Unilinguality

Today I went to a parent meeting at Harms Elementary School to talk about the adult education programs we do at NCI. Usually that kind of thing is absolutely Christine's bag, but she was busy writing a grant today and asked me to go for her. Besides we must be the only two white girls in south Detroit and everyone thinks we're the same person anyway.

At any rate, the gathering was so much fun. I watched four powerpoint presentations by fifth graders about Black history, and saw all the students of the month and met with many, many parents who wanted to know all about our English classes and computer classes and GED classes. And I was just so taken aback by the serious involvement of the parents. I can't explain how many times the discussion arises that public schools are failing because of the lack of parent involvement. And I am absolutely sure that is true and parental involvement in education is a huge factor in the youth development. However, after my experience at this rundown, poorest of the poor school in southwest Detroit, I don't think the argument can be made that parents aren't as involved as we expect them to be.

It takes a tremendous amount of work and humility to attend a meeting where the principal of your child's school does not speak your language. And none of the people there to tell you about all the services available to enrich your life (including the option of English classes!) can speak your language. And the police officers in your neighborhood cannot communicate with you and it all boils down to confusion and frantic hand gestures to try and explain crime and pain and abandonment. And really, if a school administrator or a police chief does not have the time or ability to learn a new language, how can we expect that from a single mother with four children who works two jobs and tries to attend GED classes?

Am I getting to preachy about this? Its an issue I struggle with every day for sure. Of course it would be better for my comfort level if everyone spoke English. And yes, I know, this is an English-speaking country and we can't expect to cater to every one here in America. But I'm the one that feels like a jerk when I walk into an auditorium and can't say more than "Hello" and "How are you" and "Your daughter is beautiful" to the people I am supposed to be reaching out to. Because I do not own this neighborhood or this city or this country, and these parents are honestly trying the best they can to succeed and provide for their children and help them to learn the things they themselves could not.

So, I am slowly and painfully working on my conversational Spanish. And trying really hard not to make a fool of myself!

The Ruins

Last night on my way home from work I drove past the factory building where the first Fords were made... the birthplace of the modern assembly line. It is in Highland Park, perhaps one of the most harshly depressing areas of Detroit... to me, anyway. Here is one of the most important landmarks in modern American history and it is completely dark, covered in graffitti, and the windows are smashed out. And it was not surpising at all.

How did Detroit get to this point? How does any big post-industrial city get to this point? Does America really look down on Detroit that much? Or does America just ignore us? Really, everyone knows Detroit for its cars... downtown was bogged with traffic for weeks around the auto show. But here, in Highland Park, the "ghetto," the world's first automibles were produced and a revolution began, and it is literally covered in trash and spray paint.

Driving down Vernor Highway or through Gratiot and 8 Mile or up Woodward through Highland Park, there is an overwhelming feeling of emptiness that does not exist where I work in Southwest Detroit. There are certainly people everywhere, but the neighborhoods feel empty and alone and isolated. Not at all unlike Washington Avenue in St. Louis. And I know that is to me, as an outsider, as someone who has had the opportunities to live in thriving communities full of businesses and schools and tax dollars. But I just can't help but wonder why this happened... or how? The people that live in these communities are not fundamentally different from people in Southwest or Royal Oak or even Birmingham. But society has treated them differently and has different expectations and values of their worth... and is it really so simple as the color of their skin?

And now are you ready for the fundamental question of the social worker?

Here it is:
Will building a playground really do anything at all? (aka Does what I do as a social worker even matter?)

Yes I will increase the quality of life, and redirect youth crime and boredom and encourage residents to invest in their homes. But really? Will we just continue to be a forgotten city, a washed-up former powerhouse?

Can Detroit really be saved?

First Official Use of Connections and Networking!

Does this make me a professional now? A... "real" social worker?

I went to a meeting last week with the architect, the Detroit Recreation Department rep and some of the funders for our Weiss Park project. Weiss Park is a playground type thing that already exists, but with very little actual playground features and is basically a big rundown mess. The architect is a kind of front-runner on the design of "universally accessible" playgrounds, and we are essentially trying to build a play area and park that is entirely accessible (and really fun) for people of varying abilities.

Sooo, we're in this meeting. And the funders are saying "You know, this is great, but we really need the input and review of people who actually have different mobility impairments." And every one sits there scratching their heads. And of course I just went to a seminar the week before about accessible trail design and have all the contact info of the people who presented... not to mention my once-upon-a-time experience as the Vice President of the Council for Students with Disabilities at MSU. So all of a sudden I make this transition from intern listening in on an important meeting to organizer and contact person for this review of our park plans and designs to be accomplished before some of the grants are due next week. And its actually kind of fun!

P.S. If you have any input or experience advocating for accessibility, let me know!

Leah