4 The History of Detroit Michigan in African American Cultures 

Detroit, Michigan, is the home to many cultures, but one in particular is an important part of their history. African American history in Detroit is a story that needs to be unfolded. As we all know, America was not made into the nation it is today overnight. It went through many political trials and social injustices to get to where it is today. Some apprehend what happened in the past to be unjust and cruel, but it narrates an entire story of a culture that has overcome these prejudiced corruptions. Detroit is a home, a cultural movement, a sense of freedom and an historical milestone to the black community.

During the eighteenth century and the Declaration of Independence, slavery was considered legal under federal law in the thirteen colonies. Starting in the nineteenth century, slavery became extensive in the southern states, but new laws approached and the abolishment of slavery succeeded in the northern states. This is where Detroit starts to play a huge role in the black community. In the article, City of Colors: Black History in Detroit, it states, “the city is also one of several communities that served as a gateway to freedom for runaway slaves seeking refuge in Canada.” Detroit was one of the ending stops on the underground railroad. According to Hostmaster, “historians estimate that up to 45,000 slaves passed through Detroit on the Underground Railroad.”

Between museums and metro stops, Detroit holds a significance to the history of African American culture. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Second Baptist Church, First Congregational Church of Detroit, Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation are all sentimental landmarks that tell the stories, share the transformations and allow people to fully understand the significance of black lives in Detroit.

Prior to World War I, close to 1 percent of the population was African American in Detroit (Alexander 36). This all changed fairly quickly as the city had taken legal troubles for black lives into its own hands with the help of Robert Pelham an inventor and journalist, and D. Augustus Straker (well respected lawyer.) Pelham and Straker were representatives of the National Afro-American League, which was devoted to minority movements (Alexander 326). This opened a gateway for African Americans that were seeking legal assistance and allowed them to escape to Detroit without hesitation for a chance of freedom. This expanded into the first period of African American growth throughout the Detroit area, also known as the Great Migration.

World War I and the economic expansion were major periods that augmented the communities of black lives in Michigan. With the auto industries flourishing and the lack of employees due to the enlistment of soldiers, the need for help was overwhelming (Surge). The recruitment for African Americans in the South began. As Jim Crow laws were still intact in the southern states, this was an opportunity for African Americans to escape and seek a better life. Over the course of 20 years, the black population increased massively and the districts became one of the largest in its territory.

Although the move to Detroit improved a lot of the lives of African Americans, it also raised social issues involving housing and many other problems. The tension was at an all-time high and separated the community between whites and blacks. The competition with jobs raised the economic and political state of affairs. The government sought togetherness and a solution for his community, but failed to bring the situation to a standstill. Building projects were enforced as a trial to help working class families, but lacked the support of the white community (Surge 37).

This later resulted in black housing placed in menacing and impoverished areas. This new transition allowed black families to take low income jobs and lacked housing elements, which made them suffer in many economic and social areas. As residential segregation became a serious issue, many areas of Detroit were marked as “high risk,” meaning they had a high population of minority groups. The citizens that lived in these areas were denied bank loans and were prone to economic inequality (Surge 43). This is where poverty exceeded an undesirable limit. These families became stuck in an unfixable situation.

As time passed, federal policies ordered racial covenants, which made it illegal for African American residents to occupy a certain area (Detroit Housing Discrimination). Considering more than 80 percent of the population at the time was African American, it created issues with renovation for the city. As most of the city was now considered troubling or in bad condition, the Detroit Planning Commissions set out for a job to replace these neighborhoods that were once occupied by a black family and build essential businesses.

Through many legal ties and opposition from the white community, the Homeowners Association made deals to keep neighborhoods segregated throughout many years. This was until Mayor Albert Cobo enforced “de facto segregation” within the city (Surge 22). The laws changed for the better and for the worse, but the culture within the Detroit neighborhoods are reflected by these decisions made from the past, much like our country.

There have been many changes in the city, but one thing remains the same, the African American community remains as one of the highest populations in Detroit. According to the article, U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Detroit City, Michigan; United States, “the population estimate of African Americans from 2018 in Detroit, Michigan was 78.6 percent.” This indicates that Detroit is home to many black families and although they have gone through many traumas through history, they still persevere.

Today, Detroit is home to many cultural and historic sites for black families. The city attracts people from its Motown sounds, soul food, family attractions, arts and history. In the article, The New African-Americans, it states, “Africans [Americans] are becoming more visible, starting businesses like hair-braiding salons, markets, restaurants and import-export stores.” Detroit has a lot of potential from what it once was. Now, African American settlers are professional and educated, which allows for newcomers to have an easy transition into the city. This is a place where refugees can feel comfortable and safe.

Detroit is the home to historic monuments and ancestors that have stories to tell. The damage from the past has made it into the place it is today and made the people into who they are today. It does not lack culture and it needs to be shared to others, as this was a major point in the United States history. Although it might not be the most glamorous place to visit, it will educate people about the importance of political and social change that the world lacks a lot of the time.

Works Cited

Alexander, Shawn Leigh. An Army of Lions: The Civil Rights Struggle Before the NAACP.  University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011.

“City of Colors: Black History in Detroit.” VisitDetroit.com, 2 Jan. 2019,    visitdetroit.com/city- of-colors/.

Detroit Housing Discrimination. 2020,    https://www.naacpldf.org/files/our-work/Detroit%20Housing%20Discrimination.pdf.

Hostmaster. “Exploring African American History.” Michigan, 11 Mar. 2020,    www.michigan.org/news/exploring-african-american-history.

Sugrue, Thomas J. (1996). The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit. Princeton University Press.

“The New African-Americans.” Detroit Metro Times, Detroit Metro Times, 24 Jan. 2020,             www.metrotimes.com/detroit/the-new-african-americans/Content?oid=2185810.

“U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Detroit City, Michigan; United States.” Census Bureau QuickFacts, www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/detroitcitymichigan,US/PST045218.