Plans are underway by Democrats in Detroit and Lansing to replace one of Michigan’s two statues in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection. The proposal seeks to swap the likeness of former Governor Lewis Cass with a statue of Coleman A. Young, who served as Detroit’s mayor for a significant period. Michigan currently displays statues of Cass and former President Gerald R. Ford in Washington, D.C.
Critiques of Coleman A. Young's mayoral tenure suggest it contributed to a downward trend for Detroit. During his time in office, the city experienced a population decline of half a million people, and numerous businesses and industries departed. Young himself acknowledged the city's economic state in his 1994 autobiography, stating, "Hell, no, I don’t think Detroit is better off than it was when I became mayor." He maintained, however, that the city was "damn sure better off for me becoming mayor."
Young's approach to city management included seeking federal aid and corporate welfare, a strategy that the source suggests has continued in the city’s playbook. He incentivized businesses with tax breaks and sought federal bailouts. The source also characterizes Young as a segregationist, citing his comment that "ethnic purity is as American as mom’s apple pie" when questioned about the concept. This viewpoint was reportedly put into practice when a new General Motors plant was established in Poletown, described as one of the city's last white neighborhoods. During the displacement of residents from Poletown, city services were reportedly shut off, according to a 2013 article in the Wall Street Journal.
Further questions regarding Young's conduct include spending and relationships. His longtime girlfriend, Joyce Garett, also held the position of his director of public information. The New York Times reported that despite budget cuts, Young approved spending $1 million on renovations for his office, which was described as well-furnished.
Despite these criticisms, Young has his defenders. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in a recorded video, stated that Coleman Young dedicated his life to "fighting for a better future for Detroit" and played a role in shaping the city's history. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield also publicly expressed her admiration for Young, saying she was "standing on his shoulders" and that her administration strives daily to uphold Young's legacy of prioritizing Detroiters.
The source material draws a connection between Young's alleged practices and more recent allegations involving Mayor Sheffield. It claims Young initiated a pattern of potential self-enrichment, which Mayor Sheffield is accused of continuing. Reports by Charlie LeDuff have brought to light Sheffield's relationships with Brian McKinney and Marvin Walker. Sheffield allegedly took romantic getaways with Walker while voting on City Council contracts totaling tens of millions of dollars. Additionally, McKinney's company is accused of depositing contaminated dirt in locations where homes once stood in Detroit neighborhoods. Marvin Walker, in a lawsuit, claims to possess videos of Sheffield working at a marijuana grow facility during her tenure on the Detroit City Council and alleges she allowed him to use a City of Detroit vehicle for his personal business. Sheffield also reportedly wrote checks from her political charity for Walker to cash, with the money then returned to her. The FBI is reportedly investigating these allegations.
As the discussion around Coleman A. Young's potential statue continues, an alternative suggestion has been put forward for Michigan's representation in the National Statuary Hall Collection: Aretha Franklin. The source notes that Franklin lived in Detroit and is widely recognized for her contributions.