If you’re not from Detroit, you’re probably finding it hard to believe right now.

But in the time it takes you to read this, I’m going to try to convince you nonbelievers that the Motor City is a great city.

I was born in Detroit and lived there until I was 13. Throughout the years, I’ve seen Detroit go through some rough times. There were times when I thought the city would never bounce back but it did and, slowly but surely, the city is continually growing.

I think the most beautiful aspect of Detroit is its ability to bring people together with its annual festivals and celebrations. The Detroit International Jazz Festival, African World Festival, and the Comerica CityFest are just a few celebrations that draw people from all over Metro Detroit.

Although Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick recently brought a dark cloud over the city with his infamous text message scandal, he can also be credited with finishing significant projects which have helped revive the city’s downtown area.

Campus Martius Park reopened four years ago and has become the city’s signature landmark. Located in the center of downtown Detroit, it’s a place where people gather to enjoy the beauty the city has to offer.

One of the things I love most about Detroit is that the city has the opportunity to share its beauty with people in another country.

The Detroit RiverWalk recently opened last June and is home of the GM River Days festival. The celebration is five days filled with festivities and finishes in a bang with the Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival fireworks.

On any given weekend, the RiverWalk attracts hundreds and sometimes thousands of people to the edge of the city. Having not been to downtown Detroit for a while, I decided to visit the riverfront on Memorial Day. The view was spectacular. It amazed me to see so many people there, not only enjoying the RiverWalk but also attending Detroit’s annual Electronic Music Festival.

Jersey Ballard and his fiancée Vernesher Roberts, like myself, were there to enjoy the beautiful view of the riverfront.

“The riverfront was a nice development and pretty much brought the city back,” Ballard said.

Ballard is originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., but like Roberts, he’s been living in Detroit nearly all his life.

“I love Detroit,” Roberts said. “It’s a nice place and right now Detroit is moving forward.”

Even with the controversy surrounding Mayor Kilpatrick, her feelings toward the city have not changed. She recommends that people who have a negative image of Detroit visit the city.

“You can’t pass judgment because of what one person does because that one person does not represent Detroit,” she said. “You need to see the city for yourself.”

I’d have to agree with Roberts. Detroit has a lot of great aspects about it. Right now, the heart of the city is looking better than ever.

There are so many great things worth mentioning about Detroit, but my personal favorite would be the Woodward Dream Cruise.

For as long as I can remember, every August, my family and I would gather along Woodward Avenue with thousands of people from around the U.S. to enjoy the Dream Cruise. Custom-designed cars parade down Woodward Avenue almost nonstop for one weekend in August. It’s a car-lover’s paradise and one of the very reasons why Detroit maintains its name as the Motor City.

If Detroit were as bad as the media and others make it seem, I’m sure the activities that take place in the city each year would be nonexistent.

Detroit has its problems, but what city doesn’t? I’m proud of my city and I encourage those who have never been there to visit and enjoy all that Detroit has to offer. You might just be surprised by what you find.

Keiara Tenant is the State News opinion writer. Reach her at tennan10@msu.edu .