The historical run down of the economic situation in Detroit:
Black people started getting political control in the 70's with Coleman Young (elected first black mayor in 1974). White business owners fled the city for the suburbs, partly due to racialized fear of, "Well, there goes my city," partly due to a progressive agenda of these leaders to help the destitute poor that had been neglected for years. Detroit is left with a hollow victory for black leadership, as a vast majority of the economic power is now out of the city limits. Suburbs of Detroit are doing exceptionally well. The city itself is a fucking warzone.
Many cities have a similar story.
|