McClain 1

Sandy McClain
HON 1000
4 November 2016
Dr. Hudson
Essay Two Belle Isle - Where Are We Going?
People of all backgrounds should be at ease going into the community, but Detroit was
never considered that community; the ways people viewed others got passed down only resulting
in hazardous outcomes. Reevaluating changes of Detroit sites displays the direction it is going,
and proves the mistakes and revelations throughout history. Belle Isle, one of Americas largest
island parks, became part of Detroit in 1879, and has changed significantly along with Detroit.
Belle Isle had its ups and downs, from the 1943 Race Riots to the new state ownership today,
allowing a representation of where Detroit is going. Belle Isle has suffered a damaged
Democratic Space, vividly seen through the 1943 Riots, but has recently evolved to a wellrounded Detroit site. Democratic Social Space, according to Philip Fisher, consists of being
unbound, an absence of an observer, uniformity, and transparency and intelligibility (Fisher 4750). Achieving the four aspects signifies a space where people coming together have the same
opportunities. Belle Isle represents issues Detroit encountered through the breakdown and
rebuilding of Democratic Space. The 1943 Race Riots on Belle Isle demonstrated failed
Democratic Social Space in Detroit, but the park is now stronger than ever, regardless of having
to pay money.
The height of crippled Democratic Social Space resulted from segregation and the time of
the riots on Belle Isle; whites and blacks attacking showed something was wrong (Stone). As
seen through brutal images of blacks, there was no uniformity; whites saw their counter-parts as

McClain 2

garbage because they were only open to one way of living: sticking with the past (Coster).
Sugrue argued the start of a damaged space was, urban whites were the backbone of the New
Deal coalition; their political views and their votes limited possibilities of liberal reform
constrained the leading liberal social movement, the extension of civil rights and liberties to
African Americans (p.551). Segregation seemed endless as Martelle explained how whites
carried over their civil beliefs, that blacks should not be created equal, to the supposedly relaxing
park of Belle Isle (p.153). Before the incident occurred, the park seemed unified and open until
inner feuds boiled over; according to Langlois, there was nearly a 1:1 ratio of blacks to whites
overcrowding the park for relaxation time; the congestion of people on the small bridge one
evening created a feud that was built over the years (p.187). The rumors about who was at fault
of the fight contradicted each other in the two races; one perception of the other minorities
created overlapping beliefs causing a fear of the future; Rodriguez proved there was no openness
left (p.84) Also, Belle Isle was not unbound due to this because after the riots whites fled Detroit
thinking they lost the battle; they felt uninvited. The site no longer seemed transparent because
cultural rituals and beliefs contradicted; the truth seemed nonexistent. Finally, the riots caused
the island to need an observer; why could the races not work together if all that was different was
color? The riots drew attention from outsiders questioning to how the city will survive. Belle Isle
was not viewed equally anymore; thoughts and perceptions on another restricted people from
living the way Detroit and Belle Isle was designed: open for everyone.

McClain 3

ownershipwhile the Michigan Department of Natural

Resources manages the park (p.226). Due to the riots, social
space failure resulted in a lack of people coming to keep the
island intact with its historical beauty. The state stepped in
because the park was heading towards the dumps, as seen
through the zoo, bridge and overall upkeep. Belle Isle,
according to an African American fisherman whose family has
regularly visited since the 1950s, finally displays both
communities uniting on the park; There are blacks and whites. They are all here again with one
purpose: to enjoy the island (Holman). In addition, the senior curator from the Detroit Historical
Society, Joel Stone explained the state ownership enforced more policies which changed
perspectives of the park to being safe and clean; it was a place where past generations could
return with their descendants to bring the city together (Stone). At the beginning of state
ownership people feared change; being
forced to pay to get in and not knowing
the expectations to come. Lack of
education created hesitation of the future
(Hodges). However, as I noticed on past
trips, the buildings remodeling, and
from Joel Stones interview, this
questioning has begun to diminish
(Source 1&2-Personal Photographs).
The state ownership is bringing the city

McClain 4

back together; having to pay a fee once a year was not to prevent visitors, but to invite them to
the site where everyone could feel united. People now realized Detroits Belle Isle, the Island
Park Gem, needed restoration and they were ready to help rebuild. Blacks, whites, Friends of
Belle Isle and other organizations, worked as a team to rebuild. Democratic Social Space is once

again with uniform working, and openness to the new, intelligent ideas. Money does not limit
access because there are various ways to come to Belle Isle other than driving (Hodges). Now an
observer becomes unnecessary as there is nothing to stop the dreams of the people.
With the State of Michigan as leasers; Belle Isle represents where Detroits Democratic
Social Space is headed as citizens, together, create equal space. Belle Isle has more visitors than
ever, and holds Detroits history deeply; there is no need to question the developments at the park
because the first steps to a new beginning are in the making. Democratic Social Space is part of
the re-creation of Belle Isle; restrictions are limited, and people have the openness to act freely as
they should.

McClain 5

Works Cited
Coster, Gordan. 1943 Riots. Time and Life Pictures, 1943. Web. 29 October 2016.
Dunphy, Maureen. Great Lakes Island Escapes: Ferries and Bridges to Adventure. Detroit:
Wayne State UP, 2016. Print.

McClain 6

Fisher, Philip. Democratic Social Space. Still the New World: American Literature in a
Culture of Creative Destruction. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard UP, 1999. 33-55. Print.
Hodges, Michelle. "Are Fewer People Visiting Belle Isle? Detroit City Council Confront
Concerns." CBS Detroit. CBS Local, 8 July 2014. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.
Holman, Vince. Personal Interview. 22 October 2016.
Langlois, Janet L. The Belle Isle Bridge Incident: Legend Dialectic and Semiotic System in the
1943 Detroit Race Riots. The Journal of American Folklore, vol. 96, no. 380,
1983,

183199. America: History & Life. Web. 29 October 2016.

Martelle, Scott. Detroit: A Biography. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review, 2012. Print.
McClain, Sandra. Belle Isle Bridge, Belle Isle. Personal photograph. 22 October 2016.
McClain, Sandra. Belle Isle Bridge and Conservatory, Belle Isle. Personal Photograph. 22
October 2016.
Rodriguez, Michael, and Thomas Featherstone. Images of America Detroit's Belle Isle: Island
Park Gem. Charleston: Arcadia, 2003. Print.
Stone, Joel. Personal Interview. 27 October 2016.
Sugrue, Thomas J. Crabgrass-Roots Politics: Race, Rights, and the Reaction against Liberalism
in the Urban North, 1940-1964. The Journal of American History, vol. 82, no. 2,
1995, 551578. Web. 29 October 2016.