NAACP Glitz along with reality...................

Yesterday afternoon, I dropped my daughter off downtown to attend the NAACP annual Fight for Freedom Dinner. Our church sponsored her and other youth, and I was determined that she make it there as I walked her into the COBO lobby. After she went in the main hall, I stayed for a while and observed the prominent folks and the bigwigs coming in. I ran into a woman that I met on my first cruise, and even seen a former classmate from school. I also saw Martha Reeves, the Motown singer, now councilwoman there also. There were some lovely dressed women down there and even seen some couples that were coordinated in African themed garb. My eyes feasted on some beautiful green printed fabric worn by an African couple, and she had a lovely turban wrap also. I was elated that my daughter was able to attend the dinner, and I hope to go when she will be working there next year.

But a question bugged me as I walked back to my car, rode through the city, and thought about the folks that I watched swarming into the event. How many of those folks attending the NAACP's dinner that came to see former President Clinton speak, actually live in the city? It just reminded me of the hypocritical nature of folks. When I found out that several prominent ministers who are over some big congregations in the city, really do not live in the city, it just reminded of how the city is being sucked dry. The sad thing to me, is that they do not understand that there are others that are now investing their livelihood and even putting themselves out there by living in the city. When will they understand that when those with the means (Money, Connections, & Knowledge) hang in the trenches, the war can be won? It is just too easy to dip your feet in the water, and step back when things are not comfortable. I find it disappointing that those folks and others feel it is easier to live outside the parameters of Detroit, and still not hesitant to feed off of what the city has still has to offer without putting some real substance back into the city.