DCentric

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

Charles Murray and shiftless, lazy whites “In a recent lecture titled “The State of White America,” libertarian scholar Charles Murray spotlighted a series of self-destructive behaviors that he thinks are rapidly destroying the social fabric of the nation…“I’m not talking about inner-city blacks or all the other populations that have been the topic of so much discussion over the past decades.” No, he was talking about white people — a group that has long managed to deny the extent of its character flaws by projecting the worst of them onto black people. Now, the cat was out the bag: White people can be shiftless and lazy, too.” (The Washington Post)

Obama Family Attends Easter Services in D.C. The president and his family worshiped at one of the oldest churches in the city; it was founded by freed slaves in 1863. “The first family entered Shiloh Baptist Church in the Shaw neighborhood while members of a choir dressed in black, white and gold sang “Total Praise.” Mr. Obama shook a few hands and hugged members of the congregation as he and his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, walked to a second-row pew.” (Washington Times)

Bleak Easter Weekend For Georgetown Harbour Restaurants Formerly flooded harbour was closed for one of the busiest “brunch” days of the year: “Many disappointed families and tourist groups were politely turned away by security guards at the entrance to Washington Harbour…”It’s a big loss of revenue for us”, said Jimmy Phomsivilei, manager of Bangkok Joe’s dumpling restaurant. ‘Were always very busy down here on Easter” he added.” (WUSA Washington, DC)

DC USA Moves Closer to Filling Up “Since launching in 2008, DC USA has served as a catalyst for new stores and restaurants. The project, responsible for the first Target in the District, changed the retail landscape of Columbia Heights — once dominated by takeout joints — setting the tone for stores to follow. While the community benefits from the convenience of having the likes of Marshall’s and Staples at its doorstep, reservations persist. As more national chains absorb available space, some observers question how much room will be left for independent retailers.” (The Washington Post)

Carwash workers have a friend in Evans Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans introduced a bill to address a clause that prevents carwash employees– and just carwash employees–from earning time-and-a-half after working over 40 hours: “The bill, he said, “would wipe out that unfair exception.” Mr. Evans said employees of a carwash he uses on 13th Street kept bugging him about the issue after they recognized him as a council member, or at least spotted the license plate on his car that spells it out.” Now that’s good lobbying! (Washington Times)

Charter schools suffer leadership shortages ““I think [the leadership shortage] has already substantially throttled the growth” of charter schools, said Eric Premack, director of the Charter Schools Development Center, a Sacramento-based nonprofit group that offers training, resources and technical assistance to charters nationally. “We would have two to three times as many schools operating if we didn’t have this problem.”” (The Washington Post)