“YOU FROM DC?”
”NAW, I’M FROM PITTSBURGH.”
”HOW LONG YOU BEEN IN DC?”
”ABOUT 12 YEARS.”
”OH, SO YOU’RE PRACTICALLY A NATIVE…”
”NAW. THAT’S NOT HOW THAT WORKS.”
IN THE DIZZYINGLY FAST GENTRIFYING AREA THAT WANTS US TO CALL IT “NOMA” …
…hundreds of D.C natives gathered outside on 5th street northeast. This was a day to celebrate those who are proud to be FROM DC, and they made sure their presence was felt. Damn whatever a certain local paper feels visually represents the non-tourist residential makeup of the district.
The purpose of the event was to recreate (and continue the momentum sparked by) a photoshoot one year ago, led by the efforts of activist Tony Lewis Jr. and business owner Angel Anderson. The resulting images reintroduced those wayward “locals” to the real residents of Washington — a place once proudly declared “Chocolate City”.
Before we get into the images, a few disclaimers:
1. It bears repeating, I know I’m not from D.C. and most of the folks I kick it with, volunteer with, advocate for, and generally call my people in the district also know it. But I’ll be one of the first in line to support any effort that centralizes the needs and visibility of the people who’ve been denied them.
2. The day was officially documented by native photographers Dee Dwyer and Sam Johnson III, but you know if there’s dope Black folks, I’m there…with a lens and a purpose.
