The Social and Political Constructions of Race

Race is that little box you check when filling out forms. It doesn't have anything to do with ethnic identity, cultural background, or personal beliefs or values. It has nothing to do with the kind of person you are or where you come from, and yet it plays an enormous part in your future, your abilities, and your perception of the world.

Why?

Because we made it that way.

At the Natural History Museum's "Race" exhibit

Race is a social construction. It's totally invented, having no groundings in biology or any other science. Despite this, we have given it value and meaning; we have given some people privilege and devalued and discriminated against others with it. 

We have made it a huge part of our identity, and it is a deciding factor in so many decisions we make and  decisions made for us. 

You know what's funny? Those little race "boxes" aren't even that well defined--what makes a certain person black and a certain person white?  Of course, if someone were to hop on a plane in Norway and hop off again in the Caribbean, there would be noticeable differences in skin tone and features.

What if you walked it? There would never be a certain, imaginary line where people  suddenly "looked different." People tend to look like the people that live where they do, and that's what you would notice. It is a slow transformation, a spectrum, all the way from Norway to the Caribbean, and the changes are so slight, you wouldn't even notice. 

Race is a political construction.

At a time in our nation's history, being defined as black or white varied state to state. In some states, if you were one-eighth black, you were racially black. In other states it was one-quarter or one-sixteenth. These sort of definitions effectively put in place a sort of glass ceiling, a caste system, a world of poverty and discrimination. These laws effectively kept certain people from achieving autonomy, freedom, and basic rights, and kept a different group of people in the ruling class, in control of money, land, education, and wealth.

At the Natural History Museum's "Race" exhibit

Depending on your race, you either think about it constantly or not at all. For people who have been discriminated against or mistreated based on their race, it is something in the forefront of their minds. Others never think about their race, don't identify anything with their particular race--because they have never had to. What they don't see, however, is what a great privilege that is, and what other great privileges they have been given for having this complexion. 

For people of races that have been discriminated against, we see evidence in this socially, economically, and politically to this day. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. People with darker skin are more likely to be in prison, more likely to be in poverty, and more likely to be uneducated and unqualified for employment. Is it because they are black? Yes, but in a twisted sense. It is because of the history and definition of race created so long ago, and how that has spilled over to now. If one specific racial group is given access to certain rights and another denied access, which one is going to succeed? Which one is going to suffer and ultimately find other methods for survival? We created race, and race has created all of these problems and divides. 

Race is incredibly valuable and necessary in our culture. When we meet new people, we wonder "what are they?" if they look "mixed" or "ethnically unusual," and we feel it alright to ask them these questions, and further to compartmentalize them. People who cannot easily define their race have a harder time fitting in places. Certain stereotypes and generalizations have been created based on racial divides. We live in a country, where people feel more comfortable hanging out with people who look like them, where a box on an employment application has dictated so much of our culture and individual success and value. 

If this is interesting to you, check out the National Museum of Natural History's new exhibit, "Race." It's running all summer, and chalk-full of information about the social and political origins of race, as well as accounts of people who have dealt with race in interesting ways. It gives you an opportunity to really think about what divides us--if anything.

--Megan

Stay Local

Every year national chains come into the city to replace locally-owned businesses. Even if the chain isn't their to replace a local business once they are in town it is possible for them to run the locals out of business. Many of us have our favorite chains that we love, and many of us are also unaware of the wonderful delicacies right here in the community. People throughout the city are losing their sense of community with the loss of local business. This loss of business leaves a social and economic void in the community. The quality of life within the community can change with the lack of resources returning to the people of the community.

National chains receive the approval of town residents with promises of tax revenue, employment opportunities and growth. For instance, WalMart has plans to move into the D.C. area and is trying to win approval from District residents prior to the move. Although these giant chains promise to provide many opportunities for locals most of the rewards and revenue are not given back to the community, but instead are held for profit within the company.

Independent local businesses employ a wide variety of supporting services from the community. This new need for services leads to the growth of opportunities for local accountants, advertising agencies, attorneys and others to help run the up and coming business. Local retailers and distributors usually carry a greater amount of locally made goods than large chains, this can in turn create more jobs for local producers. This illustrates the cycle of local businesses giving back to their community through growth and opportunity.

It is important for independent businesses, consumers and policy makers to grow a sustainable, local economy in Washington DC in order for the entire community to be successful. A great resource for anyone interested is Eat Local First. This is a local food campaign that focuses on local farming, restaurants and organizations that make locally-grown food more accessible in the DC community. On July 1st they will hosting an Edible Garden Tour. Join and you can explore city spaces and residential gardens that will open their doors for the public. This is a great opportunity for the community to experience how local foods are grown and produced within their community. For more information on the event just check out the website. One of our favorite parks, Park at Ledroit will be featured on the tour and you can check out our urban garden plot on site. It is the hope of ourselves and Eat Local First that with these opportunities and resources the community will be better informed and well-versed on how to support their community both socially and economically.

--Krystal

America's Pastime

I have always heard people talk about the wonders of America’s favorite sport, baseball. For years I never really understood the excitement of baseball. Prior to moving to the area I lived in areas without a professional home baseball team so the only baseball experiences I had were watching games on television. And for myself there is no magic in watching a televised baseball game. Recently I have started attending Washington National’s game and found a new enjoyment for America’s pastime.

You can get off of work in the evening, take the green line to Navy Yard, bring a student or military ID and get a discount on your tickets, it is really that easy to get into a game and inexpensive as well. Then once you are in the park just grab a cold drink, something to snack on and enjoy a good game. I attended the Cardinals game last Wednesday and was treated to a 10-0 victory by the Nats, which was very exciting for a new baseball fan. The new stadium is also a treat because there are truly no bad seats in the stadium and if you don’t want to sit you can always hang out at the bar on the upper level and check out the game from there. You can also check out a great view of the Washington Monument while overlooking Anacostia.

Not only is the environment of being at Nats Park so great, but the Nationals are in the middle of a winning streak, winning ten of their last eleven games. And everyone knows it is more fun to check out a winning team. July 4^th will be a great day to check out a game with the Chicago Cubs coming into town at 1:15pm . If you get to the game earlier you will can receive a promotional a baseball cap.

Check out the link to schedule your Nats game visit.

--Krystal

To Haiti With Love DC

Tomorrow, on GW’s campus, yogis, yoga teachers, and activists in DC will come together for "To Haiti With Love DC" to do 108 sun salutations for Haiti. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and hasn’t been able to recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake in early 2010; many Haitians are still living in tent cities with no access to resources. Participating yogis are asked to bring $1 for every sun salutation—a total of $108 donated to Haiti. The proceeds go to local organizations committed to sustainable solutions in Haiti.  This incredible event combines the power and energy of yoga with global service and a community connection.

The significance of doing 108 sun salutations close to the spring equinox has many roots. 108 is the number of mala beads that are worn. This string of beads symbolizes planets around the sun and are used for counting one’s mantra.  108 is also a symbol of the relationship between the sun, earth, and moon; the moon and sun are both roughly 108 times their respective diameters. The sun salutation is a series of poses that bring energy to the body and focus the mind on one’s intention. It is a tribute to the sun for giving life (and light!) to our planet.

This experience is sure to be a fabulous display of community support and outreach, people gathered to celebrate common values and practices, and take some time to give to our fellow humans in Haiti. Yoga is a practice of physical, mental, and spiritual challenges. It is rooted in a tradition of compassion toward others and respect for the earth, environment, all people, and all living things, regardless of race or creed.  Yogis believe in inner goodness in all people and animals.

Though I’m nervous about the physical challenge in the midday heat, I’ll be there, sweating it out and sending positive energy and good thoughts to Haiti. Namaste! 


--Megan

Biking DC

Before I moved to DC, I'd never used a bike as transportation or a way of commuting. As a kid, I used to ride around with my friends in the neighborhood. In Europe, friends and I often rented bicyles as leisurely ways to enjoy our travel--on beaches, in smaller cities, and, of course, in the biking capital of the world, in Amsterdam.

When I moved here, I was determined to ride. It seemed like the most cost-effective way to get around, as well as the fastest. The first two weeks or so I didn't know which streets went which direction, how to avoid North Capitol, and how to get back on my bicycle after stopping in the street. I was scared to change lanes, turn left, or ride in traffic. By the end of each day, I was sweaty and sore from riding. 

Now that I've gotten the hang of it, it has definitely proven to be both. Traffic hinders both buses and drivers, as does parking. The metro is often inconvenient (must walk/bus in addition to metro) and delayed. And crowded. Especially now with so many bike lanes and bike racks popping up, it's super easy to get where you want, with the added bonus of seeing all the sights along the way. Check out some of the great bike lanes throughout DC. Bikers have a great lane in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue (a fabulous view of the Capitol) and a 2 way lane all the way down 15th St. NW. 

The start up cost might hold some people back: buying a nice bike can be pricey, and then you need to buy a good U-lock, a helmet, lights, and other  gear. But my bike has literally paid for itself in the money I've saved from riding metro and bus. 

DC is a very manageable city for riding, too. Not too big, and not too hilly. There is also a large number of cyclers here, and more and more services are opening each day to accommodate bike commuters.

The biggest issue with biking in DC is theft. Bike thieves are prevalent and bold. Be careful where and how you lock up your bike. If given the choice, bring it inside with you. Register your bike with the police. This is where community comes into play. Try and lock up your bike in well lit areas with other bikes. Always be vigilant and report other bike thefts that you see. More information about the horrors of bike theft and safeguarding your bike here.

Besides commuting, the DC area has some great options for enjoyable bike rides. Check out the Mt. Vernon trail, which takes you all the way down through Alexandria and to Mt. Vernon, or try the Capital Crescent Trail from Georgetown to Bethesda (and grab a Bethesda Bagel before heading back!). Rock Creek Park's Beach Drive is closed to motorists on weekends and holidays from 7am-7pm. 

Bicycling is a great way to promote health and sustainable living. Daily biking cuts back on energy waste, making the air cleaner and the roadways less congested. It helps people stay active and healthy in our busy day-to-day lives. The choice to cycle is a big part of DC's community identity. It has changed the cityscape and given a certain character and energy. Cycling has revitalized businesses and made different parts of the city more accessible. 

For more information about cycling, bike safety and bike maintenance, try Bicycle Space or WABA.

Interested in purchasing a bike? Try The Bike Rack or City Bikes. Interested in the Capital Bike Share program? Check out Capital Bike Share.

Park at Ledroit:"It is just perfect"

This just isn’t a park but a community gathering space. With a community garden, children’s playground, Dog Park, and even fitness equipment with signs for usage, this is an ideal setting for everyone in the community. The definition of community is a group of people living together and practicing common ownership in a particular area or place. This is exactly what you will see when visiting the Park and Ledroit.

Common Good City Farm is an urban farm and education center managing the community garden in Ledroit Park. They have established a tradition of providing; fresh food, educational opportunities, and a safe place to garden and commune. Common Good City Farm also introduced the community garden plots right outside of their farming area. Many individuals throughout the community applied for these plots and my blogging partner, Megan and about sixty others received space to produce their own urban gardens in the park. With the help of Common Good City Farm and their wheelbarrows, shovels, and other tools these individuals transformed this once empty space into a beautiful garden collective. It is truly inspiring to see a diverse group of individuals working together toward a common purpose. 

The park itself is also a sight to be seen. With two separate playground areas; one for children ages 2-5 and the second for ages 5-12, families can have a safe outdoor space for their children. While visiting the area I spoke with a woman about the park and her thoughts. She exclaimed that the park “is just perfect.” She continued to tell me about how she works at a nursery within walking distance. As she was speaking I panned around and noticed the ten small children she was watching in the ages 2-5 park.  She continued to speak on how perfect this park was for the community. While walking around I saw the various exercise equipment with tips and directives, a newly finished dog park, and felt that this was the ideal park for a local neighborhood with something for everyone.

What I also thought was interesting is the location of the park. Ledroit Park is a beautiful neighborhood in DC and I have been told that this area was once inhabited by many Howard University professors. The Park at Ledroit is located on Vst right across from some old abandoned homes. There appears to be some sort of construction, renovating, or rebuilding going on in the uninhibited space. It is amazing to see such a lively park on one side of the street and almost the exact opposite on the other.

Have you visited the new Park at Ledroit? If not, I encourage you to do so soon and you may even see your favorite bloggers there when you do. Check out these links for more information on the park and Common Good City Farm.

--Krystal

Community Inequality

     Everyday of the week I go to work in Ward 5, pretty much right across the street from the Rhode Island Metro. The location is easily accessible, lots of free parking, and pretty residential. I enjoy working in ward 5, but I have made some observations of the area.  For instance, a few months ago a few co-workers and I decided to satisfy our craving for something sweet and get McFlurries. We went to the McDonald’s right on Rhode Island and to our surprise and great disappointment this McDonalds’ ice cream machine was broken. A broken ice cream machine means no McFlurries, no smoothies, and no way for us to satisfy that sweet tooth. 


     Because we had set our minds on getting McFlurries we decided to try the next closest McDonald’s on North Capital and once again they told us they did not have the resources to make McFlurries that day. This disappointment just was not enough for us and we decided to continue our journey east on north capital to the next McDonald’s. As we arrived we knew that the third time would be the charm and we would finally get the ice cream we were craving for. As we entered the McDonald’s we were quickly met with the sound of an employee banging the ice cream machine with a hammer. This time we didn’t even attempt to order. I began to assume that possibly McFlurries were not a top priority because of the winter temperatures. I just could not fathom why three McDonald’s could all have broken or disabled ice cream machines.

     Then just last week again I traveled to my neighborhood McDonald’s on Rhode Island Avenue for a M&M McFlurry on a hot day and once again. To my surprise an employee told me that their ice cream machine was broken, which also included strawberry lemonades for some reason.  As soon as I left the McDonald’s I couldn’t help but think “I bet the McDonald’s in Dupont has McFlurries today.”

     Now I am not a huge fan of McDonald’s in the first place, but in this circumstance I have no issue with the company, but the fact that different services and resources can be received at different locations. This happens all throughout the city. It is easy for an individual to see which DC wards receive the most resources and attention. I can only help but wonder how these disparities affect the community. Schools, houses, restaurants and parks can all be of different quality and worth depending on location. Our community deserves equal access to resources and services regardless of social or financial disproportion so that everyone’s needs and wants can be met.

How do people feel when their neighborhood is overlooked? How do disparities affect a community?


--Krystal

DC's Best Kept Secret--The National Arboretum

It's hard to get to. You have to take a couple of different buses or brave a bike ride on some very busy roads. Unless you live in the far Northeast neighborhoods, you've probably never even been anywhere near it before.

But it's worth the journey.

The National Arboretum is absolutely breathtaking. Take a stroll through their herb gardens or Asian gardens, visit the grove of the 50 state trees, ride a bike to the highest point for a great view of the city (and then fly back down), or check out the tall Capitol columns in the center or hike a shady path .
It's all amazing and too much to take in one visit--go back!
It's totally free and the perfect trip for a sunny, warm, breezy day. It's a great place to learn some (the staff are very knowledgeable and eager to help) and do some reflection or relaxation.

The first time I visited the Arboretum, I didn't expect to go back. After riding my bike along Florida Ave, New York Ave, and Benning Road, further and further away from the DC I knew, past abandoned buildings, being passed by large trucks and fast cars, I arrived. The moment I stepped through the door a staff member eagerly pointed out his favorite places on the map (it seemed to be all of them) and what I could learn about plant life in each one. I then grabbed my bike again and caught my first sight of the Capitol Columns. I can't tell you how overwhelmed I was by the atmosphere.
It's free and for the community in every way. Check out their website to plan your visit!

--Megan

We Wear the Mask

To go along with Monday's  post...    

   We Wear the Mask--Paul Laurence Dunbar

    WE wear the mask that grins and lies,
    It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
    This debt we pay to human guile;
    With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
    And mouth with myriad subtleties.

    Why should the world be over-wise,
    In counting all our tears and sighs?
    Nay, let them only see us, while
            We wear the mask.

    We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
    To thee from tortured souls arise.
    We sing, but oh the clay is vile
    Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
    But let the world dream otherwise,
            We wear the mask!

This poem is a depiction of a slave population in pain and suffering--hidden behind a mask of contentment. There were many emotions slaves felt the need to keep from their masters. They didn't let on if they could read or had knowledge of certain things, they didn't express joy or anger or sadness...they expressed a placid contentment to mask these other feelings. Any other could make a landowner worried about their conditions or ideas, and would possibly take action on the slave.

What do you think?

--Megan