Is The Chocolate City Turning Vanilla?

Commentators from The Washington Post and New Republic debate racism as part of Washington D.C.'s gentrification.

1 minute read

June 28, 2001, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Andrew Sullivan, a senior editor at The New Republic, expresses outrage that the Washington Post would run an editorial suggesting racial hostility toward gentrification of black neighborhoods in Washington D.C. by white residents. "In some ways, Hopkinson's commitment to return to the inner city--in contrast to the countless members of the black (and white) middle-class who have abandoned it--is admirable. She also sees no reason why white residents cannot also do their part: "Many whites want to help out, too, and their privileged racial status can only improve the city's prospects. But this is the Chocolate City. It's our responsibility as black people to return to these historically black communities that are finally rebounding." The original commentary which appeard in the Washington Post can be found here: "I Won't Let D.C. Lose Its Flavor" http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8987-2001Jun16.html

Thanks to Tom Collins

Monday, July 2, 2001 in New Rules Project

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