I've been readin' the exchanges here between Rob and Tiffany (other's lurking) Look, Rob Ramson is my friend, let me get that out in front. I've also done some organizational consulting work for him ... and ... we share a similar view of community service ... I am not an impartial observer.
Still, having said that, here are a few rational if not impartial observations. If one just looks at the situation from a community perspective a few question come immediately to mind. First, two small commercial food businesses start in our neighborhood. One is immediately set upon by the ANC, the local paper, and a number of other community members. Charges (unsubstantiated) are made, characters are attached, and legal actions initiated. All charges, actions, and efforts are found by ABRA to be baseless and a license is issued. Still, additional charges are fabricated, license is suspended, charges are also found to be baseless, license is restored ... after two years of clean operations and the accolades of the community, the first entity seeks to obtain an outside seating permit. It is immediately challenged again by the same group of disaffected citizens! I can assure you as an experienced business person, that this has cost him and the establishments he owns hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue.
Next case ... The second establishment applies for and receives a permit without challenges and without any obstruction whatsoever. WHY!...?
Lets take racism off the table here. Why is it that we have two very similar situations with such a difference in community reaction? Also, Tiffany ... et al Let me put the question out here. Why should Rob Ramson owner of the Hotel and and BCafe property not be furious with this community? Why would he not be incensed when people ignore his just indignation? He has been called every name in the book by these people! His character has been impugned ... he has a family here, a wife, a young daughter ...it's been implied that he runs a house of ill repute and worse!
Yet in the face of this he continues to be a booster, supporter, and effective community activist.
The BCafe is and The attached Brookland Inn is a model of how community investment should be managed. No one ever goes to Rob Ramson for support of any community effort that does not get it ... he's a volunteer at Langston supporting the kids there ...he's always running benefits for anyone who asks. Yet, the community continues to bleed him by these constant challenges to establish a profitable ongoing business here in Brookland. Ask yourselves why? Where is his support in this community. Who, besides me, his friend speaks out on this injustice.
It would be nice if we showed him some support ... would it not?
Jerry in support
----- Original message -----
From: Rob <indianrob@gmail.com>
To: Craig Schultz <craigschultz671@yahoo.com>
Cc: Brookland@yahoogroups.com, ward5@yahoogroups.com, Ward 5 Google Groups <wardfive@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [WardFive] Re: [Brookland] Re: Lunch at Menomale
Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 19:42:26 -0400
Craig,
Let me get this right. I am my own worst enemy because I identified the unfairness and racism of so many comments being written on these list servs. Please show me where I am wrong. So while you think that it isn't racism that stops many people from going to the Cafe, let me assure you that it is. I have told you before that the "N" word is not necessary for us to understand the racist core that some other thoughts and actions are linked to.
So you know, I have no problem admitting when I am wrong or wronged someone. The reality is that so many of you don't want to admit that you have certain feelings and I force you to look at yourself becuase I write the reality laced and often hidden in language.
While you might want to excuse yourself and some of your Race for what they have done, I will assure you that "we see things at the speed of our life EXPERIENCE". When pointed out, the reason you don't see it is because you don't want to.
So you know that lots of Whites patronize the cafe and some are even friends of mine who agree with what I write and understand that only time will fix the issues. Obviously when John Feeley's cousin's family made the decision to stay at the Inn, they obviously have concluded that it isn't a Whore House.
So you keep your money and your pride and so can the rest of you. Like I said, I might have my flaws and made many mistakes, but I guarantee that I would be in the top %%%% of those who works hard in this community without asking for anything in return. So, if you want a reason to support the Cafe and the Inn, be thankful that I am on 12th street and do the things that I do here in this community.
The posts are offensive to you because it touches your soul - it is called reflection or as the psychologists say - COGNITIVE DISSONANCE. Allow me to reiterate, I have Whites in this neighborhood who agree with me and are friends of mine who come to the Cafe and their family stay at the Inn and they don't have to!!!! Go Figure!!! That guilt/conscience is your shoe, you wear it.
Rob
On Tue, Aug 21, 2012 at 11:03 AM, Craig Schultz <craigschultz671@yahoo.com> wrote:
Rob is his own worse enemy. I would suggest to Rob that it isn't racism that causes many not to do business with the Cafe. It is in part because of the crazy that he brings to the discussion forum. I don't support his business because of the regularly nutty and frequently offensive posts.
> CC: ttoyebrown2@...; jrdhassell@...; brookland@yahoogroups.com; ward5@yahoogroups.com; wardfive@googlegroups.com
--- In Brookland@yahoogroups.com, jon townson <actor1is@...> wrote:
>
>
> rob, what exactly are you implying?
>
> jon
> 10th st.
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>
>
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> To: indianrob@...
> From: tiffany@...
> Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:10:33 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Brookland] Lunch at Menomale
>
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> In fact, Menomale does have a voluntary agreement (a misnomer if ever I heard one) specifying that they will not sell alcohol between 2 and 5 PM.
>
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> -Tiffany on Monroe
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>> On Aug 21, 2012, at 8:39 AM, Rob <indianrob@...> wrote:> On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 3:20 PM, Tiffany Bridge <tiffany@...> wrote:
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> Good Morning,
>
> So nice to be able to get a Liquor Lic. and outside seating with no "rails" to protect the sidewalk, with zero parking, no "Voluntary" Agreement and still have such great "community support" from certain folks. Almost like the America Vision of Romney/Ryan.
>
> Wonder what that type of previlege acceptance would be like! Glad this place came along at a time so that we can all see how Racist some Folks really are in our community.
>
>
> Anyways, Our True "community" feeling aside, The owners are Great guys, nice place, good pizza and great environment. Nice to have them here. Maybe The Cafe will get the same "love" in about 400 years.
>
> By the way, John Feeley's Cousin's Father/Mother in law (his next door neighbor) did stay at the the Inn to share in the Delivery of their daughter's Baby. So - anything is possible - maybe it won't be 400 years after all!!!!
>
> Rob Ramson.
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> On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 9:18 AM, Ttoyebrown2 <ttoyebrown2@...> wrote:
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> Where is it located?
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> In 12th Street, just south of Franklin. They've got outdoor seating out front as well, so do check it out. The food is excellent.
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> -Tiffany on Monroe
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>
>
>
> --
> R. Ramson
> 3744 12th Street, N.E.,
> Washington D.C., 20017
> 202-438-5988
>
> "We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
> (Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)
>
__._,_.___Brookland Rocks !!!!
.
__,_._,___
--
R. Ramson
3744 12th Street, N.E.,
Washington D.C., 20017
202-438-5988
"We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
(Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)
--
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