When many people outside of Detroit look at the city, they see a city that is broken with very little chance in becoming great again. Some may even argue that Detroit will never be great. That is something that I completely disagree with. When I look around I see something different. I see a spark and a gleam of hope that could not come from anywhere but Detroit. That spark I see is nothing other than DETROIT PRIDE!

I have had the fortune of living in other cities, both big and small. Everywhere that I have been I have seen a common theme. When I lived in Bowling Green, Ohio, there were a lot of fellow Detroit natives that also lived and went to school there. Although many of us we were in a new place for the first time in our lives, none of us forgot where we came from and at any given moment would represent it proudly. At different events throughout the city, you would hear Detroit chants, see Detroit apparel and even on occasion hear back and forth debates about who went to the best Detroit Public School. These debates still continue, no matter how many years it has been since high school graduation. Not one person was ashamed to reveal where they were from and took it upon themselves to be a positive representation of the city. Bowling Green State University was not the only university in which Detroiters had that type of pride. Detroit pride could be found on every college campus in the nation.

When I lived in Chicago, Illinois, I noticed that Detroiters were very bold and took pride in their city. By Chicago teams being a rival in every sport, you would think that Detroiters would keep quiet, seeing that they were not at home. However, that was not the case. Wherever I went, especially on game day, I saw Detroit teams worn proudly throughout the city. Not only did they wear Detroit gear, they trashed talked with the best of them. Win or lose. I of course was one of the many proud Detroiters that were never afraid to display where I was from and the city that I loved. Chicago is not the only place I’ve seen this. Every time I go one Facebook, I see Detroiters in cities around the globe showing pride in their city. No one and nothing could ever make them stop cheering for their teams, not even a 0-16 season. No one and nothing could ever stop them from loving their city.

Now that I am back in Detroit, that pride and fighting spirit is stronger that I could have ever imagined. The rivalries are still strong and the D is proudly displayed everywhere. Even after the embarrassment of a corrupt Mayor and the city filing Bankruptcy, we are still here and still proud. Detroit pride is one of a kind and will be the driving force behind the resurgence of Detroit taking its rightful place at the top.