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It was one of those feel-good community events, about 100 people gathered to
celebrate the work of city block clubs. Then a middle aged man, a resident of the
east side of Detroit, stood up and asked this very impolitic question “Can you give
me a reason to stay in Michigan; I mean, I really need a reason,” he said. He was
referring to the crime, the blight the bad press and bad headlines and bad news
that saturated his life.
The answer came back in passionate exclamations from across the room at a luncheon
sponsored by Black Family Development, Inc.. “We all are tired of the break-ins,
tired of lots of things, but we are trying to make a difference,” said one woman.
“I have faith! Hang in there with us,” said another. “We NEED you!” said a third.
Bishop Tony Russell, who heads a group call MAN – Maintaining A Neighborhood
-- responded, “Brother, why don’t you join us on our CB patrol (as a crime deterrent).
That way you can help make things better.” The man assented to the request, somewhat
grudgingly, perhaps not totally convinced but willing to give it a chance.
Linda Vinson, president of the Green Brier Community Council, was one of the
true believers, imploring the man not give up. For more than 20 years, she had led
the organization and worked with other groups on the east side of Detroit in what
is known as the Osborn Community. One of the scores of community groups funded by
the Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods Initiative, Green Brier is involved
in a host of grassroots efforts involving community cleanups, beautification and
art projects and youth development programs.
She approaches each day with the idea that she is making real change happen,
real transformation – no matter what others might think. Her reason for believing,
and staying, in Detroit? “The reason I believe is the people that were in that room”
she said later, referring to the Black Family Development event. “Them and the children.
The mother of two children and the grandmother of four, Vinson house is often filled
with neighborhood kids – not her own – who affectionately call her “Grandma.” “It
really is all about the children. That’s what motivates me,” she said. “We try to
put them in leadership roles and in programs that will help them. All you have to
do is listen to them.”
There are other Linda Vinsons in Detroit, unsung neighborhood “change agents,”
who are not looking for a hand out, but rather a hand-up. She understands, however,
that the many may have a negative impression of people in city neighborhoods. “They
think we all have guns and are violent people,” she said, decrying what she perceives
as media images that focus more on the problems of Detroit – instead of the people
trying to solve them.
What does she want from the powerful and influential people and others who might
have stereotypes about her community?
“Just respect us as human beings,” she said.
And then she added this: “Take some time and come to our neighborhoods. Come
to my neighborhood. Come volunteer. I will show them how we are working with our
youth, how we are working to make things better. They will have a different perspective
and a different attitude.”
David Mitchell, who was at the luncheon and works developing block clubs for
Black Family Development, has his own message for those worn down by the city struggles.
”It’s easy to give up,” he said, “but it’s better to give out.”
Don’t count on Linda Vinson to ever give up – or to ever give out.
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-ARISE Detroit! is a coalition of more than 400 community groups, block clubs,
churches, business and media outlets promoting volunteerism, community activism
and positive media images to create a better Detroit.
Learn more at www.arisedetroit.org or phone, 313-921-1955.
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