Introduction (pg. 1)
a. What event does Binelli point out as the commonly thought of moment when things started to go south for Detroit? Why does he argue that this is a faulty premise?
b. What is "Devil's Night" in Detroit?
c. Which city planner came to Detroit? What did he want to see, and what was his reaction?
d. Why did Josephson find it ironic that there is a mold for The Thinker in Detroit?
e. How did Detroit recover from the Great Depression?
f. What were the crime/poverty/education situations in 2009?
g. How does Binelli describe the different views on why Detroit failed? How does race apply to his argument?
h. Why does Binelli say journalists come to Detroit? Does he seem to have an opinion on this?
b. What is "Devil's Night" in Detroit?
c. Which city planner came to Detroit? What did he want to see, and what was his reaction?
d. Why did Josephson find it ironic that there is a mold for The Thinker in Detroit?
e. How did Detroit recover from the Great Depression?
f. What were the crime/poverty/education situations in 2009?
g. How does Binelli describe the different views on why Detroit failed? How does race apply to his argument?
h. Why does Binelli say journalists come to Detroit? Does he seem to have an opinion on this?
1. Goin' to Detroit, Michigan (pg. 19)
a. Which famous personalities grew up in Black Bottom?
b. What street splits Detroit in half? What distinguishes each half?
c. How is Detroit somewhat like Los Angeles according to Binelli?
d. How did race relations affect the suburban sprawl?
e. What was columnist Anne McCormick arguing in her article about Detroit?
f. What factors endangered Detroit's "Motor City" title?
g. What started the 1943 race riots? How did the situation become resolved?
h. What does Hollis tell Binelli that is similar to Jane Jacobs' idea of community safety?
b. What street splits Detroit in half? What distinguishes each half?
c. How is Detroit somewhat like Los Angeles according to Binelli?
d. How did race relations affect the suburban sprawl?
e. What was columnist Anne McCormick arguing in her article about Detroit?
f. What factors endangered Detroit's "Motor City" title?
g. What started the 1943 race riots? How did the situation become resolved?
h. What does Hollis tell Binelli that is similar to Jane Jacobs' idea of community safety?
2. The Town of Detroit Exists No Longer (pg. 39)
a. What was one ecological positive development of the decay of Detroit?
b. Who founded Detroit? Why was that location chosen? What was the purpose of the settlement?
c. What happened to the settlement after the British obtained it? How did the British gain control of the settlement?
d. What happened to Detroit in 1805?
e. What mark did Judge Woodward leave on Detroit? How was he as a leader?
f. What were the major reasons for the growth of the city in the early 1800s? What industries developed as a result?
g. What events related to race relations occurred in the mid-1800s?
h. What signs existed in 1890 that Detroit was a modern city?
b. Who founded Detroit? Why was that location chosen? What was the purpose of the settlement?
c. What happened to the settlement after the British obtained it? How did the British gain control of the settlement?
d. What happened to Detroit in 1805?
e. What mark did Judge Woodward leave on Detroit? How was he as a leader?
f. What were the major reasons for the growth of the city in the early 1800s? What industries developed as a result?
g. What events related to race relations occurred in the mid-1800s?
h. What signs existed in 1890 that Detroit was a modern city?
3. DIY City (pg. 53)
a. What examples are there of Detroit as a do-it-yourself city?
b. Who are the "Detroit 300?"
c. What have Detroit residents done to deal with the empty lots throughout the city?
d. What was John Hantz' plan for Detroit? What did the locals think of him? Why?
e. Look up the Hendelberg Project. What do you think of it artistically? Is it good for the city? Why or why not?
f. What happens on Sunday afternoons on St. Aubin Street? Why does Binelli raise concerns about urban planners while talking about this part of the city culture?
b. Who are the "Detroit 300?"
c. What have Detroit residents done to deal with the empty lots throughout the city?
d. What was John Hantz' plan for Detroit? What did the locals think of him? Why?
e. Look up the Hendelberg Project. What do you think of it artistically? Is it good for the city? Why or why not?
f. What happens on Sunday afternoons on St. Aubin Street? Why does Binelli raise concerns about urban planners while talking about this part of the city culture?
4. Not for Us the Tame Enjoyment (pg. 73)
a. What issue is discussed in this chapter?
b. How effective does 9-1-1 seem to be in Detroit? How do citizens respond to this?
c. What did you think of the values and opinions espoused during the gun safety course?
d. What happened in the Ossian Street case, and what were the larger implications?
b. How effective does 9-1-1 seem to be in Detroit? How do citizens respond to this?
c. What did you think of the values and opinions espoused during the gun safety course?
d. What happened in the Ossian Street case, and what were the larger implications?
5. How to Shrink a Major American City (pg. 87)
a. Why is Detroit a unique problem for urban planners?
b. What is "rightsizing?"
c. Why can't the vacant plots throughout the city be repurposed easily?
d. Describe the urban planning ideas put forth by those connected to the auto industry. What were the positives and negatives of these plans?
e. What ideas for redevelopment came from outside sources? Were any of them plausible in your eyes? Why or why not?
f. What did the first phase of Mayor Bing's plan do? What do you think of this plan?
g. What are the positives and negatives of growing the city by absorbing suburbs? Is Binelli optimistic about this idea? Why or why not?
h. What is the status of Detroit works as of April 2012? What are the plans at this point?
b. What is "rightsizing?"
c. Why can't the vacant plots throughout the city be repurposed easily?
d. Describe the urban planning ideas put forth by those connected to the auto industry. What were the positives and negatives of these plans?
e. What ideas for redevelopment came from outside sources? Were any of them plausible in your eyes? Why or why not?
f. What did the first phase of Mayor Bing's plan do? What do you think of this plan?
g. What are the positives and negatives of growing the city by absorbing suburbs? Is Binelli optimistic about this idea? Why or why not?
h. What is the status of Detroit works as of April 2012? What are the plans at this point?
6. Detroit Is Dynamite (pg. 107)
a. How did Mayor Cavanagh plan to avoid race riots during his tenure? What did he do to foster peace? Was he successful?
b. How were the events of 1967 seen by white populations and black populations in Detroit?
c. What was (and is) wrong with the Detroit public school system? How did the problems start?
d. What strategies did Bobb use to encourage attendance on "Count Day?" What was so important about that day?
e. Was Bobb successful as the head of DPS?
f. What is so unique about Catherine Ferguson Academy?
g. What major activist grew up and started his career in Detroit?
h. Why was Mayor Young such a contentious leader? Do you think he was to blame for the city's woes? Why or why not?
i. What was interesting about the effect of the 2008 financial collapse on Detroit and the suburbs?
b. How were the events of 1967 seen by white populations and black populations in Detroit?
c. What was (and is) wrong with the Detroit public school system? How did the problems start?
d. What strategies did Bobb use to encourage attendance on "Count Day?" What was so important about that day?
e. Was Bobb successful as the head of DPS?
f. What is so unique about Catherine Ferguson Academy?
g. What major activist grew up and started his career in Detroit?
h. Why was Mayor Young such a contentious leader? Do you think he was to blame for the city's woes? Why or why not?
i. What was interesting about the effect of the 2008 financial collapse on Detroit and the suburbs?
7. Motor City Breakdown (pg. 137)
a. Why was it easier to vilify the Big Three than Wall Street?
b. What was General Motors' argument for receiving a bailout?
c. Why did Pete DeLorenzo think it would be so tough to get the public behind an auto bailout?
d. Why did gas-fueled machines become the early standard for cars?
e, What was different about the 2009 Detroit Auto Show?
f. Was green technology a huge draw for the show? What was the most visited attraction? Why?
g. What happened to the public transportation system in Detroit?
h. Why did Gilles have hope for the Chrysler brand? Do you think he is right?
i. Why is the Chevy Volt so unique, in terms of its energy use? What was the response to it?
j. Why did Dziczek say that government regulation was necessary to have a true green movement? What do you think?
b. What was General Motors' argument for receiving a bailout?
c. Why did Pete DeLorenzo think it would be so tough to get the public behind an auto bailout?
d. Why did gas-fueled machines become the early standard for cars?
e, What was different about the 2009 Detroit Auto Show?
f. Was green technology a huge draw for the show? What was the most visited attraction? Why?
g. What happened to the public transportation system in Detroit?
h. Why did Gilles have hope for the Chrysler brand? Do you think he is right?
i. Why is the Chevy Volt so unique, in terms of its energy use? What was the response to it?
j. Why did Dziczek say that government regulation was necessary to have a true green movement? What do you think?
8. Comeback! (pg. 155)
a. What helped the United Auto Workers union to become a powerful city entity for the first tie?
b. What was the mediation hearing about? Who won? What were the forms of the agreement>
c. What is the general status of workers in Detroit today? Use evidence to support your answer.
d. What allowed for the comeback of the Big Three? What measures were taken by the car companies to ensure profit?
e. What symbols were included in Rivera's Detroit Industry murals?
f. Who were Bumper and Blinker?
g. What is the difference between "Fordism" and Henry Ford's idea of work?
h. Why does Binelli describe the use of employees in advertising as dishonest? Do you agree? Why or why not?
i. What should be the focus of economic recovery? Should the focus be on helping companies? Should there be regulations imposed on those companies?
j. Do the Big Three have an obligation to help the workers laid off in Detroit? Why or why not?
b. What was the mediation hearing about? Who won? What were the forms of the agreement>
c. What is the general status of workers in Detroit today? Use evidence to support your answer.
d. What allowed for the comeback of the Big Three? What measures were taken by the car companies to ensure profit?
e. What symbols were included in Rivera's Detroit Industry murals?
f. Who were Bumper and Blinker?
g. What is the difference between "Fordism" and Henry Ford's idea of work?
h. Why does Binelli describe the use of employees in advertising as dishonest? Do you agree? Why or why not?
i. What should be the focus of economic recovery? Should the focus be on helping companies? Should there be regulations imposed on those companies?
j. Do the Big Three have an obligation to help the workers laid off in Detroit? Why or why not?
9. Austerity 101 (pg. 179)
a. Why has the so-called "Core" area thrived while the "Heartland" has failed?
b. Why is it likely that the Heartland will remain as it is for the foreseeable future? What law plays a role in this part of the conversation?
c. What happened to Highland Park? Trace its existence from the early history to present. What caused its decline?
d. Why is the firehouse located in a warehouse?
e. What was unique about the 9-1-1 dispatch in Highland Park?
f. Why are there so many fires in Highland Park?
b. Why is it likely that the Heartland will remain as it is for the foreseeable future? What law plays a role in this part of the conversation?
c. What happened to Highland Park? Trace its existence from the early history to present. What caused its decline?
d. Why is the firehouse located in a warehouse?
e. What was unique about the 9-1-1 dispatch in Highland Park?
f. Why are there so many fires in Highland Park?
10. Murder City (pg. 199)
a. What was the media reaction to the Morgan case? Why did Binelli think that the media reacted the way it did?
b. What is (arguably) the biggest obstacle to fixing Detroit? Why?
c. What was Detroit's second largest industry in the 1920s? Why is that interesting?
d. What drugs appeared in the 1970s and 80s? How did that affect crime?
e. What was Chief Warren Evans' strategy for dealing with crime?
f. Where do most Detroit Police Officers live? Is that common in major cities? What do you think the effect of this rule is?
g. Why did Mrs. Howell tell the story about the house across the street from hers? What point was she trying to make?
h. Why would the DPD adopt a "containment" policy rather than try to stop all crime?
i. What did Overman find amusing about the tagline on the sign advertising new condos?
b. What is (arguably) the biggest obstacle to fixing Detroit? Why?
c. What was Detroit's second largest industry in the 1920s? Why is that interesting?
d. What drugs appeared in the 1970s and 80s? How did that affect crime?
e. What was Chief Warren Evans' strategy for dealing with crime?
f. Where do most Detroit Police Officers live? Is that common in major cities? What do you think the effect of this rule is?
g. Why did Mrs. Howell tell the story about the house across the street from hers? What point was she trying to make?
h. Why would the DPD adopt a "containment" policy rather than try to stop all crime?
i. What did Overman find amusing about the tagline on the sign advertising new condos?
11. Politics (pg. 229)
a. Which analogy makes more sense: that Detroit is like a post-colonial African state, or that it is closer to a Cold War-era satellite state? Why?
b. What about Dave Bing was attractive to Detroit voters?
c. What was Gary Brown's story? How did he end up in the Detroit limelight?
d. What did the debate attendee think was the key to revitalizing the city?
e. How did Pugh use his misfortunes for political gain?
f. Why is Mayor Hazen S. Pingree so revered by the working class of Detroit? What were his big accomplishments?
g. What is your general opinion of Mayor Kilpatrick? What do you see as his central flaw?
h. Why did the city council push for a "consent agreement" over the budget?
i. How did the election of Governor Rick Snyder affect Detroit?
b. What about Dave Bing was attractive to Detroit voters?
c. What was Gary Brown's story? How did he end up in the Detroit limelight?
d. What did the debate attendee think was the key to revitalizing the city?
e. How did Pugh use his misfortunes for political gain?
f. Why is Mayor Hazen S. Pingree so revered by the working class of Detroit? What were his big accomplishments?
g. What is your general opinion of Mayor Kilpatrick? What do you see as his central flaw?
h. Why did the city council push for a "consent agreement" over the budget?
i. How did the election of Governor Rick Snyder affect Detroit?
12. Let Us Paint Your Factory Magenta (pg. 253)
a. What was your impression of Matthew Barney's work?
b. How did Richard Florida hope to see Detroit rebuild? How did that work out?
c. How did Michigan encourage filming in Detroit? How did that work out?
d. What attracted artists to Detroit?
e. What positive signs appeared in 2010-2012 statistics?
f. Does Binelli seem optimistic about the revitalization through artists idea? Should he be optimistic? Why or why not?
g. What genre of music was created in and around Detroit, other than Motown?
h. Does Derrick Mays' analogy between the situation in Detroit and the election of President Obama work? Why or why not?
b. How did Richard Florida hope to see Detroit rebuild? How did that work out?
c. How did Michigan encourage filming in Detroit? How did that work out?
d. What attracted artists to Detroit?
e. What positive signs appeared in 2010-2012 statistics?
f. Does Binelli seem optimistic about the revitalization through artists idea? Should he be optimistic? Why or why not?
g. What genre of music was created in and around Detroit, other than Motown?
h. Does Derrick Mays' analogy between the situation in Detroit and the election of President Obama work? Why or why not?
13. Fabulous Ruin (pg. 269)
a. What is Camilo Vergara's claim to fame? What was his idea for the empty buildings in Detroit? What do you think of this idea?
b. How has the city tried to rebrand itself? Has any effort seemed effective?
c. Are there any consistent rules governing what constitutes "ruin porn?"
d. How are the runs like cathedrals to Binelli?
e. Who is Manuel Moroun? How does he make his money?
f. What point does Marsha Cusic make about the moment "when everything went wrong?"
g. Does Cusic's opinion of the wave of young, mostly white artists seem representative of Detroit's population?
b. How has the city tried to rebrand itself? Has any effort seemed effective?
c. Are there any consistent rules governing what constitutes "ruin porn?"
d. How are the runs like cathedrals to Binelli?
e. Who is Manuel Moroun? How does he make his money?
f. What point does Marsha Cusic make about the moment "when everything went wrong?"
g. Does Cusic's opinion of the wave of young, mostly white artists seem representative of Detroit's population?
Conclusion (pg. 289)
a. Should we be optimistic about Detroit's future? Why or why not?
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