I’m heading out of town at the end of the month for a few days.  And as much as I am looking forward to a some travel, you know what I’m not looking forward to? That look on people’s faces when you meet them for the first time and tell them you are from Detroit. You know the look – one-third shock, two parts pity.

So, here’s the thing, if you are not lucky enough to be from my great city of Detroit, that you should know… People who tell you they are from Detroit are fiercely protective of their city. We don’t care if your town has double rainbows daily and daisies falling out of it’s ass. Your town? It will never be as cool as Detroit.

Except you Austin – you might be as cool as Detroit. The jury’s still out.

I love Detroit in the summer. There is NO place better. It rarely gets too hot (except on the Fourth of July when it’s always too hot.) It is beautiful, lush and green here. And there is never a shortage of anything to do. A festival every weekend, farmers’ markets galore, beaches a short drive away, rivers and lakefronts to bike or, if I’m so lucky to find the time, a quick drive straight north on 75 puts me smack in the middle of a land – “Up North” – that brings me the closest to religion that I’ve ever felt.

That look of pity on your face when I tell you I. am. a. Detroiter? It pisses me off. I’m proud of the entrepreneurial spirit of my city. I’m proud of my city’s diversity and it’s artist spirit. I’m proud that it takes some moxie to live here. I’m proud of the people that have dug in their heels and are  determined to leave this place better than they found it. I’m proud that I put a call for volunteers to help me build a playground on my 40th birthday and folks that I don’t even know are signing up to join me. I’m proud to be surrounded by a group of tireless optimists that could have easily thrown in a towel, but didn’t.

Detroiters are good people – regardless of what the media tells you. They are strong, fearless, sarcastic, witty, hard-working and enlightened. They are my kind of people and I am glad to count myself among them.

So, should we meet in my travels on the next month, and I tell you I am from Detroit, you might want to adjust your response. Because we’re also not afraid to set the record straight.