If there’s anyone who has brought the controversial heat so far at the Detroit Policy Conference today, it’s former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.
In a speech to a business crowd that gave him tepid applause, Mayor Bing made a series of strong points that African Americans are not included in leadership or business decisions – but some online and at the conference felt he was speaking truth to power.
He called out the “new leadership” in the city for not being inclusive, as well as organizations like New Detroit and the media outlets like the Michigan Chronicle.
@davebing21 tells it like it is-Too many corporate boards & other circles of power lock out people of color. #DPC16 pic.twitter.com/6kvkIJysR3
— Rachele Downs (@rachelejdowns) February 24, 2016
Dave Bing is swinging for the fences in his talk about racial inclusion in Detroit’s revitalization. #equity #lovingit #DPC16
— Tammie Jones (@TammieJones) February 24, 2016
Ex-Mayor Bing giving provocative remarks at #dpc16, says we’re “one incident” away from being Ferguson or return to ’67 uprising #freep
— John Gallagher (@JGallagherFreep) February 24, 2016
Former mayor Dave Bing says black contractors and developers are on the outside looking in on the new Detroit. #DPC16
— Devin Scillian (@DevinScillian) February 24, 2016
I wish every Detroiter could hear what Dave Bing is saying here. He’s throwing it down when it comes to diversity and inclusion. #DPC16
— Kelsie Moreno (@kerosenelimo) February 24, 2016
Diversity is sometimes about counting people. Inclusion is always about making people count. #DPC16 pic.twitter.com/3Mjt9UMfuE
— Regina Ann Campbell (@ReginaAnnCampbe) February 24, 2016
“Diversity is about counting people – inclusion is about making people count,” said Bing.
Especially if you live or work in the city, what do you think? Do you feel the undercurrent felt by Detroiters of not being included in the comeback is as strong as the former mayor says?
Editor’s Note: Now that it’s available, we’ve embedded the video above, but before the video there’s an interview the Detroit Regional Chamber included with Frank Beckmann on WJR.