Loading ...Dearborn’s depiction on ABC political drama draws criticism
For The Press & Guide The city of Dearborn is in the national spotlight on a new ABC political drama, but not everyone is thrilled about it.
By Kurt Anthony Krug
Dearborn Press & Guide
Some local officials and community members are speaking out about the portrayal of the city of Dearborn and the state of Michigan on ABC’s new hit series “Designated Survivor.”
Attorney Nabih Ayad, founder/chairman of the Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, hasn’t seen the show, but he’s aware of the subplot involving Dearborn, which finds police rounding up all Muslims after a devastating attack on the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union address.
“It makes for good Hollywood drama, but it takes another shot at this community, associating it with terrorism, which adds to the paranoia that’s been going on in this post-9/11 world,” Ayad said. “That paranoia has been only heightened by some of the candidates running for president. Dearborn has taken enough hits and has been portrayed in a negative light by those who are ignorant or naïve to the Muslim culture or religion. It’s a shame because there’s a lot of great things happening in Dearborn and southeast Michigan and we should all be very proud of that.”
Dan Merritt, co-owner of Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, echoed Ayad’s sentiments. He wasn’t happy about learning how Dearborn was depicted on “Designated Survivor.”
“To me, Dearborn is one of the finest cities in America, and it perfectly represents the melting pot ideal that this great nation is founded on,” Merritt said. “Back in the day, Henry Ford attracted a workforce that originated from all over the world. Those people settled in Dearborn to be close to their jobs, and they embraced the American way of life.
“The population of Dearborn knows the truth, though. We are driving this country forward. Not only with of our reinvigorated industry, but also with our world-class colleges, innovative businesses, and our wealth of culture and talent from around the world. Now let’s tell everyone the real story: Dearborn is smarter, stronger, and filled with more amazing people than network TV execs could ever imagine.”
Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. had no comment about “Designated Survivor,” according to his spokeswoman Mary Laundroche.
Westland Mayor William Wild has been very vocal about the portrayal of the city of Dearborn and the state of Michigan on the show. He wrote an op-ed about the series in the Oct. 11 Detroit Free Press. He also spoke out about it on Channel 7, the ABC affiliate that airs “Designated Survivor” in the metropolitan Detroit area.
“(It) puts the city of Dearborn and its large Muslim population in a bad light,” Wild said. “I know that the city of Dearborn, the Muslim community, and all the regional elected officials work together all the time on building bridges and community partnerships and community relations. When I see stuff like (‘Designated Survivor’), it feels like all the work goes up in smoke and we’re back to square one again.”
To recap: On “Designated Survivor,” lowly Cabinet member Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) becomes the President of the United States after a devastating attack on the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union address that leaves all the nation’s top leaders – including the President and the Vice President – dead. This is the worst attack on American soil since 9/11.
Nonetheless, Kirkman, who confesses he never had any presidential aspirations, rises to the occasion. He has to find out who’s behind this attack, rebuild the federal government, and battle political opponents who seek to undermine him at every turn.
One such opponent is Michigan Gov. Royce (Michael Gaston). In the Sept. 29 episode, Royce decides to round up all the Muslims in Dearborn – which has the largest Muslim population in America – in an effort to keep Michigan safe, essentially turning it into a police state. He ignores Kirkman’s order to stand down. Subsequently, the police beat an innocent Muslim teenager to death as a result of Royce’s gestapo tactics.
Once again, Kirkman orders Royce to release all the Muslims in police custody, who haven’t been formally charged with a crime. He tells Royce that he’s also responsible for the death of this Muslim teenager. Royce reluctantly obeys Kirkman.
However, Royce starts up again on the Oct. 13 episode after the nation learns that the morning of the State of the Union address, the prior president planned on firing Kirkman, who was previously the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, during an interview with ABC News’ Elizabeth Vargas (who played herself).
Royce believes Kirkman’s presidency is fraudulent and does not recognize his authority. So he implements a curfew and has the police rounding up Muslims again. Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci), Kirkman’s special assistant, goes to Dearborn to defuse the situation and speak to Royce. Once she lands in the fictitious Dearborn Municipal Airport where Royce and numerous policemen await her, he tells Emily she’s not welcome in Michigan and to go back to Washington, D.C.
Royce won’t even let Emily leave the airport to observe a peaceful protest organized by the Muslim community outside Dearborn’s City Hall. Kirkman mobilizes the National Guard who arrive at the airport. However, the commanding general (Mark Owen) takes Royce’s side and also refuses to recognize Kirkman’s authority.
“Unbelievable,” was Kirkman’s response.
Soon thereafter, the protesters come to the airport. Emily tells Royce it would be political suicide if the police and military open fire on unarmed civilians. She convinces him to return to Washington, D.C. with her to speak face-to-face with Kirkman.
The moment the plane lands, Kirkman confronts Royce, no longer willing to be diplomatic. Kirkman has Royce arrested for treason against the USA – much to Emily’s surprise – sending a message to all the other 49 governors that he doesn’t take kindly to insurrectionists.
“When I did my op-ed, it was after the second episode; perhaps I should have let it play out a little bit further,” said Wild. “Even the way they portrayed the governor as an evil person, I thought it was a slap in the face to the state of Michigan.”
Wild stated he likes “Designated Survivor” – he just doesn’t like the depiction of city of Dearborn, the Dearborn police, and now the governor.
“I know that Dearborn is not my community, but it is one of our fellow Wayne County cities,” Wild said. “Sometimes, I think it almost takes a third party to stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough,’ so it’s not just Mayor O’Reilly who has to defend his community.”
The next episode of “Designated Survivor” airs Oct. 26.