Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts

Monday, June 8, 2009

And start getting real...

I suppose I come to this table with mixed feelings... I am a life-long resident of the District, and have witnessed first hand an almost unimaginable metamorphosis of commercial-development, racial-tolerance, and a whole host of other hyphenated trends that allow me to wander around outside without fear of arrest, theft of belongings, or an otherwise untimely demise.

And, full-disclosure, I have in the past been quite a fan of The Real World: Wherever. The first handful of seasons reinforced the values my family tried so hard to instill... People can meaningfully cohabitate, in spite of vast differences of opinion. Ethnic, religious, and gender "differences" exist only in so much as you allow them to.

In the same vein, I have also watched the insidious grasp gentrification has on a city that was formerly untouched by such things outside of Georgetown, and The Hill. The big boxes moved in, and entire families moved out... or worse, were forced out. I have waited decades to be proud of the District for reasons other than sprawling Monuments and parks named after dead people. We finally have the development, and lost the soul. And I'm still not proud.

So learning that TRW is coming to the District now, as opposed to even a decade ago, is quite fitting - if not just another nail in a coffin. The show hasn't been socially meaningful in at least that long, and seems quite content continuing to video-edit its way toward and beyond status quo. As much can be said for the District, which abandoned its citizens in a flurry of commercial acquisitions and tourism initiatives that seem to exist only to assure visitors that, "We don't shoot people anymore, I promise." So, rest assured residents of 2000 S St. NW, we don't shoot people anymore, we promise.

Developments Re: Rules for the Real World House

Wanted to pass along this info that was emailed to me by a fellow concerned Dupont Circler who will remain anonymous. This is the feedback from Mike Feldstein, Dupont Circle ANC. Hopefully people can check out the meeting on Wednesday and get the word out. For all of this, feel free to use the hashtag of #antirealworlddc if you are Twitter-inclined.

From: XXXXXX
Date: June 8, 2009 1:26:10 PM EDT
To: "Adam Rosenberg"
Subject: Re: Re: the "Real World" house at 20th and S

___________________________________

-- At this Wednesday's ANC meeting, the Mayor's office, and I hope a representative from MTV, will provide an overview on what's planned re "Real World and answers questions. The meeting is at 7PM and the Jewish Community Center on 16th Street. I hope you will be able to attend.

-- Think we have arranged to reduce the number of parking places reserved from 12 to 4.

-- No parties are to be allowed at the house.

-- No overall house music is allowed.

-- The number of residents is limited to 8, and visitors will be strictly controlled.

Of course, I will monitor developments closely.

Mike Feldstein
Commissioner
Dupont Circle ANC