Tasty Morning Bytes — Latino Indians and Georgetown Chains
Hate Crimes Against Whites And Latinos Rise In D.C. Last year saw a 70 percent increase in hate-based crimes. In 2009, there were only two such reported crimes. And Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier says gentrification may be behind some of it. Although most of the crimes have been based on sexual orientation, race-based crimes against whites and Latinos are on the rise. (WAMU)
More Latinos in U.S. Identifying as Indian An increasing number of people from Latin America are self-identifying on Census forms as indigenous rather than Hispanic, both because of increased awareness and an actual growth in indigenous immigrants. “Hispanic is not a race,” activist Carlos Quiroz says “Hispanic is not a culture. Hispanic is an invention by some people who wanted to erase the identity of indigenous communities in America.” (Colorlines)
D.C. mulls broadening eligibility criteria for $20 million foreclosure fund The District has $20 million set aside to help unemployed people with homes in foreclosure, but only $1 million has been committed for use. Part of the problem may be that so few people have applied for help, and if that trend continues, the Housing Finance Agency may broaden eligibility requirements so underemployed people can also apply. (The Washington Post)
Chains Chase Growth in Georgetown A decade ago, Georgetown’s business community was mostly comprised of small, mom-and-pop operations. But now Calvin Klein, West Elm, Brooks Brothers and other national chains and luxury brands that can afford Georgetown rents are looking to open up shop in the neighborhood. (Wall Street Journal)
Fairfax County Welcoming Minority-Owned Businesses Ten of the top 500 Hispanic-owned businesses n the country are located in Northern Virginia’s Fairfax County, as are four of the top 500 black-owned businesses. (NBC Washington)