Detroit: A tale of two cities

 
DETROIT, MI — The Detroit after bankruptcy report depends on whose view one accepts. Representatives from Wall Street and the corporations called it a success on the local level. Democrats and Republicans echoed the same sentiment. Governor Snyder, Mayor Duggan, former Emergency Manager Kevin Orr and bankruptcy Judge Stephen Rhodes insured that millions of dollars were paid to law firms. J.P. Morgan received millions, while city pensions were basically eradicated along with their savings. In addition, privatization of trash and regionalization of water were other factors. Multimillionaires, Dan Gilbert, owner of Quicken Loans, and the Cleveland Cavaliers and Mike Illitch, owner of Little Caesar’s Pizza, Detroit Tigers and Redwings lauded the report as they invested in downtown, Midtown and Corktown.
On the other hand, reports from Homeless Management System, and Michigan State and Housing Development state that Michigan ranks fifth in the U.S. and first in the Midwest in homelessness, while Detroit leads the state. The Huffington Post states that Detroit leads the state in poverty where 2/3 of families cannot afford basic needs such as health and housing, including those working. Unemployment is three times higher than the national average. In addition thousands have lost homes do to foreclosures with many more facing this dire fate. Water shut offs are beyond the panic stage and the school system is in shambles.
Struggles have arisen in healthcare, water and schools, and major concern about poverty and unemployment is rising. The embodiment of these struggles and concerns are the part time, temporary and permanently unemployed workers categorized as dispossessed. It is this class that Jesus spoke of when he stated if you do it unto the least of these, you do it unto me.
It is the widening contradiction between two classes in which one sees two views of Detroit. One is the owning class that is trying to protect its private property and profits and is united in that goal. The dispossessed comprise millions the world over but are not yet united consciously as one class. However, as stated above, many are becoming open to new ideas in their quest for single payer healthcare, public ownership of water, health care and education. This is the foundation for class unity.