Growing Up in the 80s in Detroit, Michigan: What a Time to Be Alive

By Demetrius Carrington

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The 1980s in Detroit, Michigan, were a time like no other—an era marked by community, culture, and resilience, all shaped by the city’s deep ties to the automobile industry. For those of us who grew up in that decade, it wasn’t just a period of childhood—it was a defining chapter in our lives.

Detroit’s identity in the ‘80s was firmly rooted in the legacy of the auto industry. Most of our parents or grandparents had come to the city with a purpose: to find opportunity in the factories of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. These jobs didn’t just provide paychecks—they built neighborhoods, funded schools, and fostered the sense of pride that made Detroit a beacon of opportunity. For our families, the auto plants were more than places of work; they were stepping stones to a better life, and they formed the backbone of the community.

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But the ‘80s were about so much more than work. Growing up in Detroit during that time was vibrant and unforgettable. The sounds of kids playing outside were as common as the rumble of car engines, and every block seemed to have its own personality. Block parties were legendary, with food sizzling on the grill, Motown classics spinning on turntables, and neighbors gathering as though they were family. Our summers were spent at Belle Isle, where the smell of barbecue mixed with the breeze off the Detroit River, while winter meant bundling up to cheer for the Lions or Red Wings, even when they didn’t win.

For my group of friends, the ‘80s were also a time of ambition and exploration. We embraced a preppy lifestyle, choosing to focus on self-improvement and setting ourselves apart. Our parents, many of whom were college-educated, inspired us to dream big and pursue higher education. We saw college as a path to a better future, and we appreciated being smart—it wasn’t something to hide or downplay; it was something to celebrate.

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Beyond academics, we were curious about the world and eager to expand our horizons. We explored new cultures through music, art, and entertainment. From visiting galleries and museums to experimenting with new sounds—jazz, classical, techno, and more—we found joy in learning about lives and experiences beyond our own. Movies, plays, and even books opened windows into different ways of thinking, and we embraced them all with open minds and hearts.

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Music was still the heartbeat of Detroit, and in the ‘80s, the city’s soundtrack evolved. Whether we were watching The New Dance Show or The Scene, sitting around the radio listening to the electrifying Mojo play hours of Prince music, or—if we were lucky—catching The Wizard at the legendary Nectarine Ballroom in Ann Arbor, music shaped us. It was a time of exploration, where every beat, lyric, and melody pushed boundaries and introduced us to new ways of feeling and thinking. From the rise of techno to the classics of Motown and the emerging hip-hop movement, the music connected us in a way that transcended age, race, and background.

Life in Detroit wasn’t without its challenges, but our parents taught us the value of hard work and grit. Many worked overtime in the plants, sometimes taking on second jobs to ensure we had what we needed. They also taught us the importance of loyalty—loyalty to family, to neighbors, and to the city itself. Even as Detroit faced struggles, it never lost its sense of hope or its fighting spirit.

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For those of us lucky enough to grow up in Detroit in the ‘80s, it was a time of deep pride and community. The city wasn’t perfect, but it was ours, and it shaped us in ways that we carry with us to this day. Detroit gave us resilience, creativity, and the ability to dream bigger than our surroundings.

What a time to be alive, indeed.