With so many conversations, lectures, and panels happening daily around the city, I try to allow for one night of the week in which I attend one of these events. What better way to learn about my new city than from the people who have lived here for generations or who have tirelessly researched its triumphs and shortcomings?

One of the lectures I attended centered around equitable growth for a new, thriving Detroit. Rodrick T. Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Detroit Economic Growth Corp., addressed the audience about the importance of accessibility of all people within the city to the resources that will help them thrive. The city lacks an expansive transit network, isolating people to their specific neighborhood and too often without opportunity for work. Miller went on to speak to the fact that 59% of children in the city grow up living in poverty. How can these kids gain better opportunities if they cannot even access their most basic needs?

My favorite segment of these talks is always the question and answer period at the end. This time provides audience members the opportunity to comment and even vent about how they see growth in the city. One or two people at several of the talks took the time to stand up and ask why many of the organizations striving for change in the city fail to mention race issues. As a white person, I will admit that I do not always come to this realization on my own; however, once one becomes more aware and is more exposed to this frame of mind, how can we continue to fail to address these racial issues and tensions so prevalent not only in Detroit but also all over the United States? For too long we have used the “color blind” excuse by merely saying that all people are the same, regardless of race. Looking at current events around our country over the past few years, we see that this mentality clearly does not work. We must acknowledge our differences and not fear to address oppressive stereotypes and their roots. Failing to do so only pushes the problem onto our future generations of children and grandchildren (hmmm, sounds like this issue could be similar to our challenges surrounding gender equality and climate change!).
How do we start this conversation you ask? Take a look at everything around you: your job, your house, your neighborhood, and your city/town. What is the demographic of people living and working here? If your community is predominately of one race, why do you think that is so? Do the institutions in place offer equal opportunities and resources to everyone? More importantly, do these same institutions offer accessibility to present resources? These thoughts and items to reflect upon are just some of the questions that the lectures happening in Detroit raise. I have enjoyed reflecting and even researching some of these concepts over the past two months. I now challenge YOU to begin thinking about these concepts and how certain mentalities and societal institutions have either benefited or stunted your ability to thrive.