2.24.2006
Detroit to Suburbs: Fuck Off. Again.
Even the Ren Cen is telling you to fuck off
Detroitblog alerts us to this gem, hidden within an article in The News about the city council’s backtracking on the zoo proposal:
Meanwhile, Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson called for Detroiters to stage an economic boycott of the suburbs in response to what she calls blatant and institutional racism that has been exhibited amid the zoo fracas.
"Detroiters should spend money where they live," Watson said. "It is clear there are layers of disrespect, racism and white supremacy. It's not about getting along. Racism is a disease in this country. A lot of black folks walk around and deny it. This country got rich on the backs of black folks."
Oh, my dear sweet Detroit friends, please tell me that none of you actually voted for this woman.
A boycott of the suburbs—that’s rich, darling. As Ian noted in the comments the other day, THERE ARE NO GROCERIES STORES IN DETROIT! Well, there is that Farmer Jack* on Warren at I-75, but it’s kind of difficult to shop there since half of the shelves are empty. Kwame lost the deal to get Home Depot to move into the city, so when your house is falling apart (as far too many of them in Detroit have a tendency to do), apparently Watson would rather you didn’t run to Madison Heights to get a hammer and nails. And, of course, should the city actually save the zoo, Watson wants Detroiters to avoid going there, since it would just encourage people to spend money in Royal Oak.
The city of Detroit, despite being the home of General Motors and Compuware, can’t cough up $4 million to save the zoo, and Watson really thinks that an economic boycott will put a dent in Oakland County’s budget? According to the 2000 Census, Oakland County is the 26th wealthiest county in the United States; Detroit is the 4th poorest city in the country.
Want to know why suburbanites refuse to help Detroit? It’s because we’re sick and fucking tired of being told that holding the city council to some degree of decorum and effectiveness is evidence of racism. But what I really want to know is why are these comments never turned around on the speaker? When will someone ask Watson why she believes that a black city, lead by a black mayor and a black council, cannot keep their schools open, their police forces fully staffed, the electricity on, or, heaven help us, maintain at least one place within the city limits where someone can buy fresh produce? I don’t think the council’s utter incompetence has anything to do with race, but apparently Watson disagrees.
*UPDATE: I've just been told that the Farmer Jack I referenced above is, in fact, closed. I love it when being proven wrong actually bolsters my argument!
Labels: The D
annamaria at 12:16 PM
1 Comments
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at Monday, February 27, 2006 9:23:00 AM
Kurt said... and here i was thinking that Dallas was the idiot politican capital of America.
it seems to me that detroit's elected officials and dallas' elected officials have both discovered that maintaining controversy and division is the best way for them to maintain their job.
oh wait, that's not unique! all those in power do it! Dean screaming on the left, Rove screaming on the right. Psuedo religous leaders on the right making you think a vote against Bush is a vote for the devil. Gay/Lesbian activists not wanting to hear any theory or story that does not agree with their agenda.
welcome to the monkey house. watch your peanuts as you watch the show!
