Most of those driving the discussions about economic progress, urban gardening, land use issues, and governmental policy in Detroit are relative newcomers who do not necessarily understand or appreciate the challenges that the "old Detroit" has faced.

Despite the fact that Detroiters will get the benefits of newfound energy, enthusiasm, and even money, it's unrealistic to expect a group who is scared of the unknown and having power stripped away to welcome outsiders with open arms.

Detroit doesn't need elitist gentrifiers who are looking for opportunities to benefit only themselves, but citizens who will get in the trenches and help rebuild the city from the ground up.

Let me say, as a young gentrifier, it's not that easy. Aside from my daily struggle of squeezing my legs into my skinny jeans, life is not a trust-fund joyride when you're a partially employed member of Detroit's creative class.

We don't need to wait for physical displacement to happen before we address ways to make sure it doesn't. The media in Detroit has the opportunity to seize on changes happening here in order to emphasize racial and class-based diversity.

The Model D Speaker Series panel on gentrification in Detroit is happening Wednesday night at the Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center downtown. Sp...