Detroit is a paradox. Downtown and Midtown may be thriving but if you go just blocks away into the neighborhoods, many look like ghost towns. Just ask the photographers who flock here from around the world. What they often see and show in their essays, articles, books and exhibitions is a city in ruins. Seems pretty straightforward: Detroit may be a great place to photograph, but not a very pleasant place to live. So why do I see the people of Detroit pursuing their lives with such energy and enthusiasm? Why are they so committed to their city that they take to the streets to demand the peace and justice they deserve? Why are there so many free festivals filled with music and dancing? Why is this predominantly African American city so proud of its shared culture and history? Seems to me the pulsing heart of this city and its people is hidden in plain sight for those who have eyes to see.
