Diversity of Detroit

4 Pages 932 Words

In the diverse history of Detroit, many things stand out in the development of this great city. The French origin, the American Revolution, the civil rights movements, the riots in the 1960’s. But the most affluent event in Detroit history was the immigration and migration boom and the industrial explosion that followed. The Two groups we will be focusing on today will be the Eastern European Jewish and the African American communities.

In an overview of the colossal rush of cultures that bombarded the metro Detroit area in the early 1900’s comparisons are based upon many different aspects of the populations. For instance, the Jewish populations that came to America in the early 1900’s were seen by some as brethren to be welcomed. But others saw them, such as the illustrious Henry ford as a menace society. While they were discriminated against by many on basis of nothing other than bigotry. The social capital they had to offer the majority was more than enough to buy their acceptance. While disapproved of and scoffed at, the skills and goods provided by Jewish Americans was enough to pacify the masses.

Quite similar to the welcome that was given to the Jewish communities was the welcome sent to the Southern African American migrants looking for opportunity in the industrial city. The difference between the two is that the African American’s had nothing to offer that was good enough for the grade. African American’s came here with the same ideals goals and values as the Jewish immigrants. The difference was the nature of their trade. Forty years out of slavery, still shy of citizenship, African Americans lacked the trade skills and education that was possessed by other immigrant groups.

This difference was the basis of the divide in social and economic expansion of these two groups. Eastern European Jews encountered problems with assimilation and losing their identity while being absorbed into the Ame...