A critical discourse on Detroit’s ‘Food Desert’ metaphor

A critical discourse on Detroit’s ‘Food Desert’ metaphor

Alex B. Hill

Differences in the use of the “food desert” term in reference to Detroit show strong linguistic divisions between local and national Detroit media coverage as well as structural power relations between local activists and more dominant national organizations. Over the last decade, understandings and applications of the “food desert” term have changed, and with it the culture around food in Detroit. The term is widely used in national media as a negative metaphorical label applied to Detroit, but is largely rejected by those living and working on food advocacy in Detroit. The juxtaposition of the national media’s focused narrative of a declining Detroit clashes with the efforts of local food advocates and activists. While locally the term is regularly rejected, the “food access” problems associated with “food deserts” are very much accepted and efforts continue to address the inequitable access to food experienced by a large majority of people in Detroit.

Keywords: Detroit, critical analysis, food access, food desert, food oasis, metaphor