Fakhoury 1

Adib Fakhoury
24 November 2015
Honors1000
Beth Fowler
Essay #2
Looking from the outside in, 1986 was an interesting year for the city of Detroit as a
monument for one of its greatest sports figures was unveiled. Located in the center of one of the
cities main intersections, Woodward and Jefferson avenue it stands 24 feet tall and 24 feet long.
A

black molded arm and fist that hung by cables attached to bronze poles shaped
like a pyramid for support stood strong and tall. A lot of
speculation arose as to what this monument symbolized
considering the time period in which it was unveiled in. During
the mid 1980s, Detroit was depicted in the national media as the
murder capital of America. Throughout 1986 the average
Detroiter was African American, living under the crushing burden
of crime, poverty, and unemployment1. Heavy racial segregation
also existed between the people of the city and those in its

surrounding suburbs. So, in reference to the medias allegations of the city, what was the real
meaning behind this site being built at such a time and whether or not it fits the criteria of
representing who we are as the city of Detroit.
A decade prior to the unveiling of the monument, Detroit experienced a dramatic chain of events
that took place over the course of five days. It started on July 23, 1967, and was said to be the
1 Marback, Richard. Rhetoric Review: Detroit and the Closed Fist: Toward a Theory of Material
Rhetoric.

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one of the most destructive urban riots in the 1960s.2 Irritation by the daily subjugations and
indignities blacks suffered in many of Detroits neighborhoods resulted in a revolt. It was not a
race riot, but rather a furious expression of frustration and rage by black Detroiters directed at
anything within reach, and eventually quelled by military intervention3. It took city police, state
police, National Guard, and eventually federal troops to settle the violence that erupted, costing
the city over $100 million in damaged, looted, and destroyed property. The riot left the city
crippled.
Moving on to the 1980s these subjugations and indignities were still vividly remembered as this
monument went up. Some have criticized the sculpture, saying it is emblematic of violence in
Detroit, but many view it as an important landmark -- not only because it represents a hometown
champion, but because it is seen as an assertion of black political power and triumph over
injustice.4 Disagreements with the monument also caused many acts of vandalism that
expressed racial disunity such as painting the monument white in reaction of the shooting deaths
of two white police officers. Robert Graham, the monuments sculptor, in a section of called The
Man Behind the Monument written by Joy Colby stated in response to previous critics that
whatever gets made [of the monument] takes on all the resonances of Joe Louis as a cultural
hero... People bring their own experiences to the sculpture. I wanted to leave the image open,
allowing it to become a symbol rather than making it specific.
Presently, similar racial problems exist, however, on a much smaller scale. Majority of the
population in the city is African American, but unlike in the 60s and 80s there is significantly
less racial tension. Wayne State is a prime example of this as it is one of the most diverse
2 Sidney Fine. Violence in the Model City: The Cavanagh Administration, Race Relations, and
the Detroit Riot of 1967
3 Martelle, Scott. Detroit: A Biography.
4 Householder, Mike. "Joe Louis' Fist Getting Fixed Up."

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universities in the state that is located in the heart of Detroit. Living in the city and being apart of
the community today, it is clear to see how Detroit attracts an enormous amount of attention of
those looking in the city to invest in its development and form. The Joe Louis monument is a
great portrayal of what our cities potential and endurance can be for these investors and new
comers. Referred to as The Fist, his monument brings a sense of pride to the city of Detroit. It
symbolizes Detroits resilience and capability to with stand anything, more specifically those
tough times weve addressed earlier in this essay. Regardless of class, race, or origin it attracts
many people. There is no plaque around it to describe what it is or what it means, so it can be up
to you to decide how to depict it.
Joe Louis himself was highly respected, beyond any other African American athlete. His
fists destroyed the myth of white supremacy and his quiet dignity and exemplary patriotism
opened the door for the wave of black athletes who followed.5 Louis, who was black, was with
out a doubt one of the greatest heavyweight fighters. His knockout of Max Schmeling for the
title in 1938 proved that to the world. He countered a theory of master race conducted by Adolf
Hitler and Benito Mussolini who was an Italian leader as they gained control over Europe by
defeating both of their representatives who were white in a boxing match. Joe was idolized all
over the world, especially through this time period as African Americans were denied into the
major league sports in America.
Directly across from the Joe Louis monument, sits the Spirit of Detroit which also
represents the city of Detroit. It is a 26-foot sculpture of a man sitting down. In the statues left
hand it holds a gilt bronze sphere, emanating rays to symbolize God, and in its right it holds a
family group symbolizing all human relationships.6 The Spirit of Detroit has a plaque in front of
5 "Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Louis, Joe.
6 "Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Spirit of Detroit

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the statue and also the inscription of 2 Corinthians (3:17) on a wall behind the statue. Much like
brand for Detroit, the monument uplifts the community with its faith in the potential for the city
to be great. It reflects Detroiters spirits and often supports the cities major sports teams when in
the play offs by wearing that teams jersey. Not only does this monument encourage, but it
mourns as well. After 9/11 the Spirit posed behind the American flag showing solidarity.
Both monuments do in fact represent the city of Detroit, however in different ways. The
Spirit of Detroit is more so for the
members of the community whereas The
Fist can be seen as a representation of
what the city has endured, and how it is
still strong. The Fist has meant several
things to different people whether from
within the city or out during certain
period of times. From agonized surrender to the power of hope and the threat of violence,
"Monument to Joe Louis" crystallizes and reflects the last thirty years of Detroit.7. The Spirt of
Detroit portrays a different aspect. The statue has become a symbol of the City of Detroit,
appearing on logos for many of Detroits city departments.8

7 Marback, Richard. Rhetoric Review: Detroit and the Closed Fist: Toward a Theory of Material
Rhetoric.
8 "Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Spirit of Detroit

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Works Cited

Colby, Joy Hakanson. "The Man Behind the Monument." Detroit News. October 16, 1986: 2C.
"Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Louis, Joe. Detroit Historical Society, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
"Encyclopedia Of Detroit." Spirit of Detroit. Detroit Historical Society, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Householder, Mike. "Joe Louis' Fist Getting Fixed Up." Gainesville SunJul 01 2015. ProQuest.
Web. 24 Nov. 2015 .

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Marback, Richard. "Unclenching the Fist: Embodying Rhetoric and Giving Objects their due."
Rhetoric Society Quarterly 38.1 (2008): 46-65. ProQuest. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Marback, Richard. Rhetoric Review: Detroit and the Closed Fist: Toward a Theory of Material
Rhetoric. 17 Vol. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc, 09/1998. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Martelle, Scott. Detroit: A Biography. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review, 2012. Print.
Sidney Fine. Violence in the Model City: The Cavanagh Administration, Race Relations, and the
Detroit Riot of 1967. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2007. Project MUSE. Web.
24 Nov. 2015. <https://muse.jhu.edu/>.