Strong Money, Weak Leadership

3143 Cass Ave. A landmark that has been standing for 140 years was more than just some old dilapidated structure. The remnants of Detroit, these ghosts are left neglected, forgotten to rot away with the historical value. We choose to live through our media, selling off those cherished moments we as humans once treasured, being in the moment and taking in the beauty that surrounded us, in nature and architecture. This building is a symbol of our past as a people, the hard times and division, to what we still fight and hope for: unity. Detroit has a colorful and storied history and it pains me, hell it pisses me off when these cretin, shit bag, scum sell off our history for private profit.

I myself believe in capitalism. Let us not have any misunderstanding. I am not for capital gain over our collective story that is owned not by any one person or worse any corporation. I believe in preserving the story of our ancestors. Perhaps this thinking is archaic, I know I often get lost romanticizing the past. As a lover of history, culture and the stories that shape us, how am I able to not? Are others not concerned about who they and we are as a people? Hell most folks today have no past by choice. They conceal it, rewrite it or just choose to forget. Perhaps, out of ignorance they don’t ponder the connection to their ancestors. When I say ancestors, believe me I mean every one of us. We are all interconnected in the great scheme of things.

The travesty that has taken place in our fair city is all too common, somehow it still erupts anger inside of me. According to the city's top attorney, Conrad Mallett, the Detroit city council had no authority to block or delay demolition. As we all know attorney’s are without a doubt some of the lowest lifeforms amongst us. They only care for their lifestyle and money here and now, I never trust their fair assessment of any given situation where strong money is involved. The property is owned by Olympia Development, the Ilitch family organization's real estate firm. I admire what the Illitch family has done for Detroit, while at the same time I am a constant critic of how they lay waste to many historically significant sites for another worthless parking lot. Thank you for taking away another stunning, bewitching ruin of our illustrious past.

25 July the Detroit city council voted to halt demolition. 29 July, your humble journalist's birthday, they left 3143 Cass Ave. in a pile of rubble. Move fast and pay the fines if any are forthcoming. This backwards mentality is not reserved for big cities like Detroit. When I was involved in small town politics I watched this same attitude run freely in the wickedly delusional skulls of those that only serve their own greed and gain. “Greed is good.” Was it not the mantra of a generation? Well that worthless outlook was coupled to the equally worthless individuals and now we cry out “What's wrong with the world today?” Well ladies and gentleman, furies and all others please do not act bewildered, this is the direct result of all of us being imprisoned in our constant stream of meaningless. senseless, and useless slobber.

At some point we need unity, all we see at every turn is division, disconnect, segregation of people from their own families. What is happening to the fabrics of our society? When the youth is distracted and detached from one another how does a generation demand change? Why were students, young people and old not out in droves, that overcast morning, protesting the man taking from them; that which is theirs and the children of tomorrows. When do we stand up and say enough is enough! God Damn you rapacious swine, always focused on acquisition, gain and finding ways to pass the buck and let the next generation figure it out. Stop it here and stop it now.

This building down on Cass is not just a dusty old structure; there is a wealth of history within those bricks and on those grounds. It was built in 1883, and eventually business flourished, numerous buildings went up and a majority were owned by a thriving Asian community with roots in China. Hence why it was coined Detroit’s own Chinatown. This building that lay ready for burial now ,due to impulsive profiteers , will never again spark a conversation. No one will create another Asian-American hub and cultural center in that neighborhood that started it all. The most disheartening part of the whole story is that this particular place, in this particular part of time, is in the university district of Detroit. Where are the students? Do they not care for what is happening around them? I know they have studies, but put down the trivial distractions and help shape their environment.

But then where is the leadership on this one? What will the council do now that the deed has been done already? Does it make sense to file suit, on a piece of our history stolen away from us and our children? It was a heinous crime, not one punishable in any court, not really. But it is a crime against the cultural history of Detroit and the world. Most of us have driven by and never took notice of that splendid piece of architecture infused with a rich spirit, that “Spirit of Detroit” that wins the day. Soul of a city is created by each cultural fiber, each historical site, good, bad or other. This is our history. What does it mean to be a Detroiter, if not holding our history and those that topple it accountable.