What we value is what we build - Detroit Metro Times

In Detroit, a city grappling with the consequences of decades-long disinvestment and systemic neglect, it's imperative to stop and examine what truly drives our collective effort to build a better future. As divisive times challenge our long-held beliefs and spark new awakenings, many are left wondering: "What can we actually do?" The answer lies not in surface-level strategies or quick wins but in the profound values that underpin our very existence.

Every political campaign, every demand, and every institution is founded upon a shared set of principles that define whose lives matter, what kind of world is possible, and what we owe one another. As organizations, individuals, and communities, we must take the time to articulate these values, treating them as the foundation for our collective imagination and the blueprint for radical world-building.

In this era of converging counter-revolutionary projects – from the Tea Party to white Christian nationalism and the blurring of state and corporate power – it's essential that we acknowledge their shared value system. While differing in specifics, these movements are united by a clear articulation of who belongs and who does not. Conversely, the Left, particularly democratic socialists, is redefining itself anew, as exemplified by recent election victories like those of Zohran Mamdani and Katie Wilson.

These divergent yet value-driven visions for the future underscore an uncomfortable truth: building a new world requires vision – a concept never neutral, but deeply rooted in our shared values. Without explicit values, our efforts risk faltering, leaving us vulnerable to setbacks and opposition. Conversely, embracing our values can serve as a beacon, guiding our collective endeavors towards transformation.

In this context, the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights stands as a beacon of hope, guided by an unwavering commitment to the inherent dignity, worth, and right to flourish of all living beings. Rooted in these values, we are dedicated to walking alongside fellow Detroiters as we forge a new vision for our city's future – one that prioritizes life-affirming principles and collective struggle.

As we navigate this complex landscape, it's crucial that we remain attuned to the power of our shared values. These are not merely abstract concepts but the very fabric of our existence, informing every decision, policy, and practice. When confronted with adversity or setbacks, it is these values that will sustain us, serving as a guiding light for our collective journey towards transformation.

Ultimately, the future is not something that happens to us; it's something we build together, day by day, through our unwavering commitment to life-affirming principles and unshakeable faith in one another.

I think its crazy how important values are when tryin to create a better future for ourselves and the people around us . We gotta take time to figure out what we stand for and what kind of world we want to live in . Its not just about gettin some quick wins or surface level changes, we need to be thinkin about the deeper stuff . Like, who gets to decide what's best for everyone? And what happens when our values are challenged by others with different ideas?

I also think its cool how organizations and individuals are tryin to redefine their values and find new ways to work together . Its not just about the Left or Right, we need to be thinkin about what's best for everyone, regardless of our differences . And yeah, having a clear vision is key, but its also important to acknowledge that we might not all agree on everything .

What I love about places like the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights is that they're rootin for life-affirming principles and collective struggle . They're showin us that values can be a powerful guide for buildin a better world . So yeah, its time to get back to basics and figure out what we value most

man this article is hitting so close to home i feel like we need a new way of thinking about how we build a better future for everyone not just the ones who are already "in" gotta appreciate organizations like the Damon J Keith Center for Civil Rights that are rooted in values like dignity and worth for all

I'm getting chills reading this... The thing that got me thinking is how important values are when it comes to creating a better future. It's not about just throwing money at problems or trying to make quick fixes, but about actually understanding what we stand for and what kind of world we want to live in. I think that's why the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights is so inspiring - they're leading by example with their commitment to dignity and worth for all beings . It's time for us to step up and articulate our values, not just as individuals but as a collective, so we can build something truly remarkable together .

im so down with this message, you know? it feels like people are finally starting to connect the dots between what drives our efforts for change and what we truly value as humans . like, we need to acknowledge that there's more to building a better future than just throwing money or resources at problems – we gotta dig deep and identify those core values that guide us . it's about recognizing that everyone has inherent worth and deserving of a life that flourishes . and can we pls talk about how the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights is doing some real work over here?

idk why ppl keep sayin we gotta just wait 4 someone 2 save us i think its up 2 us we gotta identify what we stand 4 & what we dont wanna see happen 2 our cities or communities its not gonna be 1 person or 1 party that saves us but every single 1 of us coming together w/ our values in mind

I'm so tired of people talking about building a better future without actually defining what that means for them... like, what kind of world do we want to create? Is it just about economic growth or is it about making sure everyone has access to healthcare and education? We need to get past the surface-level stuff and have some real conversations about our values. It's not just about the Tea Party and white Christian nationalism, it's about us too... what are we fighting for?

I'm just saying, if everyone's so passionate about building a better future, why do all these movements keep shifting their goals? Like, the Tea Party is suddenly super into social justice or what? It seems like people are more interested in shouting at each other than actually figuring out how to make real change happen.

omg yaaas i'm loving this vibe the key to building a better future is indeed rooted in our shared values it's all about aligning ourselves with what truly matters, whether it's life-affirming principles or collective struggle we need more ppl talkin' about these stuff & less drama around ideologies gotta support orgs like the Damon J Keith Center for Civil Rights and leaders who are redefining the Left keep shinin' a light on what matters most, fam!

The city of Detroit is just a perfect example of how everything will fall apart when people stop paying attention . They're all like "oh we need values" but what about the lack of funds? What about the disinvestment? It's not that hard to see why they're struggling . And don't even get me started on these politicians, Zohran and Katie, they're just going to keep promising things that they can't deliver . Meanwhile, the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights is just a PR stunt to make people feel good about themselves . It's not like anyone is actually doing anything concrete to change the situation. The whole thing just feels like a bunch of empty words and promises

the article makes me think about the real power of community and values u gotta believe that if ppl come together with a common goal & shared sense of purpose, we can actually create positive change its not just about what's happening on a grand scale but also how our individual actions reflect those same values - is there a movement in detroit or anywhere else where ppl are embracing this kinda vibe

I'm thinking we gotta focus on what really matters - the values that make a difference . It's easy to get caught up in the noise, but if we take a step back and examine our shared principles, I think we can build something amazing . We need to acknowledge those who are pushing for change, like Zohran Mamdani and Katie Wilson, and recognize that their visions for the future might not be perfect, but they're coming from a place of love . What's key is that we stay true to ourselves and our values .

the thing is, people are so focused on what they think is gonna fix the problems but honestly, its all about values... like whats a livable wage or decent public healthcare even matter if we dont acknowledge that certain ppl rnt b treated equal?

You gotta think about what you're fighting for, fam . It's all good if you wanna make a change, but if you don't know what you stand for, you'll just be running around blindfolded . We need to take a step back and figure out what our values are, 'cause without them, we're just chasing ghosts . Don't get me wrong, I'm all about making things happen, but if you don't have the right foundation, everything falls apart . So, let's talk about what we want for this world and make sure it's something we can all get behind .

I'm so worried about Detroit it's like they're stuck in this never-ending loop of disinvestment and neglect. But at the same time, I think that's kinda what we need – a wake-up call to re-evaluate our priorities. It's not just about throwing money or resources at the problem (although that can't hurt either ). We need to get down to the root of it all and figure out what values are driving us to build a better future.

I mean, think about it – every movement, whether it's Tea Party or white Christian nationalism or whatever – they all have these core principles that are pretty clear-cut. And then there's this whole thing with the Left trying to redefine itself. It's like we're at this weird crossroads where everyone's trying to figure out what they want.

But here's the thing: values aren't neutral, dude they're not just something you can flip a switch on and off. They're actually really deep-seated. So if we don't get real about what we value, we're gonna be stuck in this limbo forever.

The Damon J Keith Center for Civil Rights is like, totally the opposite of that – it's all about affirming human dignity and worth . If we can just tap into that kind of energy and commitment, maybe we can build something truly amazing. But it's not gonna be easy, you know?

I'm totally with this, fam ! It's all about the values, you know? We need to stop focusing on the surface stuff and get real about what we're fighting for. I mean, think about it - when you look at the Tea Party or white Christian nationalism, they might seem like total opposites, but at their core, they're both just trying to control who gets in and what's good for them . Meanwhile, the Left is all about inclusion and justice... it's time we get our own values together and stop being so divided! We need a movement that's not just about winning elections, but about building a better world for everyone . The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights sounds like an amazing place to start - let's get behind them and make some real change happen !

Ugh , I'm so over these think pieces about building a better future without any real solutions . Can't we just focus on fixing the concrete problems in Detroit instead of getting all philosophical ? It's been decades and the city is still struggling with disinvestment and neglect . We need to stop talking about values and principles and start talking about budget allocations and infrastructure development . And what's up with this obsession over Left vs Right? Can't we just agree that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, education, and affordable housing ?

I'm telling ya , it's time for people to stop just complaining about the system and start building a better future from within . We need to get back to basics and figure out what our values are as a society . Is it equality? Justice? Empathy? Whatever they are, we gotta own 'em and run with 'em .

I'm all about the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights – that place is like a shining beacon of hope in the dark . They're not just talking the talk; they're walking the walk . And you know what? I think we can learn a thing or two from them .

It's easy to get caught up in all the noise and division out there, but at the end of the day, it's our values that are gonna carry us through . We need to stop playing politics and start building a better world, one day at a time .

I think what's most important right now is for people to start talking about the values that truly matter to them, rather than just politics or policies. We need to listen to each other's perspectives and try to find common ground . It's not about agreeing on everything, but about understanding where we come from and how our actions affect others.