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You can take a hit at sex-scandalized Kobe Bryant; he’s invited the attention with his extracurricular interest in extramarital affairs. It’s kosher to dis Shaq---anyone who agrees to star in a feature film as a “Rappin’ Genie With an Attitude” and follows it up with arguably one of the worst rap albums ever produced---is asking for it. Take a hit at Ben Wallace’s dismal free-throw record, at Richard Hamilton’s Hannibal-esque face mask, at former bad boy Dennis Rodman and his bizarre taste for tattoos, red hair dye and public nudity. Hell, take a shot at Los Angeles itself: the city is home to star-studded hills lined with “Cribs”-worthy mansions and features eternally sunny weather to tint the “bling-bling” of it’s prosperous residents. L.A can take it. But, as Jimmy Kimmel learned last week---you don’t screw with Detroit. His show was pulled from Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ after he commented “They’re going to burn the city of Detroit down if the Pistons win, and it’s not worth it.”
Detroit has taken it’s share of derogatory comments over the years, but Kimmel’s reference to “riots” hit home in a way that no one unfamiliar with Detroit’s history could truly understand. Most Americans, Kimmel included, know Detroit as the former “Motor City” which is now subject to jokes like this one, from 1980’s “Airplane!”: “It was a rough place—the seediest dive on the wharf. Populated with every reject and cutthroat from Bombay to Calcutta. It’s worst than Detroit.” Oh, and we can’t forget Eminem, who raps that “This city is no fun. There is no sun. And it’s so dark sometimes I just feel like I’m being pulled out by each one of my limbs.” And he’s telling the truth—which is all the more reason why this championship means so much to us. “This is great for this city....this is a blue-collar basketball team,” the ABC announcer remarked in the final minute of the championship-winning game.
Kimmel’s infamous comment summoned memories of the Race Riots of 1967, which erupted after a long buildup of police brutality, housing inequality, unemployment and discriminatory “urban renewal” projects, killed 43 people, injured 1189, and landed over 7000 citizens in jail. It was a city brought up by the auto industry and rudely abandoned when humans on the assembly line were replaced with machines. The Race Riots led to the “Great White Flight”--when low-income housing developments were demolished in favor of new highways to transport rich white people to blossoming suburbs like Grosse Pointe and West Bloomfield. Detroit has become an eyesore to the wealthy suburbs which surround it--suburbs which often have no relationship whatsoever to the “burb” itself. Ironically enough, it is not likely that any of the Pistons live within the Detroit city limits. They play in the Palace of Auburn Hills, which is a safe distance from the city, positioned neatly in another cushy suburb. Nevertheless, they represent Detroit.
Detroit breeds a unique and furiously loyal fan base, one who cheers twice as loud for the triumphs of their city; a city which has been long-abused by the public eye. It is no surprise, then, that ABC is pulling in record ratings for the championship series—17 million viewers per game, up 50% from last year’s contest. Everyone in Detroit is watching. Yes, there is the whole “Hockeytown” thing, but this historically rich-kid-dominated sport doesn’t reflect Detroit itself. In basketball, there are no facemasks or pads and the game requires no expensive equipment. Basketball creates a unique, intoxicating energy that has spread through Southeastern Michigan to create a cohesive fan base that Los Angeles could never compete with.
The championship comes at a key moment in Detroit history; a moment when perhaps the city is beginning to beat its bad rap. People are paying attention to the new commercial strip along Woodward Ave, the construction of Comerica Park and the recent burst of beautiful housing developments. America loves the music coming out of Detroit, headlined by innovative young rock acts like The White Stripes and Andrew WK. Detroit has long harbored a burgeoning techno scene. Detroit-native Kid Rock has been courtside for the length of the series. The world is beginning to notice the underdog city and the Pistons are doing their share to elevate this city to glory. This year’s team has been repeatedly praised for it’s teamwork—absent of any “huge” showboating stars, Detroit has shown how people can work together, share talents, and produce quality. The Piston’s motto remains a poignant reminder of the city’s former glory, splashed across the scoreboard in gold and red: “GOIN TO WORK!”
“When you’re 2,000 miles away from a city you’ve never lived in, it’s hard to understand the sadness people felt from something that happened in their town---even if it happened many years ago,” Kimmel said. “It was never my intent to cause anyone pain. I was trying to make a joke and I’m sorry it resulted in anything other than laughter.”
Well, I don’t mean to cause you pain, Jimmy, but---who’s laughing now?
Marie Bernard
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