As the third week is coming to an end, I’m realizing that I do not know as much as I thought I did about Detroit. Despite living only 30 minutes away, I wasn’t aware of how big the community is, but through my DCERP fellows and community organization, I’ve been able to learn slightly more. Perhaps it’s because of all the bad news and stereotypes that are constantly being promoted instead. In my short time here, I’ve been to various Juneteenth celebrations, community yoga sessions, and even a local Veggiefest. It’s been amazing to see so many different groups coming together to have such meaningful experiences. For example, the first time I attended a yoga session at Clark Park, it was filled with so many people that they had run out of mats before I could get one! A woman who saw this came up to me and offered to let me use an extra unopened mat she had stored in her car. At the end of the session, I went to return it, but she insisted that I keep it for future yoga sessions. This simple act of kindness made me see how people in this community look out and care for one another, even if you’re strangers.
Although COVID did set back more personal connections with the community, it has been getting increasingly better. My site (the City of Detroit Office of Disability Affairs) recently hosted a Juneteenth event to encourage others to educate themselves on the important history behind this celebration. We also get direct feedback from community members when planning different projects and soon, I will be interviewing some Detroit residents for my own project. Although we’re only in the office two days a week, we have many biweekly meetings to keep each other updated on current topics and issues we’re working on. Every time I walk in, I’m greeted with such kind faces. It’s been a welcoming environment that’s consistently working hard for the community’s needs. I’m looking forward to the work I will be doing and getting to know everyone else’s experiences. See you all next week!
Hi Emily! Similarly, over these past few weeks I realized how little I actually knew about Detroit. The story of the woman lending you her yoga mat at Clark Park just shows the kindness that this community exemplifies!
Hi, I definitely get the sentiment of not knowing Detroit as well as you think you did. After living here my entire life, there are still a lot of things I don’t know, and probably should.
I really enjoy reading about the kindness you’ve experienced in Detroit, Emily. Certainly, I’m looking forward to learning more about the Office of Disability Affairs and your work there, too! I think these two principles, kindness and learning, will be critical during the rest of the program, and you captured them well in this post:)