Motown from "suburbs" of Detroit?
On March 25, 2011, I e-mailed the following letter to the Detroit Free Press.

Dear Editor:

Detroiters, of which I am one, shouldn't be too hard on Ryan Seacrest for his comment that Hitsville USA, Motown, originated "...in the suburbs of Detroit." In many cities, such as Los Angeles where I lived for 25 years, the term "suburb" refers to districts out of the downtown central business district. For example, the neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks, Reseda, and Van Nuys are all suburbs within the City of Los Angeles. These neighborhoods have very distinct identities, including signs at their "borders." Yet, they are still part of the City of Los Angeles. Locally, few people refer to Hamtramck and Highland Park as suburbs, even though they are separate communities with distinct governments. On the other hand, the campuses of Marygrove College and my Alma Mater, the University of Detroit, are suburban in character, even though they are within the City of Detroit.

Come to think of it, I live in the suburbs of Detroit, the New Center Area, a stone's throw from Hitsville USA!

Thomas E. Page