Author Archives: Anna

DCentric was created to examine the ways race and class interact in Washington, D.C., a city with a vibrant mix of cultures and neighborhoods. Your guides to the changing district are reporters Anna John and Elahe Izadi.

February 8, 2011 | 11:41 AM | By

No Representation? No Taxation!

Flickr: Missy Caulk

Republican Congressman (and Freshman!) Allen West.

DCist discussed something interesting yesterday– what if we had no taxation to match our lack of representation? Rep. Allen West (R-FL) is the latest pol to propose the plan:

“I have seen the license plates that say there should be no taxation without representation. I have to do more research on the issue. The District of Columbia was designed to be the home base of the federal government so I would have to see what the Constitution says. If you live in the District, perhaps an exclusionary zone should be set up where District residents do not pay federal taxes,” West said.

The idea isn’t exactly new, having been proposed in the past by everyone from local voting rights activists to one of the District’s biggest foes, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX). There’s some obvious pros, but also some distinct cons that would need to be considered.

Scrapping federal taxes would be a huge plus for many District residents, who would suddenly have a good deal more cash to invest in businesses, homes and their families. Of course, any such exemption would make the city a huge draw for just about anyone willing to skip out on paying their share to the feds — most likely the very, very rich. If we think that the District has charged dramatically over the last decade with a relatively stable influx of new residents, how would it change over the next decade when every new resident was promised a break on their federal taxes?

FILED UNDER: Government, Money, Representation
February 8, 2011 | 9:25 AM | By

Tasty Morning Bytes – Illegal Chipotle, Guns in Georgetown and a Kid’s Advice for the Redskins

Good morning, DCentric readers! Here comes the sun!

Chipotle Facing Illegal-Immigration Crackdown in D.C. Now I’m going to have that Southpark episode (“They’re takin’ our jobs!”) in my head: “ICE realized they were getting a lot of bad publicity with construction site raids, so they’ve switched to this,” said Kathy Doan with the Capital Area Immigrant’s Rights Coalition. “These are working people with families.” (NBC Washington)

Since D.C.’s handgun ban ended, well-heeled residents have become well armed More are in Georgetown, not East of the Anacostia: “He said he keeps two revolvers, two semiautomatic pistols and a Benelli 12-gauge “combat assault shotgun” in his home. The loaded ones are in a quick-opening gun safe in his bedroom closet. He said he wouldn’t hesitate to use them.” (The Washington Post)

It’s Been a While Since the Redskins were in the Super Bowl, Right? Feel like smiling? A child who participates in 826DC’s tutoring program has some advice for D.C.’s team. It’s super cute. “MIKE SHANAHAN: Ice out the kicker if you have the time outs. PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE!!” Yes, sir! (826dc.org)

TFA Alumnus Describes Barriers to Student Achievement “don’t worry, I’m not going rehash Freedom Writers, and I certainly won’t tell one of those sappy “this is why I Teach For America” stories. Instead, I want to offer some very candid thoughts about why I think my district and school were such abysmal failures.” The word “abysmal” is right, unfortunately. (anurbanteacherseducation.com)

Beyond Bread: Restoration at Service Centers: Ideas from the Grassroots A view from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families front lines: “As a TANF recipient off and on the last few years, I know that people like me see the daily problems and we also see where changes can be made.” (breadforthecity.blogspot.com)

Maryland Homeowner Plans to Appeal “Boarding House” Ruling In Potomac, you better not have colored roomies: “The Huynhs rented out a downstairs apartment and an upstairs bedroom, so the homeowners association got a court order in November, saying a boarding house is not permitted and that persons of African, Indian and Asian descent move in and stay for a short time.” (NBC Washington)

February 7, 2011 | 5:15 PM | By

Welcome, United Negro College Fund

Flickr: crazysanman.history

Historical marker for the UNCF in Virginia.

Look who’s moving to D.C., and when I say D.C., I mean it and not a suburb:

Seeking to expand its support of education for Americans of color, UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) will move its national headquarters from Fairfax, Virginia into Washington, D.C. in 2012. UNCF, the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization has begun construction on a 50,000 square-foot office at Progression Place, located at 1805 7th Street, NW, in D.C.’s surging Shaw neighborhood…

“UNCF has become one of the country’s most prominent advocates for the importance of students getting the preschool-through-high school education they need to succeed in college, and Washington is the hub of the national conversation about how to make sure they get that preparation for college,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO. “UNCF also wants to be able to provide college-focused information and services directly to DC-area students and the hundreds of thousands of students who visit DC each year. To be an effective advocate for education reform, and to help children of color prepare for college UNCF has to be in D.C.

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FILED UNDER: Around the City, Non-profits, Shaw
February 7, 2011 | 3:22 PM | By

Emancipation and the Struggle Over Equality in D.C.

Flickr: dcwriterdawn

National Portrait Gallery, the site of Wednesday's free event.

Here’s a neat Black History Month event I found via the City Paper. Did I mention that it’s free?

Beginning in 2004, Kate Masur kept stumbling across references to a 19th century Capitol employee and her refusal to leave a train departing from Alexandria…(Masur) eventually identified the employee as Kate Brown. Brown, a women’s room attendant, wanted to sit among the very people she served in the designated “ladies’ car”—implicitly for white women only. After a conductor instructed Brown to move and she refused, he and a police officer police pounded on her knuckles and twisted her arms before tossing her from the car and onto the platform. Masur includes Brown’s story in An Example for All the Land: Emancipation and the Struggle Over Equality in Washington, D.C., an account of black Washingtonians’ efforts to gain equality in the wake of the Civil War…And in a story that will surely resonate with those of us dissatisfied with the District’s Congressional representation—or lack thereof—Masur tells of black and white Washingtonians bonding to cultivate a new Republican Party with big hopes for greater racial equality—only for Congress to abolish the local self-government they needed, all but destroying the progressive foundation they’d established.

Progressive black and white Washingtonians coming together to create a Republican party for racial equality? I’m there! Well, that and I’m always down to learn more about D.C. history. Tomorrow, Masur will speak at the National Archives (700 Constitution Ave NW). If you miss her there, you have a second chance to hear her– she’ll be at the National Portrait Gallery (800 F Street NW, pictured above) on Wednesday. Both events are at noon. More Black History Month events, here.

FILED UNDER: History, Books, Racial Divide, Segregation
February 7, 2011 | 9:05 AM | By

Tasty Morning Bytes – That Chinatown Archway, Alexander’s Conflict of Interest, Cardozo High’s Struggles

Good morning, DCentric readers! Welcome back from your weekend.

Streets of Washington: Chinatown’s Friendship Archway Ever wondered about that archway on H Street, in Chinablock? Find its history at Streets of Washington. (streetsofwashington.blogspot.com)

In Pepco territory, blackouts mean more home generators, more noise complaints Oh, Pepco: “I really think it’s kind of scandalous that in the capital of the world, we’ve got third-world reliability for electric power,” said Larry Posner of Shepherd Park in Northwest.” At least they can afford generators. How many do without? (The Washington Post)

D.C. Council member’s office lease actions raise questions Yvette Alexander “paid” for an office in Southeast– which the city would’ve provided for free. It was in a Condo building. The rent often wasn’t paid. And she introduced legislation that would benefit her landlord. Eyebrows. They raise. (Washington Times)

Photos: Chinese New Year Parade Yes, D.C. has Asian people. And parades! 恭喜发财 (Washington City Paper)

Study finds funding gap between D.C. specialty and neighborhood schools While some high schools draw the District’s top kids, “Cardozo’s Grant said she faces “a revolving door” of students expelled or withdrawn from public charter schools as well as students living in group homes and homeless shelters.” So Cardozo must do more, with less. (The Washington Post)

Police barely decent in massage parlor sting Thanks to some challenging undercover work by cops: “The two women, identified only as D1 and D2 in the court papers, were arrested on charges of solicitation and giving massages without a license.” Can’t help but wonder if they were trafficked, or if anyone cares about THAT. (Washington Times)

February 4, 2011 | 4:44 PM | By

Pit Bulls: From America’s Dog to Public Enemy #1

Flickr: Nickel3rd

A Pit bull puppy.

Do a news search for “pit bulls” and you’ll notice certain themes: neglect, dog bites, as well as proposals to ban them. No type of dog arouses more emotion than those identified– and misidentified– as Pits bulls. Yet a century ago, these dogs were so admired for their loyalty and bravery that they were considered “America’s Dog” and used on posters during World War I to sell war bonds and recruit for the U.S. military. Before that, Pit bulls were prized for their gentle disposition and willingness to watch over children whose parents were busy at work, in the fields. So how did a dog which was once respected become so feared?

President and CEO of the Washington Humane Society Lisa LaFontaine says, “If you take a historical look at the breeds involved in dog attacks, the dogs that had been trained by certain elements of society to be aggressive were the pariah breeds of their era.”

LaFontaine explains that during the era of slavery, “Attacks by Bloodhounds were common because Bloodhounds were used to track runaway slaves. They were used to doing something violent. Fast forward to the 1880s and New York City, where Newfoundlands were being used to guard markets, so a preponderance of bites came from Newfoundlands. After World War II, Dobermans were associated with Nazis and were seen as dangerous.

“It was really when gangs adopted Pit bulls that they became the latest pariah…these happy, healthy, well-adjusted dogs became a symbol of drug culture and violence because unfortunately, you can take all of a Pit’s positive traits and turn them negative.”

Some may ask, what positive traits does a Pit bull have? Once again, history provides answers– and some surprising examples of great, if not heroic dogs. The only dog ever to be promoted to the rank of “Sergeant” started out as a brindle puppy with an abbreviated tail, a trait which inspired his name, “Stubby”.
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FILED UNDER: History, Animals, Hoyas
February 4, 2011 | 11:37 AM | By

Walmart: Bringing Groceries to a Desert Near You

Flickr: Ratterrell

Bananas at Walmart.

Over at the City Paper, Lydia DePillis tallies another hash mark for the pro-Walmart contingent:

Count another one who thinks Walmart won’t be all bad: Office of Planning Director Harriet Tregoning. At a D.C. Building Industry Association event at the National Press Club last night, she pointed out that the city still has food deserts, and that the super-retailer was going into several of them with smaller-format stores that will sell a lot of food. “I’m getting a lot of pushback, a lot of brouhaha, about these stores,” she said. “But you know, they’re bringing groceries.”

At the same time, Tregoning emphasized the need for national tenants to bend to the needs of the surrounding area. “We expect you to build something that fits,” she said. “We can’t expect a suburban store to work in our neighborhoods.” She also extolled the virtues of local retail, and wants to work with the smaller independent stores to “up their game” so they can compete with the incoming giants.

FILED UNDER: Around the City, Food, Food Deserts, Race and Class, Walmart
February 4, 2011 | 8:37 AM | By

Tasty Morning Bytes – Screening Homeless Families, Bread Alum Rises and Envying Chicago

Good morning, DCentric readers! Happy Friday!

“They built barricades on U Street and placed riflemen atop the Howard Theatre.” “Washington’s riot was sparked by bogus rumors of a “Negro fiend” raping white women. A mob of unemployed whites, many of them veterans of World War I, gathered to seek revenge, rampaging through D.C. for two straight nights. After several African Americans had been lynched or severely beaten, the black residents of Shaw decided to make a stand. They built barricades on U Street and placed riflemen atop the Howard Theatre. White streetcar passengers were thrashed to bloody pulps, and white pedestrians were picked off by sniper fire.” (shaniohilton.wordpress.com)

Space for homeless tight, D.C. family shelter limits eligibility, puts some in hotels “Hoping to avoid last year’s disastrous overcrowding at the District’s shelter for homeless families, the city has made it harder to get into the shelter and has begun paying for hotel rooms for a small number of families. Families seeking shelter are being carefully screened, and only those found to have no alternative are eligible for one of the 145 units at the Southeast Washington shelter, said an official with the D.C. Department of Human Services…The practice of using hotels for emergency shelter for the homeless fell out of favor under Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D).” (The Washington Post)

Our formerly homeless friend Donna moves onward “After years of service, our relationship with Donna deepened when we became her Representative Payee. This means that Bread for the City became the recipient of her disability benefits; we paid her rent and bills; and we worked with her to manage a budget. Three years ago, with the help of a Bread for the City case manager, Donna moved into her own apartment for the first time in more than a decade. She’s been living there happily since, and recently got her own cat named Nina…We are proud to say that, as of the new year, Donna has “moved on” from our Rep Payee program.” (breadforthecity.blogspot.com)
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