Michael Bsharah was press secretary and director of public information for Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido from 1998-2000. He is founder and CEO of Bsharah Public Relations. These remarks were first posted on Facebook and are being published here with permission.
By Michael Bsharah
After reading some shocking comments regarding removal of the Orville Hubbard statue, I cannot ignore them any longer: Orville Hubbard was a proud racist and segregationist deliberately pushing back against all positive change unfolding during his time in office.
Michael Bsharah
I don't care if he provided outstanding public services, the Dearborn municipal tax base was as strong - proportionately - as any city anywhere in the state or nation, thanks to Ford Motor Company; so, he had a lot of latitude.
Remember, too, that Mussolini kept the trains running on time and Hitler built the Autobahn. Hubbard's racism was not passive.
I strongly recommend the book, "Orvie, the Dictator of Dearborn". It is an astonishing recounting of his mayorship.
The Hubbard statue belongs in the city's Historical Museum as an example of the city's past and progress with a full accounting of context, not merely plaudits for pools or Florida condos.
He had a choice in the policies he pursued. He chose unwisely, hatefully and short sightedly.
If not for the diverse tapestry of "our 72 nationalities", as Mayor Guido used to happily and often note to me, today's Dearborn would be far less developed, successful and vibrant.
