Walking America: Washington, DC (Anacostia and Alexandria)(intellectualinting.substack.com)
intellectualinting.substack.com
Walking America: Washington, DC (Anacostia and Alexandria)
https://intellectualinting.substack.com/p/walking-america-washington-dc-anacostia
42 comments
Almost as if the writer is looking at a fish tank, it demonstrates how everyone is now in a constant state of isolated perspectives, and unable to walk in the shoes of others.
Whatever is normal for us defines our world. The constant underlying battle is that we're less and less capable of walking in the shoes of others. If you live in rural America, you'll realize the same blights and issues exist too. People go through trauma and tragedy, and they often simply give up, this world is harsh on people who give up, or use drugs, or resort to harmful behavior especially if they're financially and racially not able to overcome societal stereotypes that are promoted. Just as there are individuals using crack and heroin in the inner city, there are wealthy people in Hollywood doing exactly the same things. Society works so hard to define differences and then to rebrand them as case studies and perspectives, but no one talks about the human nature perspective because it's really uncomfortable for humans to examine their own individual faults in the process.
I've lived in DC for over 30 years, and seen every corner of it. I was born to middle-class priviledge, but I've also As a minority myself, I know how hard it can be at the bottom through not being intimidated of living inside of that "fish tank", and knowing from that experience that there are people born to, and suffering from, much worse situations than mine.
If we look at the ways out of poverty and desolation as a scientist, we're already failing because there is no really effective way of grouping individuals into any actionable case study. It's frickin everyone that is the issue now. The cure for ignorance is understanding how every last one of us is vulnerable, susceptible, and accountable for their individual perspectives and actions and self education about wealth inequality and racial insensitivity... world wide.
Whatever is normal for us defines our world. The constant underlying battle is that we're less and less capable of walking in the shoes of others. If you live in rural America, you'll realize the same blights and issues exist too. People go through trauma and tragedy, and they often simply give up, this world is harsh on people who give up, or use drugs, or resort to harmful behavior especially if they're financially and racially not able to overcome societal stereotypes that are promoted. Just as there are individuals using crack and heroin in the inner city, there are wealthy people in Hollywood doing exactly the same things. Society works so hard to define differences and then to rebrand them as case studies and perspectives, but no one talks about the human nature perspective because it's really uncomfortable for humans to examine their own individual faults in the process.
I've lived in DC for over 30 years, and seen every corner of it. I was born to middle-class priviledge, but I've also As a minority myself, I know how hard it can be at the bottom through not being intimidated of living inside of that "fish tank", and knowing from that experience that there are people born to, and suffering from, much worse situations than mine.
If we look at the ways out of poverty and desolation as a scientist, we're already failing because there is no really effective way of grouping individuals into any actionable case study. It's frickin everyone that is the issue now. The cure for ignorance is understanding how every last one of us is vulnerable, susceptible, and accountable for their individual perspectives and actions and self education about wealth inequality and racial insensitivity... world wide.
I’m one of the author’s “front row” people who lives in northwest DC (in Ward 1). He’s not inaccurate with his observations, but the article is also reductive, superficial, and exhibitionist. There are white upper middle class elites who live here for years inside a bubble, but the far more interesting and rewarding life here in the District is when you integrate more. That’s a story of DC that never gets told, unfortunately.
> An in your face “be saved or suffer” religiosity. One that deeply informs the lives and realities of the residents, in a way that makes elites uncomfortable
When government social services are ineffective or had broken down, the little churches in communities like that is often the only thing which keeps the community together. Family issues, an old person is sick and needs meals brought home, a place to meet.
Yeah it makes the people across the river pretty uncomfortable. They like to have their abstract model of a poor victim they support but that often doesn’t jive with reality. Most of them wouldn’t even dare walk through that neighborhood.
When government social services are ineffective or had broken down, the little churches in communities like that is often the only thing which keeps the community together. Family issues, an old person is sick and needs meals brought home, a place to meet.
Yeah it makes the people across the river pretty uncomfortable. They like to have their abstract model of a poor victim they support but that often doesn’t jive with reality. Most of them wouldn’t even dare walk through that neighborhood.
> Yeah it makes the people across the river pretty uncomfortable. They like to have their abstract model of a poor victim they support but that often doesn’t jive with reality. Most of them wouldn’t even dare walk through that neighborhood.
Do you personally know people like this? It sounds like you're making some pretty broad generalizations and imagining (not wholly inaccurately!) how some people act and think.
Do you personally know people like this? It sounds like you're making some pretty broad generalizations and imagining (not wholly inaccurately!) how some people act and think.
> Do you personally know people like this?
Yes. Would they tell you to your face "I'd never walk in that neighborhood" not directly, no. But they'd say "it's not safe there". They keep their support by protesting on twitter, but would never set foot in a soup kitchen in one of those neighborhood churches.
Since we're sharing stories, another interesting one I have is of an initiative of an atheist organization. Kind of like a non-religious church substitute. The decided that there was not enough outreach into the communities like you see in the article. After some bitter back and forth, they eventually met with the leaders from those communities and learned how much of a support those little churches provide. So striking at their foundation, in an attempt to bring enlightenment doesn't work, especially when there are no other services or help there to substitute it for all the help they provide.
> you're making some pretty broad generalizations and imagining
You might have a better experience or perspective, would want to share it? Usually, that's more constructive than just saying "well, you're imagining stuff" and leaving it at that.
Yes. Would they tell you to your face "I'd never walk in that neighborhood" not directly, no. But they'd say "it's not safe there". They keep their support by protesting on twitter, but would never set foot in a soup kitchen in one of those neighborhood churches.
Since we're sharing stories, another interesting one I have is of an initiative of an atheist organization. Kind of like a non-religious church substitute. The decided that there was not enough outreach into the communities like you see in the article. After some bitter back and forth, they eventually met with the leaders from those communities and learned how much of a support those little churches provide. So striking at their foundation, in an attempt to bring enlightenment doesn't work, especially when there are no other services or help there to substitute it for all the help they provide.
> you're making some pretty broad generalizations and imagining
You might have a better experience or perspective, would want to share it? Usually, that's more constructive than just saying "well, you're imagining stuff" and leaving it at that.
Do you live here? Or are you just accepting your own bias and the author’s two days of walking around as all there is to know about DC?
> Do you live here?
Would rather not share my address. But, yes, I am familiar with the area.
> Or are you just accepting your own bias
Not sure how to parse that exactly. Mind rephrasing a bit. In general, to be a better person, should one reject their biases or accept them?
Would rather not share my address. But, yes, I am familiar with the area.
> Or are you just accepting your own bias
Not sure how to parse that exactly. Mind rephrasing a bit. In general, to be a better person, should one reject their biases or accept them?
At the risk of overinterpreting your comment, I think most religious people would be surprised to see their religion characterized as an ersatz government social service.
Not necessarily. Religious communities have been taking care of the sick, the lonely, feeding the poor since, well, forever. Those who believe, of course, would think there is a higher purpose of them being there, but most, normally wouldn't ask for religious affiliation before handing people a plate of pancakes and sausages, or lentils and rice (https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/sikh-pandemic-food-suppor...).
People shouldn't rely on religious organization for those basics - visits when sick, food when hungry, especially in a developing country, but the sad situation is that they are.
People shouldn't rely on religious organization for those basics - visits when sick, food when hungry, especially in a developing country, but the sad situation is that they are.
I think the author wants to read too much into a city having poor areas, wealthy areas, and suburbs. I also can’t help but think, based off the story they seem eager to tell, that they purposefully avoided taking a route that would have offered a better reflection of DC proper on the second day (such as starting from the NW), rather than walking past Reagan airport and pretending like they saw NOVA for what it is.
While the author may draw some questionable or disputable conclusions, I think he is aware that different parts of the city and different parts of NoVA look very different; it seems like it's part of the point of going for a walk to make these observations.
Is there a reason that you think Northwest is a better reflection of "DC proper"? Anacostia and Benning are very much inside the city limits- they can't represent what most of Northwest is like and vice versa Northwest can't stand in for them.
Is there a reason that you think Northwest is a better reflection of "DC proper"? Anacostia and Benning are very much inside the city limits- they can't represent what most of Northwest is like and vice versa Northwest can't stand in for them.
You misinterpret what I wrote. I appreciated the author’s walk through SE DC and wish they had covered more of the city the following day, especially since they write the following about NW DC: “DC is the go-to stereotype for a city of highly educated elites removed from the country they govern. That DC exists, but it is confined to parts roughly in the north western half.” Instead of exploring that stereotype they use their walk through NOVA to reinforce their claim that the DC “elite” and Democrats are out of touch with everything.
I found the article entirely consistent with Chris' usual fare. NW DC would have been a bizarre juxtaposition. Even the parts of DC he walked for this article stand out for how walkable they are compared to other maligned locales he has visited.
There’s nothing “bizarre” about comparing one part of a city to another, especially when the author themself describes NW DC as a bubble for the elite. They could have backed those claims up by walking through those neighborhoods as well, but they jump over to Virginia instead.
I’m sorry to tell you the author’s “usual fare” does not impress me as nuanced or insightful.
I’m sorry to tell you the author’s “usual fare” does not impress me as nuanced or insightful.
I do not remember where I read it, but looking at it from the outside, I always have to think back on the quote:
"Republicans don't like people who are different and want them to be somewhere else. Democrats don't like people who are different and want them to be someone else."
Which is more humane?
It’s interesting to see this article standing on its own. I don’t think it makes a lot of sense this way. It’s from his newsletter and it kind of assumes a lot and is more of an impressionistic sketch for people that already share his worldview.
If you don’t already share that point of view and haven’t read his book this will seem superficial and lacking nuance.
With that said I highly recommend his book, Dignity, which is a much longer and fleshed out discussion of how our society treats people and places that don’t matter.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566661/dignity-by-c...
If you don’t already share that point of view and haven’t read his book this will seem superficial and lacking nuance.
With that said I highly recommend his book, Dignity, which is a much longer and fleshed out discussion of how our society treats people and places that don’t matter.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566661/dignity-by-c...
I second the recommendation for reading 'Dignity.' For a taste, here's an old interview with Arnade, [0]
[0] https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/mcdonalds-as-america-a-c...
[0] https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/mcdonalds-as-america-a-c...
Thank you for this context! I left the article curious to better understand the author's particular frame.
The author is also active on Twitter and regularly live-tweets his walks:
https://twitter.com/Chris_arnade
I read this with the same pleasure one would read a well-written short story. The author's English teacher would have given him an A.
However, no one should confuse this with actually being some kind of analysis. This piece is entertainment to be enjoyed by white folks in Alexandria cozy on their couch with their cafe-au-lait.
Source: Decades-long resident of DC who walks and bikes those routes every month.
However, no one should confuse this with actually being some kind of analysis. This piece is entertainment to be enjoyed by white folks in Alexandria cozy on their couch with their cafe-au-lait.
Source: Decades-long resident of DC who walks and bikes those routes every month.
>This piece is entertainment to be enjoyed by white folks in Alexandria cozy on their couch with their cafe-au-lait.
Or the Asian and Indian folks who increasingly make up NoVA’s “front row” communities. Source: growing up in Alexandria and living there for a decade.
There are elements of truth to the author’s racial generalizations, but one defining aspect of NoVA and DC is how different groups and races intermix (my middle school was more than 50% black and Hispanic, my high school more than 50% Asian). This aspect is entirely absent from the author’s just-so analysis.
Or the Asian and Indian folks who increasingly make up NoVA’s “front row” communities. Source: growing up in Alexandria and living there for a decade.
There are elements of truth to the author’s racial generalizations, but one defining aspect of NoVA and DC is how different groups and races intermix (my middle school was more than 50% black and Hispanic, my high school more than 50% Asian). This aspect is entirely absent from the author’s just-so analysis.
The only uptight, hall-monitor-like people I know here in Alexandria are the few Republicans who have a chip on their shoulder about being Republican. Maybe taking a single walk through a town doesn't give one the insight one thinks it does.
I hope the piece wasn't a total turn-off for you. "Uptight" is a subjective judgment and a comparative judgment but I think the author is hitting on something real - though different people might perceive or phrase it in different ways.
Do you think Alexandria might feel uptight compared to Anacostia and Benning Road? The author is partly expressing a comparative judgment - that's kind of the point, going for a walk in a much poorer black neighborhood vs strolling past the perimeter of Old Town Alexandria.
One expression of what I might call "uptightness" that you might hear from DC area residents is an overt fear of even driving through certain DC neighborhoods (or maybe even Southeast as a whole!), as if they were active war zones and not just a place where the signs of low social maintenance and low-income lives of black people are unmistakably visible. It makes sense, the crime stats are worse; most people have no reason to visit these neighborhoods and see what they're like; everyone has heard stories about how bad DC was decades ago and these neighborhoods hold the bad reputation.
In my opinion, people being "uptight" in this way is a mix of "common sense" (maybe it doesn't reflect reality, but if people act like it does they really pay no price) and "hysteria" (other people told me I ought to be extremely afraid, so I will be). [scare quotes added to emphasize that these are my subjective judgments and, imo, inescapably subjective.]
Do you think Alexandria might feel uptight compared to Anacostia and Benning Road? The author is partly expressing a comparative judgment - that's kind of the point, going for a walk in a much poorer black neighborhood vs strolling past the perimeter of Old Town Alexandria.
One expression of what I might call "uptightness" that you might hear from DC area residents is an overt fear of even driving through certain DC neighborhoods (or maybe even Southeast as a whole!), as if they were active war zones and not just a place where the signs of low social maintenance and low-income lives of black people are unmistakably visible. It makes sense, the crime stats are worse; most people have no reason to visit these neighborhoods and see what they're like; everyone has heard stories about how bad DC was decades ago and these neighborhoods hold the bad reputation.
In my opinion, people being "uptight" in this way is a mix of "common sense" (maybe it doesn't reflect reality, but if people act like it does they really pay no price) and "hysteria" (other people told me I ought to be extremely afraid, so I will be). [scare quotes added to emphasize that these are my subjective judgments and, imo, inescapably subjective.]
Old Town is a small part of Alexandria. It's an historic district with a rather extreme past (one of the largest slave markets in the country), so his complaints about signs trying to "prove how right they are" is a mind boggling "missing the whole point" moment. He's painted Alexandria as a lily white suburb when we have many vibrant neighborhoods of all kinds.
people who are the opposite of uptight are usually okay with unimportant disagreements, like letting other people be wrong in their harmless opinions.
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"I know you are, but what am I?" Is your argument?
It’s funny to me that in the neighborhood he professes he was most worried about being preached at, likely no one interacted with him, and of course he was actually preached at in the other neighborhood. (I say likely, because he didn’t note any interactions, but I wonder if there were counter-narrative interactions that didn’t make it past the story filter. For instance I’m sure every one of those fair trade eco friendly shops has people working there trying to make ends meet and happy they have a job, just like at Denny’s.)
I find it interesting how many neighborhoods all across America I hear described as "just-beginning-to-gentrify". The neighborhood I live in has been described as that for thirty years now. Depending on who you ask, it's either entirely gentrified at this point, or it's one of the last holdouts yet to be affected.
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DC is a fantastic place to walk, especially in the spring and fall. I lived in a crystal city apartment for a year , it has a fun restaurant area on 23rd. Amazon is setting up there, it has subway and train access. They are building a pedestrian walkway to the airport, it has a great future. You are a mile from the airport but not much noise as they come over the river.
He walked within a hundred feet of my old apartment so I'll happily use my local card to call absolute gibberish on this entire thing. I really have no idea what he was babbling about or why he's so confident in that weird reductive lens he views through.
Which part was contrary to your local experience?
erglkjlker(1)
The author seems eager to fit the neighborhoods into his sociological and political analysis so some parts seem reductive but he's rather overt and honest about it. The author seems impressed with his social analysis and political opinions and I'm glad he has them but not sure how much I agree.
In my positive assessment, it doesn't hurt that I agree with some of his general sentiments: Anacostia is mostly homey and run-down, not brimming with menace; Crystal City is dominated by the offices of corporations and doesn't have much going for it, e.g.