July 10, 2006
Morning Roundup: Deadly Weekend Edition
While fans of Italy's soccer squad celebrated their team's World Cup victory, District residents yesterday braced at the news of two brutal killings over the weekend. While this isn't the first time that a weekend has yielded a number of violent deaths, the victims involved remind us how random the violence can often be. As with all of these deaths, our thoughts go out to the friends, family, and neighbors affected.
British Politician Murdered in Georgetown: A young British politician was brutally murdered in front of the Georgetown home of developer Herb Miller early Sunday morning, reports the Post. Alan Senitt, who was 27, was stabbed and his female companion almost raped by three assailants, all of which were quickly arrested and will be arraigned today. Most shockingly, the youngest suspect was a 15-year-old boy from Southeast. Senitt moved to the area recently to work on former Virginia Governor Mark Warner's presidential campaign.
Community Activist Slain: A community activist and District mayoral candidate was slain early Saturday morning near the new Convention Center, writes the Post. Chris Crowder, who was 44, was shot multiple times near the Mount Vernon home he shares with his mother, though no suspects or motives were identified. Crowder was well known in District political circles for taking on the city's politicians and power-brokers, having most recently confronted Bill Cosby during a speech at the University of the District of Columbia.
Butterstick Celebrates Birthday: Ok, so Butterstick's official birthday party at the National Zoo was a little more elaborate then what we had to offer him last Thursday at Chief Ike's. There were fans lining up at 7 a.m.; media attention; and a new pool, soccer ball, and fruitsicle.
Briefly Noted: Virginia cracks down on speeders ... Ravens linebacker stabbed ... District police unit receives Harvard honors ... Fairfax County residents call for flooding probe ... Police search for taxi carjackers.
Image snapped by the mat
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This is me being picky, but the ball Butterstick got looks like a volleyball, not a soccer ball.
Reading that blurb about the murder in Georgetown, it makes me wish we had the death penalty.
What goddamned monsters.
It's pretty clear that crime in this city is out of control again. Its not so much the numbers, but the fact that the underclass has raised a generation that kills for fun, rather than profit. I recall an effort a few years ago to pay poor women to be sterilized. This sounds like the only long term solution to turn around DC.
JM, agreed. It seems like there's been an increase in random crime, like robberies gone awry. I live 2 blocks from the Columbia Heights metro station and I'm beginning to feel wary about walking home from the station any time after dark.
Really JM, just a lovely and well-thought out sentiment. Thanks so much for sharing.
Here's another thought: how about a police force more concerned about the safety of its citizens than a) ticketing jaywalkers and b) protecting Congress? How about funding for programs to veer kids away from gangs, and prepare them for legit futures? How about funding neighborhood associations so that citizens can invest in their local communities and neighborhood watch groups? How about funding something other than a baseball stadium? How about the Bowtie spending some time in the District instead of waltzing off to China every other month?
But no, sterilizing poor women sounds like a totally awesome idea.
"Most shockingly, the youngest suspect was a 15-year-old boy from Southeast."
Having lived in SE for a while now (and already been the subject of one mugging and had a friend subjected to another) I don't find it that shocking. I'm bitter that they're charging him as a juvenile instead of as an adult.
I know that it may sound irrational, but I am getting afraid to walk the streets of DC lately. Not only DC, but Arlington to, where the killer who murdered an Iraqi veteran at Pentagon City remain on the streets. It seems these random, wanton crimes are increasing throughout the region.
It is so awful to hear that so many ruthless thugs come into other people's neighborhoods to do their dirty work.
DC really needs to hurry up and decentralize these heavy pockets of poverty and public housing in the city. The persons at risk to committing crime need to be split up, divided, and confused.
This is so awful.
I live in Europe, and there are hardly crimes that happen like what happens in America's big cities. I wonder why? lol. I may have a clue, but I am not sure. lol
Someone stabbed a Ravens player? Here's a hint for the police- where was Ray Lewis?
ahh this stuff just writes itself.
I know that it may sound irrational, but I am getting afraid to walk the streets of DC lately. Not only DC, but Arlington to, where the killer who murdered an Iraqi veteran at Pentagon City remain on the streets. It seems these random, wanton crimes are increasing throughout the region.
I'm moving from this shitty city in a few months. The crime and hatred in the streets is too much. I grew up in a huge city and there wasn't this kind of anger and hate all around. When I got here I opposed the death penalty with every bone in my body, but I can't say that anymore. I'm sad DC doesn't have it because these guys should fry. When I got here I didn't fear young people or black people, now I've lost trust in both. I know that is a bigoted thing to say, but it's the honest truth about how I feel.
I don't know what the answer is, but I'm just hoping to stay alive for a few more months. I'd rather die in a car accident back home than at the hands of these animals.
C -
You are falling into the trap of thinking that crime can be controlled from "on high" by policing strategies and government intervention. No doubt effective policing can help somewhat, but they can't be everywhere at once. It only takes a few seconds to beat someone on the head, or shove a knife into someone's chest.
Crime prevention begins at home, by giving kids some sort of moral compass. Tell me something (anything??) the Mayor or Chief of Police could do to turn an amoral 15 year old into a law abiding citizen.
The mean streets of Arlington, with murder stats like this?
2003 - 3
2004 - 1
2005 - 5
I think incident you refer to in Pent City makes it 4 for 2006. Four more than anyone wants, to be sure, but hardly an indicator of unsafe streets.
Come on MB, it's not just murder. Since you have stats handy, lets get some stats on muggings and just general beatings. I don't know about you but I'm pretty averse to that kind of crime as well.
Poverty is a vicious cycle in this city. Teenagers are having babies which they are not ready to support or able to support due to a lack of education, sense of morality, or discipline. These youngsters are bred to become thugs from the time they pop out of their mother's stomach. So now, we have a bunch of teenagers, 15 year olds, 16 year olds committing vicious crimes at an early age. And they continue to get younger. Education for young people starts at home. Of course, if their home is in shambles to start with, they are already on the predictable path of ignorance, immorality, disrespect, and lawlessness.
It is so unfortunate. Also, politician's think they are fooling people by throwing money at all these problems. Well, I am sorry, but it does not work that way. You can't just throw more money into an education system like DC's. These kids are not ready for what it takes when they get to school anyway. There needs to be a change in social climate and structure. It all starts at home.
If there is no stable home, then there is no stable future.
Racist much? This is like a thread from the Aryan Nation message board. I didn't realize street crime - which has always been prevalent in DC - was reason to sterilize poor women or call black people animals. I hate the anti-gentrification race baiting that happens in this city - but this kind of talk is even worse.
Maybe some of you commenters can move to Europe and throw banana peels at black soccer players. Sounds right up your alley. After all, our European friend tells us there is no street crime in Europe - w/ a knowing chuckle telling us why that is.
What, exactly, are you all talking about? Sure, the crimes mentioned in today's Roundup are upsetting and very unfortunate, but I don't understand these reactions. Washington is the safest it's been in twenty years, and crime rates in the District and the suburbs are very good for a metropolis that's growing so rapidly, and which has to deal with so many other security concerns.
Let's get a little perspective, readers, and let's also not begin venting about racial insecurities; DCist will not have that on our site.
BTavish. Criminals are animals. Black, white brown, yellow, red, I don't care. You don't have respect for human beings you are an animal.
Crime in the city has gotten out of hand. While the police could do a lot more, DC has got to get better about locking criminals up and keeping there there. I know it's a false solution, but when you read about the rap sheets on so many of the people that are continuing to commit crimes... it's mind blowing. Where's the fear of being caught in this city? Nowhere.
Couple that with underdeveloped moral compasses and you get the crime ridden hole that DC is on the path too.
Hey DCist Ryan,
I grew up in DC. Was born in DC. Went to school in DC.
Even with DC's decreasing crime statistics over the past few years, DC still has a (much)higher crime rate than the majority of the nation's big cities over 500,000 people. I have seen the statistics, and I don't see how anyone can be comfortable with it. Plus, the murders are what really digs down deep into the social problems that are really getting worse in DC. We have thugs going into everyone else's neighborhoods to murder, cut, hijack, rob, rape, and anything you can think of.
Random acts of violence should provide comfort to no one. That is really the worst crime there is.
Really?, it's a couple hundred aggravated assaults, give or take a few. And I'd put money on 90% plus of that being between people who know each other.
But I'm sure those numbers mean nothing to you. It's a big scary world out there, filled with criminals. Run away!
For others, DC stats here and Arlington stats here. Obviously, total population figures make a difference, and I'll leave that exercise to someone else.
I know that it may sound irrational, but I am getting afraid to walk the streets of DC lately. Not only DC, but Arlington to, where the killer who murdered an Iraqi veteran at Pentagon City remain on the streets. It seems these random, wanton crimes are increasing throughout the region.
Look, I didn't mean that Blacks are animals. Criminals are animals. I don't care what color they are. If they can't abide the social contract we have with one another to not kill or harm one another then they are no better than an animal.
I don't think that DC being the safest it has been in 20 years means that it is safe. Maybe less dangerous, but not safe. As of 2004 we were #4 for murder, and #51 for violent crime. Not someting to brag about.
Nearly everyone I know here has been mugged. Most of the people I know have had their car broken into. My wife was accosted and verbally abused by a group of drunk men in Logan Circle on her way home from work. I'm not old, but I've been around and never before in my life have I been able to say any of those things about the people I knew in the places I lived.
Sorry, if my comments came off as racist. I'm not proud of my new found fears. It is how crime in DC has impacted me personally. I thought this was a place for dialogue about that kind of stuff. I guess not.
I've tried to post a response 4 times now and have had no success. So here it is in a nutshel. I meant that criminals are animals. i apologize if my comments came across as racist. my comments were meant to share how crime has impacted my outlook, and my regret about that evolutions. i thought this was a place for open dialogue, apparantly not.
I've tried to post a response 4 times now and have had no success. So here it is in a nutshel. I meant that criminals are animals. i apologize if my comments came across as racist. my comments were meant to share how crime has impacted my outlook, and my regret about that evolutions. i thought this was a place for open dialogue, apparantly not.
I've tried to post a response 4 times now and have had no success. So here it is in a nutshel. I meant that criminals are animals. i apologize if my comments came across as racist. my comments were meant to share how crime has impacted my outlook, and my regret about that evolutions. i thought this was a place for open dialogue, apparantly not.
Gentrification NOW.
The sooner these people can't afford to live here, the better.
And, before the world digs into me, race is really a tangential element to this discussion (and the reason Europe is so much safer has little to do with the racial mix -- ever been to London? -- and far more to do with the fact that they don't let people carry weapons of war in their glove compartments.)
This is a matter of culture. In the US, the culture of a large percentage of the black underclass is savage and violent. It was not always thus - just compare the history of jazz, the Harlem Renaissance, Dinah Washington, etc., to the NWA/Lil Kim/Def Jam bullshit of today. I don't think Nat King Cole was engaging in armed fueds with other big band leaders.
Until the culture gets cured, the problem won't go away. And NO ONE - white, black, whatever - is immune from the problems it creates.
Let's be honest, people - a sizable minority of the city (10%? 25%?) views the rest of the city as prey. I, for one, will be quite happy when the predators are forced out of town by rising real estate prices and replaced with people of whatever race who don't view killing their neighbors as an acceptable form of entertainment.
I've tried to post a response 4 times now and have had no success. So here it is in a nutshel. I meant that criminals are animals. i apologize if my comments came across as racist. my comments were meant to share how crime has impacted my outlook, and my regret about that evolutions. i thought this was a place for open dialogue, apparantly not.
Reading about the murder in Georgetown struck me pretty hard this morning. I've been trying to come to grips with why. Perhaps its the pure brutality of the murder. Perhaps its the detail to which the Post was able to go into in recasting the crime. Perhaps because the victim was my age and race. Probably its all three.
I know that, in general, DC has become relatively safe. But these sensational crimes serve as a reminder that bad things can happen to anyone, anywhere. It's difficult to not become frightened and to maintain perspective. It's difficult to balance the need to be vigilant and the ability to relax and enjoy my city without fear.
The post also ran a story today about the growing inequality between the city's richest and the city's poorest. This story and the story of the murder seem directly related to me. Huge income disparities breed hatred, envy, fear, and crime.
Everything Bill Cosby ever said.
Everything Bill Cosby ever said.
Everything Bill Cosby said.
Maybe this is an opportune time to revisit the city's impractical gun laws. As a law-abiding DC homeowner, it seems incredible that the city would deny me the right to have a gun to protect myself and my home. Armed thugs are roaming the streets of my neighborhood attacking people -- why does DC insist that I be defenseless against that threat? Some people may not want to own a gun, but shouldn't that choice be up to each of us individually? Especially considering the ongoing danger?
Did DCist's reader demographic just jump by about 50 years? Who's afraid to walk alone in Arlington? LOOK OUT! IT'S YOUR SHADOW! IT'S FOLLOWING YOU! This isn't the result of bad parenting (directly), it's the result of the O'Reilly school of reporting: take an isolated incident, strip away contextual details, pretend it's trend, add a pinch of reactionary paranoia, and then react accordingly. It sounds like someone's got to get out of his/her apartment more.
This is what happens when you create condo canyons for the young and hip. Everybody has a view of the city but nobody has a view of the street. No one takes responsibility for sweeping a sidewalk or talking to a neighbor. Every just runs out with their yoga mat to Whole Foods, doesn't involve themselves in neighbood associations but then cries when a mugging occurs and no one sees it happen. There's no more crime that there was before and it is not getting worse. What's happening is that criminals have smartly chosen the young, rich and street-stupid to prey on in neighborhoods that were once bereft of the wealthy. They are going where the money is.
Maybe this is an opportune time to revisit the city's impractical gun laws. As a law-abiding DC homeowner, it seems incredible that the city would deny me the right to have a gun to protect myself and my home. Armed thugs are roaming the streets of my neighborhood attacking people -- why does DC insist that I be defenseless against that threat? Some people may not want to own a gun, but shouldn't that choice be up to each of us individually? Especially considering the ongoing danger?
Look out! It's your shadow! It's following you! And it's young and black!
Sounds like the geriatric shut-ins with their racially-tinged agoraphobia have discovered the DCist comment section. Just so you know, guys, those of us under 45 are waiting for you folks to die off and take your lunatic social theories and modest eugenics proposals with you.
Random? With all due respect to the dead, a guy in a wheelchair getting shot seven times is not random. Random shooting: 1-3 shots perhaps.
4-5 shots: questionable circumstances.
7 shots: willful intent, deal gone bad, serious anger, assailant is known to the victim.
Listen to me and listen to good, folks. Crime is not worse in DC. Crime in just gravitating to where the money is. All these newly urban suburbanites moving to condo canyons with their yoga mats and Whole Foods bags and walking home alone at 2am after a round of tequilas like it ain't no thing. That's an invitation to crime if ever there was one.
When people start living vertically and having views of the monuments instead of street level views of what's actually happening on their blocks -crime happens. Someone gets mugged and where are the witnesses? On rooftop deck doing Down dog position.
Where in this new condo universe would a family with a young kid go trick or treating? Where would you have a play date? We are losing a sense of community rapidly. Elevators are not a proper meeting place for neighbors. These fancy named high rises will be the death of DC.
BTavish, I have never in my life seen someone use as much hyperbole as you have. It is physically impossible to do so.
Yep. This is an obvious overreaction because of where this crime took place (Georgetown) and who the victim was (up and coming political activist from England). Don't get me wrong, I'd still like to see those who committed these murders be locked away for life.
Ryan and BTavish are right - we should continue to overlook the undeniable correlation between race and violent crime. We won't be any safer on the streets for doing so, but at least our consciences will be more secure in their cocoons of white guilt.
Maybe this is an opportune time to revisit the city's impractical gun laws. As a law-abiding DC homeowner, it seems incredible that the city would deny me the right to have a gun to protect myself and my home. Armed thugs are roaming the streets of my neighborhood attacking people -- why does DC insist that I be defenseless against that threat? Some people may not want to own a gun, but shouldn't that choice be up to each of us individually? Especially considering the ongoing danger?
It's pretty sad that the murder in Georgetown rates higher news coverage (and visible police presence) than the killing of a man in a wheelchair in the crime-ridden areas of NW. When was the last time a crime in that area of NW was solved that quickly? Of course they want to protect the wealthy in Georgetown while the poor and less-advantaged are left to fight it out amongst yourselves. But you know, we wouldn't have the drug traffic in that area of NW if it wasn't for the wealthy residents [and the kids of them]of Georgetown and Arlington and Potomac .... and believe me, I see them drive in and make their buys every evening and all day long on the weekend. All you have to do is stand on my porch and watch the parade of cars go by. The MPD has given up hope of curbing the violence in our neighborhood.
It's pretty sad that the murder in Georgetown rates higher news coverage (and visible police presence) than the killing of a man in a wheelchair in the crime-ridden areas of NW. When was the last time a crime in that area of NW was solved that quickly? Of course they want to protect the wealthy in Georgetown while the poor and less-advantaged are left to fight it out amongst yourselves. But you know, we wouldn't have the drug traffic in that area of NW if it wasn't for the wealthy residents [and the kids of them]of Georgetown and Arlington and Potomac .... and believe me, I see them drive in and make their buys every evening and all day long on the weekend. All you have to do is stand on my porch and watch the parade of cars go by. The MPD has given up hope of curbing the violence in our neighborhood.
From the Mount Vernon Square Listserv:
"i just drove by herb millers 28 million dollar georgetown property where the killing occured and there are like 6 police cruisers just idle there, officers busy chatting on cell phones. juxtaposed to the location where the guy in the wheelchair was shot, i just went by and not a police officer or patrol car was in sight. all the suspects are in custody for the georgetown crime and nobodys been arrested for the wheelchair killing. um, where are the police for PSA 308?"
Prettty much speaks for itself huh?
Americablog is screaming the alarm:
Washington, DC is becoming "A Clockwork Orange"
by John in DC - 7/10/2006 12:44:00 PM
If you never saw the movie "A Clockwork Orange," it's about... well... I don't even remember what it's about, I saw it so long ago. All I remember from the movie was an incredibly graphic and violent scene of some thugs breaking into a woman's home. The rest was so violent and nasty, it still sticks in my head some 30+ years later.
That is what Washington, DC is now becoming, a city of gratuitous and graphic violence. I'm serious, the city is dangerous folks. Visit or live here at your own peril.
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/07/washington-dc-is-becoming-clockwork.html
Maybe now's a good time to revisit the concept of not hitting the comment button 75 times just because your comment hasn't posted yet.
Jeff said:
What's happening is that criminals have smartly chosen the young, rich and street-stupid to prey on in neighborhoods that were once bereft of the wealthy. They are going where the money is.
No, Jeff, what's street-stupid is that you think 31st and Q, where the guy had his throat slit like he was living in Kabul, was once "bereft of the wealthy." Kathrine Graham lived there for 30+ years. It's been a very very wealthy neighborhood for quite some time.
I agree that there is a huge socioeconomic disparity in where crimes occur in this city and many others throughout the country, but the media coverage of the murder in Georgetown only reflects the shock of the crime occurring in an otherwise safe neighborhood, not some inherent racism. We have to work hard to prevent crime in all parts of the city, and when crimes occurr in areas that they otherwise do not, the press tends to cover the story more.
I live two blocks from where the murder occurred, and in the midst of this tragedy, it saddens me to read a posting on this site that implies that I somehow caused this because of where I live. It perplexes me that generalities like that are not discrimnatory while comments about your neighborhood would be. Why can't we all agree that this is a tragedy and that we should be thankful they caught the suspects.
I truly hope they catch Chris Crowder's murderers soon as well.
And by the way-- there's only one squad car at the murder scene here at Georgetown, but if it helps to embellish to make a more convincing argument, please don't hesitate on account of the truth.
Yes, from a humanist perspective, the murder of the Shaw activist is just as bad as the g'town murder. But unlike the g'town murder, at this point there's no one reporting that the Shaw murder could have been predicted.....
Leaving aside all of the race baiting, what strikes me as truly outrageous is the fact that the DC cops picked up the g'town killer gang so quicly because they had been following the punks for the past several weeks!!!!!
WTF??? Why the hell didn't the cops pull these folks off the street when they had some evidence they'd been involved in the various violent/sexual muggings around town and on the mall?!?!?! Or at least why weren't they following them like flies on sh*t rather than letting them run rampant through DC???
Now, instead of having some locked up minor felons, we've now got second or first degree murders on our hands!
Thanks, Chief Ramsey, and your incompetent boobs of a police force!
We should ask our new friends at Sampaist how they feel about one murder in a nice neighborhood.
Did anybody actually think for a second DC was "safe?" Not that I feel I'm in danger too often, but I'd be completely amazed if somebody bought a condo in Logan or further east (or anywhere else, really) and didn't consider the possibility of crime.
Oh, and I am reminded that crime *never* existed in the world until black people came along. Ever. I mean, they didn't even have police in Europe until a few years ago, right? Why even bother?
Perhaps we should look at the link between blacks and poverty and the link between poverty and crime rather than ignore this important little tidbit and jump to the conclusion that black people = crime. Did someone open the gates of the loony bin this morning?
" Who's afraid to walk alone in Arlington? LOOK OUT!"
People who watch the news and value their lives.
Congrats on such a plain display of ignorance, Jake. Any other tricks?
People who think that DC is just now becoming a very violent city have got to be kidding me. I've lived here all my life and can remember when the annual murder rate, from the mid 80s to late 90s hovered between 450-500. Now the murder rate is about 180 per year. So DC is actually a lot safer now than years past. Its also strange how white folks think that all poor blacks are so "savage" and commit all the crimes, while whites are so civilized and would never dream about committing violent acts against their fellow man. HA! These are the same white people who lynched blacks by the thousands, burned blacks alive while watching and eating popcorn, flame broiled jews in ovens, killed millions of japs by way of nukes, currently raping and killing innocent civilians in Iraq, allowed big city police deparments to randomly kill black men forever without any repercussions and continue to glorify violence when whites are the killers (sopranos, godfather, goodfellas etc). You people are so fucking ignorant it makes me laugh. Heres an idea, if you think DC is to violent, then GET THE FUCK OUT! Heres a suggestion, if you think DC is too violent but want to stay, THEN LEARN HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF! It is pathetic that after all these years white boys still have not leaned how to fight (and 20 cops on one black dude doesnt count). You keep believing all that Rambo/tarzan bullshit you see on TV is true, until you come out on the streets and find out it aint. If two little 16 year olds and a young female ever tried to rob me they would get fucked up. Please believe me!
This is the most bizarre comment thread I have ever read on DCist, even without the repeat comments.
It's terrible every time someone is murdered. But it makes me see red when I watch the local news and see some murder practically ignored. Those of you who watched the news last night know what I'm talking about, Chris' death was simply referred to as happening in "NW" whereas the "Georgetown" murder had the neighborhood's name all over it and extensive on the street presence. I had to go to Wapo to see where the other murder actually happened. Often they won't even go to the scene, they simply say "in SE Washington tonight, young man killed, in other news..."
Could the cops do better? Sure, we all could probably do our jobs better. But we could be better citizens as well, we could be involved in our communities, know our neighbors and their children and talk to those kids that hang out on the corner. I'm not afraid to live in DC, I'm proud of it. I'm proud that I live in a neighborhood with people who have lived here for generations and that I live on a block where I know everyone's name. That's the kind of community I want to live in. I'm a little white girl but 90% of people who look away when I say hi on the street are young white people like myself. Just sayin...those 'gangbanger' kids say hello every time, even call me miss.
The Georgetown community is in fact well-organized. We have community associations, churches and groups galore. Most homeowners here even pitch in to hire private foot patrol for the vicinity. Many, like me, are lifetime neighborhood residents. The problem isn't whether Georgetown is civic-minded enough -- it's that there are armed, predatory thugs roaming our streets. At the community meeting earlier this evening, Jack Evans and the 2D police captain were asked what citizens might carry to defend and protect themselves. Evans suggested mace or a whistle. The captain's recommendation was to "run to your home the moment you sense danger." Right, might as well cross your fingers too. (Vincent Orange was also there but don't get me started on his clownhouse ideas). Of course, if any decent Georgetown resident tried to, say, have a firearm to keep their home and person safe against criminals, Evans and the cops would want that person arrested. What a sorry state of affairs.
Gee, I wonder why Georgetown residents wanted to prevent the Metro system from letting SE residents in.
I am disappointed that DCist would rebuke us for discussing an issue that has so many people talking this week. People are naturally scared and concerned, and I don't think it's being melodramatic to discuss how we are feeling at this time. DC continues to lose population for a myriad of reasons, but part of the problem is the crime and the mean streets that appear to be expanding, not contracting. We do the city no good by sweeping the problem under the rug.
Chris, that's a myth about the metro in G'town. Google it and you'll find out the truth.
"tough guy", I don't know where to start with you. that is some ignorant bullshit you're spewing. my lord, get educated.
.... and before you start berating us for posting multiple comments ... consider why they ar in there twice ... the web site NEVER came back from the "spinning wheel" yesterday when posting a comment. Our our end, it appears as if the web server never accepted the "Post" request.
This thread is interesting. It kind of confirms something I've been thinking of for a while, as a former NYer.
I firmly believe DC is at a tipping point - in a good way. 10-20 years ago this city was way more dangerous than it is now, for everyone who lived here, just like NY was a violent pit in the 80s and early 90s. But people in NY just took it as a given and viewed the violence as something you couldn't change, or even wore it as a badge of honor. Then, when the economy started to boom, you had lots of new white people and others move in, and politicians who got a clue and adopted a zero-tolerance approach to crime. People's perspective started to change - they started to view crime as UNACCEPTABLE. That's been a huge change.
DC isn't there yet - witness all the apologists on this board who think it's a sign of white pussyhood or whatever to not want to get shot or have your throat slit. But it's coming. I don't really care if DC was so much more dangerous 10-20-30 years ago, whatever. I care about NOW. Eventually some politician will realize that crime has to be combatted; they'll throw resources at it, and the bizarre perspective that crime gives DC its special badge of distinction will evaporate.
DC is in the process of changing from ghetto shithole to first-tier city. Mark my words, in 10 years this place will feel very different.
(And by the way, whoever said that the guy in the wheelchair's location was never identified by the racist media, every news report I heard specified he was right by the convention center/Mt. Vernon.)
CarolinaDude, you all can talk about crime all you want; I think it's foolish to overreact to this news, but we won't keep anyone from discussing the matter.
We will absolutely not allow racism on this board. Take it elsewhere.
DCist Ryan,
Appreciate your willingness to allow discussion on this matter, even if it seems foolish to you. We'll get back to Butterstick and 9:30 shows soon. May I have a little guidance though -- how is it that CarolinaDude's comment was racist? Was some portion of his comment edited out because I can't see any reference to race whatsoever. By the way, would you like to offer any thoughts on the Tarzan/flame-broiling/popcorn remarks from toughguy that occurred a few posts above?
I have been absolutely appalled not just at what I have read on this thread, but also that so many people are defending it. Spirited discussion about a brutal crime is one thing, advocating eugenics is another. Obviously no one is OK with someone getting their throat slit, but anyone taking a less than hysterical tone is accused of being in denial or a pc liberal. There are better solutions than hiding in your apartment, hoping that the poor (and let's be honest you also mean black) either stop reproducing or are forced out of the city by high prices. The people who sweep your floors, drive your cabs, and bus your tables need somewhere to live. Policing and community go hand in hand.
Couldn't agree more 27thStreet. How is it possibly okay for someone to say this:
These are the same white people who lynched blacks by the thousands, burned blacks alive while watching and eating popcorn, flame broiled jews in ovens, killed millions of japs by way of nukes, currently raping and killing innocent civilians in Iraq, allowed big city police deparments to randomly kill black men forever without any repercussions and continue to glorify violence when whites are the killers (sopranos, godfather, goodfellas etc).
HOW?!
It's a disgusting and disturbing series of generalizations if I've ever seen one...
Apologies Jason, the station I was watching (I want to say Fox 5, but I'm not 100% sure) did not mention the neighborhood, they kept referring to it over and over as NW Washington, which I found odd as Gtown also happens to be in NW Washington. The brief shots of the neighborhood didn't help until I saw Jim Graham standing there and went to Wapo to see where in his ward it occured. I'm glad that other news outlets provided more comprehensive coverage.
I'm not saying they're racist, I'm saying all too often they don't pay attention to murders unless they happen in an unusual place or fashion. If my kid was shot and killed and they got a 5 second blurb on the evening news without even a photo I'd be insulted.
27thStreet,
I was responding to CD's comment that we should not take issue with other, inappropriate statements in this thread, of which there have been many. I don't believe discussion is foolish, I believe overreaction is. And if you believe DCist is not willing to discuss serious metropolitan issues, then I suggest you spend a little time in our archives.
dc baby: It's a disgusting and disturbing series of generalizations if I've ever seen one.....
So I guess I just made all that up. No I didnt. The problem is whenever an incident like this occurs and whites are the victims, you people generalize blacks and assert that all of us are poor, uneducated savages who commit heinous crimes all day. But when the attacker is white (unabomber, Btk killer, son of sam, manson, Tim Mcveigh, trench coat mafia, etc) its considered an anamoly. Of course its sad when innocent people are killed, it happens everyday and now its like the entire city is just realizing it. So whenever I see someone post ignorant, racial stuff like the ones here, I will respond just the same.
Tough Guy talks about how the "white" system instutionalizes violence and nobody cares. But what about the popular "black" culture that glorifies the drug trade and criminal enterprises, labels all women bitches or ho's, and generally sees violence as the only solution to any problem?
You want black people to be treated with respect? How about black people behaving in a manner that deserves respect? You want folks not to be afraid of black people? Then get Jay-Z, Diddy, Lil Kim, and the rest of the "hip hop nation" to produce civilized entertainment that doesn't degrade humanity.
The reason white folks freak out when there's black violence in "safe" communities is because they're fed a steady diet of imagery and entertainment that reinforces the notion that the black culture is depraved and indifferent to crime and murder.
Word to Cos.
"Civilized Guy"?
Hardly.
If you think the discussion is hot here, you should see the warfare going on at Americablog over the blog's suggestion that DC has become a crime-ridden quagmire like the book "A Clockwork Orange."
Alright- that's quite enough of this. Can a DCist just disable and remove commenting for this thread?
All these comments, especially the last one, have motivated me to
write. I don't usually comment on racial issues, as it mostly
engenders some of the more distasteful retorts above.
Making generalizations about black people does not help
African-Americans do anything - it does not help them change, get
jobs, etc. It does not help you in you relations to people of other
races, who may also be your neighbors.
If you are afraid, be afraid. If you want to watch your back on the
streets, do so; I always do. But commenters, don't think that by
taking away my respect and the respect of other black people with words
or race wars will make you or me any safer.
civilized guy: your remarks about "black culture" are 100% correct. I will never defend these rappers for hijacking "black culture" and glorifying the drug trade, misogyny or violence. That is not the dicussion here. We are debating the fact that violent acts such as the Georgetown killing only gets attention when the victim is white. But as always in this country whenever the topic is white on one side and black on the other, we will digress and do what we do best, race hate. Its just strange that nobody cares when a nonwhite is brutally killed, but when one is, then you expect everyone in the city to grieve. Just because youre white makes you no better than the next man and thats all im saying.
A) Since the dawn of history, everyone's been fucked over by everyone else. Okay, people, we know - get over it.
B) Speaking as a white guy, most white people are intelligent enough to know that not all black people are gangsta killaz. Most whites I know are just dying to be friends with black people so they can feel all warm and fuzzy and diverse and at one with humanity, etc. But they don't generally take well to being raped and murdered on the street, and, let's be honest, when's the last time anyone was mugged by a Chinese guy? So if you're an 18-yr-old with a do rag on your head walking by a white girl on a deserted street at 2am, well, yeah, she might be a teensy bit scared. Deal with it and get on with your life.
C) Most white Americans I know (mostly northern, or at least urban) look down on the South and rednecks in particular for all the above reasons that tough guy mentioned. Note to black people: Most white urban dwellers in the North feel just as much contempt for Republican-voting good ol' boys as you do. Just because we have the same skin color doesn't mean we like these people. For confirmation, go to www.fuckthesouth.com.
D) Most black people hate the ghetto bullshit, too. After all, most black violence is directed at THEM, people. What was, like, the most famous skit Chris Rock ever did? "I love black people....it's the N's that's got to go!" Remember that? Well, that's pretty much what it's about.
Ciao, bellos.
I'd like to point out that, in answer to DCist Ryan's comment number 17, that today the mayor declared a crime emergency in DC. Note the statistics about crime being up in the past few months:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/11/AR2006071100720.html
Man, don't you people know there are commenters proposing paving over the Smithsonian about a page ahead here?
There's also a firestorm of controversy brewing over proposed "green building" requirements.
And there's a pedestrian getting uppity.
This thread's so ... I don't know ... yesterday.
Greatest Hits of the Deadly Weekend Comment Thread:
Jack Evans: "Blow on a whistle."
2D Commander Solberg: "Run home when you sense danger."
JM: "Sterilize poor women."
Really?: "I don't trust young black people."
toughguy: "Tarzan! Popcorn! Flame-broiled Jews!"
CivilizedGuy: "Get Lil' Kim to produce civilized entertainment."
Jake: "Where are the witnesses? On the rooftop deck doing downward dog position."
e: "Those gangbanger kids say hello every time. Even call me 'miss'."
Good one, 27th Street. Thanks for putting it in some context.
I'm even laughing at my own stupid post.
This thread seems to have drawn out the weirdos. What kind of person suggests that "black people" start controlling their "black culture" to put more role models on the TV? That's crazy. "Black culture" as it appears on television is a marketing concept, no different than Martha Stewart Living or MTV Spring Break. It's a grotesque caricature carefully and deliberately designed to maximize the importance and visibility of certain products and/or product-oriented "lifestyles." Try telling BET or Viacom International to please stop making cash hand over fist at the expense of our national identity and the dignity of our culture and see how far you get. Race is a red herring in this argument, and while there may be a correlation between the hue of your skin and your statistical propensity for violent crime, there's not a shred of supporting evidence for causality, not to mention the brutalizing, dehumanizing effect of prejudging your fellow man based on a probabilistic framework. If Fox 5 is making you scared to walk alone in your neighbourhood, you need to take a careful look at whether the problem is with your neighbourhood or with your news source. Which one is paid for by companies hawking alarm systems, running shoes, houses in Chantilly, home gyms, guarded condo complexes, and water filters? I'm going to guess it's not the former. They profit from your fear. A lot. Too much to ignore. And it's cheaper for them to do so, because cruising the crime report a half-hour before deadline is the most mindless journalism you can do short of celebrity gossip.
So when we discuss events like this, can we perhaps refrain from using "SE DC" as shorthand for "the barbarian stronghold" and pretending that poor = black = predatory? Because not only are those generalizations incorrect, but they are completely unhelpful. There are many opportunistic people/forces who stand to profit from those attitudes, from Allstate to Al Sharpton, and incidents like the murder in the rich neighbourhood are easy to capitalize on for those folks (to the detriment of society and you, personally) if you allow them to play to your emotions and ignore your better judgement. So how about fewer grammatically horrific pronouncements and more intelligent questions? Is that doable?
Fry, when are you going to get yourself a blog of your own? I'd be a regular reader.
Fry...........Im suddenly feeling warm and fuzzy inside. I think I love you.
I can only respond to most of the comments on this thread with this kid. The least I can do is find some way to chuckle. Reading most of these comments has truly made me sad. But Fry, thanks for your post and thanks for the others that are of the same affect.
The testasterone and agitated fear emanating from this thread has me as hard as a rock - better than the edgiest Japanese porn. Black people with knives, urban pioneers engaging in rooftop sodomy while the city burns, this is just so damned exciting!
I'm sorry
For something I didn't do
Lynched somebody
But I don't know who
You blame me for slavery
A hundred years before I was born
Guilty of being white
I'm a convict
Of a racist crime
I've only served
19 years of my time
Guilty of being white
The best idea anyone's come up with on this thread is that Gabriel Fry should have his own blog. I second that.
My blog would be pretty dull. I'm an editor, I don't generate content. If you guys promise to come to my blog and make inane pronouncements for me to shoot down I'll start one.
If I am walking to my home in my predominantly white neighborhood after midnight and approach a group of young African-Americans I am naturally (and logically) concerned only with correlation.
If I am walking to my home in my predominantly white neighborhood after midnight and approach a group of young African-Americans I am naturally (and logically) concerned only with correlation.
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