I have lived in Michigan for 22 years. As a native Ohioan, Michigan has become the home State I truly love. My future husband had me so afraid to move here because he told me that Detroit had more guns than people. I imagined that I would see people being shot every time I looked around. This was indeed not true. When I would travel back to Ohio, I could not wait to return to Michigan because of the beauty and the people. This year, my family had the opportunity to travel up north to the Mackinaw Bridge and Mullet Lake for the first time. I had no idea the splendor of our great State as we drove to the bridge from Southfield, Michigan. I would always hear co-workers (white only) always talk about “Going Up North”. I thought it was something only reserved for them until I went up north with a group of (white people) and my kids. I saw white people, black people, Indian people, Mexican people and others. I loved seeing the diversity of people, the beautiful scenery, lovely lakes and the warm welcoming environment. It seemed that no one cared what color you were. It was as if everyone was there for the same reason – to get away from their everyday hectic work schedules and relax. On our next vacation, my family has decided to spend it in Michigan exploring more of Michigan’s splendor. People tell me to venture past the Mackinaw Bridge to the Upper Peninsula to the Locks or Dunes and I will do just that.
What I feel needs to change in Michigan is our economy. The cost of living is steadily going up and our salaries are remaining the same thereby having to make our salaries stretch just to make it until the next pay check. If something isn’t done soon, you are going to see more homeless people, crime will increase and lawlessness will be upon us before you know it. We have to put men of all races back to work. A famous writer quoted his father in saying “the true measure of a man is how well he provides for his family”. Too many of our men are in prison and can’t provide for their families. Mothers have had to take over the father role in parenting, thus stressing her because now she has two full time jobs. If she takes an outside job which she has to in this terrible economy, then the children will in essence be parentless. I would love to send my 12th grader to college without having to take out of a loan which will probably take me a lifetime to repay; but what choice do we as parents have when inflation has overtaken our paychecks. Also, more skilled and non-skilled jobs need to be created. We can not take care of our families on minimal wage. One of our auto industries have gone to a two-tiered wage system. The lover tier gets paid $14.00 per hour. A family of four will have great difficulty living on this wage especially if the spouse does not work. The next thing that needs to change is our school system. I know that tests are important, but if we continue to teach our kids based on a test, they will continue to miss out on true learning. Too many students and pushed through the system because of “No Child Left Behind” and are not really taught basic life lessons because the curriculum is so rushed.
If our economy and school system does not get better, the future of Michigan is uncertain. Crime will be in so many areas that had very little crime. Children will not be able to get the education they need. Lawlessness will blanket our state forcing our most loyal citizens to seek residence in another state. I don’t want to see Michigan end up like this.
If our economy and school system recovers, then the future of Michigan will be very promising. People will be about the business of putting their affairs back in order. We have got to place more emphasis on our young people succeeding because they are the next generation to take over what we have left for them, and right now I’m a little worried.
