A few days ago, Dietsch forwarded this link to me. That evening, he brought me a copy of this article. These both date back to 2004, but they remain relevant snapshots of our neighborhood and the change that is taking place there.

I have to say, I'm a little annoyed by the attitude of the guys in the first link. I remember when this incident occurred, and at the time, we had only been living in our place a little over a month... we were still getting a feel for the neighborhood and our place in it. So yeah, we were concerned.

Since that time, we've gotten pretty comfortable in our home and in our neighborhood. We've gotten to know many of our neighbors - not just the young, white, middle-class couple who live upstairs, but people like Emily Delgado, who is quoted in the Times article. And Emily's brother Ebel and sister Alma. Our next door neighbor, Pedro, recently told me he used to be the pastor of that Pentecostal church on the corner. Pedro has been nothing but wonderful to us - he's even offered us the use of his van, should we ever need it.

We have not, however, met a single person who lives in the Opera House Lofts.

When I walk down our block, I try to make eye contact with the people who are out there with me. I nod. I smile. I say hello. Living for 26 years on a block on Detroit's East Side taught me that no matter where you are, no matter what sort of neighborhood you think you're in, no matter how safe you think you are, you simply must be aware of your surroundings, and be very cautious... but still, I think it's important to be polite and friendly to the people who live around me. I think it's rather telling that the people who have met my gaze and returned my greetings have been, without exception, the people in the row houses who have lived here for years, *not* the "new kids" across the street.

I'm not saying that what happened to "El Moreno" and his friends was right, or that they deserved it, but I will say that common sense would dictate that you should be extremely careful walking in ANY neighborhood in ANY city at 3 or 4 a.m. And furthermore, your neighbors are one of the very best things you've got going for you in a neighborhood like ours. You watch their backs, they'll watch yours.

But first, you have to acknowledge that they exist. Raise your head as you walk by. Greet them when you pass. You just might be surprised to learn that these people actually want people like you around.