July 8, 2005
A Divided Roundtable
Yesterday's discussion in the comments served as an interesting reminder of how, despite gentrification, the District remains largely divided. How many residents of Upper Northwest have had a drink at Georgena's Restaurant & Bar (once known as Player's Lounge)? Similarly, how many Fort Dupont residents frequent Bourbon? Though certainly due in part to geography, the plain fact of the matter is that divisions in D.C. remain, and can be the cause of much strife. Just read other posts we've written on "The G Word".
Though there are probably no easy answers to why such divisions and animosities remain in the city, there are groups trying to understand these issues, especially as the District changes rapidly. One such organization is the National Neighborhood Coalition, who are holding a round table titled "A Divided City" Thursday, July 21st at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition to discuss
challenges and opportunities generated by a changing economy and the fast pace of development on low-income neighborhoods [in the District]. Participants will examine the roles of public policy and community engagement in meeting critical community needs and seek ways that the city's advocates can work together to support local communities.
Seating for this event is limited; contact information for reserving seats is available on the Neighborhood Coalition's website.
Founded in 1979, the National Neighborhood Coalition serves as a policy voice and resource for various non-profit and community groups engaged in community work at the grassroots level. More information about the organization can be found here.
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I was at Georgena's for an event earlier this year, and oh my god is the food good. I don't care how hard it is to get there, just go.
JT's and JEFF's comments from yesterday ....
I am responding to JT's comment about news outlets taking into account the element of 'surprise,' or if you will, things which are uncommon, and thus, merit coverage.
Yes, that is a maxim of news coverage. But, there is *still a news story ... there is *more than just **A news story here. There is merit for many news stories resulting from serious news reporting that DIGS INTO THE DISPARITIES between the communities of Anacostia and of Northwest.
Effectiveness of police efforts?
Sufficient enforcement of house and health codes?
Adequacy of maintenance of local parks?
The answers to these questions ARE STORIES. The perspective articulated by JT was shallow. Digging deeper reveals, indeed, the newsworthiness of what's going on comparatively in the region.
Also, about JT's mention regarding Post readers living in NW. Yep, that's sure true. But, I recently moved from Adams Morgan to Bloomingdale, a neighborhood about 1/3 mile east of Howard University, adjacent to LeDroit Park. I now usually read the Post online, but when I go looking for one in a vending machine, it's hard to find one, and if I do, often it's empty.
JT, the Post's inadequate coverage of issues in Anacostia in particular, coupled with the lack of available, filled vending machines for example in my neighborhood, which has historically been a middle class black neighborhood, actually reinforces the unlikelihood of subscriptions increasing outside of white, upper middle class NW.
Dennis, your call for news that "digs into the disparities" is indeed worthy of heeding. We'll keep looking for ways here at DCist, in our own small way, to tip the balance back in favor of people who are underserved by traditional media. To my mind, you've actually included the DNA of a handful of story ideas, and I encourage you to keep offering your input.
This life-long Cleveland Park resident loves the Player's Lounge (aka Georgena's)...if you haven't been, you're missing out. And trust me, it's far more exciting than Bourbon.
The comments re bies in the Post's coverage are 100% on point. As a teacher in a DC Public School in Anacostia, I can attest to the fact that the Post is front-and-center to report strife in DCPS, but nowhere to be found when kids are achieving. Take Ballou HS. Ballou just appointed a dynamic, successful, extremely qualified new principal, who could be the thing to steer the school back on track. Yet, even though it was a story on all 3 local news broadcasts (among other district appointments), it was never mentioned in the Post. Let something negative happen, however, and rest assured we won't be able to walk without stepping on a Post Columnist.
The fact is that DC is the most SegregateD City in America. As a white teacher in an exclusively African-American neighborhood and school, I can't count how many time acquaintences haved asked me incredibly insensitive and ignorant questions, such as "Do you wear body armor to work? or All all your kids' parents' crackheads?" Few people realize this will offend me, because I, having taught there for several years, share a sense of community and pride in the neighborhood. However, while at school I have also seen ignorance directed the other way. One day, while getting coffee near school, at 7am, I was stopped by a police officer who asked me if I "was aware I was in Southeast," and if I "needed directions." He closed by telling me to "be careful."
The Post coverage sucks, but if we are honest with ourselves we know it's the tip of the iceberg.
Meg,
You are sugarcoating conditions at Ballou and in SE. Take off your rosy "P.C." glasses and you'll find high failure rates, high illiteracy rates, high levels of parental apathy, high levels of violence, and high levels of drug use.
That's great that you have a new administrator that you are confident in. I wish him or her the best. But until he or she gets the Ballou community to get its act together, praise for Ballou (and SE in general) will be justifiably sparse.
Meg, nothing hurts minorities more than white liberals who make up excuses for poor performing minority schools. Stop the race-baiting and focus on teaching!
I can't count how many time acquaintences haved asked me incredibly insensitive and ignorant questions, such as "Do you wear body armor to work? or All all your kids' parents' crackheads?"
Meg, you need new "acquaintences" and need to reevaluate your social circles.
Have you ever been to Ballou? Believe me I am well aware of the problems. I live the problems, and you're exactly right, those are the major problems we face. But apathy is the worst problem. Read your language, JT. You're saying that the "Ballou community" needs to get it together. As long as it's "their" problem, it will never get solved. Until it's a matter of civic outrage that we can allow children of any color to be raised in these conditions, and attend this type of school, we will never get DCPS back on track. We all have to pay for the fact that over half of the African American male residents of DC are locked up on any given day. Even from a taxpayer standpoint, it's not "their" problem. It's our problem.
Have you ever been to Ballou? Believe me I am well aware of the problems. I live the problems, and you're exactly right, those are the major problems we face. But apathy is the worst problem. Read your language, JT. You're saying that the "Ballou community" needs to get it together. As long as it's "their" problem, it will never get solved. Until it's a matter of civic outrage that we can allow children of any color to be raised in these conditions, and attend this type of school, we will never get DCPS back on track. We all have to pay for the fact that over half of the African American male residents of DC are locked up on any given day. Even from a taxpayer standpoint, it's not "their" problem. It's our problem.
As to the charge of "race-baiting," my intention was to underscore the fact that it is a serious problem that there are two distinct communites of people in DC with such little knowledge of or experience with one another.
And by "acquaintences" I mean "strange and obnoxious men at happy hour," so yeah, I do need some new ones.