Helping To Put Things In Context: Something You Should Know About D.C.

Everyone knows Washington, D.C. for being the nation's capital where decisions are made that affect the country itself and impacts the world at large. But between the time that politicians and special interest groups like to use the city as the reason for all that ails America, it has a more intimate side. This is the side that one could think of as the "local" aspect of the city. I think if people understood what really exists within the boundaries of this diamond shaped (minus a complete side) metropolis, their perspectives may be altered considerably. As AWashingtonWoman will continue to focus on some of the wonderful women who make up the fabric of the DMV (a term used for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and includes: the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia), we will also strive to give you a little of the backstory, as objectively as we can. So it's been a year since this all began and without really trying, this blog has exceeded what our expectations were. So we are thinking that with a little love and a lot of integrity, we can share some real true insight which can be entertaining as well as informative. Who knows?.... Maybe it will even be ..... helpful.

Friday, August 27, 2010

A WashingtonWoman Asks.... and Article In Washington Post Answers : "Progress stalls in closing gaps in D.C. schools"

Today, Friday, August 27, 2010 on the front page of The Washington Post there is an article which sheds light on the progress Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee has been able to be credited with since her appointment in 2007.

If one were to use an analysis of the 2010 test scores they would reflect that there has been little progress in narrowing the achievement gap which seperates white and African American children. Closure of this gap has been one of Rhee's major goals when she was appointed.

Reality check.... Chancellor Rhee may have good intentions, a fresh approach and lots of funding backing her up but realistically she could not have achieved this goal by herself. It was not the most mature or realistic approach to take when taking on such a tremendous task. A WashingtonWoman believes that Rhee had good intentions but failed to understand that it takes a village to raise a single child. Certainly, it will take a concerted effort among a variety of persons to lift an entire school system.

Not only Michelle Rhee, but no single human can come in and make all of the many facets of problems disappear. Stating that one could do so was arrogant and self serving. This is what raised the question in the earlier post of true intentions.

Perhaps it will serve the Chancellor best to form allies with parents, children, teachers and administrators to truly achieve the objective of elevating a system which needs sincere nurturing. Otherwise, she will be just another person who elevates themselves on the backs of our children. Our children deserve better and I haven't given up on the prospect that Chancellor Rhee can execute this. She has had an opportunity to become familiar and hopefully with some new wisdom, input and respect, she can be a real instrument for much needed change and hope in this city. Believe it or not, it isn't mission impossible. People who care just need to believe it can be done and want to get it done (not just set up photo ops and pieces to add to a professional portfolio).

Get it done Chancellor. You are our best shot at present.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Michelle Rhee Definitely Works PR Machines To Reflect Positively On Michelle Rhee



There was a time when the children who hailed from the D.C. Public Schools received an education that was equitable to that of any child from any of the fifty states. Somehow, over the years this school system has become the poster child for all that goes wrong in inner city schools. What happened? O.K. clearly something went off track. But I am having a hard time wrapping myself around the perception that no one in this city in many years has cared enough or had answers or commitment that could put the children of this city back on track. I can't accept that there is only one person who has made a difference.

Michelle Rhee recently dismissed a large number of teachers from the D.C. payroll. As a mother who is careful about when to introduce new concepts (like moving or replacing persons) in a child's reality, I question Ms. Rhee's timing. I also question her priorities. Fixing this "utterly broken system" is supposedly a goal. Cutting costs in another priority. And one obvious goal is also to present Rhee as the savior to Washington's children.

It is not clear which priority ranks first. I submit that the latter is considered. There is no guarantee that the kids here in D.C. are going to benefit from all of the negative publicity their schools have received, but you better bet that Michelle Rhee will coming out looking pretty good at the end of the day. So you tell me where exactly is the commitment and who is it benefiting?

Monday, August 23, 2010

Capitol File.... Why We Don't Recognize Your Capitol City

First of all, let me say I applaud the idea of magazine that covers this awesome and interesting city. However, I have been giving the publication a free pass for more than a couple years now. I keep waiting to see some cover that speaks to me... calls my name. Nothing. Today, I checked Facebook and as they promoted the upcoming issue, I couldn't take it anymore. Who are these people/

O.K., as a native, I am accustomed to omissions of the true locals. For a few years, I would recognize familiar faces in the social columns of newspapers like the Washington Post. Then even the remotely familiar faces started to fade.

When is this trend going to stop. Clearly there are people who are from other areas wanting to project "their" images onto "their" nation's capital. I have had this experience in every arena from the fashion industry to the new t.v. shows and in between. Sad thing about it for corporate America. "Corporate America, you leave an awful lot of money on the table as a result of this blind arrogance (and you misrepresent in the process). Then you wonder why your events are not well attended or why sales are falling flat." It's because you don't have a clue on how to access this city.

Capitol File, I want to buy your product. I want to promote it. It does have an attractive look... By industry standards, it's "sexy". But I just can't bring myself to do so. I can't bring myself to recommend it. And I want to see it last. We need you but we can't allow ourselves to loose ourselves in the process.

As I started this blog, I began to look for stories, ideas, images of just a few of the very fascinating and progressive women in this area. I have been surprised to see how few I came across. Do you mean to tell me, you can't find any real people who are compelling and exciting?

Please don't. It simply isn't true.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Washington's Own, Denyce Graves, Mezzo Soprano

Washington's Other Team: The D.C. Divas



Everyone who knows anything about Washington, D.C. knows how passionate we tend to be about our football team, the Redskins. (pay attention Real Housewives of D.C.) But last year was.... uhmmm.... PAINFULL and last night.... well, many of the die hard fans just couldn't bear to watch till the end....

But have no fear!!!! Once again, hope abounds.... Did we all forget? We have the D.C. Divas!!! Who knew? The D.C. Divas are members of the National Women's Football Association. Pictured above is D.C. Divas quarterback, Allyson Hamlin (look for additional details as A WashingtonWoman plans to get an interview with here in the near future). Home field is Landover's Prince Georges Sports & Learning Complex. Go Girl!!!! Do it like only a D.C. woman can.

Free Summer Event In Washington, D.C.

What You Will: 'Twelfth Night' | Top Stops | Express Night Out

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Correctness In Media

What's going on with my media friends? I know the summer is upon us but we are getting just a little too sloppy... I just looked at the morning news on NBC4 here in D.C. where there was a story estimating the cost of the Spain trip by the first laday and they showed a clip of a talking head named Lynn Sweet, only it wasn't Lynn Sweet. Over the weekend there is a story in the Style section that reported an premiere event that was held at the venue, "The EMF Lounge" but I was there (unfortunately) and the actual name is "The ENF Lounge". There has been a gruesome story locally about a brutal murder and it was reported to have happened in Lanham, MD; New Carrollton, MD; and now today Riverdale, MD. I lived many years not far from there and they are three different areas.Then last week Faux, I mean Fox --I get to have a free pass if everyone else gets to slip up-- mixed up a story on Congresswoman Maxine Waters with a photo of Shirley Sherrod....

Folks if we are going to hold all these people to a higher standard of correctness, is it legitimate to allow ourselves such excessive liberties with mistakes?

Is it just that it's the summer? Or maybe all the reliance on younger reporters with less experience and technology replacing the veterans....maybe this is not a great idea.

(By the way in case you were wondering I am not a disgruntled veteran reporter.. I was just with the shirts selling advertising -- I know -- way more noble --smiles)

August In Washington

What a week! Traditionally things in D.C. are extremely slow during August.Congress is out (but since I am not a politician that doesn't impact me as much as perhaps some of the effects). For example, since Congress is out there is less traffic. Better than that, there is less coverage on television news programs and fewer promotions.You could say a "calmness" descends upon the city. School is out and since I am a mother that one is huge. Many have left the area for neighboring beaches and far away vacations. Those who are on budgets and the less affluent are left behind. But litterally it seems as if one half of the place is just gone. Quiet.

Yes, quiet..... That was until the BRAVO network decided to bring their camera's to the nation's capital. Before I even begin to lament on the reason, I want to say a few things.

Washington, D.C. gets a bad rap.(figures I would be born here)....It's the place people (mostly Americans) love to hate. Rarely are we Washingtonians truly recognized. We simply get to go along for the ride. The image and perceptions driven out to the masses is largely created by journalists, politicians (and their entorages i.e. interns etc who have hook ups because of their -often- small town connections) and public relations spin doctors. A huge percentage of these people are not even from Washington, D.C. or anywhere close. They bring their ideas and energies (which they have brought from the other states they hailed from). Yes, I said it they bring their mean and nasty; they bring their ambitions, then they write stories, do televisions and take lots of pictures and diseminate them out into the greater world. We true Washingtonians are hijacked and hang on for dear life as we get taken on this crazy negative ride. It always amuses me when I see tourist come here for the first time. They see us real D.C. folks on the streets and the metro, and you can literally see in their faces "Where did these people come from?" expressions.

Without question, Washington, D.C. is one of the most innovative, fascinating, complex cities you can encounter. It's residents are equally as interesting. I now think we are mysterious. I say that only because I have become aware of how little people know about us and what we have done (and are still doing).If you check in on this blog, it is my intent to provide a glimpse of who people from inside and around the beltway really are and how we live.

Back to the reason that this particular summer's rhythm has been interrupted.First of all it seems the national television audiences are shrinking out there. There are all the competing technologies, and new attitudes that bring more folks to laptops and cell phones etc... So combine that with cynism and audience share is decreasing.The numbers that the networks have to measure by is much smaller than what they traditionally work with.And as much as we Americans like to complain about the negativity of networks like Faux News (you know what I am talking about); as much as we like to complain about toxic talk shows on both radio and television, the bottom line is we are stressed and a little angry. We love to hate right now and finding a lightening rod to hate on is just what will get our tounges wagging even if we don't turn on the television. And BRAVO knows this. As a matter of fact they are banking on it. We may be hatting on their new show about the housewives from D.C. now, but before you know it our curiousity will win out and the seeds will blossom into a wonderful flowering tree. Maybe it's the beginning of a forest.... uhmmm.... I digress.

But in fairness, it's not just BRAVO... It's the TLC channel with "D.C. Cupcakes" along with the first couple and all the focus they in and of themselves generate. (Here's a flash -- there have been really intelligent people of color in this town almost since the beginning --- maybe it had something to do with the servants who built the nation's capital and then worked within the confines of it's walls; they learned stuff --i.e. how to speak, think, strategize etc...) Anyhow, those folk had babies who had babies and I have grown up with those folk. So when President Obama came on the scene, I unlike so many others, found little amazement. Whenever America is ready to point it's cameras around they will find loads of these peeps.

I am actually happy that D.C. is getting at least a little love (attention). But at the same time, history has taught me (and so has the buzz lately) to hold my breath and hold on tight... Look's like this is gonna be a bumpy ride.

P.S. I am gonna post this uneditted for a day or so... mostly because I have a habit of rethinking while I edit and then talk myself out of publishing at all