Detroit: The Troubled City

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Detroit: The Troubled City

Bruce Gilden

As part of his work on the effects of foreclosures in America, Bruce Gilden recently traveled to Detroit, Michigan. What he found was a desolate landscape where the subprime mortgage crisis is the latest blow hitting the "troubled city" already on its way to collapse and insurrection.

Powerful. Sad. Angry. So, has anything changed in Detroit???!! Its a Fiasco that people who caused the CRASH, and NOT the people who are paying for it. Reckoning??

Comment posted by Johnny Mobasher (not verified) on January 31st, 2011

So much information to ponder and a powerful essay that brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for showing the true America through your essay.

Comment posted by Rachel (not verified) on January 21st, 2011

What a pity to see that ! Poors men and womens ! roger debrestmême-France)

Comment posted by santos (not verified) on October 25th, 2010

Powerful imagery and essay composition. Makes me think twice about the fallen "American Dream."

Comment posted by Carrie Roseman (not verified) on August 30th, 2009

Impressive and powerful, but also frightening images of demise. One would not expect them in a first world country.

Comment posted by Arno Mask (not verified) on July 29th, 2009

Curious about L-tab, thanks!

Comment posted by George (not verified) on July 8th, 2009

Excellent work here. Detroit is a prime case where voters continue to vote based on race and party, not the best candidate. They continue to elect the same type of politicians term after term, despite the results which are clear to see. How long can a city watch failure after failure, but deny its leaders are the ones responsible? Detroit can return, but it has to become a city again and not a welfare/workfare site.

Comment posted by Mr Kevin (not verified) on June 18th, 2009

Great work! Detroit is a very troubled city, but it is also the city of the future. You cannot ignore the problems in Detroit, because one day, you'll be in the same position if America does not change. That being said, Detroit is not a hopeless place and I find this essay a little less than balanced. Detroit has an estimated 15,000 plus abandoned structures, but, there are many communities that are rebuilding and growing. Look at Mexican Town, woodbridge or Hamtramck. There is hope and Detroit is a city with way more heart and soul than bleak LA or disney land times square

Comment posted by Daniel Luscombe (not verified) on June 11th, 2009

Living in South Africa, and coming from a desolate past into a very promising future, it is ironic, but frightening to see the state of segments of the first world. Great Work.

Comment posted by Danie Nel (not verified) on June 8th, 2009

Bruce, thank you for your stirring images and for sharing this with us. I once lived in Detroit back in 1997, I didn't realize how bad things have become. These images and stories are absolutely heartbreaking. As a citizen of this country, it sickens me how this situation has displaced so many people. What's happening today in America to the poor and working class is nothing short of criminal. It is as if the banks/ruling elite have declared war on its citizens. I am frightened beyond words as to what is coming. Riots and insurrection are definitely on the horizon. People of all races,creeds, and backgrounds must join together and fight this tyranny...

Comment posted by Jason Foster (not verified) on May 27th, 2009

hola solo queria decirle q me encanta su trabajo yo soy de argentina

Comment posted by nahuel (not verified) on May 26th, 2009

Bruce, this is powerful work. As is all your work. This work is deeply intimate, confrontational, insistent on being seen. I also am drawn to your Haiti work, having been to Haiti and photographed in Haiti, but never so close, never so truthfully. We met in Times Square, actually, on April 24th. You were doing some street shooting. I'm honored to have shaken your hand. All best wishes. JN Wall

Comment posted by John N Wall (not verified) on May 20th, 2009

Wow, I was recently pointing a camera at lost industry in the City of Buffalo. Detroit makes that look like Disneyland. Nice essay Bruce.

Comment posted by Tom Ridout (not verified) on May 8th, 2009