A Couple of WWW Must-Reads
The newly shrunk New York Times Magazine takes a close look at how the shrinking U.S. auto industry is affecting the black American middle class. And our pal Mike Roberts, former editor of Boston Magazine and Cleveland Magazine recalls his early days in public housing. Mike has written some emotionally powerful stuff over the years, but this just might be his best ever. We'd love to hear your reactions to either or both pieces.
7 Comments:
Two very poignant slices of Americana, John.
To the auto piece, my spouse was with Ford for 21 years, and changed industries two years ago, and his father with GM in Parma for over 40 years until he took a buyout about 3 years ago.
The auto companies forgot that their job was to make a quality product, and thought the job was to make money. It eroded their customer base and now I don't know if any amount of gov't intervention will ever bring them back. It's so tragic.
An interesting story about public housing in the 40s. How the vernacular has changed. Needy has given way to lazy and shiftless. I was glad to read the last line, sometimes you cannot go home. That is the best thing about time, it perpetually moves. Perhaps more encouraging are the home ownership programs where someone can be truly invested in the place they call "home".
Thanks, Kim. And good luck on the new blog. I just added the link to the other conversatinoal string in hopes that readers will visit occasionally.
John, your support is priceless. Thank you so much.
I'm a big believer in the scribbler tribe looking out for each other. After all, just about no one else will.
John, you are such an encourager.
I thank you as well.
So lucky to have you as a reader, Pat. Here's hoping we get the chance to meet some day.
"Not far off was downtown Cleveland, kinetic with motion and sound, its sidewalks a strolling milieu, buff-colored streetcars clanging at stops. Its odors were savory, metallic, human and heavy." Worth the price of admission.
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