Camilo José Vergara's 'Other Shinola'

A couple months ago I reviewed Camilo José Vergara's latest book, Detroit Is No Dry Bones: The Eternal City of the Industrial Age, which presents the photographer's ongoing documentation of the city, particularly overlooked areas that haven't changed for the better. Although known primarily as a photographer, his background in sociology means he is also an excellent writer. In "The Other Shinola: A Proposal," published at World-Architects, he speculates on the impact of the popular local brand if it embraced Detroit's African American culture.