DC: A Tale of Two Cities

Lately, I am reminded of the Charles Dickens classic A Tale of Two Cities. It starts off with the well-known line “ It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, …” That’s the impression I was left with after reviewing Mayor Bowser’s 2020 Accountability Report. DC has more than bounced back from the devastating destruction of the riots, the reputation as the murder capital, and the financial crisis that gripped it from the late sixties through the early ’90s. However, there is an undercurrent of unease that’s palpable with the daily barrage of shootings, the mushrooming explosion of tent cities. The not so subtle reminder; it’s not the best of times for everyone.

The DC Voice has reported on the increasing gun violence and murder in the city. Every pop sounds like gunfire and the thought of being caught in a random stream of gunfire is never that far from the front of your mind. Even making a short dash from your doorstep to the car requires a look in both directions and keeping your head on a swivel. In fact, the year started off with a flurry of murder, 6 in 6 days as reported by Fox 5 DC and has continued. Though the report only touts the 17,000 private cameras funded through the Private Security Camera Rebate Program under the Public Safety section. We need more than security cameras to stem the tide of murders and gun violence in our neighborhoods.

There’s nothing more grating than walking by or through the underpasses of tents, shopping carts, and bags of personal belongings of the homeless living there. At first glance, you’d be hard-pressed to not think you were in some under-developed, third world country in need of relief. It’s impossible for anyone outside of the District to fathom that this typically happens a short walk away from the US Capitol. This is happening as new condos, townhomes, and living spaces are popping up like weeds. Every available lot in DC is rapidly disappearing amidst this recent housing boom.

The most graphic illustration of the dichotomy between growth and displacement is the corner of 2^nd and L Streets N.E. On one side of the street is a shining new high rise, an example of the new DC. In the shadow of this ornate structure is the 2^nd Street underpass that serves as the home for a number of tent-dwelling homeless residents. On the 29-degree morning the featured pictures were taken, it’s unconscionable that this exists in the United States at all and in the nation’s capital, in particular.

This commentary is not to pour cold water on the Mayor’s 2020 Accountability report. These are decades-long problems that have not been fully addressed. It’s also not an indictment of her accomplishments. It’s good to see DC making strides in so many areas. The DC Voice has even applauded the Mayor’s affordable housing initiatives. However, in the midst of these accomplishments let’s make sure phrases like “As we reflect on the achievements of the past year, we do so fully aware of the work still ahead” don’t become hollow throw-away lines. There are still a lot of people who are living in the worst of times.

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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, … – Charles Dickens