Today I had a long conversation with a man I work with. It was spontaneous and real and interesting, and I mostly just listened as he talked. He told me about his childhood, where he was greatly loved but not always safe, growing up in the same area that is now called HOPE Village by my nonprofit; he told me about how it felt to be a black man, especially how alienated he felt no matter where in the world he journeyed; and he told me about his beliefs: why he believes racism exists in our society today, his complete and utter dislike of materialism and love of our earth, and his commitment to this community he has found his way back to after so many years.
This man, to me, is a perfect example of how I now view Detroit. Detroit is a place that once had great promise, and I believe it still does, despite what the news and the non-Detroiters say. It is a place that may not always look clean or safe or put-together, but where there are a lot of people who commit their lives to making their communities stronger. Maybe it’s because we mostly interact with people working in nonprofits, but everyone here seems to be passionate about helping not just themselves, but the people around them, too. There is a real sense of community in Detroit. It’s not like most places I have been where no one talks to people they don’t know. People in Detroit will say hello to complete strangers and connect before even saying anything. They come together as communities and work to rebuild the places they love and care about, even in just the smallest of ways. I’ve always believed there is a great deal of importance in even just the smallest of selfless acts and I feel that from the people of Detroit.
The picture I chose is one I took of one of the Little Free Libraries I am helping to place throughout HOPE Village. To some people, this is just a wooden box that people fill with old books they no longer want, but it means a lot more to me. This is an example of how the people in a community can take ownership of something that can be a powerful source of knowledge, connections, and opportunities for their fellow community members. We have a lot of people already asking about getting one for their street and we haven’t even sent out applications yet. I love being a part of this project and a part of a community (even for just a little while) where so many people are eager to be involved.
