Identify two people in their 60’s or older and interview them about their family history in Detroit. Where did their family come from originally? What was it like for their family in Detroit? What kinds of challenges did they face? Some people may not have the answers to these questions; the history of oppression in this country has cut off access to family history for many. If the person you identify doesn’t know much about their history, interview them about what they do know. Write an essay comparing and contrasting your interviews–what did they have in common, what was different? What do their interviews tell you about the historical needs of people in Detroit and what kinds of civic engagement could address those needs?
