All week, we’ve been covering Detroit’s attempts to improve its image. We heard about plenty of things to celebrate, but Detroit also has plenty of real problems, ranging from its struggling education system to a huge loss of residents over the last decade.
Along with the city’s positive aspects, we also asked you to tell us: what’s the worst thing about Detroit? Here is a sample of your answers.
Hate. From racism to road rage, it is not a friendly place.- Carly Van Thomme, Guadalajara, Mexico
The legacy of Kwame Kilpatrick and Henry Ford. Drive, drive, drive everywhere. -Karen Dunnan, Grand Rapids, MI
That we do not promote the diversity of the people in Detroit and surrounding suburbs as we should. It’s the people that make any city. -Gordon Alexander, Detroit, MI
Suffocating overt and covert racism that serves as a shorthand for much more complex and difficult problems. -Brian Bowe, Saugatauk, MI
The lack of public transportation and urban living necessities to keep people in the city. -Dan Baker, Lancaster, PA
Excessively numbered and large freeways that ruin the continuity of neighborhoods and contribute to a sense of isolation in many cases. – Elizabeth Luther, Detroit, MI
Unfortunately, crime. -Joel Arnold, Flint
How empty it feels. There is nothing worse than coming home to find the lights off and the family dispersed. -Jeffrey Jablansky, New Rochelle, NY
Lack of city-dwelling yuppies, you need them for economic purposes.- Matt B., Boston, MA
People who have never been there trashing the place. -Todd Doros, Durham, NC
You can still answer our questions here.
Tomorrow, check back to read peoples’ vision for the Detroit of 2020.
