When the post I wrote for Time Magazine‘s wonderful Detroit Blog was published yesterday, my love for Detroit escalated even higher than the sky-high affection I already had for the city I grew up in that still inspires just about every move I make. Despite whatever you might think of Detroit for anything you may have heard about it’s slow and agonizing demise over the years, it’s still the Soul capital as far as I’m concerned and a city that has the potential to lead us into the future this century as it did much of the last. As anyone who’s half evolved knows, when things fall apart it becomes a ripe breeding ground for rebirth in new and magnified ways. The revolution is coming and it’s already arrived in Detroit. My love letter to my city is here.
I’ve always collected kitsch souvenirs from Detroit. I have everything from custom painted Detroit bottles to can openers, pot holders, funeral fans, miniature cars, notebooks, pencils, rolling pins and more. But this little unassuming shoe has always been one of my favorites.
As small as this souvenir high heel is, only 2 1/2 inches long, it’s as giant in stature to me as the old 25′ x 30′ x 20′ stove that sat out in front of The Michigan State Fairgrounds for years on Woodward Avenue. I used to drive by it every day and wonder if I would ever learn to cook. The answer remains no.
And then there’s the giant tire that started life out as a ferris wheel at the ’64 New York Worlds Fair and was then moved to the side of I-94 where it still sits to this day. I’ve had better success with tires than with cooking though not as much as with shoes.
Detroit is a city that many may have lost faith in, a shrinking blip on the map, no longer looming above the horizon of hope like a massive stove or tire. But the naysayers should remember that spirit and strength are qualities that lie inside and, when nurtured, can bloom in the most unexpected places and ways. All it takes is the brains and balls to stay the course, and the belief that change is the one constant in our life and that it can be steered like a big giant-finned Caddy to a better place if enough people just believe that can happen. People from Detroit have always dreamed and given the world some amazing gifts – cars and Motown for starters. So I have faith that whatever comes of the ashes of Detroit will be great. It may just look like baby steps now – afterall, the shoe is tiny – but get outta the way because wheels are turning and the footprints that will be left are BIG.
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Kyle Dayton
I’ve driven past that tire so many times, but I never knew it was a ferris wheel in its previous life. And that stove is simply awesome. The little pink shoe is perfect, it reminds me of something that Cinderella would wear. Perhaps it’s a metaphor for the rebirth of a new life for Detroit, just like what happened to Cinderella.
Allee Willis
I hope you’re right, Kyle!
k2dtw
Thank you.. I was so moved by your many vivid memories of Detroit …
I’m still thinking about Mumford… I was knocked out by your report on your viewing of the “Beverly Hills Cop” film for the first time…
I guess you know how big the film was here in Detroit. The Mumford High School connection in the film was huge, and a wonderful surprise. I remember what a thrill it was to see the Mumford High School T-shirt for sale and displayed in the windows of major stores… It made me smile to see so many people all over the city wearing the T-shirt…it was a film souvenir keepsake for them, but it meant so much more..
You are spot on describing the enthusiasm and energy of the young people that are moving into the city…..
Thanks again for being so generous…
…AND, they ship….smile..
http://www.sanderscandy.com/
Douglas Wood
Wonderful TIME article– it really made me want to explore Detroit. When I go to Michigan to visit with my wife’s family we almost always stay in the suburbs, but next time I go, I want to see the Detroit you described, with its rich musical history and creative vibe. Funny how so many of us can miss out on so many cool things because of an accepted perception which may or may not be accurate.
k2dtw
A great spot to save for your Detroit file might be St. Sabbas Russian Orthodox Monastery in Harper Woods, Mi.
The have a great restaurant… The Royal Eagle of St. Sabbas Monastery… The Monks run/serve at their restaurant… you could make reservations before you come in….
they are open THURSDAY ONLY…
http://stsabbas.org/
http://www.theroyaleagle.org/index2.html
Allee Willis
I’m not good in spaces that are that heavily religious but it’s great to know about the place. I love that all the prices are deemed a donation. Definitely keep a list of all the great spots in Detroit. Something like that will get me to visit home more often!