Question: Tell us what it’s like living in Detroit.
Answer: There are moments when living in the city makes me feel like I’m in the opening credits of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and then there are times when the social and physical degradation of the city hit me severely. Living in Detroit is like living on the corner of possibility and pain. Despite the city’s many challenges, I am proud to be a Detroiter. Overall, I couldn’t imagine living in any other place at this point in my life.

Question: What made you want to return to live here in Detroit, after having lived in another area?
Answer: After graduating from high school, Michigan was the last place I wanted to be. The stress the economic downturn caused on my family and community left me thinking that there was nothing for me back home. Traveling abroad and living away from home during college provided me with years of profound growth and perspective. Once I was removed from all that was familiar to me, I was able to explore, and learn how to think critically about the world. After traveling to South America, I realized that I was devoting a lot of my energy to solving problems in other communities when the same issues were present in my hometown. This conclusion brought me back to Detroit.

Question: What have you learned about Detroit that is unique?
Answer: Many of the unique qualities of Detroit are difficult to explain. Detroit is a gritty place, it’s quirky, it’s rich with history, and illogical at times. When you travel to the popular cities around the nation, you can generally find everything that you want or need. Well known chain restaurants, nightlife, and shopping venues are at your fingertips. Experiencing Detroit’s awesomeness requires one to go on more of a scavenger hunt. Detroit is unique because it isn’t cookie cutter city; you can’t fit it in a box.

Question: How do you answer tough questions about living in the city?
Answer: I’ve learned to answer tough questions about living in Detroit with an unapologetic but optimistic truth. There was a time where I used to be embarrassed when asked questions about Detroit’s crime rate, politics or poverty. I know the city’s problems won’t solve themselves overnight and I can’t place a shadow over what will take time to change. What I can do is to supplement that information by sharing the positive stories of Detroit, both past and present, and there are many!

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Contributed by fellow Marlo Staples