Sunday Questions With Bryan Weaver
Bryan Weaver is a long-time Ward One resident who is running for D.C. Council. Weaver has released a couple of funky YouTube campaign videos, which have previously made the rounds. Weaver faces off against incumbent Jim Graham and challenger Jeff Smith on September 14. The four-term Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner lives in Adams Morgan with his wife and two children. Graham is the favorite to win re-election, but Weaver's first campaign video, featuring the song "Underdog," has seen nearly 80,000 views.
What does your Sunday routine look like?
Right now its all about campaigning, but typically I start off with basketball at Kalorama Park -- no matter how cold -- and then it's family time...unless of course it's football season.
Do you have an iPod? If so, what have you been listening to?
On my iPod I have what I refer to as the Weaver Political Playlist that includes songs like "Revolution" by Spearhead, the Johnny Cash version of "Won't Back Down," and Public Enemy's "Fight the Power." Lila Downs and Manu Chao are in high rotation right now and of course Sly and the Family Stone's "Underdog."
Have you seen any good movies lately (DVD or theater)?
While my wife was off watching the latest Twilight, the kids and I went to see Despicable Me. Unless its Pixar or Dreamworks, I don't really get to the movies much, but I do have satellite at home and during a bout of insomnia the other night watched The Hangover...yet again.
How long have you lived in D.C. and why did you move here?
I moved to D.C. twenty years ago to attend Howard University and like the quicksand that is Washington, I've never been able (or wanted) to leave.
You've been involved in your community for years, how did you get started?
I don't think that anyone who knows me will be surprised by this, but I started to get involved by meeting kids who were just hanging out at the basketball court. And then everything from that just grew out of a genuine concern for the young people and their families.
What led to your decision to run for Council?
I say this so much that I think it has lost all meaning to my friends and staff.... Politics is not about money, politics is not about power, politics is not about power games. It is about people's lives.
Too often in D.C. people think they are so small and the darkness is so great, so why even try?
I am here to tell anyone who will listen that the future of this colony/city will not belong to those who sit on the sidelines. The future will not belong to the cynics. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and are willing to stand up and fight for good government.
What is the best thing about living in Ward 1?
The greatest moments of joy in my life, the greatest moments of sorrow and the hardest times in my life have all happened here in Ward One. And I know it sounds cliched, but all of those events have been shaped by the people I met here--amazing and wonderful people who live and work in Ward One...well, that or Asylum's chili-cheese omelet.
What is your favorite bus line in Ward 1?
I'm a huge fan of the people's chariot. There are varying opinions about this in my house, but I would say my favorite line is the 96. My 3-year old daughter on the other hand prefers "bus rojo" because "es para Target."