Staff Reports
Last night, Kamala Harris attempted to shore up her support among Black voters in Detroit. In an audacious move, she enlisted the help of superstar Lizzo, who declared her pride in Detroit, claiming that “if Kamala wins, the whole country will be like Detroit.” Lizzo referred to Detroit’s resilience and innovation, particularly in the auto and music industries. Still, her comments sparked controversy, as many interpreted the comparison negatively due to Detroit’s well-known struggles with crime and economic instability.
Now, let’s unpack this further. While Lizzo’s celebration of Detroit’s legacy was intended to inspire, critics highlighted the city’s ongoing challenges, such as high unemployment and crime. Lizzo’s remarks stirred backlash on social media, with many questioning whether Detroit should be held up as a national model. If Lizzo wanted to champion something, perhaps she should focus on revitalizing cities rather than hyping the idea of extending Detroit’s current issues nationwide.
As if Lizzo’s comments weren’t enough, Representative Jasmine Crockett made headlines for her suggestion that “MAGA gangs” were behind the issues plaguing inner-city communities, including Detroit. Crockett’s theory, blaming white supremacist groups for inner-city crime, was widely ridiculed as a hyperbolic take on complex urban problems.
Meanwhile, the celebrity brigade continued with their support for Harris. Jennifer Garner appeared to deliver a motivational speech that some found tone-deaf in light of the realities facing cities like Detroit. Her message of resilience came across as out-of-touch to critics who feel that Detroit’s problems are too severe for such simple platitudes.
Then there’s Maxon Kirkpatrick, president of “Students for Harris Walls” at Wayne State University, who advised young people to cut ties with family members who support Trump. While political disagreements are common, Kirkpatrick’s advice to sever familial relationships over political ideology struck many as extreme.
Finally, billionaire Mark Cuban chimed in, blaming social media algorithms for leading men into right-wing politics. Cuban’s take, though perhaps well-intentioned, felt overly simplistic to those who believe that political ideology cannot be solely explained by internet content consumption.
As the election draws near, the combination of celebrity endorsements and political hyperbole at Harris’s rally has left many wondering if Hollywood and Washington are losing touch with the realities of the average American, particularly those in struggling cities like Detroit.
