A Diversified Approach to Racial Harmony Through One D
Posted by Karl Gregory and Michele Hodges at 2:29 PM to Crain's Detroit Business Mackinac Public Policy blog
This posting has been jointly written by an African American male, Dr. Karl D. Gregory, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Oakland University, and a white female, Michele Hodges, President of the Troy Chamber of Commerce. We are two individuals that have met today, for the very first time. Karl lives in Oakland County, Michele in Wayne. Neither now lives in Detroit, but both recognize the future of the Detroit Region is integrally related to the health of Detroit itself.
In the course of our discussion, the topic of race relations arose, and we found that we are like minded on numerous fronts. We identified the need for One D to emerge as an important part of the solution, in addressing race relations.
The Region will thrive or fail, as the city of Detroit does. We both would like nothing better than for One D to be successful, and for each of its priority goals to be achieved. Today, we would like to cast a spotlight on the Race Relations priority. We hope that our thoughts might affect those who have the responsibility for administering this priority.
We believe the Race Relations priority must be adequately defined, inclusive of items such as minimization of incentives contributing to urban sprawl, combatting racism, and a substantial lessening of racial disparities. We as a Region must determine what is achievable, and work deliberately to make it happen. We must be accountable to one another. We must move forward in a united, concise and directed fashion. We must set a direct course and obtain the cooperation of others in holding steadfast to this course.
Colorblindness, a movement beyond race, forgetting race, or building bridges, are blind alleys and not what we seek. For example, we are suggesting that "building bridges" would be to settle for less, for lands that are bridged will not become one land, and will never blend into one autonomous, unified entity. Instead of building bridges, we must strive to join the two lands, reducing as much as we can the gap, thereby removing more of the differences, and creating a society built on respect, and one that celebrates racial differences. As has been said of late, "different is not deficient."
We have to be courageous, direct, honest, transparent, and accountable. Our Detroit Region is the most segregated in the United States. It is our own, and it is in our own interest to march towards a re-integration. We wish the Region to become a thriving, diverse, and integrated place. Success in this means that our children and grandchildren will grow up in an environment where people get to know, understand and respect each other, rather than be divided by skin color and ethnic differences. We pray that One D will capture the essence of this diversified approach to racial harmony.
This posting has been jointly written by an African American male, Dr. Karl D. Gregory, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Oakland University, and a white female, Michele Hodges, President of the Troy Chamber of Commerce. We are two individuals that have met today, for the very first time. Karl lives in Oakland County, Michele in Wayne. Neither now lives in Detroit, but both recognize the future of the Detroit Region is integrally related to the health of Detroit itself.
In the course of our discussion, the topic of race relations arose, and we found that we are like minded on numerous fronts. We identified the need for One D to emerge as an important part of the solution, in addressing race relations.
The Region will thrive or fail, as the city of Detroit does. We both would like nothing better than for One D to be successful, and for each of its priority goals to be achieved. Today, we would like to cast a spotlight on the Race Relations priority. We hope that our thoughts might affect those who have the responsibility for administering this priority.
We believe the Race Relations priority must be adequately defined, inclusive of items such as minimization of incentives contributing to urban sprawl, combatting racism, and a substantial lessening of racial disparities. We as a Region must determine what is achievable, and work deliberately to make it happen. We must be accountable to one another. We must move forward in a united, concise and directed fashion. We must set a direct course and obtain the cooperation of others in holding steadfast to this course.
Colorblindness, a movement beyond race, forgetting race, or building bridges, are blind alleys and not what we seek. For example, we are suggesting that "building bridges" would be to settle for less, for lands that are bridged will not become one land, and will never blend into one autonomous, unified entity. Instead of building bridges, we must strive to join the two lands, reducing as much as we can the gap, thereby removing more of the differences, and creating a society built on respect, and one that celebrates racial differences. As has been said of late, "different is not deficient."
We have to be courageous, direct, honest, transparent, and accountable. Our Detroit Region is the most segregated in the United States. It is our own, and it is in our own interest to march towards a re-integration. We wish the Region to become a thriving, diverse, and integrated place. Success in this means that our children and grandchildren will grow up in an environment where people get to know, understand and respect each other, rather than be divided by skin color and ethnic differences. We pray that One D will capture the essence of this diversified approach to racial harmony.
Labels: One D
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