Hart Plaza Detroit
I’ve spent so many hours walking around in other cities, particularly Toronto, but I’ve neglected my home town. Why do we do that? It’s like we take if for granted that we can go anytime we want. Or maybe “familiarity breeds contempt”. Bella and I just visited Two James Spirits a few weeks ago and it rekindled my interest. That, and the end of the Polar Vortex that gave us sub zero temperatures all week had me wanting to go walk around outside.
One of my favorite statues around Detroit is Joe Louis’ fist. The monument was commissioned by Sports Illustrated in the 1980s to commemorate Detroit native Joe Louis’ boxing win over Hitler’s Aryan poster boy Max Schmeling in 1938. Louis, who was black, had lost two years earlier to Schmeling and that gave Hitler fodder for his “superior race” nonsense. Like all American heroes, Joe Louis got back up and won the rematch convincingly. He won a TKO in the first round with an estimated audience of 70 million radio listeners around the world. It is a classic story of America resilience and the heart of Detroit. Joe Louis is probably the first black sports hero embraced by all Americans. He deserves a movie!
A champion doesn’t become a champion in the ring, he’s merely recognized in the ring. His “becoming” happens during his daily routine. – Joe Louis
I guess there was some controversy when the fist was unveiled in the 80s but everybody from around here talks about it with a tinge of pride.
Due to Detroit’s proximity to Canada it became the focal point of the Underground Railroad between 1834 when Canada abolished slavery and Emancipation in 1863.
Canada was a short boat ride away. Escaping slaves made their way along the famous Underground Railroad to safehouses in Detroit or Port Huron and then found passage to Canada. Many brave individuals risked everything for freedom. The International Memorial to the Underground Railroad is on the river facing Windsor.
The names of the known operatives of the Underground Railroad are the face of the monument.
It was a little cold for the fountain in Hart Plaza to be operating but there were some guys snowboarding in the plaza.
There were a lot of people like me out taking photos of the picturesque Hart Plaza. Even in winter.
~ Freddy
