Urban Vignettes Week 7: Signs

Signs of Another Reality

When I look at the signs that I pass on a regular basis, it initiates a train of thought about the dynamics of politics, social structures, and economics in Detroit. 

Let's start with the following signs:

The first on the top left is between two thriving neighborhoods: Mexican Town and Corktown. The idea of a car that cost $10,000+ at some point being sold at 1% of its value or less is strange - the disposable nature of such a core part of our economy in the US, and especially Michigan, is ironic. Is our economy also disposable?

The large picture is of a construction sign that appears temporary, but has been present for nearly half of my life. The Detroit International Bridge Company has been "working" on a project with the Michigan Department of Transportation to alleviate bridge traffic and decrease truck traffic in the neighborhoods, but they did not live up to their end of the bargain. This led to the two executives of the company to be jailed for a night, and at least part of the project was completed quickly thereafter. The Ambassador Bridge is the property of Manuel J. Moroun, a Detroit suburban billionaire who owns a trucking empire, It is one of only two privately owned bridges along the United States’ entire northern border and by far the most economically significant privately owned bridge in the nation. It makes me question who really controls the economic culture of the largest city in Michigan.

The middle left reflects the growing culture in Detroit of growing our own food to combat the issues of being a "food desert" - fresh fruit and vegetables are hard to come by. Urban agriculture has been a way of taking ownership of health and food in a city once listed as the fattest in the United States. Growing our own food has been a way to reclaim land, and our health.

Lowest on the left: this type of sign is seen all over Detroit. I think of it as larger than just the building: Detroit is for sale and can be built to suit the needs of a family, business, or community. In Detroit, the only real limits for the future are your imagination.

Another set of signs I want to address are those of social and community trends:

Working clockwise from the top left: Gang Signs spray painted on a disused mechanic garage. 1/2 signs of the Southwest neighborhoods - one was ripped down. The highway signs that mark our Motor City and direct our primary product (cars) through the city. The signs of homeless men and women are all over the city - they are a sign and reminder that our economic plan does not include everyone as a general rule. These are signs that are present in many cities throughout the nation and world, but the backdrop changes.

The signs of Detroit show our character; our strengths and weaknesses. Our direction is defined by how we interpret the instructions found on each one.

Sincerely,

Kaity Nicastri, 
Detroit Lover

If you want to see the post in its edited form, go to Urban Vignettes.