I got about 8 e-mails this morning accussing me of everything from being “racist”, “elitist” (of course, it wouldn’t be a normal day if that didn’t happen at least once) and- and I kid you not- a “pussy”.
The irony is, I meant the thing to be actually “pro-ride your bike in Detroit” to encourage people to explore urban areas.
So much for that…
You must be doing something right then. I like your editorials and the last one was no exception.
the pussy comment is rather amusing.
Burns
Editorialism = criticism
Now you know you’ve arrived!
Your not a pussy, Tom?
I don’t get it … I read your editorial and took away the idea that we should ride in places (if we don’t live in the Detriot metro area) that we don’t normally ride. These new, never ridden routes will provide different scenery, etc. How are people equating that idea to the stuff you mention?
Nice editorial by the way, I enjoyed it as always.
That’s huge.
huh… actually thought it was pretty good - as most of them are…
Yes, actually- that was my intention: Get out, explore, go new places- they aren;t as scary as they seem. That was the experience I was trying to relate.
But, unfortunately, I am apparently now the Grand Wizard of The Ku Klux Klan, anti-Arabic and a suburban snob (even though I visted northern Africa and the Middle East many times) according to some interpretations.
Oh well. The poster who wrote “editorial=criticism” is absolutely right.
Typical deal.
You know we love you bro.
Jack are you going the IM seminar next weekend?
I thought it is some of the best you’ve done. I don’t see the problem. I’ve done some urban exploration myself in various cities and thought you captured the mix of adventure and a little bit of discomfort from being off your home turf. The fact that you can get that experience in your own back yard is very cool.
As someone who has at least driven on the very streets you describe in you editorial, I think you gave a very even handed discription of that particular section of Detroit. You captured it very well. Its probably one of the more industrialized areas in the US and has been for almost 100 years. On a winter day when no one is outside yet the factories are still running it is intense, awe inspiring, ugly, and beautiful all at the same time.
I for one took it as a positive portrayal and it made me think I should join one of the Wolverines regular rides from Royal Oak down to Belle Isle.
PS The reason I don’t ride in Detroit is summed up perfectly in your description of that ride under the train tracks. I’m not afraid of the people but the roads scare the hell out of me.
Tom, had the opposite effect on me. One I would like to do your ride with mario’s commentary and two I have always been afraid to ride to the pool I use, ithe distance would make a good ride, now I’m looking for routes that would be usable on say Sat. morning. Keep them coming, we love ya.
I really enjoyed it, as I have with all of the editorials you’ve put up. I guess you could look at it as at least it has been seen by a lot of people if there are a few who disagree or misinterpret.
Tom,
I am not exactly sure, but part of the negative feeling may be because no one wants to ever take responsibility for urban decay - not the politicians, not the developers, not the people living in these areas, not the people fleeing to the burbs, not the police, not the govenments. It’s always someone elses fault.
All you did was point out that these where not the “best” areas of town and you rode through them.
Fleck
Do not take ANY of those negative comments to heart. I told you on the other post it was well written. Keep it up.
I liked the article. I think people see the US through rose colored lens and dont feel comfortable when they see the truth.
I appreciate that and all the supportive comments. Thank you very much.
In a way I am flattered because I see that people read the stuff and actually are affecte enough to take 2 minutes and type out a reply: At least it is envoking some reaction.
I think, in this case, my “thesis” was: Get out and explore, ride, go someplace you haven;t been- see it for yourself, but as a writer and storyteller I seem to have fallen short of delivering that idea since there was quite a bit of misinterpretation.
Oops. Live and learn.
Anyway, I think Madonna and Ted Nugent both said, “There is no such thing as negative publicity.”
Then again, I might disagree with that.
Good article Tom, but you are a pussy. You and your boys wouldn’t last 10 mins in Irvine, CA.
I thought it was a good read…
Although since I am so brutally honest I will tell you I would never waste my time going for a ride in the ghetto. Yes “GHETTO”. That is all Detroit is. I will keep my lilly white ass dollars up here in the Howell area. Yeah Yeah Howell. It is amazing how many people are coming this way. You know why? To get away from the 8 assholes who wrote you and called you names. Life is very good outside of the Detroit metro area. Just ask anyone who has left it.
Tj