I hear what you are saying, but back in the era that I am speaking of Detroit was not in the top 10 cities with the higest crime rate. Crime is in every city but I guess like you mentioned in Poenix the police catch and arrest their criminals.
I have done some research on this subject and back in the 50's blacks were moving into the city for job opportunities from the automotive industry, and as they moved in whites started fleeing for the suburbs. With their flight that took a lot of our tax base. I do understand what you are saying about being tax to death, because as a resident and home owner taxes are outrageous. All of Detroit is not bad there are beautiful areas in Detroit.
I do understand what you are saying
I'm glad, Sha. I hope you enjoy FreeRepublic. I have learned a lot here... there are a lot of smart people on this site. Welcome aboard!
Oh and I was born in Chicago and have watched that city being destroyed from within by both liberal politics and the deadly effects of racism. My family had lived in the city since the 1870s, but I would never live there now. It's heartbreaking to look at the ruins of Detroit... you can tell it was a nice place at one time.
A lot of the "white flight" may have racism in it's core, but the flight had a lot to do with *money.*
Real estate agents, knowing how to make a quick buck in Detroit, terrified residents with lines like, "a black is moving in next door, what do you think it will do to your homes' value? If you sell now, you'll lose less money than you would later!" The homeowner sold, the agent made a profit, turned around and sold it to a black family who couldn't afford it, turned around and sold it again as a foreclosure. This is why there are now very stringent laws about race and housing.
My in-laws grew up in Detroit during the late 40's and 50's. My MIL worked at a Sanders ice cream parlour in the evenings, closed it at the end of her shift and walked home! Many older former residents remember the Detroit they knew and are still grieving at its loss.I just wish I'd been taken to the downtown Hudsons building while it was still open. To see it demolished...it just made me cry.