What do Actor Danny Glover, The DIA & the new “POORism” Tourism Traveling Trend have in Common?

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What do actor Danny Glover (pictured  with me below), The Detroit Institute of Arts and the new “POORism” tourism traveling trend have in common?

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I am proud to say that My Cyndi’s Secrets™ Members can be found all over the world; France, Italy, Norway, Kenya and Poland to name a few. We are united in our mission to share JOY worldwide. It is also a privilege to regularly cover Hollywood events, interview celebrities and give you my self help tips – That’s Infotainment! I often say that My Cyndi’s Secrets™ delivers big city news to you with a Midwest heart. Today I deliver Midwest news to you and the world…. and the message still has heart!

Many of you already know that your Cyndi Sleuth hails from a suburb of Detroit, Michigan.  In fact, my Dad’s original welding and manufacturing factory is still smack dab in the city. The building and property even starred in an episode of the former ABC TV series Detroit 187.  Yep – I Heart Detroit!

Well, I was on a recent trip to Michigan when I became aware of a brand new trend in tourism. It is called “POORism”. You heard it here. Shhhh! “POORism” occurs when tourists visit a large metropolitan city that once was a thriving community. Detroit is one such city. On any given day you can see tourists from around the world pointing and shooting (not guns) but pictures of urban decay and worse yet – the decay of the decayed. Travel agents will tell you that these trips of visual despair have become very popular.  Admittedly, there is something  fascinating about seeing the ruins of old buildings. Check out the photo below of me near the Michigan Central Train Station.  When it was built in 1912-1913, it was the tallest rail station in the world. I think this grand dame is still beautiful. I fantasize what it must have been like to stand at the depot with my luggage, hat boxes, coifed hair and elegant traveling attire. It would have been fun to sing the classic song, “Pardon me boy – is that the Chattanooga choo choo?” which was recorded by big band /swing leader Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. The famous song tells the story about travelling from New York to Chattanooga and although it is not about Detroit, I’d sing it anyway! 🙂

Not all the stops on a POORism tour are as grand as the train station. Graffiti on buildings, homeless in the streets, poverty and the like are an endless entity. Certainly these images break my heart and I cling to the hope of better days for the city I love.  Yet I am intrigued by this new brand of tourism.  I ask myself why? Why are people so interested? Perhaps there is something about the rise and fall of a once prosperous city? Perhaps it is just curiosity?  It is not my place to answer those questions or to solve the problems of Detroit and I certainly can’t solve every psycho social issue of the day. However, I like to think that in spite of the decay and burnt down remnants of what once was, I can clearly see jewels in the city that promise hope.  If you look beyond the obvious problems, the culture in “The D” (locals name for the city) is rich and vibrant.

There is a new kind of resident moving into the city at a rapid pace. I’m speaking of a convergence of creative types; artists, musicians, historians and the so called “hipsters” that are making Detroit their home. The rent is cheap with lots of space for an artist’s studio, loft, or whatever the need. Plus the opportunity for inspiration is limitless. Believe me, creative types can find a tapestry of interesting characters any day of the week to draw on for their respective projects.  People like life in the “The D” because it is REAL. The people are REAL. It is true that there are some Detroiters that cling to a selfish sense of entitlement. Lazy butts will always be a draining part of any society. There are also crooks and thugs and even corrupt politicians (not all are corrupt). We even have a former mayor in prison. Yet my heart goes out to the “good” citizens. The people trying to clean up the slums, desperately doing all they can to make a good life and build a better world for the next generation. There are many decent people who were given a bad deck of cards to start. It is these people that I applaud. It is these people that make me proud to be from Detroit.  Oh sure Detroit is gritty. However, I believe that under my girlie girl appearance, my city has given me a tough edge of which I am grateful. Detroiters are survivors. We can deal with whatever comes our way in life.

Lest you think I am going to take you down a negative path you can – forget about it! My Cyndi’s Secrets is about finding JOY! There are many things about Detroit that are magnificent! Take the Detroit Symphony, Bell Isle island which is a true Shangri-La in the Detroit River, The Hydroplane races, The Detroit Tigers and the home of GM to name a few. There’s even a brand new Whole Foods in Midtown that is like none other I’ve ever seen. Oh sure it is jam packed with the healthy fare we have come to expect from a Whole Foods. However, not only is much of the food locally grown but the exterior of the store building  is made up of murals made by Detroit artists that reflect a local flair. Stylin!

Today I wanted to spotlight a personal favorite gem in the motor city – The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). The DIA is a world class art museum. For over a century it has WOWed its visitors.  Its collection is among the top six in the United States, comprising a multicultural and multinational survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century.  According to the DIA’s website, “The foundation was laid by William Valentiner, a scholar and art historian from Berlin, who was director from 1924 to 1945. His extensive contacts in Europe, along with support from generous patrons, enabled him to acquire many important works that established the framework of today’s collections. Among the notable acquisitions during his tenure are Mexican artist Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry fresco cycle, which Rivera considered his most successful work, and Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait, the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum collection.

A hallmark of the DIA is the diversity of the collection. In addition to outstanding American, European, Modern and Contemporary, and Graphic art, the museum holds significant works of African, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, Islamic, and Ancient art. Among these are the masterpiece sculpture Nail Figure from Zaire and a rare Korean Head of Buddha. In 2000, the DIA established the General Motors Center for African American Art as a curatorial department in order to broaden the museum’s collection of African American art. “ My Cyndi’s Secrets members from Hollywood will be interested to note that the museum’s current director is Graham W. J. Beal. He arrived in 1999 from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

As of late our beloved DIA has been caught in a political crossfire. The financially strapped city is turning to our museum with thoughts of selling our art. NO – Say it aint  so!!! I wish this was not true but it is. You see the DIA is owned by the city but run by a non-profit.  This makes it messy for a city that is teetering on bankruptcy. Perhaps that is why I felt a need to share this column with our worldwide members. Whether you are from Detroit or passing through I invite you to visit this great museum and show your support.

Renowned actor Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon, Predator 2) recently came to Detroit to show his support for this awesome museum. In fact he was the honored guest at this year’s Detroit Institute of Arts’ annual Bal Africain® – Friends of African and African American Art (FAAAA) celebrating the 50^th anniversary year. Glover who has been a successful actor and director for over four decades is popular with multi- generations of film, theatre and television audiences. He is well known for his philanthropy and humanitarian contributions. Proceeds from this event benefited the DIA. The event was a huge success in part due to Danny Glover.

The FAAAA promotes the appreciation and understanding of the rich culture and artistic legacies of Africa, African Americans and the African Diaspora. Proceeds from this event are used to sponsor exhibitions, lectures, educational programs and of course to acquire more art for the DIA! That sounds good to me. 🙂

Kudo’s to Danny Glover for using his celebrity status to make a positive difference.  I love this photo of him. From left to right is FAAAA chairperson Gail Ross, Glover, and DIA board member Sharon Madison. I congratulate  these ladies and everyone who contributed to the success of this elegant evening. A fun time was had by all – and a good cause to celebrate!

Well this takes me back to my original question. While there is a world class museum and other amazing sites to see in Detroit, why the sudden trend in “POORism”? I have been reflecting on this thought since I began writing this column a few weeks ago. Then it hit me as I did my morning walk – it has to do with the state of our times..  We are in the midst of a bad economy and a rapidly changing world. Whether you are homeless and living in the Cass Corridor of Detroit, dealing with an illness or injury or sitting in a mansion in the midst of a miserable marriage; we all have challenges.  Seeing “POORism” play out in front of our eyes reminds us that we are not alone. Everybody has a labyrinth of struggles and problems.  I had a dear friend who has since passed on. He told me that if we put all of our problems in a bag with everyone else’s we would want our own back. Hmmmm! Perhaps when we see people in these circumstances, it may help us to cope in our own life and be grateful for what we do have.  I pray it helps us to become more compassionate for those less fortunate. I know one thing is for sure – when I look into the eyes of the “good” people of Detroit I see a spirit of JOY and hope. It is a spirit that I wish to share with the world. You can find JOY in life no matter what your circumstances. Just look at people in “The D”! In fact we have a famous statue that sits outside the City County Building in Detroit. It is called the SPIRIT OF DETROIT. You may have seen the photo below of me with the big guy. I feel it truly reflects the spirit of the PEOPLE! No one has the right to take that spirit away. Shhhh!

So —- if you still feel compelled to hop on a “POORism” tour I say, “Come for the Decay – but stay DIA!”…. and also enjoy all the other cool stuff the city has to offer.

And until next time……….Strut your stuff on the red carpet of life! Shhhh!

Life is too short so I say – InJOY!

Love ya,

Cyndi Targosz

Ps. You can also Cyndi Chat: If you need private phone consultation to work on more specific and individualized goals I am now offering some of the same services that I give to my celebrity clients.

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