Honking horns. Twinkling lights. Boisterous laughter.
Hello, Detroit.
Here we are again, another holiday season and the events are popping up, making a bang, and being coined an “annual” program. Is this the new normal? Making Detroit the go-to destination is a race to erect the biggest and baddest venues for consumerism. An arena trifecta (home to the city’s major sports teams), plans for a soccer venue, and even a Lululemon. Bad and bougie, yes, you are!
New Detroit is finding her niche in craft beer connoisseurs, gastropubs, and grit-seeking millennials who want something different than that of friends who hit the coasts. There is no secret that there has been rapid change in the city as it continues to vie for new businesses (small and large) and incubates populations with disposable income to support retail corridors *cough*gentrification*cough*. What is New Detroit also growing into? An epicenter of tourism.
A tourist-focused Detroit is creating these “pop-ups of fun” meant to re-purpose the city’s image. Most of these exciting offerings are being held in the 7.2 (downtown) around the “safe spaces” of these new sport and music venues. Getting a bit of the gritty urban experience could also include hitting a local cafe (bye, Starbucks), hopping on the Q-Line (still only in this area) or maybe supporting a small business by buying a shirt with a catchy phrase. There’s so much more space outside of that 7.2! While New Detroit is bringing in dollars, it is also opening itself more to people who refused to cross city lines 10 years ago because they were sure they would be “shot or robbed” by Detroiters. And yet, these are our tourists.
Tourism is a major player in the global economy; some countries rely on the tourist industry for major revenue to fill gaps lacking in other industries– so how could it ever be negative? It’s hollow. Tourists have a way of looking for surface level context about a place and then putting their dollars towards what they think it is. To encourage their return is to create simple events that may keep their experience light and fun, without much question for context. There’s little room to freely speak about Detroit’s history, social and political dynamics, and relations with the nearby suburbs. Reupholstering the city’s image through Downtown events runs the risk of alienating Detroit communities outside of the 7.2 and focusing on the money-grab which results from experience making.
New Detroit is more than loud cars, laughter, and bright lights. Detroit has roots that deserve to be explored, discussed, and memorialized. At this point, nearly everyone wants part of New Detroit by claiming a bit of her as their own. Working culture, by way of its people, into these events can add depth and refocuses Detroit and its people as more than just a backdrop for fun. Centering “The Detroiter” as the intended attendee keeps the culture thriving and attracted tourists may find longstanding vested interest in Detroit’s future and weed out those with dated prejudice.