Comments on: Why so many black residents left D.C. and Marion Barry on diversity

By: Cee Mee

Cee Mee — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 02:48:00 +0000

So that explains why “peeGee” and Charles counties are becoming ghettoes. Oh, refer to the previous article for an explanation….

Low-income blacks who are seemingly “upwardly mobile” are moving out to find cheaper housing, thus, bringing their low-class, filthy, substandard lifestyles (morality)with them. My case in point Oxon Hill, Clinton, and Waldorf in Maryland.

By: baiaforever

baiaforever — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:27:00 +0000

I am a black person and well black people and leaders really dropped the ball in dc. i don’t think more white people or asians or hispanics moving in is a bad thing. It has actually made the city more prosperous and more hip and younger. what Marion Berry and other black leaders need to focus on is revitalizing the black population still left and helping them to see that attaining greater education is going to revitalize their communities. in some cases now i would say its not that more white people have entered the city but more snobby white people who look down on minorities have moved in… new thats a problem

By: Omowaleday

Omowaleday — Fri, 20 May 2011 06:05:00 +0000

The problem with gentrification is that it is both class and primarily race based, and as Marion Barry pointed out, it not only displaces traditional communities, the drive to force them out shreds them. DC used to have Soul, now it is soul-less and becoming ever more so every year. Many whites who are part of gentrification are in a state of denial about what they are doing, while there are others who do not hide their intent and desire to force out the black residents. They come in and begin to make baseless and silly complaints against their black neighbors to the police, who respond more aggressively to their calls because they are white. America is no where near being “post-racial” or “post-racist,” it is like white people claiming that Jim Crow is dead in order to give it a new look and a new lease on life, which is what gentrification actually is – the new Jim Crow in housing.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 01:21:00 +0000

Tomato Tomatoe all the same. “Losing a majority” “More diverse”= gentrification. All the same. Bad thing when it displaces poor black people.

By: Blanonymous Male

Blanonymous Male — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:28:00 +0000

” And why is anyone “losing a majority,” why isn’t anyone saying that DC is becoming more diverse. Since when is that a bad thing anyhow.”

Touche! I’d also like to hear an explanation for this, but its not forthcoming.

By: Eli

Eli — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:47:00 +0000

The reason many long time renters get displaced is that Section 8 has rent ceilings based on neighborhood and for whatever reason they are higher than market rent in wards 7 & 8 (providing an incentive to landlords to rent to low-income tenants) and below market in wealthier neighborhoods in wards 2 & 3.

The real change is happening in wards 4, 5, and 6 where market rents are rising and very recently surpassing Section 8 ceilings, providing an incentive for landlords to raise rent and get market tenants in areas that were low income for the past 10-20 years. The city could of course stop this by raising Section 8 ceilings to compete in the changing market, but for whatever reason city council has not made it a priority.

In my NE DC neighborhood (Eckington) a 3 bedroom house can get nearly $1900 in Section 8 rent, or as much as $2200 or $2300 in market rent. Who do you think the landlord would pick?

By: FeelingwelcomeinDC

FeelingwelcomeinDC — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:48:00 +0000

That’s right. Let’s limit people who pay a lot in taxes, because their higher education attainment generally translates into higher paying jobs. Let’s move them out of town and then complain about the city being broke. And why is anyone “losing a majority,” why isn’t anyone saying that DC is becoming more diverse. Since when is that a bad thing anyhow.