The United States of America has been described as a melting pot. What is a melting pot? A melting pot is a metaphor for a society that is composed of people from different backgrounds that intermingle through work, school, civic duties, and as consumers. This society of people however remains distinctive in their own individual cultural traits. Michigan is a state in America that can truly be an example of this described metaphor. Its unique population make up and small communities make Michigan a place to enjoy even as a tourist.
As a child you are taught the city, state and sometimes county where you live in the beginning stages of your schooling. When I learned my address, I learned the above things as well. I was born in southern Michigan and raised in Detroit. So, naturally I lived in Wayne County and was apart of a state with five bodies of surrounding water that I would soon learn about. In Michigan schools you automatically learn about your state and are taught to be proud of it. I can recall in about the third grade learning the study trick of H.O.M.E.S. This educational memory tool stands for Huron, Ontario, Michigan, and Erie, all of the five great lakes. At a young age I learned to take pride in my state and love it but among the basics there was much more to lean to love around a state with two peninsulas.
Each city of Michigan is unique. The city I most enjoy is my own; Detroit. Detroit is the largest city in Michigan. Downtown Detroit is a main and ever growing attraction for tourist. There you can enjoy the newly built Ford Field and Comerica Park. Or in the winter weather enjoy a skate around the rink with friends at Campus Martius Park. Walk through the Detroit Institute of Arts, Science Center, or Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. There is an array of things to see here, like the Joe Louis fist or the Spirit of Detroit. Or how about the Auto Show at COBO Hall? Enjoy a concert at Fox Theatre or hear the symphony play at the Opera House. With all this and more happening just in one city of such a great state what’s not to love. Motown Records and many superstars got their start here.
A few blocks west is Dearborn. The automotive industry still flourishes in this city. One of my visions for the state of Michigan is to continue our growth with the big three (General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler) in the job market. Besides the Automotive Hall of Fame, Ford Rouge Factory, and Henry Ford Museum you can enjoy the beautiful strip down Michigan Avenue. Visit the Arab American National Museum and learn about an ethnic group that is growing in Michigan or attend a movie at the IMAX.
I don’t know any other way to convince you of the love I have for my state but to continue in sharing more of the melting pot of Michigan. Hamtramck is a city built on polish traditions. Auburn Hills is known for The Palace, home of the Detroit Pistons and Shock. In Bloomfield you can find Cranbrook which is an educational institute, known across the world. Lansing is the state capitol and in such a historic place you can find Cooley Law School and Michigan State University. Michigan has great colleges like: Wayne State University, University of Michigan, and Grand Valley State, just to name a few.
That describes some of the things that I love. Though Michigan has much excitement, we are not a perfect state and have room for improvement. As mentioned, we need to keep what our state is known for; the automotive industry. If we continue to support the automakers, even with costly gasoline prices, employment rates in our state wouldn’t be as low. This would also continue to move or economic standing forward and potentially we can gain back our lost citizens. With efforts to continue bringing attractions to our state we can build up industrial revenue. One of my biggest and brightest visions for our state of Michigan is to utilize our most prized asset; waterways. We can use the waterways for importing and exporting products and services to other regions. It would be awesome to use the waterways as an additional power source, making our Michigan unique. By following through with all of my above visions, our Michigan can continue to be the everlasting melting pot of the United States of America.
