First off, I would like to congratulate myself on taking the initiative to finally start utilizing this blog. (Woo-hoo). Then I would like to chastise myself for making so self-centered an assertion. 

Anyway, a few of us EnviroDems (I find that I have an overwhelming urge to write that as one word) just got back from a Michigan Suburbs Alliance conference at the MGM Grand in Detroit. (Sidenote: if any of you are ever offered free tickets to an event at MGM, and they promise to feed you, go–it will be worth your time, I promise). The conference focused on regional [re]development in Michigan, focusing on the Metro Detroit area, and apart from a highly technical session on brownfield redevelopment meant as a how-to for members of city government to capitalize on tax-breaks for redeveloping toxic or defunct properties that I unwittingly attended, it was really cool. As an EnviroDem and a pseudo “Lassiterian” (I admire the mind and the method over the man), talk of high density development, public transportation, and slowing the “brain drain” via cultural economic development is totally my thing. But during the second break-away session, I was blown away by the utter ignorance of almost all the adults in attendance.

I employ the word “adult” intentionally, because there were only 6 of us below the age of 25, and the urban planners, economists, politicians, and activists in the audience clearly had no idea what attracts the younger generation–there was a clear divide between us “millenials” and… everyone else. The session was chaired by our friend Jeff Donofrio, Dingell’s District Director, and a Gale Govaere, Levin’s Regional Rep. Entitled “Making a Federal Case of It: Congress & Urban Policy,” the session was to be a summary of sustainable urban development in action, in our backyard, initiated in part by our most renowned public officials. And yet, it was so utterly boring. Guess what guys? The US Department of Housing and Urban Development sometimes sells foreclosed homes for a dollar to municipalities, which are then divyed up to make cushier suburban lots for those adjacent to the unmarketable home. And over 300 kayakers participated in a “paddling” event on the Detroit River last year. And the River Raisin Battlefield in Monroe, Mi, has a new visitor’s center that is just beautiful. Apparently these three projects–which were all that was discussed–”create economic opportunity” and “protect habitat,” according to a [lame] power-point print-off we received.

Honestly, I don’t give a fuck. It’s nice that some park in Monroe got a grant to update their visitor center. But I don’t really see how this creates economic opportunity for me. I certainly don’t want to move to Monroe due to this new knowledge. I don’t think the visitor’s center is going to help guard against the SE MI brain drain. I actually don’t even care that much if the habitat in the area is protected. I mean, I would prefer we kept it clean, but I’m more concerned with sustainable development, and doing more with less, with building communities that are naturally green. I’m more concerned with my future, and not this rural celebration of the past (even if it does honor a key battle site of the War of 1812. Which we lost).

Thus, I voiced my concerns: these pet projects, these supposed “urban redevelopments” are NOT EXCITING. As a young person, I DO NOT CARE. Furthermore, I disagree with Gale–I think that rapid-mass-transit IS possible in Southeast Michigan, even if it will be hard. I think that our elected leaders should take a leadership role on this issue and try to create excitement for public transportation, rather than simply saying, “It’s too hard, I don’t know where to start,” and talking about Raisin River instead. Which is what she did. Shockingly, the “adults” were, overall, surprised to hear that these projects don’t excite a young person. They asked, genuinely: what does? Could you tell us, please?

So we did. Sara, Sonya, and I completely overwhelmed them as we hijacked the discussion. We ranted, and the “adults” listened. Despite all the talk of millenials being “the future,” of “new economic development,” of “cool cities,” they clamored around us, actually, eager to learn. They had no. f*ing. idea. what young people want. And I realized: we have a responsibility, for the sake of Michigan, for the sake of our future (which is theirs, too), to tell them. We have a right to demand certain buildings and business structures, because we know better than they do, and they actually want and need our help; we have a right to demand directly that policies be enacted. But it’s our job to begin that dialogue. I feel incredibly empowered, excited.

So, next time you see a Congressional Aid, a municipal employee, an academic, anyone with any potential influence on Michigan’s communities and culture, tell them what you think. They might drool all over you.