Cynthia Brown, June 22nd, 2024
Title
Cynthia Brown, June 22nd, 2024
Description
Cynthia Brown discusses her father’s experiences with flooding in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood.
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
In partnership with the Manistique Community Treehouse Center
Publisher
Detroit Historical Society
Rights
Detroit Historical Society
Language
en-US
Narrator/Interviewee's Name
Cynthia Brown
Brief Biography
Cynthia Brown gave an interview on behalf of her father, Albert Brown, who has been a resident of the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood of Detroit since 1973.
Interviewer's Name
Doris Lanzkron-Tamarazo
Date
6/22/2024
Interview Length
7:13
Transcription
Doris Lanzkron-Tamarazo: I'm Doris Lanzkron-Tamarazo. It's June 22nd, 2024, and I'm here with, please say your name.
Cynthia Brown: Cynthia Brown.
DLT: Can you please spell your name?
CB: C y n t h i a, last name B r o w n. And I'm here on behalf of my father, Albert Brown. A l b e r t. Last name B r o w n.
DLT: Okay, thank you! And do you live in the city of Detroit?
CB: Albert does live in the city of Detroit. Yes.
DLT: What neighborhood?
CB: Jefferson Chalmers.
DLT: And how long has he lived in that neighborhood?
CB: Since ‘73. 1973.
DLT: And has he lived in other neighborhoods in the city?
CB: Off of Pennsylvania, right? But he's just, he's been majority on Jefferson Chalmers.
DLT: And what career is he in or has he been in?
CB: He was in the automotive industry. He worked for Chrysler.
DLT: And, worked in the city of Detroit?
CB: Yes.
DLT: And is he involved with the Community Treehouse Center?
CB: Not, well, just with Jefferson Chalmers, no.
DLT: So can you, tell me a little bit about the experiences in Jefferson Chalmers with the flooding?
CB: Well, in my dad's neighborhood, this is not the first flooding. He's actually had a few.
[Recording paused]
CB: Okay, so as far as the flooding, that isn't the first flood that they've had. But this one was bad that, you know, the actual water almost came up to the kitchen from the basement. And so it did destroy everything in their basement.
DLT: And can you tell me a little bit more about the impacts of the floods?
CB: Well, first of all, when it comes to FEMA, they didn't get anything from FEMA, which was supposed to help them, so it destroyed their washing machine, dryer, furnace, all that was destroyed and they had to get the majority of it replaced through insurance, and some of it wasn't covered through insurance, so they were out of pocket some money. So this actually will help them somewhat.
DLT: And did other neighbors have similar experiences?
CB: The whole neighborhood. The whole neighborhood for about 4 or 5 blocks.
DLT: And what do you feel that FEMA's response should have been?
CB: Well, for those that they know that were affected, for me, it should have been an automatic approval. Instead of denying some of the residents.
DLT: And did any nonprofits or the city of Detroit help as well?
CB: Well, they did, I did have someone from the city of Detroit come to help them clean out their basement. So, they did do that, because they were seniors. So they did help clean out the basement.
DLT: And do you feel that the city of Detroit should have done more on that front?
CB: They did what they, they helped. I will say the city of Detroit did help.
DLT: And were there any other organizations that were involved in the relief efforts?
CB: Not that I'm aware of.
DLT: And Does he have any solar panels or has he attempted to use solar energy?
CB: Not as of yet. No.
DLT: And are there any other organizations he's involved with in the neighborhood that have some interaction with the effects of climate change?
CB: Just with, our regular block, their regular block club. So no, other than Jefferson Chalmers Block Club, no.
DLT: What does the block club do?
CB: Well, it really just goes around in the neighborhood, sees what residents need, give them information about things, programs with the city of Detroit.
DLT: And how was Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood affected by Covid 19?
CB: Well, I guess as far as economically, you know, some people are still without work. Some of the— I guess it's just hard as far as work. You know, getting back to work.
DLT: So, there's been lasting effects of the pandemic?
CB: Yes, yes.
DLT: And do you feel that that's affected the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood in particular, or is it just the same as elsewhere in Detroit and other cities?
CB: I would say it's about the same.
DLT: And what are people's greatest needs regarding the flooding and Covid-19?
CB: I would say improvements on their homes to help, because some people have damaged homes that they still haven't been repaired. So, from the flooding, I would say they need assistance on repairing their homes.
DLT: And what kind of home repairs need to be made?
CB: I would say, as far as drywall being damaged, the basements being cleaned. Some basements still aren't cleaned. Some people still don't have furnaces because they were destroyed in the flood. So they're fine in the summertime, but in the wintertime they still need those things replaced.
DLT: And what are the effects on people of having their basements not cleaned, of not having furnaces in the winter?
CB: It's just that because of the germs that are there, it could have other effects. Because there's mold, probably, down there. And those things still haven't been cleaned. Properly, I should say.
DLT: What kind of effects can that cause?
CB: I don't know personally. I know it's some type of health factors that the mold could cause. I just don't know specifically offhand, but, from the effects of the mold that's there.
DLT: And besides the flooding, have there been any other effects of climate change on the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood?
CB: Not that I'm aware of.
DLT: And how has the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood dealt with the heat waves and other weather-related issues?
CB: Well, they do check on seniors, to make sure they possibly have fans, those who don't have air conditioners, things of that sort. Just check on the seniors, really.
DLT: And that's the block club that does that?
CB: Yes.
DLT: And how long has the block club been in operation?
CB: Oh, well, it's been since my dad's been here, hasn’t it? I know since ‘73, because he's always been in it since he's moved there.
DLT: And has it changed it all over time?
CB: It has changed because there's different people in the neighborhood. You know what I'm saying? Some of the older people, it's just different people. It's not the same. A lot of homeowners have moved, so there's just a few that are still there.
DLT: And what are some of the reasons why people have moved?
CB: I can't say offhand why. Because my parents are still there since ‘73, [Laughter] so I don't know.
DLT: Have you noticed people moving out because of the flooding or other issues like that?
CB: I wouldn't say it was because of the flooding, no.
DLT: All right, so that was all the questions I had for you today. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss that none of my questions brought up?
CB: No. That's it. Thanks a lot.
DLT: All right, then thank you so much for your time.
CB: Thank you.
Cynthia Brown: Cynthia Brown.
DLT: Can you please spell your name?
CB: C y n t h i a, last name B r o w n. And I'm here on behalf of my father, Albert Brown. A l b e r t. Last name B r o w n.
DLT: Okay, thank you! And do you live in the city of Detroit?
CB: Albert does live in the city of Detroit. Yes.
DLT: What neighborhood?
CB: Jefferson Chalmers.
DLT: And how long has he lived in that neighborhood?
CB: Since ‘73. 1973.
DLT: And has he lived in other neighborhoods in the city?
CB: Off of Pennsylvania, right? But he's just, he's been majority on Jefferson Chalmers.
DLT: And what career is he in or has he been in?
CB: He was in the automotive industry. He worked for Chrysler.
DLT: And, worked in the city of Detroit?
CB: Yes.
DLT: And is he involved with the Community Treehouse Center?
CB: Not, well, just with Jefferson Chalmers, no.
DLT: So can you, tell me a little bit about the experiences in Jefferson Chalmers with the flooding?
CB: Well, in my dad's neighborhood, this is not the first flooding. He's actually had a few.
[Recording paused]
CB: Okay, so as far as the flooding, that isn't the first flood that they've had. But this one was bad that, you know, the actual water almost came up to the kitchen from the basement. And so it did destroy everything in their basement.
DLT: And can you tell me a little bit more about the impacts of the floods?
CB: Well, first of all, when it comes to FEMA, they didn't get anything from FEMA, which was supposed to help them, so it destroyed their washing machine, dryer, furnace, all that was destroyed and they had to get the majority of it replaced through insurance, and some of it wasn't covered through insurance, so they were out of pocket some money. So this actually will help them somewhat.
DLT: And did other neighbors have similar experiences?
CB: The whole neighborhood. The whole neighborhood for about 4 or 5 blocks.
DLT: And what do you feel that FEMA's response should have been?
CB: Well, for those that they know that were affected, for me, it should have been an automatic approval. Instead of denying some of the residents.
DLT: And did any nonprofits or the city of Detroit help as well?
CB: Well, they did, I did have someone from the city of Detroit come to help them clean out their basement. So, they did do that, because they were seniors. So they did help clean out the basement.
DLT: And do you feel that the city of Detroit should have done more on that front?
CB: They did what they, they helped. I will say the city of Detroit did help.
DLT: And were there any other organizations that were involved in the relief efforts?
CB: Not that I'm aware of.
DLT: And Does he have any solar panels or has he attempted to use solar energy?
CB: Not as of yet. No.
DLT: And are there any other organizations he's involved with in the neighborhood that have some interaction with the effects of climate change?
CB: Just with, our regular block, their regular block club. So no, other than Jefferson Chalmers Block Club, no.
DLT: What does the block club do?
CB: Well, it really just goes around in the neighborhood, sees what residents need, give them information about things, programs with the city of Detroit.
DLT: And how was Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood affected by Covid 19?
CB: Well, I guess as far as economically, you know, some people are still without work. Some of the— I guess it's just hard as far as work. You know, getting back to work.
DLT: So, there's been lasting effects of the pandemic?
CB: Yes, yes.
DLT: And do you feel that that's affected the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood in particular, or is it just the same as elsewhere in Detroit and other cities?
CB: I would say it's about the same.
DLT: And what are people's greatest needs regarding the flooding and Covid-19?
CB: I would say improvements on their homes to help, because some people have damaged homes that they still haven't been repaired. So, from the flooding, I would say they need assistance on repairing their homes.
DLT: And what kind of home repairs need to be made?
CB: I would say, as far as drywall being damaged, the basements being cleaned. Some basements still aren't cleaned. Some people still don't have furnaces because they were destroyed in the flood. So they're fine in the summertime, but in the wintertime they still need those things replaced.
DLT: And what are the effects on people of having their basements not cleaned, of not having furnaces in the winter?
CB: It's just that because of the germs that are there, it could have other effects. Because there's mold, probably, down there. And those things still haven't been cleaned. Properly, I should say.
DLT: What kind of effects can that cause?
CB: I don't know personally. I know it's some type of health factors that the mold could cause. I just don't know specifically offhand, but, from the effects of the mold that's there.
DLT: And besides the flooding, have there been any other effects of climate change on the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood?
CB: Not that I'm aware of.
DLT: And how has the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood dealt with the heat waves and other weather-related issues?
CB: Well, they do check on seniors, to make sure they possibly have fans, those who don't have air conditioners, things of that sort. Just check on the seniors, really.
DLT: And that's the block club that does that?
CB: Yes.
DLT: And how long has the block club been in operation?
CB: Oh, well, it's been since my dad's been here, hasn’t it? I know since ‘73, because he's always been in it since he's moved there.
DLT: And has it changed it all over time?
CB: It has changed because there's different people in the neighborhood. You know what I'm saying? Some of the older people, it's just different people. It's not the same. A lot of homeowners have moved, so there's just a few that are still there.
DLT: And what are some of the reasons why people have moved?
CB: I can't say offhand why. Because my parents are still there since ‘73, [Laughter] so I don't know.
DLT: Have you noticed people moving out because of the flooding or other issues like that?
CB: I wouldn't say it was because of the flooding, no.
DLT: All right, so that was all the questions I had for you today. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss that none of my questions brought up?
CB: No. That's it. Thanks a lot.
DLT: All right, then thank you so much for your time.
CB: Thank you.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Cynthia Brown, June 22nd, 2024,” Detroit Historical Society Oral History Archive, accessed December 6, 2024, https://oralhistory.detroithistorical.org/items/show/1027.