Devil's Night in Detroit ... Turned into a Novel

As a kid, I can remember having mixed feelings about Devil's Night (the night before Halloween in Detroit ... look it up).

It was right around the time of my birthday, so I usually kept the birthday celebration going -- through Devil's Night, Oct. 30, and then Halloween, Oct. 31.

So, when I had the chance to write my latest short novel, I had a real event that provided the perfect setting for a story about adversity, love, pain, race, violence and more.

I developed "They Still Call it Devil's Night" with that, and so much more, in mind.

Check out my latest short novel (I am saving the longer, better ones for the possibility of traditional publishing (it could be a long shot, but I am gong to hang onto that hope).

In The Shadow Of Beckstock, The Rev. Jesse Jackson Leads Important March In Detroit

The Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to a crowd in this photo.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson was in Detroit (where I was born and raised) over the weekend to march for awareness about issues of great importance.

Sadly, however, the march is not getting near enough attention as much of the nation focused on Beckstock, a production led by Fox News right-wing extremist and fearmonger specialist Glenn Beck. Beck's production, a scheme to grab attention, raise money (I'm sure Goldline is happy) and increase his fame, is a disgrace to everything Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for and died for more than four decades ago. Beck's disgraceful attempts to capitalize on the works and deeds of Dr. King are perhaps overshadowed only by his stunning ignorance of what Dr. King really stood for as he rallied millions.

Beckstock, or "I Have A Scheme" as some people have called his rally in Washington D.C., grabbed all the headlines while the Rev. Jackson marched in Detroit on important issues.

Here is an excerpt from the Detroit News:

The chants of thousands of people demanding jobs filled the air downtown as UAW President Bob King and the Rev. Jesse Jackson led the crowd to Grand Circus Park.

The UAW and Jackson's Rainbow Push Coalition announced the Rebuild America: Jobs Justice Peace kickoff today at the downtown park.

Jackson said the focus of the initiative is to ensure policy makers put people first when making decisions. The initiative calls for a moratorium on home foreclosures, a push for job creation and for ending armed conflicts overseas.

"Detroit and Michigan are ground zero of the urban crisis," Jackson said. "It's time to enact real change for working families and all America."

About 30 percent of Detroit is unemployed, Jackson said. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., also said Detroit was chosen as the kickoff site for the campaign because it is at the heart of the nation's economic fight.

It's great to see the Rev. Jackson marching on such an important issue in Detroit, a place where the message will have a strong impact. It might come as a shock to some people, but Rev. Jackson is about more than race issues. But, that is something you would never know listening and watching the mainstream media and far-right propagandists who seek to demonize him.

Here are some photos from the rally led by the Rev. Jackson as posted by the Detroit Free Press.

The sensationalism of Glenn Beck, promoted by the Republican party communication's team, Fox News, sells better than a march in Detroit for jobs and other forms of economic empowerment.

Simple Simon Conservatives Trace All Detroit’s Problems To A Familiar Boogeyman: Liberalism

Frank Lucas: Simple Simon-ass motherfuckers!
From the 2007 film American Gangster

Simple-Simon conservatives take great pleasure in attacking cities like Detroit and Chicago (right-wing Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham did that again over the weekend in an effort to take a shot at President Obama). However, for the purposes of this blog, I am choosing to focus on one of the many shots being taken at Detroit. Full disclosure: Detroit is where I was born and raised. So, as a native Detroiter, we are accustomed to outside agitators gleefully taking cheap shots at the city of Detroit. Since the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States, the city of Chicago has gotten a taste for how viciously some are willing to attack a city (as far as I am concerned, it was wrong when people attacked Texas to get at George W. Bush and it’s wrong when people attack Chicago to get at President Obama). Still, the business of attacking cities for political purposes continues and thrives in today’s United States of America.

The following is a brief blog (with a biased video) from Steven Crowder, writing for the far-right site Big Hollywood (a safe haven for some of the nuttiest commentaries and irrational theories you will find):

I know that some of you may think that the last thing Detroit needs is another hit piece. Granted, some could consider this video as THE hit piece. Detroit however, can serve as a valuable lesson to the rest of the country. It has been the perfect laboratory for leftist policies at work. The more you examine the policies of Detroit’s politicians, the more strikingly similar to this administration they become. The results… are shocking. Notice how I added the “…” for dramatic effect? I’m thoughtful like that.

Crowder is right on one thing: this is a hit piece with a dual purpose: smear Detroit and take a shot at the favorite boogeyman of the far-right freaks: liberalism.

The depth and breadth of the ignorance of this video is nothing short of staggering. It’s so one-dimensional and tired it makes the old Atari 2600 look modern.

This Simple-Simon conservative mostly ignores the biggest factors in Detroit’s decline (while taking great joy in bashing unions like the United Auto Workers … as conservatives love to do while favoring the rich corporate executives who run countries):

• Auto industry decline
• Auto industry mismanagement
• Economically depending too much on the auto industry
• White flight
• Racial tension (race rioting) … sparked partly by competition for jobs and housing
• Broken political promises (Crowder cites this, but only to attack liberals)
• Shrinking population
• Eroding tax base (a part of shrinking population and fleeing businesses)
• Outsourcing to foreign countries
• Relocation of major businesses to the suburbs
• The U.S. trade deficit

… on and on it goes. But, why focus on those factors when Earth-is-flat Republicans can simply focus on their favorite topic: liberalism.

He ends the video with a shot of President Obama painted on a wall to take another partisan cheap shot in this far-right video that is lower and more disgusting than some of the filth it filmed and focused on in Detroit.

That’s not to say Detroit has its problems because it sure as hell does. But this garbage video is nothing more than the exploitation of Detroit for political purposes.

NOTE: I am not posting the video, but you can visit the Big Hollywood site to look at it if you choose.

The Detroit Syndrome of Economic Failure:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/138341-the-detroit-syndrome-of-economic-failure

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit

Big Hollywood:
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/scrowder/2009/12/21/is-this-the-future-of-america-detroit/#more-283182

Fox News Commentator Shepard Smith’s Comments Insulting, Degrading And Dangerous

Detroit Public Schools justifiably have been taken to task for a poor record which, most recently, was displayed by record-low test scores that have been in the bright glare of the national media spotlight. As a city, Detroit has been an easy and frequent target of those who want to attack a variety of topics (including the quality of urban black leadership, so-called liberal ideology, the sting of decades of white flight, conflict at times between the city and the suburbs, problems associated with the troubled auto industry and more). Much of the criticism directed at Detroit mostly is justified (even as the city, in some ways, is showing signs of fighting back and perhaps rising up to a more respectable status).

But, even with Detroit’s problems, the comments by Fox News commentator Shepard Smith were irresponsible, ignorant, insulting and perhaps dangerous.

“If my kid were in Detroit, I’d try to burn the place down,” Smith said during a discussion on the city of Detroit’s recently acknowledged record-low test scores.

Obviously, Smith did not mean that comment to be taken literally (as if to say that parents or other citizens should run out into the streets and begin burning up everything in sight. In no way am I saying or insinuating that he had that reality in mind when he made his reckless comments. Two people who understand the discussion and the city of Detroit also believe that Smith went too far with his comments. The two people in question are school board member Tyrone Whinfrey and Detroit Parent Network Executive Director Sharlonda Buckman.

Here are their responses:

“We’re not going to burn down Detroit,” Whinfrey told local Fox affiliate WJBK after the interview. “We’re going to stand together in the city.”

Buckman, a fierce critic of the district herself, said Shepard’s comment was shameful. “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

Well said by both Whinfrey and Buckman.

Fox News television commentators often are quick to ditch journalistic integrity, editorialize and take shots at people (almost always liberals or something they feel liberals represent or are responsible for on one level or another). Smith, who is not nearly as bad as most at Fox News, should have been more careful to understand the bitter history in the city of Detroit including fires related to deadly race riots and fires related to the infamous Devil’s Night. Smith’s comments are dangerous because plays to a theme of negative stereotypes of inner city black people rioting and burning stuff down.

It’s easy for people like Shepard Smith to pile on Detroit right now and make degrading comments.

Face it, that’s what a lot of opportunistic people do.

For far too many individuals, you can’t stand tall unless you’re standing on someone else’s back.

Come on Shep … you’re better than that comment.

MLive:
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/12/fox_news_shepard_smith_if_my_k.html

Detroit Takes Its Fair Share Of Shots, But Political Parties Has Nothing To Do With It

The city of Detroit has taken its fair share of criticism over the decades as urban decay has inflicted major damage on what was once one of the great cities in the United States of America. But, this particular blog really caught my eyes and not just because I am a native of the city of Detroit and someone who still has family that lives in Motown. And, for some reason, this blog seemed to strike a raw nerve with me.

The blog Booker Rising, which positions itself as a moderate/conservative blog, kicked off its Detroit-bashing piece with this statement:

The London Times (UK) puts the spotlight on Detroit, Michigan, USA, a liberal-Democratic-controlled city that has had socialist impulses for some time and that's been in decline for decades.

Tina Turner would ask, "What's Love Got To Do With It?" I would ask, what point does it serve to refer to Detroit as "a liberal-Democratic-controlled city that has had socialist impulses for some time and has been in decline for decades." That's some bullshit. Now, the city has been in decline for decades due to a number of reasons.

But, to use the plight of Detroit to attack liberal Democrats is weak as hell.

I Can’t Say Enough Positives About Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios, a long-time member of the Detroit Red Wings who appears to be moving on to play at least one more season of professional hockey, has been great to the city of Detroit. His contributions go beyond the gritty hard work we saw from him night in and night out on the ice for the Wings during his 11 seasons with the winged-wheel on his chest. It was difficult for a lot of fans of Detroit to embrace him, after coming to dislike him for all of those years when he played for the Chicago Blackhawks. But, he won over the fans of Detroit – blue-collar fans who respect and admire players with great work ethic and players who are willing to do the dirty work.

Here is an excerpt from a Detroit News article:

Detroit– The always quotable and approachable Chris Chelios met withthe media on Wednesday to talk about his career with the Red Wings, which has come to an end.

Though Chelios, 47, was informed by the Wings on Monday that they would not bring him back for an 11th season in Detroit, the defenseman reiterated his desire to play somewhere next season.

A few of the topics Cheliostouched on as he met with reporters at his downtown Cheli’s Chili Bar …

Chelios brought business to downtown Detroit when a lot of people ran away. He believed in and supported Detroit when a lot of people did not.

Chris Chelios is one of the great Red Wings and, perhaps more significantly, he has been a great Detroiter.

One last thing … it’s unbelievable to see a guy still playing in his mid to late 40s. He’s not the same player he was, but he’s still pretty good.

Thrilling Game 7 Did Not End The Way Wings’ Fans Wanted

The Detroit Red Wings came oh-so-close to winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. But, it just wasn’t meant to be. Pittsburgh, in the end, outplayed the Red Wings in the decisive seventh game. The Penguins came out and played a near-flawless road game to escape Joe Louis Arena with a 2-1 and return the Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh.

Hats off to the Penguins for getting it done, knocking the Red Wings off stride and out of rhythm throughout the seventh game, and getting the timely goals you need to win championships. It was painful to watch, as a fan of the Red Wings, but it was gratifying to know that Pittsburgh legitimately won it in the end with a great team effort, flawless defense, good goaltending and timely scores.

Nolan Finley Is Correct About Monica Conyers, Detroit, North American International Auto Show

All of the obstructionism by members of the Detroit City Council, led by Monica Conyers, has put Detroit in a frightening position right now (with respect to continuing to host the gigantic North American International Auto Show). Conyers’ personal victory, however, in the effort to prevent a regional authority from assuming control of raggedy Cobo Hall (and provide funding to repair and expand it to keep it up to standard) may end up costing Detroit the Auto Show. The show could be headed out to the suburbs or it could be headed out of the state.

From Nolan Finley’s Detroit News blog:

The Detroit Auto Dealers Association seems plenty serious about moving the North American International Auto Show to Novi if Detroit doesn’t come up with a Cobo Center solution soon. The folks at Rock Financial Center have the shovels waiting to go in the ground on an 800,000-square-foot expansion to accommodate the auto show.

It would be a major coup for western Oakland County and would turn the Rock center into a major convention venue. That means more hotels and restaurants for the surrounding communities.

And none of it would be possible without Monica Conyers.

Hopefully new Detroit mayor Dave Bing will be able to cut through the garbage to bring people together and do something positive for the city of Detroit. Dealing with Conyers, however, will be no easy task (as the city, the region, the state and perhaps the world is increasingly becoming aware of).

Detroit News:
http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/nolanfinleyblog/index.php?blogid=1246