Curse of Detroits' Red Dwarf

Halloween is a "holiday" of ghosts and goblins, and a recent piece on WDET reminded me of a curse that is supposedly on the Detroit region dating back from it's founding by Cadillac in the early 1700's.

We apparently earned the curse, because instead of entertaining and showing respect to the dwarf as the natives had, Cadillac attempted to fight him (I've been reading lots of recounts of how Antoine De Lat Mothe Cadillac, let's just say, had an ego).

Rick Sperling had a fascinating piece about the Nain Rouge - and apparently, how the little, furry, bad-toothed dwarf has always been living here, even in the time of the Ottawa.

According to common folklore, the little monster would show up at all the worst events in Detroit history - the 1805 fire, the 1967 riot/rebellion, and more.

Part of this curse is a general negative feeling - and what Rick was talking about was how the young people he works with don't cite the traditional reasons such as job losses or other technical reasons that they have such a burning desire to leave for good.

The reason - is that we, as a region, are really negative. And, talking with some associates, I'd have to agree. We are the worst critics of our region, and for some reason find every way that we can't do something.

There is no reason for this malaise - no logical reason at all. Negative thoughts is a nasty spiral that builds on itself, over and over again. We can't think to our success, but without a positive attitude nothing will happen.

Since there is no explicable reason, I think Nain Rouge must of done it. And as for me, I'm not letting a little red dwarf tell me how to think about this city and this region.

p.s. If you're reading this, Mr. Rouge, I have all name-brand candy bars at my house. They're good. I've tested them.

Editors' Note: Thanks for entertaining the break from the seriousness of digital media.