Some members of the community asked me to resend Cmr Steptoe's article.
Shirley Rivens Smith
srs-usasc@rcn.com
202-635-3138
"ANC and the Machinations of Gentrification"
As a 3-term elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) in the Brookland neighborhood of Ward 5, I appreciate the May 6 article by Washington Post columnist Clinton Yates ("Squabble over restaurant's license offers close-up on city's constant change." http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/squabble-over-restaurants-liquor-license-offers-close-up-on-city's-constant-change/2013/05/06/0f25bf68-b659-11e2-aa9e-a02b765ff0ea_blog.html.) In his piece, Yates spotlights an example of what he called "the internal machinations of gentrification." As he put it:
"the struggle for DC urban turf in nondescript rooms across the city with faces that many residents might not recognize.... [It's] a slow deliberate process... a playground renovation here, a liquor license dispute there. By the time you look up, everything is changing hands, for better or worse. Unless one group fights back."
Yates' piece cites the very contentious liquor license renewal between a black owned establishment on U Street and a small group of white nearby residents. Ultimately, that Ward 1 ANC voted to support the establishment.
In January 2009 as a newly elected ANC, I saw the machinations of gentrification play out in polarizing (frequently racial) ways within my ANC & single member district (SMD). When the 2009 DC council approved the Brookland Small Area Plan, the die was cast to effectuate large-scale gentrification processes for Brookland: the OP policy to "brand" Brookland began; the Zoning PUD development application of a behemoth building (901 Monroe) within 10 feet of long-time, largely black senior citizens; 2 alcohol license protests before ABRA split primarily along racial lines (Optimism and Brookland's Finest Bar and Kitchen); an incomplete DPR park construction (Noyes) in which factions are already vying for control - are but a few examples of matters before our ANC in which the voices of the most directly affected residents are typically minimized, marginalized or routinely ignored by the city's gentrification agenda, processes and policies.
While the ANCs' attempt to notify, and provide a voice to the most directly affected residents about projects and issues, increasingly, their efforts are met with intense, mob-like anger and hostility from factions that would benefit the gentrification process.
In helping constituents stand up and "fight back" against the impact of gentrification, ANCs face insults, verbal attacks and retaliatory threats. Indeed, neighborhood listservs and blogs abound with recall refrain and salacious, attacks directed at ANCs. Recently, my single member district gatherings to hear a presentation from an establishment about its liquor license application became so disruptive and unruly that the gathering was adjourned within the first hour. The ensuing electronic attacks and insults directed at the ANCs were base and ugly.
Yes, Yates does note in his piece that the machinations of gentrification are painful to watch. However, painful the process, ANCs must remain strong in their commitment to the public trust and their constituents. For such work, thick-skin is a prerequisite.
As the governmental entities with the closest ties to the community regarding city policy, legislation and government agency matters, ANCs cannot be faint-hearted or cowardly. To better serve their communities and constituents ANCs must be knowledgeable about the ever changing government policy and clear about government processes. They must also be prepared for the backlash resulting from their decisions on behalf of their communities. The sole consolation is that by safeguarding the public trust and protecting the rights of their communities, they are doing the right thing. So, in the face of the varied hostile machinations of gentrification, ANCs.... be brave and don't be surprised!
Commissioner Carolyn C. Steptoe, 5B04
1257 Lawrence Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 636-8191 (day & evening)
"In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."' - Acts 20:35
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