Human Nature

History On The Big Chair – Charity Harvey

Jevon WALTON, — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:04:07 +0000

The Big Chair at the corner of Martin Luther King Avenue and V Street in Anacostia, named, appropriately, the Big Chair.

“The Big Chair endures as an over-sized emblem of Anacostia. A bar and grill across the street and a now-closed flea market use its namesake, and it nearly got its own ale named after it at Chocolate City Beer.

“Curtis Brothers was the Marlo Furniture of its time, and all sorts of festivities happened around the chair such as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny being in the seat during the holidays,” says Rev. Oliver “OJ” Johnson

A Recollection is a set of memories and a forecast of future events by comparison of the past. This can come in the shape of memories, ideas, features, photographs, memoirs, and traditions. I believe the Big Chair was a symbol of hope because hope is passed down from one generation to the next to succeed. When I was younger I would watch the commercial clip and mini series Pass the Plate on Disney Channel which reminds me of how traditions are made through food and recipes. They tell the story of pass the plate which reminds me of “sitting at the table to eat”.

Furthermore, in detail, “It was a sign of economic progress for the neighborhood, and not just one of the best marketing moves in downtown Anacostia”, and “[enduring] good times, bad times and good times reborn,” Johnson declared. “It is a symbol of hope for this community.” – Charity Harvey & John Muller (Contributor) March 27, 2015

HistoryBy John Muller (Contributor) March 27, 2015 14. “Anacostia’s Larger-than-Life Big Chair Is Full of Neighborhood History.” Greater Greater Washington, 27 Mar. 2015, https://ggwash.org/view/37647/anacostias-larger-than-life-big-chair-is-full-of-neighborhood-history.

Capital City Blazers OP ED

Elijah Okon — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 23:39:43 +0000

I joined the Capital City Blazers during the 2021 outdoor track season after going to a few practices in late 2020. I was referred to the track team by Coach Lonell After expressing a desire to run track. My initial experience with the team was overwhelmingly positive and I enjoyed success in my first track season.

I would go on to run for the team, during the 2022 indoor season as well before switching over to my school team for the first half of the outdoor season. I fully intended to continue running for the team but an injury from overuse derailed those plans.

Over the past couple of months I’ve been rehabbing to get back to running for the team. Overall the coaching staff as well as the members of the team foster a positive environment that breeds consistent time drops and an enjoyable experience.

The African American Museum and DC’s history – Ian T. and Charity H.

Jevon WALTON, — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 18:02:08 +0000

What makes me a part of chocolate city?

In 1957 D.C. became the first large city in the United States to be majority Black, earning it the moniker “Chocolate City.” (The Washington Post’s 2016).During this time African Americans living in Washington D.C., thrived in their communities. It was normal to hear Jazz,Gogo, and Blues music blasting on every block. Today, we can identify prominent musicians like Chuck Brown as well as Taraji P. Henson as contributors to what makes D.C. so unique. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the African American Museum but beforehand I had to acquire a visitors pass online. Built on September 24, 2016, The African American Museum was monumental for Washingtonians because according to a Washington Post article published in 2016 “it took 100 years” for this dream to become an actuality. During this time African American people thrived on their music, background, history, food, and influence.

The music that lived here was heart and soul, jazz, Gogo, and the blues. Some famous Gogo artist are Chuck Brown, Backyard Band, and Rare Essence who seasoned the air and streets. Soulfood; fried chicken and mumbo sauce, greens, pizza, carry out, and seafood are all foods featured on the plates of the people who lived and are praised here. Important people like Marion Barry of Mayor and SYEP, Taraji P. Henson of Barry Farms and Howard, P.Diddy of Howard , First Lady Michelle Obama , Marvin Gaye, Ryan Zimmerman, and Kevin Durant are all residents and/or natives of Washington, DC who have glowed and grown the community from the neighborhoods, to th capital, to other territories nationwide. These great people in the city are not just apart of heritage and culture locally but flourished the culture to the public so that capital city would be better example for the entire country.

The African American Museum was built on September 24, 2016. The opening of the museum was important to African Americans across the country and African Americans in the city. According to the Washington Post, “It took over 100 years for the African American Museum to become a reality” says (The Washington Post 2016) meaning that it was built by the hard work of black people having taken 100 years to become a monumental museum and showcase, bringing a sense of pride to the community with feelings of victory because they were able to have their hard work exhibited. Furthermore, some visitors say, “It’s great that the museum mixes everything together: it means you can’t just select a comfortable version of history. At the same time, you’re given some warnings,” says Holland Cotter of The New York Times (Curbed Washington DC 2016), “this defines the blend of culture and history while also informing the development of new life.

In the Museum, displays like Open Our Future are there to celebrate activism in the black community for slavery abolishment and DC civil rights. Olympian culture is the top and trophy which is rooted by community sports and the play field where many African Americans started their rookie career before becoming and entering the big league. Also featured in the African American Museum, The Divine 9 is celebrated and recognized which is very important to Washington,DC because many were founded at Washington, DC’s Howard University. The city is all about movement, with representation of arts and monuments, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X are two important civil rights activists in D.C. for the government and the community because they fought for civil rights with dreams of eliminating discrimination and encouraging the melting pot.=

Sources Used:

https://www.washingtonpost.com

https://dc.curbed.com/2016/9/16/12941752/museum-african-american-nmaahc-review

GoGo’s Influence, An Opinion Piece – Jevon Walton

Jevon WALTON, — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:26:19 +0000

GoGo music is a staple to DC culture considering that my fellow Washingtonians made that music. GoGo’s beginnings were around the time when my parents were younger. Both being from the DMV they loved that music and memories that were made, so they played it a lot when I was younger. Growing up I used to be with my mom and grandfather, listening to old school Hip-Hop, RnB and GoGo music. From a personal level GoGo music has developed my taste to love all other genres of music because it is a blend of instruments that makes me want to dance on the floor. GoGo music has its own feel to it that makes every track and song appealing to listen to.

GoGo music has affected me in a positive manner because it helped me develop my footwork when I dance. I see that the dances that GoGo music has created have opportunities to connect to other dances such as the Woo Walk and Getting Sturdy which respectively come from New York. GoGo music’s dance is called Beating Your Feet where you rhythmically tap your feet down on the ground and try to keep it going. It is really fun to do once anyone gets the hang of the dance.

I find it awesome to see how celebrities such as Justin Timberlake do our dances and get an appreciation of DC when they come to the town. I believe from the support of these famous artists and people that they could put GoGo on the map. I would love to see Washington DC get the same love that top cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Orlando get. I want to see our city be seen as a top competitor to other people because to everyone outside DC they think we are not lit when it is the opposite.

My mom to this day still listens to GoGo music, when I am in the car with her she plays it on the radio and is dancing to it as she is driving. She told me how the concerts she had gone to were really fun to be at and how it is very fun to dance there. She also talked about how GoGo music had connected her to her peers since the performances were outside and everyone was side by side, in a pre-covid world.

I am glad to be a part of a culture that is raw and going through positive development from my home city Washington DC.

Fort Reno – Ian Teal

Jevon WALTON, — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:18:15 +0000

Fort Reno is very important because of all the history that it has. The Fort Reno neighborhood was a predominantly Black, working-class community that existed on the outskirts of Washington from, roughly, the late 1880s through the 1940s. Over the decades,members of the Fort Reno community supported families, followed profes- sions, worshiped, sought recreation, improved their neighborhood’s infrastructure, and fought for civil rights. What does this show is that during the 1880 there were working classes that was living in fort Reno and a lot of people that lived in the fort Reno community support one another and try and help and thrive one another and help them be successful in there community which shows how they have respect of they had good things for the Fort Reno community.

Another known fact that I learned about Fort Reno is that Fort Reno was built in 1861 as part of a ring of Civil War defenses constructed on the highest ground of the city. It was originally named Fort Pennsylvania, but was renamed in 1863 to honor General Jesse Lee Reno, who was killed in battle.

What were some very important facts about Fort Reno is that Fort Reno was initially established to quell the unrest among the Native Americans in the region during 1874. Thirty-two Cheyenne and Arapaho men and one woman were arrested for their alleged role in the 1874 uprisings and were taken as prisoners to Fort Marion, Florida. Several years later, some of the former prisoners returned to the area and served as Native American Scouts at Fort Reno as well as Camp Supply (later Fort Supply) to the northwest. What this shows is that Fort Reno had a supply camp to help troops.

What surrounds Fort Reno is Woodrow Wilson’s new name (Jackson Reed) also there’s Alice Deal middle school. There is also a baseball field and a lot of restaurants and a lot of other buildings. What else that I found Fascinating is that Fort Reno has been around for a very long time and there’s a lot of green space there . What else I learned is that In the late 1920s, a number of DC and federal government agencies decided to build a new junior high school (Alice Deal) and a high school (Woodrow Wilson), construct a water tower, develop a public park, and design a scenic Fort Drive to connect the city’s Civil War forts. All but the Fort Drive were carried out, and in order to do so, the DC Board of Commissioners condemned much of the modest Fort Reno housing.

Commissioner Cuno H. Rudolph called the community “a blight upon this part of D.C.” despite the fact that not all of the housing was dilapidated. Residents protested, but the government purchased the properties and over a ten-year period forced out black and white families who had lived on what had been the grounds of the Fort for two or three generations.what else did I learn is that This project investigates the Civil War-era history of the Fort Reno installation that was a key component of the defenses of Washington. Its focus, though, is the community that was built on the remains of the old fort in the last decades of the nineteenth century. This report details the formation of the Fort Reno community, the contours of daily life in Reno, the religious, recreational, educational, associational, and political activities of Reno’s residents, the campaign to destroy Reno, and Reno residents’ fight to save their community. In conclusion I feel that Fort Reno has a lot of important information and important facts that no one will ever forget.

Capitol City Blazers Track Team

Elijah Okon — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:10:33 +0000

The Capitol City Blazers are a track team formed in late 2019 by Kenneth Roberson and Lonell Johnson.

The team was originally formed after a difference of opinion between coaches at another DC track team named “DC speed”. DC speed was reluctant to work with kids from other parts of DC and this caused a split within the team that caused Roberson to leave followed by Johnson.

Roberson would then go on to work with Speed Unlimited as a coach while he waited on the grant to start the track team once he got the grant, he then started the track team. Roberson has been coaching track and field since 2012 while Johnson was a 400 meter hurdler in college. Roberson’s core coaching philosophy is that endurance should be taught before speed.

Since its formation Capital City has gone on to produce multiple All-American Athletes and will be running at the Junior Olympic games in North Carolina this year.

“Oohhs and Ahhs” The Soul of DC

Elijah Okon — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:55:33 +0000

The owner

Chef Oji Abbott, a native of Washington, D.C. with 11 years of culinary expertise, created Oohs & Ahhs in 2003. He learned how to cook from his family of cooks before attending culinary school. The phrase his clients should feel after dining at his restaurant inspired the term “oohs and ahhs.”

The eatery supports individuals who are peacefully opposing injustice, combating bigotry and hatred, and working to build a welcoming neighborhood for all.

Oohh’s & Aahh’s has repeatedly won Washingtonian Magazine’s “Cheap Eats Award” and “Best Macaroni and Cheese” awards.

The restaurant was most recently highlighted on the Chef Guy Fieri-hosted Food Network Cable program “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”

Oohh’s & Aahh’s is popular throughout the United States, despite being particularly well known in the Metropolitan Washington area.

Customer Reviews

Delilah- I honestly heard of oohhs and aahhs a lot because I’m from dc, I grew up here, but I never actually went. When I finally attend, I was very satisfied with the food and services

Tonya- Some of the best soul cuisine in the neighborhood is served at Oohh’s & Aahh’s. Both the fried shrimp and the mac & cheese are excellent choices. I’d highly suggest giving this place a try. It has earned a reputation as a neighborhood favorite and a late-night food destination.

“Great ambiance, an incredible meal, nice personnel, generous amounts, and reasonable rates!”

The fish had a flavorful crust and was an ample size when cooked

“There Is Nothing Like A D.C. Festival”

Elijah Okon — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:46:42 +0000

DC, unlike most major cities in America, is not considered to be a city known for its festival’s; that perception however is less than true. Washington D.C., has numerous festivals that attract both domestic and international tourists each year. The Cherry Blossom Festival stands out as one that attracts many tourists to DC every year. What I have noticed about the festivals in the Washington D.C. area is that they have brought a sense of community cohesion as well as national attention to the area that are not politically related. DC because it is the capital of America is the home to a lot of festivals. Also since DC is such a tourist heavy area the festivals are very profitable. I think festivals are a way for people to bond because it brings people of different cultures and communities together, and since DC is so diverse it’s perfect to bring people together. DC has hosted some great festivals and concerts over the years, some of them that stand out are, Something in the Water, Capital Fair at RFK, The DC State Fair, The National Cherry Blossom festival and so much more. Since DC is the home of such amazing landmarks it is the home of hundreds of festivals year round. One of my favorite festivals in DC I’ve gone to is the DC state fair, where there were so many activities and so much great food. One of the festivals that is going to happen is the annual DC Jazz festival, it has been happening for 18 years. Its purpose is to celebrate the love DC has for Jazz and to also inspire younger generations and spark an interest in Jazz. I’ve had family members go there and have said it’s a great experience and so fun. Most of the performances happen at DC landmarks like the Wharf and Waterfront. Another festival that is around this time is the smithsonian folklife festival, it was created in 1967 and it honors contemporary living traditions. It takes place at the national mall and it is open to the public and completely free. You are able to sing, dance, play games, and craft unique things. All in all DC has a plethora of amazing festivals and you would be lucky to be able to experience any of them.

The Making of GoGo – Jevon Walton

Jevon WALTON, — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 08:57:04 +0000

Recently, I had an interview with one of DC’s best GoGo musicians in the game, Charles Garris. You may know him as “Shorty Corleone” who has created some of the GoGo hits that Washingtonians love such as: The Overnight scenario (which he co written and performed), The Holy Ghost and Bodysnatcher. Mr. Garris is native to the District, he is from Ward 8, Southeast DC. He is a producer and musician that “loves to work with the community that has given to him”. Currently he is giving back to his community by working with the youth at Columbia Heights Recreation Center called the Capital Kids.

With the youth, Garris is creating a show called The Making of the GoGo Band where he is going through the process of what it is like to be a creator. One of his creations was the Crank Summer Program where GoGo is introduced to people and they get to dance and understand DC culture a bit more. His purpose with being a creator and GoGo music is to show the history of DC Culture to those who do not know it. Garris wants to show how GoGo music has influenced the music that we hear today all across America. Garris has the mindset of “feeding what fed you” because he wants to see his city thrive and be seen at the top like other cities such as Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Additionally, while trying to bring DC to one of the top cities, Garris wants to show the education that goes into his art and creation. Garris also wants to see GoGo become mainstream, being that it is an underground music movement at the moment, but he believes “if the Hip-Hop industry donates a large portion of money to the GoGo movement, GoGo can become mainstream” which will fulfill one of his goals.

During the interview, I asked Garris “why GoGo is such a big part of DC?” His response was that “‘we own it and that DC will speak about it if something goes wrong”’. He describes GoGo music as “infectious and how people own that party when it is played”. He was right about Washingtonians speaking out about matters that they did not like because a few years ago the GoGo Store on Florida Avenue was forced to stop playing GoGo music. Many of the people in DC were in immense disagreement with that decision so they banded together, made a petition and shortly after the store was playing GoGo music again. Proving that Garris was right about how DC would stand up for something that they see as wrong. Although GoGo music is underground when artists who come to DC and hear going music they turn up with the culture. An example was Justin Timberlake beating his feet. Garris said he saw that as “showing love and that Justin was taking some DC Culture out of DC with him”.

Aside from GoGo, I wanted to get to know Garris so I asked him “What makes him DC?”. He gave a general honest answer which was that DC has its own everything from lingo to food. He said that we had “Mumbo Sauce, everybody rocks New Balances and we have our own swag”. He also said that even though we are the Nation’s Capital we still have our own “governing city and that we don’t answer to the people in the White House” which is true because even though all the legislation is here in DC we don’t listen to them without going through our own mayor. Garris also mentioned how we have our own sports teams which “our greatness will make us see a big city from an outward perspective”. Lastly he said our music, GoGo which had brought us all together as a big family in DC, making DC feel like a big village not a divided town.

The interview ends with me asking Garris “Is GoGo Bigger than when it first started?”. His answer was a tremendous YES! His reasons that it was a yes was because GoGo is not only being played in DC, it is being played globally with his radio station, Crank Radio. He said that “GoGo gives an opportunity for other artists across DC to be recognized and blow up” which is good to expand the GoGo family. Although GoGo is more mainstream, Garris said “there is still more work to be done”. He said that there needs to be more “GoGo hits coming” from DC in order to make the music more mainstream. Let’s Go DC and the GoGo Movement!

Jevon’s interview with GoGo creator Charles Garris

Mary Carew

Jevon WALTON, — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 08:19:05 +0000

Truth be told there is not one particular thing that makes me a Washingtonian. I believe that D.C. in itself embodies characteristics that I innately possess as a person. Let me first introduce myself; my name is Mary Carew and although I was born in Silver-Spring Maryland and lived 9 years of my childhood in West Africa. The one place I do consider home is Washington, D.C; I have lived in the area for over two decades and counting! As someone who was raised here at a young age, I truly believe that D.C. has had a subtle effect in molding who I am as a person. If you have lived here for a while, you will recognize that D.C. is a city full of perfectionists, like myself. I know that living in this city has enhanced various character traits of mine for example I am someone who is very diligent, strong-willed, determined and is often striving for personal growth and accomplishment.

This city is truly one of a kind and that is the reason why I am still here. After moving from Africa, which is a very communal region D.C. was the perfect transition for my immigrant family and myself, for it offered the same sense of diversity, community, pride and unity that I witnessed as a child in West Africa. Honestly, I could not see myself anywhere else but the hustling and bustling streets of D.C.