As August comes to an end, it feels like summer is also beginning to slip away. The temperature is dropping, school is back in session, and Halloween decorations are creeping onto store shelves.
This was a monumental summer for me, and its end brings a certain melancholy. Soon the leaves will fall and we’ll break out our winter coats, but in reality, the only thing that really changes is the weather. The lessons we learned and the work we did in the summer remains, and we must not forget that.
This summer, I participated in the University of Michigan’s Semester in Detroit program, where I studied, worked, and lived in the city for three months. During these months, my eyes were opened to the visionary work that is happening in Detroit, and a new sense of hope was born inside me. This program introduced me to the work of the Eastside Solutionaries Collective and encouraged me to apply for a position with the collective.
Now, as my summer of Detroit immersion ends, I feel grateful that the life-changing, world-shifting thoughts and experiences I had over the summer will continue to be nourished in this fellowship with ESC.
Maya smiling before eating a berry from a bush at Feedom Freedom Growers
Living in Detroit, I learned the importance of community. Specifically, the power communities and community members have to enact meaningful change for themselves. The love that Detroit residents feel towards the city and towards each other is so palpable, filling the air with a distinct positive energy.
Before the summer, I thought Detroit was a city like any other. But after three months of soaking in Detroit love, I now know that there is no other place in the world that compares to Detroit.
I keep asking myself, why is this city different from all others? Perhaps there is a more complex, historical, academic answer, but the answer I offer is the people and the intentional communities they build.
It is rarely a societal norm to verbally greet strangers on the street, but in Detroit, it is impossible to walk anywhere without exchanging “hello”s and “how are you”s. The Detroit streets are becoming abundant with public art, community gardens, and mutual aid projects. While these things often bring unique challenges, they are visual reminders of community care.
This past month I moved back to Ann Arbor to continue my undergraduate degree. Leaving the magical energy of Detroit behind has emphasized how special the city is. In Ann Arbor, when I say hello to my neighbors or the people I pass on the street, I just get averted eyes and silence. This new reality is harsh and disappointing, but in this period of transition, I am putting lots of effort into gratitude and reflection on my time in Detroit.
I may not be living there currently, but the experiences I had in the city will forever be a part of who I am, regardless of where I reside. Perhaps even more exciting, I get to bring the lessons from Detroit into my Ann Arbor community and try to teach those around me how to love like a Detroiter.
Transitionary periods are perfect times for reflection and gratitude. As August turns to September and summer eases into fall, we are gifted some time to think about how we can translate the lessons of the summer into our actions in the fall (and beyond). For me, that means saying hello to strangers, even if others consider it bizarre. It also means entering into this work with the Eastside Solutionaries Collective, so that I can continue to learn from Detroiters about how they enact change in their communities.
As the seasons change, I encourage you to feel gratitude for the past summer and find excitement for how to bring your new summer wisdom into every coming season.
Maya is the community organizing fellow for Eastside Solutionaries for the next few months. Maya is also a third-year undergraduate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor studying Social Theory & Practice and French. Born and raised in the desert of Tucson, Arizona, Maya has quickly fallen in love with the abundant, green trees and flowing waters of Michigan. Maya is interested in studying the connections that exist between spirituality & religion, and community-led movements for social change. When not in school or working for Eastside Solutionaries Collective, Maya enjoys making tasty food for friends and getting her hands dirty at community farms (particularly Feedom Freedom Growers). Maya has a deep appreciation for the community networks within Detroit and is excited to get to meet more Detroit solutionaries in the coming months!
You can contact them at mayalevy@umich.edu if you wanna chat with them more!