Detroit in 1966 was the heart of the automotive industry in the United States and one of the most prosperous cities in the world with a population of 2 million people. Today its population is less than a million people, since many of its inhabitants, mainly white middle class, went to the suburbs after the 1967 race riots. crime and unemployment ravaged the city in the 70's, 80's and 90's, while the Big 3 Chrysler, Ford and GMC were beginning to take losses that forced them to close plants and lay off staff. To make matters worse Mayor Coleman Young , who directed the city from 1974 to 1993 the city commissioned segregation between whites and blacks suburban center with a defiant attitude and vulgar term by the city sink .
Currently the city is in ruins after decades of neglect and corruption of his government and major industries. Many their buildings are damaged and are uninhabitable, even in some areas have been demolished or burned by the inhabitants, especially in the "Devil's Night", the day before Halloween.
Detroit Walking at night is more insecure than doing it in Baghdad or Afghanistan, and the city has been called Murder City , instead of the classic Motor City, for having the highest homicide rate of all U.S. . In itself, the place looks like a post apocalyptic war zone, with its dilapidated buildings and streets taken by gangs and drug dealers.
What happened in Detroit?
reading some articles on Internet I found several interesting points and some pretty controversial.
First is the issue of the fall of the automotive industry, which was the main source of income for the city and which employed the majority of its population. When the industry went into crisis in the 70's, gradually yielding to foreign competition, especially Japanese, Detroit began to plummet. However, it is hard to believe that a big city like Detroit could not recover and diversify their economic, like other cities have done. Certainly
North American industry is in crisis, and several cities face high unemployment rates as they see major export industries such jobs to other countries with cheaper labor. Many blame the unions to demand much benefit in the long run more expensive production in the United States, while others argue that American industry lost its vision for the future and was overtaken by Asians and Europeans.
However, this is the tricky part of the case, many people blame the debacle of Detroit's racial division caused by the upheaval of 1967, after which much of the white population migrated out of town, which remained in power of a black majority, represented by the controversial mayor Coleman Young, the first black mayor of the United States. After this abrupt demographic and political change in the city began a downward spiral into chaos and poverty today.
I know I'm in dangerous territory, but I think it's a valid observation, to see beyond the crisis in the automotive industry as the cause of the fall of Detroit. And Detroit's case is a repeat of what we saw in New Orleans, Haiti, in almost all Sub-Saharan Africa and not go too long, in Costa Rica in the province of Limon. It is sad but one with the naked eye can make the relationship blacks = poverty + corruption.
The sensitive issue of race
First of all is what I'm getting into. I know it sounds racist despite the fact that I know many people of color good, honest and hardworking. I think there have been people of color who has given enormous contributions to humanity at the level of music, sports, literature, public speaking and much more. I do not want at any time denigrate people of color or ignore the brutal crimes and injustice of those who have been victimized throughout history, not only in America but worldwide.
But even the same people of color, or black people if I may, you should feel ashamed to see how his people could not cope. Many are content to blame the target for all their woes, something that I consider racist and forget that at some point in the history of all racial groups have screwed us the powerful alike. A exterminated the Indians, the Chinese also exploited them ... even white people like Irish, Italians have been humiliated and excluded. For the Hindus, Pakistanis and Hispanics, especially the more brown-skinned, are also excluded.
And despite the fact that poverty is spreading throughout the world among different racial groups, this seems like picking on black people. And with poverty comes from violence, war, crime, corruption and a host of social ills that end up sinking their communities. I think the question is why?
Chris Rock, this brilliant black comedy, tells of a civil war among black people. The two sides are decent, hardworking black people and niggers (I apologize for the use of the word) that no more than other criminals and vagrants. I'm agree Chris, I think the worst enemy of black people are not whites but blacks themselves. Tonight
talking to one of the friends of my sister, a police officer who worked in the province of Limon, Costa Rica in the Caribbean, this I can confirm what the local media have been reporting. The city of Limon is in ruins and is dominated by drug traffickers. In fact it is unfortunately also one of the most dangerous places in the country with one of the highest crime rates. The killings are a thing of every day and are the drugs, not the spring, also operated by a mafia of corrupt union, the main industry of the place.
is a pity, because I've visited Limon and has some of the most beautiful places the country, but now is so insecure that many people have to think twice seen this place and not be victimized. To make matters worse, the crime has been mixed so well with the culture that now the musicians are idolized rap life of drug and gang and even their football team made the mistake of celebrating a goal by simulating a shooting, a fact that generated controversy among many people.
news If you look, you see the pattern repeated in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It was the first independent country of America and at one time one of the most prosperous colonies due to the cultivation of Sugarcane. It now seems hell on Earth, with a population living in poverty, unprotected, hungry and diseases in their desperation to survive have destroyed the country, to the extent that this can be seen from the satellite like a desert compared with neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the English Island.
Africa and then we'll see example after example of how a company fails and collapses, no matter how rich it is their territory. Oil producing countries, and precious stones, torn by hunger, misery, corruption of governments led by black people too, who have no shame in their pockets while the people die slowly in inhumane conditions. Of course the rich countries and their corporations have some responsibility, for historical and economic issues, but above all the failure is due to the inability of people to live in society and develop.
And finally we have examples in the territory of the world's most powerful economy. New Orleans shocked the world with scenes of death, ruin and destruction Hurraco after Katrina, which brought to light the shortcomings of a city with a rich history and culture, but with a majority black population did not enjoy the benefits of economic prosperity and is also stifled by crime and unemployment.
And now we have also to Detroit, as a ruined city whose residents remembered with nostalgia as only a few decades ago lived in an icon of American economic power.
The famous geneticist James D. Watson was accused of racism by saying that development policies in Africa have failed because they are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours. I think his comment is not racist, but it was misinterpreted.
Not that there is no intelligent black people, but it seems almost a cultural thing that they discriminate against black intelligent people in their communities. As if being intelligent is a bad thing, and although some time to be intelligent is a dangerous thing, is that thought that being an intelligent black equals being a submissive black to white. Interestingly
black people preferred to develop their artistic and athletic skills, which are outstanding and even envied by other races. But to my player football or singer are even more submissive than an intellectual. And it seems that something in the genes of blacks really prevents many of them develop an interest in academic or economic issues that are vital to administer the state. That could explain a lot, of course, not generalize that ALL black people are incapable of assuming such responsibilities.
To further clarify the point, since not all blacks will be able to be rap stars or NBA players, and that a society needs leaders in political, economic and technology, I think it will need to be evaluated differently how to help these populations to emerge. I think the first blacks themselves need a change of mentality, of stop back so much resentment and excuses and get to work for a better future for themselves. Likewise
governments must identify the qualities of people, including race, to ensure that such persons can be included in society successfully. For me Stephen Hawking and Michael Jordan are also striking good in their respective fields and their contributions are valuable. Each of them was able to discover their skills and eventually achieve their maximum potential. This quota is not achieved as some people claim, but with a system that can fit the individual talent opportunities.
Anyway, I think Detroit case gives rise to an interesting debate, not about who is more than who or who is to blame for that but rather on how we can correct the problem and we can actually achieve the dream of Martin Luther King, where people are not judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Some links on the topic:
http://www.nacion.com/2011-02-20/Proa/NotasSecundarias/Proa2686758.aspx
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news / 662155/posts
Jay "Putting your finger on the pulse"
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