A city decline, and how it can rise up again By Larry GantI Associate professor, School of Social Work SHOPEATDRINK Inside aut Kerrytown bar serves gay community BY Sarah Zlering | Daily Arts Writer I t's important to under- stand that the popula- tion (and economic benefits) of Detroit have risen and fallen with the auto industry. And it's also important to understand that Detroit had its peak both in population (2.1 million) and city-based industrial employment in 1947 It's important to understand that the population (and economic benefits) of Detroit have risen and fallen with the auto industry. And it's also important to understand that Detroit had its peak both in population (2.1 million) and city-based industrial employment in 1947. Since that time, Detroit has slowly lost both jobs and popula- tions to suburban environments - due largely to the cheaper land costs, need for acres of land for development, etc. So understand that the move outside Detroit followed the construction of more auto plants to the suburbs as early as the 1950s. Also understand that while auto jobs moved to the suburbs, they're also declining in numbers. In short, the auto industry will never be the massive indus- try, employer and benefactor to the city that it was in the past. Unfor- tunately, to secure bailout funds in the 1970s and 1980s (during the first and most severe of the auto industry shakeouts), a lot of dis- cussion ensued about how the cash infusions would bring new and more jobs to Detroit. I think that corporations, city government and residents wanted desperately - for their own reasons - to believe thIat it WAS possible to bring the city (and jobs) back to prominence, and that these sentiments and tangible investments prevented - in a profound way - the search and exploration for new industrial bases and new jobs. Certainly, the rebellion in 1967 accelerated a largely white move- ment from the city, but the flight from Detroit was already well under- way. The departure of whites - and jobs and capital - resulted in a city that became poorer, had fewer resources and became more black. These three demographic realities - income, capital resources and African-American ethnicity - have become sadly conflated, such that in Detroit, black is synonymous with poverty and diminished resources. Quite honestly, the plight of the city would have resulted with whomever remained the working class. For instance, Toledo, pre- dominantly white, suffered and still suffers from the collapse of the industrial glass and automotive plants surrounding its city. It, too, is a poor city, but predominantly White. Oddly enough, however, the equa- tion of White = poverty = diminished resources never took! The formula for increased poverty is a simple, yet powerful one. Detroit has become poor because 1) industries declined and fell 2) associated well-paying jobs disappeared 3) other jobs and people with resources left the community 4) industries relocated to (cheaper) land outside the city and 5) poor people, having no ability to move, remained and thus became more concentrated within Detroit. Re- member, Detroit may be No. I in poverty rate now, but the state of Michigan also ranks within the top ten states for lowest job production, lowest rate of new job starts and lowest economic growth. That's also meant that state fund appropriations to Detroit have dried up dramati- cally - almost as dramatically as state appropriations to Michigan's public universities (including the University). Southwest Detroit is growing - the only part of Detroit that is growing - due to an influx of largely Mexican immigration. In many ways, however, Southwest Detroit is a remnant of what Detroit used to look like - diverse populations pretty much getting long. Naturally, comfortable diversity does not make headlines. The influx of immigrants to Southwest Detroit (largely Mexican), nearby Dear- born (largely Middle Eastern) and Hamtramck (largely Asian and eastern European) does not raise tensions as much as the resources 4pparently provided to immigrants (in contrast to black citizens). In the meantime, many people have discovered - and decided - to outline a general plan of response, then work within a dimension In 2001, aut BAR faced what its owners have labeled, "one of the gay community's worst enemies." Fred Phelps, a nationally known anti-gay activist, was challenging not only the bar's right to exist, but the rights of the gay community in general. And aut BAR fought back. Since 1995, aut BAR has posi- tioned itself at the center of gay nightlife and issues in Kerrytown. The political consciousness of aut BAR stemmed not only from the owners' previous involvement in community issues but from the tense situation that erupted upon Phelps' arrival, with picket signs in hand. The bars owners and loyal community following were able to turn the picket into a benefit serving a local LGBT community center. Since then, the proactive actions of the bar have created a national buzz that has attracted a number of well-known supporters. "Aut BAR is a gathering place for everyone in our community. Young, old, gay, lesbian, bi, trans, single, coupled, ally, dem, pro- gressive or Republican," said bar co-founder and owner Martin Con- treras in an e-mail. A strict policy of non-discrimination exists at aut BAR which aims to bring com- munity members together through acceptance and pride for diversity. Noticing Ann Arbor's lack of a venue that catered to all aspects of the gay community, Contreras, For too long we've to dark places t become your ei FOREST CASEY/Daily The auto industry was the catalyst behind Detroit's peak population in 1947. where they can make a difference. These dimensions are - increas- ingly - individual neighborhoods, small communities and individual institutions. Sowhilethe Detroit Public School systemcan't bereformed immediately, a school principal can make real change (working with teachers and families and interested others). While the Housing Com- mission can't create thousand of affordable housing units, community groups working with Habitat for Humanity can build a score of houses and help recreate a small neighborhood or community. And while the city can't provide broadband access to city residents, small neighbor- hood based concepts like Steeples to People can provide small, easy to maintain hot spots in many neighborhoods. There are other initiatives that are jumpstarting Detroit, but pro- vide only a jumpstart in some areas. Thus the location of sports are- nas near downtown is spurring limited market rate development of homes and businesses that attract young people without children who are interested in an urban lifestyle. This initiative, termed "bread and circuses", should not be interpreted as a blueprint for urban reform. It's a nice component, but not the comprehensive answer. Again, I think that the solution lies in small community growth across many communities. That's where I continue to see move- ment and development. Local foundations provide some support and direction for these efforts, and that's encouraging. There is growth and movement within Detroit. It doesn't always make the headlines, but it is there. I coordinate a program - the Community Based Initiative - in the School of Social Work at the University. Students take three classes in the city of Detroit, and work with communities and orga- nizations on specific projects throughout the year. I take students on tours of Detroit communities, and they are almost always amazed at the local level progress and movement. Nothing in their educa- tion or their knowledge of Detroit prepared them for the positive and creative efforts and movements throughout the neighborhoods here. Of course, there are areas and parts of the city that still require lots of help and response. There are areas and communities that might never be reclaimed. But there is always action and activity. There are a lot of other programs and activities sponsored by University units and departments in Detroit, and that the University's latest initiative, Detroit Center at Orchestra Place, provides a venue to consolidate, coordinate and leverage the power of many university/research part- nerships in many areas. What does this mean for students? Students need to realize the fundamental connections people share. The differences between aut BAR Where: 315 Braun Court Hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mon. to Sat. 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sun. along with co-owner Keith Orr, decided to be the change the com- munity desperately needed. "There is a big difference between 'gay-friendly' and 'gay inclusive,' " said Orr in an e-mail. "Try kissing your same-sex part- ner at an anniversary dinner at a mainstream Ann Arbor restaurant and the resulting stares and sudden chill will show that difference." Aut BAR, however, has taken on a role much larger than many local bars and entertainment venues by consistently placing itself at the center of community issues and causes. "The bar gave us a vehicle for our community involvement in ways we never could have imag- ined," Orr said. Hosting a variety of events, meetings and gatherings both organized and spontaneous, aut BAR provides a safe forum for voices that are eager to be heard. According to the bar's website, OUTfest, Washetenaw Rainbow Action Project, SAFE House and the University's Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Affairs are just a few of the many organizations that have gained increasing notoriety as a result of aut BAR's support. The bar has attracted support been relegated to gather. You nvironment. - Martin Contreras aut BAR Owner ORDER ONLINE! (htcan be any easier? You'l never need a paper menu or a phone again!) FREE & EASY TO USE (Why 2Goclub.com? Na fees or does. A large variety of restaurants to choose from, Earn free food. No mere language barriers or inaccurate orders. No more bony signals or being put on held. Rfestaurant menus are pot on the site - simply click to nrder! JOIN TODAY!) from well-known gay rights sup- porters such as David Sedaris, John Waters and 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean, who vis- ited the bar while on the campaign trail and had also been picketed by Phelps in Vermont for his stand on civil unions. Finding a niche "For too long we've been rel- egated to dark places to gather. You become your environment," explained Contreras. "When con- See AUT BAR, Page 12B Bill Twarog serves drinks in the aut U PETER SCHOTTENFELS/ Daily The state of Michigan ranks near the bottom in job production and economic growth. affluence and poverty can be wiped away in an instant, as Hurricane Katrina quickly, painfully and efficiently demonstrated. Students should also know that there are simple things they can do that indeed make a difference. Students also grow (and sometimes the growth is painful) when they meet and work with others who - while human - have very different backgrounds. Maybe students can't - and shouldn't - solve some problems. But students can learn to provide help and assistance to those in need and maybe use their resources and privilege to change or challenge an infrastructure or infrastruc- ture sector that, if reformed, could serve people instead of not. 8B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 17, 2005 The Michigan Daily- ..