Proud of Detroit

When I tell people I'm from Detroit I often get, "Ohhh, I'm sorry," or "Yikes!"

Over the years I've grown to expect these types of responses -- but they still bother me.

I am proud to have been born and raised in Detroit.  Yes, (I get this question often) I WAS BORN AND RAISED in the city, not the suburbs.  I went to Detroit Public Schools most of my life.  But guess what?  I also went on to college...and now I have a great career and a family.

What's even cooler (I know that's not a word) is that most of the people I grew up with have done the same thing!

That's right, none of us are unemployed welfare mothers, or no good felony fathers.  In fact, let me get our my list. :)   Those from my high school graduating class are now doctors, lawyers, MBA professionals, artists, writers, journalists, nurses, police officers, fashion designers, firefighters, politicians, business owners, speech pathologists, teachers --- the list goes on and on.  

I must also say, (for those of you familiar with Detroit school politics) I only have a handful of friends who went to Reniassance or Cass Tech.  I have to point that out because after I rattle off the fact that I was raised in the city and went on to college, many folks who are familiar with Detroit often say, "You must have gone to Cass Tech."   I give props to all those who attended those schools which were given preference for monetary funds -- but like a beautiful flower growing from a crack in the concrete, I am exceptionally proud of all of us who made it despite the city's decision to turn it's back on quality education for ALL kids.

Ok, off my soapbox.  I say all of this to say, I'm proud of my city and the people in it.