The Old Chocolate City

In 2011, the US Census reported Washington, DC with a population of 50.7% Black persons and 42.4% white persons.This is an increase from the 38.5% of reported white persons in the 2010 US Census. This marks the highest percentage of whites living in the District since the 1960s, when whites were leaving the city for the region's more spacious suburbs.Prior to 1960, for example, D.C. was majority-white.In 1970, African Americans accounted for 71 percent of the city's population. It is very apparent that the population and more importantly the demographic make up of "Chocolate City" is again changing.

So what does this mean that this vast majority of black Washingtonians are no longer prevalent in the District? These changes have led to redrawing of ward lines, opportunity for new political representation, gentrification, families unable to afford their homes and lower crime rates. Many of these changes started under the mayoral offices of Tony Williams and Adrian Fenty whom brought Target to Columbia Heights, baseball back to Washington and Starbucks on every corner.We are seeing this change occurring right in front of our eyes everyday.

This weekend it was brought to my attention again when I met a women who works for radio one. We were talking about some of the most popular radio stations in the DC area. She stated the most popular station is 99.5. I was surprised to hear that because it is my least favorite station with their tradition of overplaying pop songs and hyping up popular stars and not playing a variety of music or introducing new artists.This woman went on to tell me that another popular station 95.5 is attempting to follow suite of 99.5 and is transforming into a more pop station. To make this transition they have removed popular black MCs Big Tigger and Free who both were formerly hosts on BET. Both of these individuals were replaced on their 95.5 morning show within the past two years.Another station trying to keep up with growing audience is 94.7 who advertises "all the hit songs without the rap." And they are serious about that. When a pop song contains rap, 94.7 will cut the rap out of the song. All of these efforts are being made to satisfy and meet the needs of the growing target audience in the area.


So who has the most to gain, and lose, over the next ten years as these changes continue? What will DC look like in that time? How long will it take for local politics to catch up? Are these changes just the natural ebbs and flow of culture or is this revitalization more purposeful and pushing black Washingtonians out of the city?


--Krystal