What makes you uniquely Detroit? 10 telltale signs you are a true Detroiter.

When the basketball community in Detroit and across the nation joined the family and friends of Chet Walker to mourn the Hall of Famer’s death on June 8, there were many stories shared about the sweet-shooting forward known for his lethal pump fake, who was a 1958 Detroit Free Press First Team Class A All State selection out of Benton Harbor High School. 

During a hoops journey that spanned from the 1950s until 1975, Walker played in some of the most talked-about contests of his day, including a 1958 “Game of the Century” state championship showdown against Detroit Austin Catholic High School featuring fellow future Hall of Famer, Dave DeBusschere. Then there was the historic 1966-67 NBA season when Walker teamed with the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and other greats on a 76ers team that posted the best regular season record (68-13) ever at the time, en route to winning a championship. And there also were many intense clashes between Walker’s Bulls and the Detroit Pistons, led by Dave Bing and “Big Bob” Lanier during the 1970s, that alternated between raucous crowds at the old Chicago Stadium and Detroit’s own Cobo Arena.

However, Sam Washington Jr. has his own uniquely Detroit story to tell about Walker that only a tiny few people are privy to. 

“Chet ‘The Jet’ Walker was an awesome basketball player and a great person, and when I was a kid I remember seeing him at 'The Saint' whenever he was in town,” said the now-67-year-old Washington, whose father Sam Washington Sr. created the nationally revered St. Cecilia basketball program on the city’s west side. “Oftentimes, my dad would open the gym just for Chet, so he could get some shots up and work on his game.” 

Washington’s story about his dad’s simple, unselfish, behind-the-scenes act of opening a door to a young man with a dream is a parable, of sorts, for Detroit and Detroiters: When it comes to people and things touched by Detroit — even for a little while — there often is, as the late radio legend Paul Harvey would say, a profound “rest of the story” that only true Detroiters appreciate. And that knowledge is a superpower that often helps Detroiters navigate life — sometimes in heroic fashion, other times in understated ways —through strength drawn from symbols, institutions and a history that is often undervalued or even unknown to the rest of the world.

While there's no denying that "real Detroiters” consist of a diverse group of people representing all ages and cultures, there are certain defining characteristics that define them. And here are 10 of them:    

1. A devotion to the Old English D that runs deeper than baseball

No disrespect to anyone who has ever been employed by the Detroit Tigers — one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball — but the people that rock the Old English D across the city, country and the world are not all die-hard fans of the hometown baseball team. Instead, they have a true love for the imperfect, but authentic, city and people that “The D” represents. And that one, simple letter symbolizes that love without saying a word.

2. A broad musical palette

The steady flow of people from all over the world that can be seen going into the Motown Museum on a regular basis speaks to the stupendous reach of the powerhouse entertainment company that was founded by Berry Gordy back in 1959. But long before and after Motown's founding, Detroit has been known for producing and supporting world-class music across many genres, including jazz, blues, R&B, soul, gospel, techno, rap and more, that embodies the spirit of Detroit.

3. A flair for dancing and inventing dances 

In a city that loves music, it’s no surprise that many “true Detroiters” take pride in their dancing. Name a dance of any kind that has been performed anywhere, at any time in our country, and chances are that dance has been innovated in a distinctly Detroit way. And, in some instances, the dance may have even been created in "The D." Jit, anyone? 

4. A love for food that can elevate any dining experience

For some, the opportunity for diners to have any food they desire, any time a day, may sound like what is available on a cruise ship or at a Las Vegas buffet. But for true Detroiters, this scene describes the many Coney Island restaurants across the city that true Detroiters have come to know, love and appreciate because of anonymous short-order cooks that take tremendous pride in their craft. (And where diners and waitstaff often know each other by name.)

5. An ever-growing appetite for supporting Detroit's sports teams

Lately, Detroit's sports fandom has been on display for the world to see — perhaps like never before — due to the Detroit Lions' most recent season and the festivities that took place during the city's hosting of the 2024 NFL draft. However, true Detroiters will say that their passion for Detroit's sports teams has never waned, through good and a lot of bad times, which makes this moment in time even sweeter.

6. A school spirit that never fades away

Michigan-Michigan State and Michigan-Ohio State are huge rivalries during the college football season. However, true Detroiters know that there is nothing more competitive than when Cass Tech and Renaissance or King high schools compete in anything, including activities that transcend athletics. But Cass, Renaissance and King products have a ton of competition from other proud alums representing other Detroit schools, past and present, when it comes to showing who has the most school pride in the city.

7. A neighborhood pride that cannot be fully defined by a ZIP code

The value and importance of Detroit's neighborhoods — all 200-plus — has never been forgotten by true Detroiters throughout the city. One way this pride comes to life is through the efforts of the more than 570 registered block clubs reported by the city of Detroit’s Department of Neighborhoods in 2023. 

8. A love for art created by our own

A great place to create and view art, particularly art created by Detroiters, is how many true Detroiters define their city. And the art community is expanding more and more into Detroit neighborhoods with murals, sculptures, storefront galleries and more, all the time. 

9. A knack for hustling, for real

A slogan on a T-shirt could never totally capture the hardworking spirit associated with a city that once was the “Stove Capital of the World” decades before it was recognized as the “Motor City.” The one constant through the years is that a diverse group of “true Detroiters” have contributed every step of the way to the city’s evolution in all levels of business, industry and community-centered projects. Oh, yeah, and Detroiters love the hustle dance, too!   

10. An ability to tell authentic stories about Detroit that makes listeners come back for more

And true Detroiters, like Sam Washington Jr., the proud caretaker of the hallowed St. Cecilia basketball legacy in Detroit, are expert storytellers. These storytellers can be found in barber and beauty shops; at churches, weddings and family reunions; at the park or gym; at restaurants and coffee shops, and anywhere else Detroiters come together to be inspired. And through the words of these storytellers, there is never a need to “change the narrative” because they know and speak a truth about Detroit on a human level about common everyday Detroit life that can only be fully appreciated by true Detroiters.