Old Meets New: Can The Two Detroits Get Along? [Podcast]

DETROIT (WWJ) - When other groups come in to the city, what is the right way to avoid conflicts with longtime residents so groups can get along and work together for positive change?

Can the two Detroits get along?

Detroit area leaders, writers and activists come together to focus on the merging Detroit entities -- new and old -- as the city continues to rebuild and revitalize.

"I think the two Detroits should sort of meet somewhere in the middle; I would probably say to the new Detroit first, because I think it starts more with them, the 'old Detroit' is already here, it's established - you have many newcomers coming in to the city who aren't familiar and we need to get them up to speed ... need to know that you can't take a bus anywhere you want to because the Detroit Department of Transportation is not in the best shape it could be in right now ... saying that Detroit is a blank canvas or Detroit is a blank slate is not only disrespectful to the thousands of people who do live here - that's erasing the history of what we've built up," says writer Aaron Foley.

CATCH THE FULL RADIO SPECIAL HERE

"How to Live in Detroit without being a Jackass" a cultural guide for people moving to the city "sometimes people moving to the city are a little bit disrespectful of the city's culture and of the city's history," says Foley. "And can come off as a jerk or something like that. That's where the title came from, I just wanted to get people living in the city as well as knowing -- sort of a crash course in how we ended up the way that we are," adds Foley.

Does Detroit need saving? Why is it that a city that is majority black is looked at as being helpless and like a damsel in distress? These are some of the questions that Foley hopes to address with the book.

Can the two Detroit's get along?

"I think the answer is 'yes' but ... you've got to work at it," says Jordan Twardy.

He says that it takes time to build relationships and the ability to meet in the middle. "If you want to build a relationship of trust, you have to meet people where they are."

"I think the two can get along and I think that a consideration is the new have to begin to look at what has occurred in the city of Detroit and not blame existing residents," says Vanessa Peake. "

Panelists Luther Keith, Vanessa Peake, Carl Zerweck III, Aaron Foley, Jordan Twardy, and Kim Sherrobi join WWJ's CityBeat Reporter Vickie Thomas for the radio special.

Luther Keith, executive director, ARISE Detroit!

Aaron Foley is the author of new book, How To Live In Detroit Without Being A Jackass. Also, new editor of B.L.A.C. magazine.

Vanessa Peake, organizer of east side organizations working with groups trying to improve the community.

Carl Zerweck III, his formerly Texas-based group has been working on blight removal in Detroit four years - using volunteers from around the country -- and moved to the city in the past year. He works with scores of Detroit community block clubs.

Jordan Twardy, executive director Eight Mile Boulevard Association, works with suburban and Detroit groups on project to improve the areas on both side of Eight Mile Road.

Kim Sherrobi, west side activist worked with Rippling Hope when it came to Detroit. Also, aligned with the Grace Lee Boggs Center in Detroit.