs Cleveland--without a car
by Usher73 25 May 2012
The difference between Detroit and Rome is the Vandals who sacked Rome were from out of town. The vandals in Detroit are natives. …
