State Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) received harsh backlash on social media this week for comments that some say perpetuated stereotypes about poor Black people.

Why it matters: The Biden campaign is making a concerted effort to woo Black voters, whom they view as a crucial demographic in defeating former President Trump in November.

The intrigue: Santana urged guests at a Black Voters for Biden event Monday to convince their friends, family and associates to vote for Biden, saying: "Pookie and Ray Ray got their pants under their butt talking about they're voting for the other guy because of what they believe that is not real."

• Hundreds of people criticized Santana's comments, which have been viewed nearly a million times on social media, saying it was a trope that is condescending and anti-Black.

What they're saying: "My comments were maybe not tailored correctly but I stand by what I said because that's who I'm thinking about — I'm thinking about my little brother," Santana told Axios in a phone interview Tuesday. "When I'm in Detroit and I'm talking to young people I will tell them to pull their pants up."

• "Black votes change elections so to me it's important that people in our communities know their vote matters and that they don't just sit home, especially in this election where so much is at stake," Santana says.

Catch up quick: The phrase "Pookie and Ray Ray" was used by Barack Obama leading up to the 2008 presidential election to encourage low-income friends or neighbors who fit negative stereotypes about Black people to vote for Democrats.

• Detroit native Michael Eric Dyson, a professor at Vanderbilt who writes about race and culture, writes that Pookie is "nearly a pop-culture folk-figure in Black circles."

The other side: "Imagine if a white person said something like that," says Wayne Bradley, a conservative strategist who worked as a Black outreach director for MIGOP prior to Trump's election in 2016. "When you hear stuff like that, it makes people feel like that's all they see us as."

• Bradley says both Republicans and Democrats could benefit by asking young Black people about their needs, "because calling us Pookie and Ray Ray and bringing out a couple of indicted rappers is not how you motivate someone to go vote for you."

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An estimated 20,000 people came to Michigan Central last night for a concert that served as a symbolic opening ceremony for the old train depot, with performers including Diana Ross, Eminem, Jack White and Big Sean.

The intrigue: From techno, hip-hop and rock to R&B and gospel, the show went for two hours last night before Eminem — an executive producer of the concert — ended the show with his new song "Houdini" and "Welcome to Detroit" with Trick Trick, backed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

What they're saying: "For people who don't know … for most of my life, [Michigan Central] was just a big eyesore," Big Sean said during his performance.

• "What's cool about the train station is it's been through every era of Detroit. It's seen us be bankrupt … It's gone through all of this pressure and now it's a diamond."

The vibe: A countdown rang out as showtime hit at 8:30pm, with shouting masses crowded in front of a massive stage erected in front of the station. Newspaper headlines about Michigan Central's decline and its subsequent rebirth from Ford flashed across screens.

• Then, an announcer welcomed Detroit native "global superstar" Ross, who emerged in a bright orange outfit belting the classic "I'm Coming Out."

Go deeper: Detroit's once-abandoned train depot restored to past glory

Livonia officials restored power at schools and residences yesterday after a tornado brought down trees in parks and neighborhoods Wednesday evening.

• One tree fell over a house, killing a 3-year-old and leaving the child's mother in critical condition. (WXYZ)

📉 U of M fell 11 spots to 44 in the QS World University Rankings released this week, marking its fourth consecutive drop. (MLive)

⚖️ Prosecutors in Michigan's fake elector case are struggling to provide evidence against 15 Republicans whose names appeared on a certificate falsely claiming Donald Trump won the 2020 election. (Detroit News)

Rejoice — local produce season is finally here, with farmers markets and stands beginning to open from North Rosedale Park all the way over to Jefferson Chalmers.

The big picture: This year's map and chart of locations, hours, addresses and dates is now available from Detroit Community Markets, a program facilitated by Eastern Market Partnership.

• Download the full list through the website and get those strawberries in your cart before the season ends later this month.

If you go: Some operations haven't opened yet, such as the Sylhet Farm Market that begins July 8 and Northwest Detroit Farmers Market starting June 22.

• But Brightmoor Artisans Collective is up and running, as well as the east side's GSCC Farmers Stand and others.

💭 Annalise's thought bubble: I've made a potentially unrealistic commitment to myself to visit every one of these this summer. I'll update you all on how it goes!

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👋 Hey there, history buffs.

Does this colorful historic site look familiar?

• Hint: It's near a city border.

📫 Reply with the landmark's name or location and you'll be entered into a drawing for free Axios swag!