It's Detroit week on garry's posterous. The latest installment: some fast facts that bring a lot more clarity to the situation in America's most maligned city.
- America's murder capital, with 10,000 unsolved murders since 1960.
- Detroit schools haven't ordered new textbooks in 19 years.
- Students have reported having to bring their own toilet paper.
- Teachers have reported bringing hammers to class for protection.
- Lowest graduation rate in the country at 24.9%.
- Highest property tax rates in Michigan.
- Most number of vacant homes of any American city (60,000+)
- Once gave the keys to the city to Saddam Hussein.
- Named America's Fattest City by Men's Fitness.
- Named America's Sexual Disease Capital by Men's Health.
- Most Dangerous City in America (violent crime) for 5 of the last 10 years.
- Almost half of the city is functionally illterate (47%!!)
Matt Labash at the Weekly Standard wrote an incredible piece on the city entitled The City Where Sirens Never Sleep: Detroit is dying. But it's not dead yet. -- A truly fascinating must-read. Check it out. Hat tip to vpescado. In addition to the facts above -- a detailed, heart-wrenching journey through the history of leaders who wrought this American failure and the people who now must live in its aftermath.
(Photos from forgottenmichigan.com)
