November was a busy month! I have included my top 5 activities, however, this list does not represent the the extent of said November activities–just a few of my favorites.

 

 1. Started reading the book, The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit.

While I intended to get to this book before I moved to Detroit, I only started reading it at the beginning of the month. I could try to sum up what I have read this far, however, I have decided it more effective to leave you with a snippet of the book’s blurb:

“Once America’s ‘arsenal of democracy,’ Detroit is now the symbol of the American urban Crisis. In this reappraisal of America’s racial and economic inequalities, Thomas Sugrue asks why Detroit and other industrial cities have become the sites of persistent racialized poverty…”

I am only halfway through but I highly recommend it!

2. Saw the movie, Dear White People.

Watch the trailer. A group of about 10 Challenge Detroit fellows went to see this movie one Saturday afternoon. Race is a difficult conversation and this movie helped to open up the ongoing conversation amongst we fellows.

3. Went rollerskating.

Some of the fellows, including myself, went rollerskating at the RollerCade roller rink in River Rouge. Open since 1955, this rink is the first black-owned roller rink in the country! The nice young man who helped us is the third generation of the family who started the rink. So cool!

4. Volunteered with United Way.

A group of us volunteered with United Way for their Tree Lighting Celebration. This was a great event held in downtown Detroit. Overlooking Campus Martius park, we were able to watch the tree lighting and ice skating from the warmth of United Way’s space. They had great food too!

5. Celebrated Thanksgiving in Oregon.

Most recently, I flew back to the Willamette Valley to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Eugene, Oregon. While it was wonderful to get away for the weekend, it feels good to be back home in Detroit.

On to December!