State of the Re: Union, Motor City Rebound

I just listened to Sate of the Re: Union, Motor City Rebound. It's a recording of a radio program hosted by Al Letson. Al is a playwright, performance poet, radio host, and actor. He's come to Detroit and has spoken with change activists in Detroit; people who see opportunity for change and are taking steps to change the city. The recording is 54 mins. in length and is worth every minute of your time, especially if you have any interest in urban revitalization. I actually find it beneficial for all who are interested in seeing a positive change in their current environment, whether it be within their neighborhood, family, or within. While listening, it reminded me of a quote that I've had hanging on every refrigerator, in every apartment, that I've been in for the past 5 years. The quote is by Paule Marshall, a writer and educator: "A person can run for years but sooner or later he has to take a stand in the place which, for better or worse, he calls home, and do what he can to change things there." The recording includes readings by residents of letters they have written to the city, as well as some reflections of small Detroit business owners. To me the most influential part of the show was the interview with Grace Lee Boggs . She is a 93 year old activist living in Detroit since 1953. About 10 years ago, she and her husband created the Detroit Summer Collective. Detroit Summer focuses on teaching youth about being creative and using that creativity through hip-hop, poetry, and other forms of participatory media to communicate on being self-sufficient and creating their own change for a more promising future, instead of relying on government and others to provide an opportunity. A segment includes interviews with Emily Lin and her partner of the Detroit Diamond Project. They collect glass from broken car windows and buildings throughout the city. Not only are they participating in helping clean up the streets, but they clean the class and turn it into art. Many of us are like Jackie Victor, founder and owner of Avalon International Breads in Detroit, see something wrong, but we don't know how, or are afraid to fix it. This program is packed with inspirational stories of people who see and DO change the environment in which they are living in...Detroit. One middle-school teacher has started at garden at the school where he teaches, and his students are growing food to provide the school with their own salad bar! Super Cool!!! I know the 54 mins may scare you from listening to it, but click the link below and listen while you are getting ready in the morning...Great for the entire family to listen to!

http://tinyurl.com/7z57fk