Wayne State University Dissertations1-1-2018 Constitutive Memories Of City Space: Rhetorics Of Civil Rights Memory In Detroit’s Urban Landscape Scott Mitchell Wayne State University, Fol
DETROIT, CITY OF MEMORIES: AN INTRODUCTION 1
People today believe that we have an administration that is all about the quality of the life in the neighborhoods the underlying message is one of hope 1
-Mike Duggan, Detroit mayor, September 2014
He tries to act like he's a friend to the people in the community
He's not He's a friend to the people foreclosing on our homes
Mayor Duggan is an efficient co-opter of black leaders, and he’ll tell you the city is better off The city is by far not better off 2
-Diane Butkowski, editor of The Voice of Detroit, January 2018
On February 26, 2014, Mike Duggan delivered his first State of the City speech as the newly elected mayor for the city of Detroit Reflecting on his first few months in office, Duggan’s speech was grounded in optimism, promise, and excitement as he opened his remarks with a firm declaration: “Here’s what I know for sure: the change has started, and the change in Detroit is real.” 3 Immediately, members of the audience erupted in applause, because change in Detroit was an idea often dreamt about but rarely realized Less than six months prior to Duggan’s address, Detroit crumbled underneath the weight of debt and a decades-long decline in what was the largest municipal bankruptcy declaration in American history For a city once highly regarded as a model city, America’s arsenal of democracy, and the Motor City, the 2013 bankruptcy and subsequent mayoral election have proven to be a crucial sequence of events for Detroit 4 Mayor Duggan recognized the significance of his first address, and, as his remarks continued, he relayed a plan to restore public faith in a city that had failed them Duggan’s speech reviewed the complicated web of issues that drove Detroit to financial ruin, while also acknowledging that solutions to these problems would not come easy But the Mayor assured his listeners of one promise: “We are going to start to move through this city, neighborhood by neighborhood and we’re going to work with you, in the community.” As Duggan’s first State of the City address ended, a theme emerged for the new administration: change and restoration were on the horizon; Detroit’s residents would be at the heart of the city’s revival
Detroit has undergone significant transformation under Mayor Duggan’s leadership, marked by notable progress in economic development, education, and housing In his 2018 State of the City address, Duggan emphasized a shift from fixing past issues to building a unified future for all residents, stating, “Now we’re talking about building one Detroit for all of us And we’re doing it together.” While these advancements have sparked optimism, they have also stirred controversy, with some citizens feeling economically displaced amid the city’s rapid progress.
Following Detroit’s 2013 bankruptcy, urban redevelopment brought modern housing and new businesses that revitalized city blocks, yet also displaced long-time residents While many view these changes as signs of economic growth and urban renewal, they have sparked concern among native Detroiters who feel increasingly marginalized The influx of new citizens and commercial investments signals a transformation—Detroit’s present and future are diverging from its historical identity.
Before Mayor Duggan’s administration, Detroit faced significant challenges, but his inaugural State of the City address promised to rebuild a city that had long neglected its own residents His message resonated with Detroiters who remained loyal to their neighborhoods, offering hope and a vision of restored glory By 2018, Duggan’s campaign slogan, “One Detroit for all of us,” raised deeper questions about inclusivity and representation—prompting citizens and observers alike to ask: who truly benefits from Detroit’s transformation, and who defines the future of this evolving city?
Detroit’s urban redevelopment presents a complex challenge: preserving its rich cultural identity while embracing transformative change As a dynamic and evolving city, Detroit embodies unique social, economic, and historical frameworks that shape its public consciousness Central to its recovery is the recognition of deep-rooted narratives—marked by racial tension, injustice, and resistance—that continue to influence its spatial and cultural landscape The city’s working-class heritage and the lived experiences of Black Americans are etched into sites of public memory, which serve as enduring reminders of past struggles While revitalization efforts may sideline these legacies, they remain critical to understanding Detroit’s identity and the persistent inequalities resurfacing under the guise of progress.
This project explores the complex factors shaping Detroit’s shared community spaces and public experiences, highlighting how urban authenticity is preserved or challenged amid transformation Detroit serves as a compelling case study, where contrasting narratives emerge: some residents celebrate rapid development led by figures like Dan Gilbert, viewing it as progress, while others criticize the changes as catering to the affluent and neglecting long-standing communities These opposing perspectives underscore a deeper divide within the city, reflecting broader tensions around urban renewal and inclusivity.
Change is inevitable, but its emergence can deeply impact communities, as seen in Detroit’s transformation following financial collapse While Mayor Duggan’s administration has pursued aggressive redevelopment strategies to eliminate urban blight since 2014, these efforts—marked by widespread foreclosures and demolitions—have led to the displacement of hundreds of long-time residents Though the city now attracts younger, wealthier, and predominantly white newcomers seeking economic opportunity, this revitalization often comes at the expense of Detroit’s original inhabitants The narrative of progress must be critically examined, as rapid change has brought distress to many, raising questions about who truly benefits from Detroit’s recovery.
Detroit, with its 83% African American population, faces the pressing challenge of gentrification amid ongoing urban transformation Many residents express frustration that revitalization efforts have largely concentrated in downtown and Midtown, neglecting the broader neighborhoods where most Black Detroiters reside This uneven development has sparked concerns over the erosion of Detroit’s cultural identity, as new arrivals reshape the city’s narrative Sociologist Meagan Elliot highlights how media visibility of select groups disrupts community cohesion and undermines residents’ sense of belonging Detroit is more than a geographic space—it’s a home defined by deep cultural ties and public memory This study explores how Detroit’s identity is socially constructed and maintained through spatial rhetoric and collective cultural associations, emphasizing the importance of inclusive urban narratives in preserving what it means to be a Detroiter.
Detroit’s revitalization invites a deeper exploration into the intersection of cultural rhetoric, memory, and urban spatiality, positioning this study within the broader discourse on how public spaces are rhetorically constructed Central to this investigation is the role of collective memory—particularly those rooted in civil rights injustice and resistance—which actively shapes the city’s evolving identity As Detroit transforms, these historical narratives remain embedded in its urban fabric, making it a distinctive American city defined by its legacy of resistance and the rhetorical power of memory in shaping public space.
This study explores how public memory is recognized as a mnemonic site, expanding traditional definitions beyond official monuments to include spaces that gain mnemonic value over time It examines how iconic images and urban markers shape cultural logics in cities like Detroit, influencing how residents perceive and define their environments The research further investigates the social construction of urban spaces, questioning the associations triggered by entering or exiting places like Detroit It also addresses the temporal endurance of cultural narratives, analyzing how socio-cultural meanings persist or evolve as cities transform Ultimately, the study considers how historical narratives—whether memory, myth, or legend—serve as rhetorical tools for shaping future urban change.
Detroit’s ongoing transformation offers a compelling lens to explore how urban revival intersects with civil rights memory As the city rebuilds after profound economic and social disruption, memory sites tied to injustice serve as powerful reminders of Detroit’s enduring legacy These cultural landmarks not only shape community identity but also challenge both newcomers and longtime residents to acknowledge the deep historical roots that define the spirit of Detroit, even amid change.
This study explores rhetoric’s essential role in preserving collective memory and shaping public discourse, particularly within urban spaces It advances a critical approach to memory studies by examining how rhetorical frameworks influence dominant and marginalized narratives in cities With growing academic interest in commemorative practices and public history, scholars have increasingly focused on how communities remember historical events, especially the Civil Rights Movement However, there remains a gap in scholarship addressing civil rights injustices in the northern United States This project contributes to that discourse by examining the complex memories of the Black freedom struggle in northern cities, specifically Detroit Through this lens, the study highlights how limited historical narratives affect our understanding of civil rights settings and perpetuate contemporary tensions, positioning Detroit as a unique site of intersecting memory, rhetoric, and cultural identity.
Exploring how civil rights memory sites reflect Detroit's cultural identity offers valuable insights into urban studies and cultural memory Scholars like Andreas Huyssen and Fran Tonkiss emphasize that urban transformation often sparks public contestation, especially in cities like Detroit where collective memory resists abrupt change Detroit’s evolution is deeply rooted in its historical context, shaped by material remnants of past traumas These mnemonic sites not only narrate the city’s complex history but also embed lasting cultural imprints on its urban landscape.
Public memory sites play a vital role in preserving and shaping Detroit’s cultural identity through their constitutive rhetorical power This means that the rhetoric embedded in these spaces actively constructs collective identities—such as community, nationality, and shared history—by influencing how people understand and connect with their cultural heritage.
Constitutive rhetoric has evolved from analyzing public address to exploring diverse cultural artifacts such as performances, rituals, and songs, expanding our understanding of how identity is shaped This study examines how the spatial delineations and mnemonic rhetorics across Detroit’s urban landscape contribute to symbolic and material perceptions of belonging, opportunity, and marginalization By focusing on memory sites, the research highlights the constitutive potential of material objects in shaping public identity Furthermore, it argues that collective memory narratives are powerful rhetorical tools that influence selfhood and social constructs As memory studies grow, scholars emphasize memory’s role in public discourse, urging reflection on historical trauma and its impact on collective culture This project aligns with such scholarship by investigating memory’s rhetorical function in forming communal identities and cultural affiliations.
HAUNTING MEMORY: THE OSSIAN SWEET HOUSE 26
At the intersection of Garland and Charlevoix Avenue on Detroit’s east side stands a structure that embodies both the city’s rich history and its aspirations for renewal—a powerful symbol of growth and decay Detroit itself exists in a paradox, striving toward a hopeful future while clinging to a complex past Public discourse reflects this duality, remembering Detroit as a hub of industrial innovation and patriotic strength during World War II, while also acknowledging the enduring scars of racial tension and systemic decline As the city recovers from economic hardship, this layered identity continues to shape its narrative and influence its path forward.
Detroit’s 2013 bankruptcy marked a turning point in the city’s long decline, driven by deep-rooted issues such as police brutality, failing education systems, and economic inequality Among these challenges, housing segregation stands out as a defining force that has shaped Detroit’s trajectory Despite its reputation for diversity in the early 20th century, the Motor City continues to grapple with unequal housing, reflecting persistent racial disparities that hinder progress and equity.
In his June 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom speech, Martin Luther King Jr powerfully addressed housing injustice, declaring his dream that African Americans in Detroit could one day buy or rent homes wherever their finances allowed This resonated deeply with Detroiters, who were all too familiar with the realities of housing discrimination King highlighted the North’s hidden forms of segregation, noting that while it lacked the legal sanctions of the South, it still perpetuated inequality through subtle and systemic barriers Long before the civil rights spotlight of the 1960s, Detroit’s fight for justice was embodied by Ossian Sweet, whose courageous stand in defense of his home on Garland and Charlevoix marked a pivotal moment in the city’s ongoing struggle for racial equity—a legacy still honored today.
The Sweet House, built in 1925, stands as a powerful symbol urging us to “remember not to forget.” As one of over 1,400 monuments in Michigan, it holds particular significance in Detroit as a site where Black families began resisting systemic barriers to a better life This historic home embodies public memory tied to the civil rights movement in northern cities, reflecting the ongoing struggle for housing equality and legal justice Today, the Sweet House represents Detroit’s cultural resilience and urban identity, serving as a vital landmark in the narrative of social progress and collective remembrance.
In a pivotal moment of racial tension in Detroit, nine Black men including Dr Ossian Sweet were charged with murder after defending his home from white intruders, resulting in one death Although Sweet’s trial ended in a hung jury in 1925, his brother Henry Sweet was acquitted in 1926, leading to the dismissal of all charges Judge Frank Murphy’s ruling affirmed the right of Black families to protect their homes, marking a historic legal precedent Ossian Sweet returned to his residence in 1930 but lost it to back taxes in the late 1950s In 1958, Herbert Baxter, a close acquaintance of Sweet, purchased the home and became only the third Black resident on the block Today, the Sweet House stands as a designated historical landmark, symbolizing resilience and civil rights progress in Detroit’s history.
1925 trial and the Sweet House had a profound impact on the city at the time and still assumes implications toward issues of housing, the Castle Doctrine, and civil rights resistance
The Ossian Sweet house stands as a vital yet often overlooked symbol in public memory studies, contrasting with the traditional focus on state-sanctioned memorials While late twentieth-century scholarship emphasized official commemorative sites, everyday structures like the Sweet house also carry powerful mnemonic significance Preserved with national historical markers, the house invites reflection on its legacy amid Detroit’s deteriorating urban landscape, where its well-maintained presence starkly contrasts with the surrounding poverty, underscoring the layered narratives embedded in nontraditional memory sites.
The Sweet house stands as a compelling symbol in Detroit’s urban recovery, prompting reflection on how cities reconcile their historical legacies with visions of renewal While media and investors promote a narrative of a ‘New Detroit’ rising from its ruins, scholars like Derrida, Huyssen, and Massey argue that the past cannot be easily discarded Derrida’s concept of hauntology reveals how cultural memories persist, shaping present experiences and urban redevelopment In this context, the Sweet house emerges not just as a curious monument amid decay, but as a tangible remnant of history influencing the city’s transformation.
The Ossian Sweet case stands as a pivotal moment in the history of American civil rights law, marking one of the earliest legal recognitions of a Black American's right to defend their home against racial threats Sweet’s acquittal set a precedent in the U.S legal system, affirming that self-defense and property protection were rights afforded to all citizens, regardless of race This landmark ruling laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements and remains a powerful symbol of justice in the face of racial hostility.
The “Castle Doctrine” decision marked a pivotal legal victory for Clarence Darrow and the NAACP, representing one of the earliest cases where discriminatory housing policies were overturned in favor of a Black defendant This landmark case laid the foundation for many of the NAACP’s legal triumphs during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement Today, the Sweet House stands as a powerful symbol of both the emotional toll of housing inequality and the triumph over systemic injustice Its historical significance resonates not only within Detroit’s urban culture but also in shaping broader public perceptions of the civil rights struggle across America.
Public memory scholars have increasingly focused on legal victory sites like the Civil Rights Monument in Montgomery, yet few have examined everyday locations that embody civil rights struggles beyond traditional monuments The Sweet House in Detroit stands out as a compelling example, representing the complex legacy of housing segregation and racial injustice As an ordinary yet paradoxical space, it challenges conventional narratives by holding layered memories of racism, civic pride, and resistance This site invites reflection on how material spaces can shape public memory and urges a reevaluation of Ossian Sweet’s story within the broader context of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Ossian Sweet House stands as a powerful symbol challenging efforts to erase its historical and cultural significance from Detroit’s urban landscape By revisiting the events surrounding Ossian Sweet’s murder trial, the house emerges as a complex site of memory—evoking both pain and resilience Its landmark status preserves its physical presence, anchoring the neighborhood to a past that refuses to fade As Detroit undergoes redevelopment, the Sweet House serves as a haunting reminder of housing injustice, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s identity This enduring legacy reinforces Detroit’s character as an urban palimpsest, where history remains etched into the fabric of its transformation.
Though often overshadowed by more prominent civil rights narratives, the Ossian Sweet case represents a pivotal moment in Detroit’s—and America’s—struggle for racial justice In the 1920s, Detroit emerged as a critical urban center during the Great Migration, as Black families fled the oppressive Jim Crow South in search of economic opportunity and social mobility The city’s booming automobile industry, led by companies like Ford and its “five dollar day” program, attracted thousands of Black and migrant workers This influx reshaped Detroit’s demographics, introducing vibrant new cultures and perspectives to neighborhoods that had long resisted racial integration Sweet’s courageous defense of his home against racial hostility underscores the broader tensions of the era and highlights Detroit’s role in the evolving civil rights movement.
In response to a growing influx of families, Detroit implemented informal housing strategies aimed at preserving residential segregation and easing white residents' concerns The city's unfamiliarity with large non-white communities heightened anxieties, especially as Ford's five-dollar day attracted diverse workers, prompting resistance among whites unwilling to live or work near Black peers To maintain racial boundaries, Detroit relied heavily on restrictive covenants—legal clauses in property deeds that barred Black families from purchasing or renting homes in white neighborhoods These covenants, enforceable by law, often led to forced removals and legal disputes when violated, reinforcing systemic segregation Though effective for decades, this discriminatory practice left a lasting impact on urban housing patterns before being declared unconstitutional.
1948 Shelley v Kraemer decision, a case built from the unjust instances of housing covenants in cities like Detroit
During the 1920s, neighborhood improvement associations—often led by members of the Ku Klux Klan in cities like Detroit—acted as informal policing bodies alongside restrictive covenants, aiming to preserve property values and white supremacy These groups organized militant rallies in schools and parks, spreading fear and advocating for the removal of Black families who had recently moved into predominantly white neighborhoods Driven by economic anxieties and racial prejudice, they used intimidation tactics and fear mongering to pressure Black homeowners to vacate, reinforcing segregation and systemic inequality under the guise of community protection.
Cities such as Detroit engaged in a discriminatory housing tactic known as racial steering, where real estate agents and developers manipulated property prices to prevent Black families from accessing certain neighborhoods Although the NAACP identified this unlawful practice as a means of confining Black communities to deteriorating areas, legal action proved challenging due to its covert nature This systemic segregation laid the groundwork for redlining, a more formalized policy that emerged with the passage of the National Housing Act.