Michael Gawlik

You know how they say you should never date two people at once? Well, I don't know that anyone actually says that, but it seems to be a common practice of decency and respect.

 

Yeah, I broke that rule—and I broke it hard. All semester, I juggled two major projects (which, to me, are the equivalents of romantic relationships): my thesis and this, my Capstone Project. I didn't always do so with grace—I often struggled to find balance in my relationships, to escape from one project long enough to devote time and attention to the other. Yet from this experience, I emerge with the knowledge that I am capable of handling multiple projects at once—not to mention the fact that I have two more decently kick-ass pieces of writing to my name.

 

I won't drone on about my thesis any longer—you can find more about that elsewhere. Instead, I focus hereafter entirely on my boo number two, the Capstone.

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As you might have read in my Evolutionary Essay, I have long been fascinated by Detroit's ongoing "rebirth." For my Capstone Project, I wanted to focus particularly on places in Detroit where there seemed to be the greatest disconnect between the vision visitors have of the city and the realities that residents face. Determining the subjects I would write about for this project was not always a straightforward or simple process; some of my topics merged together, while others changed drastically in focus, and still others were dropped entirely due to time and research constraints. I received countless insights and suggestions from friends, family, instructors, and members of my Minor in Writing cohort, and I am immensely grateful for their help and encouragement throughout this process.

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While the matters I ended up considering in my Capstone—the QLINE, Dan Gilber, and Whole Foods—are among the most pressing issues of gentrification and revitalization in Detroit today, they are not a comprehensive list. I realized while making this project that I could probably go for years talking about the contentious nature of Detroit's changes; I would love to write the essay on Little Caesars Arena that I had to nix from my final project, or consider cultural institutions, like the DIA, that I actually believe to be equally beneficial to city residents and visitors. What I mean to say by all of this is that, though done for now, I believe this project is far from static or complete. If one thing is clear to me after doing this project, it is that Detroit is a city that will never cease changing; it seems only appropriate, then, that I continue to add to this project in months to come, and that it continues to evolve alongside the city that inspired it.

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A final note: I am aware that this project remains far from perfect. The issues discussed in it are sensitive, and at times uncomfortable—I speak about socioeconomic discrimination, allude to racism, and at times speak on behalf of people who have experienced hardship that I, as a person with considerably privilege, never have. My intention is, of course, not to offend anyone with what I have written; if I have done so, however, please reach out to me, and help me become better informed about the subjects I have mishandled. 

 

I hope that, despite its flaws, you still might find some value in this project; I hope that it will at the very least begin a broader dialogue around matters of Detroit's revitalization, one that will incorporate as many voices in the city as outside of it.

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So, without further ado, I present to you my Capstone. (Oh, and make sure you have headphones ready when you click the link to the side!)