Chapter 1 – Gone
Chapter 2 – Ask Not
Chapter 3 – The Show
Author David Maraniss uses an engaging narrative to
chronicle the history of Detroit from the fall of 1962 to the spring of 1964.
Read the first three chapters of the book. Then:
1.
Write a response to the question, what
information intrigued you the most?
2. Respond
to the comments of at least two of your colleagues.
After reading Chapters 1-3, I was most interested in two themes. First, the narrative reminded me how important Detroit was in the election of John F. Kennedy, which the President repaid by multiple visits to the city. I know it is hard for us to understand this today, but as a child growing up in the 1960’s I remember the deep seated biases some people had toward Catholics. One of my childhood friends told me, “You know, when they take communion, Catholics really do think they are eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ.” Also, there were those who believed the Pope would be giving John F. Kennedy orders if he became President. Thus, it was important for Kennedy to give due attention to his base supporters, as well as, powerful industrial leaders like Henry Ford II.
ReplyDeleteThe chapters also brought to the forefront the significance of Detroit and its leaders in assessing the economic and social well-being of the nation. It is amazing the amount of power and influence centered in Detroit due to the “Big Three” and American Motors automakers, as well as the unions, like the UAW and Teamsters. No wonder so many political figures sought to court favor with Detroit-based executives and officials at that time.
In regards to JFK's repeated visits to Detroit, we actually see that in elections these days as politicians will visit key states they aren't even from in order to keep those numbers on their side, including the religious voters. I also agree that Detroit was one of those few cities that explained the social climate in the nation in that time, the same way it does now.
DeleteIt was nice to learn of the role Detroit played in getting Kennedy elected. I had no idea he made so many visits to the area. I especially like learning about Henry Ford II and how he was almost turned to support Kennedy.
DeleteThe information that caught my attention was the raiding of the Gotham Building, and while it was a place that was filled to the brim with racketeering and gambling, it was also a major piece in the black community of Detroit, as it showed the class and success of Black America in the United States with many prominent figures in all avenues of life coming there from across the country. This reminds me of what is currently going on in Detroit, as major places in the cass corridor are being demolished for things that have more of a gentrified feel to them. I dont know if this move paved the way for gentrfication, but it definitely put me in that mindset from reading what its impact to the city was.
ReplyDeleteThe description of the Gotham Hotel struck me as well. I find it interesting how the police were so very concerned with what was happening in that hotel, as if it was the only gambling spot in the city.
DeleteYes - the Gotham Hotel was also intriguing to me. I wonder who got "crossed" and gave the order to destroy it. Obviously, the authorities would have known about it for years and, yet, did nothing about it until that moment in time. Probably, the people who know the "real story" are probably dead by now. However, if I could travel back in time, I would love to experience this place.
DeleteAs stated before, I asked my grandmother about the Gotham Hotel. She was familiar with it because one of her sister's use to 'run numbers' (as a child I remembered her taking calls and collecting cash for numbers - she did it for a long time). LOL Albeit illegal, I find it amusing that such things have a family tie and it's written and shared with the world on how some of our families once lived. As Dr. Anderson stated, I think the cops knew about the hotel long before they raided it, but probably waited until the law enforcement 'big wigs' were in the clear, so they wouldn't get caught with their hand in the pot.
DeleteReading about the relationship between the police and the black community and the desire to "improve" relations, made me realize how movements resurface but
ReplyDeletethings remain the same.
So true. Even though the Detroit Police Department today has many more African Americans on the force, the tensions between the force and the community still remain.
DeleteIt was so interesting learning about the power the auto industry wielded.
ReplyDeleteIt was so interesting learning about the power the auto industry wielded.
ReplyDeleteI was most intrigued by the description of the Ford Rotunda. It burned down before I was born and I don't even recall ever hearing about it before reading about it in this book. I also liked reading about the Gotham Hotel since it was so very close to the Detroit Center. Overall, I like the way the author is telling a story about the city, by sharing independent events and happenings.
ReplyDeleteI was only six years old when it burned down, but I don't think it was a place where African Americans felt welcomed. I may be wrong, but I know I never visited it and I don't remember any of my relatives talking about it. In contrast, one of my best friends (who happens to be of Polish-American descent) used to talk about it with glee. Visiting the Rotunda was one of her cherished childhood memories.
DeleteThe Rotunda had come and gone long before I was born, but I do recall the book talking about Montgomery Ward on Michigan Ave. near the Rotunda. That building still stands today. I don't know what occupies the space now, but I do know my word processor (computer 1.0) for college was purchased from that store. I just love moments keep connecting personally.
Delete