My thing is, yes there are things that need to improve in the city. But DC is no different than any other major American city except for its federal status. Until you address the actual problems itâll never change short of full blown ethnic cleansing/radical gentrification that kicks out the entire population outside of those with means. Then DC will just be surrounded by dangerous enclaves.
Thereâs definitely a two way street to this. To play devils advocate, there are Black residents that are tired of the so called YNs and to also be fair the city provides A LOT of programs and services for those at risk from free healthcare to free summer programs and of course Mayor Barryâs summer youth jobs program which has been a boon for the cityâs teens for decades. So opportunities are there and some of these kids DO take this opportunities. The city is small, so while yall hear about how bad southside or uptown or Northeast is thereâs so many brilliant young minds that do take advantage of the opportunities in the city and excel.
So to me, these are issues that the cityâs residents alongside their representatives need to have a real dialogue about. Because these kids could be our little siblings or even our children. Sending them into the federal prison system should be the last resort. What can actually be done now that hasnât been done to fix DCâs issues? Thatâs a more constructive discussion than everyone else not from here speculating or deciding for Washingtonians what should and shouldnât be done. Yeah itâs yall nations capital, but itâs our home.
Thereâs definitely a two way street to this. To play devils advocate, there are Black residents that are tired of the so called YNs and to also be fair the city provides A LOT of programs and services for those at risk from free healthcare to free summer programs and of course Mayor Barryâs summer youth jobs program which has been a boon for the cityâs teens for decades. So opportunities are there and some of these kids DO take this opportunities. The city is small, so while yall hear about how bad southside or uptown or Northeast is thereâs so many brilliant young minds that do take advantage of the opportunities in the city and excel.
So to me, these are issues that the cityâs residents alongside their representatives need to have a real dialogue about. Because these kids could be our little siblings or even our children. Sending them into the federal prison system should be the last resort. What can actually be done now that hasnât been done to fix DCâs issues? Thatâs a more constructive discussion than everyone else not from here speculating or deciding for Washingtonians what should and shouldnât be done. Yeah itâs yall nations capital, but itâs our home.

Memphis next
