My house caught on fire last night..

Arson is something that has marred Detroit’s recent history. From bored teenagers and unchecked electrical shorts to fraudulent insurance claims and Devil’s Night, it’s hard to find a block outside of the 7.2 that doesn’t host the charred remains of fire damage.

My house caught on fire last night…and although it was only by accident, it served as an unsettling reminder of the daily challenges faced while living in this city.

Last night, I saw the Detroit Fire Department’s outdated equipment and dilapidated uniforms firsthand. I watched as they entered a smoke-filled bedroom without masks on because that was how disinvestment in the DFD has taught them to value their own well-being. Underpaid and underprotected, their uniforms appeared more flammable than flame retardant.

Last night, I realized that our beautiful century old home doesn’t have a single smoke alarm installed in it. If I hadn’t wandered upstairs to get something from my room, our house would be smoldering right now. To be honest, I blame no one but progress. Revitalization does not have time for regulation. You ought to know that by now.

Last night, I went to bed, nostrils singed and lungs aching, having inhaled more smoke, soot and toxins from that fire than I did in the three months I lived in China. I went to bed in this city originally polluted by industrial might, but today polluted by incinerated trash, refined oil and removed blight. I went to bed in a city where you refuse to raise your child.

I went to bed in my own home last night…

Because when I sprinted downstairs yelling “FIRE” at the top of my lungs, my housemates sprung to action. Jose grabbed the fire extinguisher,Will and I ripped winterizing plastic off of every window, and Olivia ran downstairs to grab our fans to circulate air. Smoke billowing from ceiling to floor, we ran to the aid of ourselves and each other.We collectively saved our belongings, our house, our livelihoods. Chaos creates community. A terrorist attack, the lead poisoning of public water, a burning home. Chaos creates community.

Detroit is chaos. It is children not being educated; it is professional talent not being attracted, adequately paid and retained; it is the elderly having their water shut off and houses foreclosed on. Schools are closing. People are leaving. Buildings are decaying.

Detroit is not whatever you want it to be based on the brand or slogan you’ve created. Detroit is chaos and until you realize that this city is (and always has been) on fire, it is at serious risk of burning to the ground.