A while ago, I accompanied a few REAL photographers along to Detroit. I’ve lived near Detroit my entire life but had never seen it quite like this.
I hesitated blogging these because I feel like it exposes the negativity around what’s left of Detroit. Between Kwame Kilpatrick and the Detroit council, another public embarrassment wasn’t something I was looking to highlight. Rather than viewing it in this way, I think some of the Detroit corruption and downfalls are finally coming to light and in-and-outsiders are recognizing ways we can all make a difference.
Here are a few of my shots, I apologize the blog re-sizes some AWESOME panoramics, but you can check out more here:
Shauna Nicholson’s Detroit Public Schools Flickr Photostream
Manufacturing building. Multiple people live in corners of this building
An abandoned school
A Detroit resident stays warm near the fire on the right
No shame in posting these photos Shauna.
I’m a Yooper, and I really know nothing about Detroit. My extent of Detroit is going to one Red Wings game, the auto show twice, driving through once to go to Windsor, and hanging out in Auburn Hills. That’s all I’ve known.
But I want to work there. I’d be stoked to work there. I talk to people like you and so many other Detroit area residents and they are stoked on the town. They want to be there on the upswing, when things get better. They want to take their part and do what they can for one of America’s greatest cities. It’s these people that are going to save Detroit. People like you who continue to love the city and make a difference.
It would be incredible to work there and do my part. I hope I can if there’s an employer who’ll have me.
Detroit isn’t often portrayed in good light in the national news. But they don’t know people like you, they don’t know all the people who are doing their part and are committed to staying there and developing new technologies, new businesses, new programs. I’ve seen a thing or two in my travels to all 50 states. And it’s the passion for a city that keeps it ticking, Detroit residents have that.
Keep it up. Sorry for the long comment.
Also, speaking of Detroit photography that’s related, check out http://snowsuit.net/ I’ve been following his work for a few years.
Sometimes negativity needs to be exposed! We’d be living a lie if we always went around saying everything is fine when it’s really not. Keeping it to ourselves, turning a blind eye or having a “positive” attitude alone will not make this stuff go away.
Wow… Those are pretty powerful pictures.
Ironically there were discussions today about the Suburbs v City fight again. How if you don’t live there you have no right to discuss their educational problems, why people are leaving, and all the problems that are going on. I think they need new leadership and to realize we are all in this together and only we can change things.