Phases of development for cities - population growth, geographical expansion, production...these things are always in flux. Ok so we know this. Different cities experience these phases at different times. I have lived in seven cities throughout my life - all at different phases in their existence. The first four I took at face value - they didn't seem to lack in cultural or economic propensity - either this or I just wasn't paying attention. These places were doing well (Nashville, Baltimore, Boston, Glasgow, plus lots of time in DC). Then I moved to Knoxville, a town with great potential. I lived within walking distance of downtown and frequented places that crossed my path with other downtowners. I quickly gained a sense of community and felt empowered by people's hope for what could be. Knoxville has never been a big city. Of course it is relative, but I believe the current population for the downtown area is just over 100,000. I love Knoxville, but after four years of living there, I lost a little steam for trying to get things off the ground and I left for New York.
Now, the thing about New York is that it is a type of center for the universe. People from every culture live there and you will interact with these people on your commute to various parts of the boroughs. Aside from that you walk among people from every financial background - from money you've never dreamt of to poverty you never want to know. New York is truly the melting pot - salad bowl - salsa supreme of culture, religion, money, style, and opinion; but it is not THE center of the universe, as it often thinks it is. I tried to remember this, living there, but there are so many times a day you say "WOW!" that anywhere else can easily bore you. What's my point? Just that New York may be at its peak for city-ness. It has a sense of accomplishment that cities like Knoxville aspire to. Not that Knoxville wants to be New York, but every city wants its people to be proud of it.
Pride. This brings me to Detroit, where I am, now. There are some who'd challenge this, but Detroit is a city in decline. I recently got a subscription to the local paper and, yes, the city is seriously thinking about declaring bankruptcy. Now, for lots of young people living downtown buying up buildings, trying to revitalize it and redefine it - it is very much an alive city - and I support these people 100% - but in the grand scheme of things, Detroit's peak moment has come and gone.
It's a very common topic around here, which is what brings me to write anything about this. When I first showed up I noticed that people are obsessed with having pride for Detroit, even if they don't live downtown. I couldn't tell if it was rooted in insecurity or if they really believed it to be a great city. People were making art about it, talking about it, writing about it......all in a very direct and literal way. I started to get tired of hearing about it, actually. It's exhausting to ask so many questions that don't have short answers. That's not to say I don't believe that people are changing the city - it HAS to change. I just wanted to point out that it's a strange phase for a city to be in. It's uncomfortable. Cities aren't good at falling apart. That's not what they're meant to do - or is it? Isn't it natural for things to be part of a cycle, a chain of life?
I think so. And that would mean even the decline of Detroit is a positive thing. These young people wouldn't be so proud if it weren't.
I'm not from here. I don't know if I'll stay here, but I'm happy to be here, now, and do what I'm doing and have it be, in some way, a small piece of what is going on. I'm happy that I've lived so many places, too, because I feel it allows me to make the comparison of one place to another - to then see cities as they see themselves and how they all really fit into one, grand scheme.
