Image: David Guralnick / The Detroit News
The Woodward Dream Cruise may turn into a Nightmare Cruise as there is a movement afoot to expand the 16-mile ride another 8 miles right into the heart of Detroit. Supporters of the possible extension say the Dream Cruise would never exist if it weren't for Detroit, as that's the symbolic heart and soul of the American auto industry. Detractors of the idea say that this ride began back in the 1950s, and it's always been held as such; and besides, by extending the ride into Detroit would take the spotlight off the original locale and would not be true to the Cruise's original intent.
"It should go all the way down to Detroit -- that's where the auto industry got its start," said James Foster, 64, of Detroit, who drives his 1954 cherry red Chevy pickup in the Cruise...
"I thought the whole thing about the Woodward Dream Cruise was that this was where it originally started," Ted Lupu, 54, said late last week while showing his 1965 Mercury Comet in a parking lot at Woodward and 13 Mile in Royal Oak.
"If they move it downtown -- I don't think anyone ever cruised down there. They cruised up here."
Full story here.
Might there also be something a bit more sinister going on here?
Could the resistance to expand the Cruise into Detroit have some <whisper>racial overtones?</end whisper> Consider that this Cruise has always been a product of the (mostly white) suburbs, and expanding it into (mostly black) Detroit might not sit well with some of those involved.
Facts: This is the 40th anniversary of the '67 Detroit riotsâwhich surely helped accelerate white flight to the 'burbsâand that this era was the height of the Dream Cruise. Sounds like the recipe for a perfect storm (one that no one wants) just might be brewing under the surface here...
"If they move it downtown -- I don't think anyone ever cruised down there. They cruised up here."
Full story here.
Might there also be something a bit more sinister going on here?
Could the resistance to expand the Cruise into Detroit have some <whisper>racial overtones?</end whisper> Consider that this Cruise has always been a product of the (mostly white) suburbs, and expanding it into (mostly black) Detroit might not sit well with some of those involved.
Facts: This is the 40th anniversary of the '67 Detroit riotsâwhich surely helped accelerate white flight to the 'burbsâand that this era was the height of the Dream Cruise. Sounds like the recipe for a perfect storm (one that no one wants) just might be brewing under the surface here...
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