Detroit Bankruptcy

I can’t really say that I know much about Detroit recently filing bankruptcy.  I knew Detroit had a huge financial debt but I didn’t know a city could even file bankruptcy. I had to do some research to figure out what this all meant for the city. After reading a few articles I noticed a few ideas that kept coming up, many people were blaming the auto industry, large pensions and unions as what helped bring Detroit down. I’m not really sure if these are facts or observations made by outsiders that have done their “research”.  I am only an observer myself and can’t really pinpoint a main cause for this unfortunate event.

I can say a few things about Detroit after doing my “research”, and living there for a few years. Detroit has been on a downward spiral for decades. There is no single source of its reason for decay. The city was booming when the auto industry had a heavy influence over jobs, but people can’t blame the growth and expansion of these companies to other areas as the leading cause of destruction. Also Detroit isn’t the only city that gives their retiring members of the force benefits. In fact, according to research done by US Today, their retirees receive less than most.  It bothers me that these news reports continue to bring a city down that has already reached rock bottom. Instead of writing questionable articles about the cities reason for failures, they should be sending encouraging messages to reassure the city and its citizens that it can only get better from here. 

Community Life

What makes a community is the people within it and the standard they with hold for their community. The city of Northville is a quiet community that cares a lot about it's up keep and how the people represent their township. This goes for any community. 

I grew up in Plymouth but I currently live in Northville. I would consider myself a part of the Plymouth, Northville, Novi community. I lived in Detroit part time growing up but I never considered it home. I rarely interacted with my neighborhood when I lived in Detroit, which is why I wouldn't consider myself as a part of the community. 

I realized I was a part of community when I was about five. My next door neighbor use to babysit me while my parents were out. This made me feel close to my neighborhood. I also use to ride my bike with my parents back and forth to downtown Plymouth. It was nice to know the local shop owners. They always treated us like family. 

There are a few signs that people are not a part of the community. Sometimes when people don't belong, they treat an area they are visiting with less respect, but it depends on the individual. Another sign that someone isn't a part of the community is if they don't know their  way around, but like I said it depends on how frequently they visit the area. 

I think what gives someone membership is how they contribute to the area and how much time they spend there.I consider myself a part of the Northville community because I live and went to school there and treat is with a certain amount of respect. I consider myself a part of the Plymouth and Novi community because I work and hangout there. This shows that you don't have to live in a community to be a part of it. I think it is the amount of respect and interaction, that make you a part of it.