U-Matic

CAY @ Butzel Family Center w/ Operation Get Down

U-Matic S tape containing footage of Mayor Coleman A. Young's appearance at the Butzel Family Center to speak at an Operation Get Down event. He talks both about the organization, as well as progress and difficulties in the city.

The tape begins with a portion of the introductory speech by Operation Get Down's co-founder Bernard Parker. After a cut, the recording resumes as Mayor Young takes to the podium. He speaks about the importance of the Butzel Center, and talks about new developments such as in the Elmwood III area and along 12th Street. He then talks about the city's record unemployment and poverty and their connections to increased crime. He then criticizes the federal government for its lack of assistance in combating these, and then attacks the media for spreading anti-Detroit sentiment. He states that the media has not only unfairly magnified the problem of carjacking, but have also inspired copycat criminals. He also says that the beating of JoAnne Was at the 1991 International Freedom Festivals was over emphasized in the media over recent murders in the suburbs. He also states the media has falsely implied that a fear of Detroit was responsible for recent restaurant closures rather than the poor economy.

He then talks about briefly about Detroit's strength, before turning back to the topic of Operation Get Down. He praises their food distribution efforts, and jokes about his own nutritional habits while talking about the group's partnership with Farmer Jack to put on a two-day conference to teach good nutrition and smart shopping.

The video is on a 3M UCA-30S U-Matic S tape with a handwritten 3M label on its top. The tape is housed within a latching black plastic case with a handwritten City of Detroit Department of Public Information Video Production label on its cover.