A TALE OF TWO CITIES

It is no original observation to say there are two different Washingtons: the white, wealthier and more educated DC, and to use a common euphemism, the "urban" DC. But while I was out around town yesterday, I found announcements for two different annual events that illustrate these disparate worlds.

The first was a backlit advertisement on the platform at Farragut West downtown. It was on the other opposite platform, but it was advertising an upcoming event called:

The 19th Annual Federal Dispute Resolution Conference

I went to the website to look for the ad itself, to no avail. I did find a bit more information about it, but to explain any further than to note that it's being held in Phoenix would put me to sleep.

The other was a 5x9 card next to the register at the 7-11 in the black-yet-gentrifying U Street neighborhood near my apartment. it was promoting the "2nd Annual Fathers Day Commemoration" for the ROOT Foundation, and the largest words on the card advertised the call for a:

Moratorium on Murder

Yikes. Is it so bad there has to be a "moratorium"? And how could anyone enforce it?

One could live in Anacostia or Congress Heights and never learn, nor care about the former event. Likewise, one could live in Georgetown or Bethesda and never know about the latter, though guilt would at least be a reason to pause. U Street, for now, is a nice balance between the two -- yet I have scant interest in either beyond noting the contrast. But what the hell, I wish them both the best of luck.

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posted by WWB at 11:26 PM |