Washington D.C.
National Cathedral to install statue of Rosa Parks
Washington National Cathedral is preparing to dedicate a new carving of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks in a section of the church devoted to human rights. The Episcopal cathedral formally installs the new sculpture Thursday with a ceremony of evening prayer songs. The carving of Parks will join others on the cathedral’s Human Rights Porch [...]
Washington DC booms but unease at racial divide
It was once known as the “Murder Capital of the World,” a city beset by a crack epidemic, no-go areas and resulting crime which triggered decades of white flight to the suburbs. Decades on from its darkest days, however, Washington DC is experiencing an economic boom that has reversed its long-declining population and is shaking [...]
On Emancipation Day in D.C., two memorials tell very different stories
Separated by about three miles and 116 years, the two Washington memorials tell vastly different stories about the Civil War, African Americans and their journey to freedom. Both were funded in large part by blacks. Both mark the first steps of what would be a long, arduous and often treacherous march to emancipation and civil [...]
DC’s historic Howard Theatre opens new chapter
Before there was the Apollo in Harlem, there was the Howard Theatre in the nation’s capital. The nearly 102-year-old Howard officially lifts its curtain once again Thursday for a reopening gala after a $29 million renovation that began in 2010. Smokey Robinson, Savion Glover and Madeleine Peyroux will perform, along with Chaka Khan, Boyz II [...]
Barry apologizes for comment on Asian businesses
Just after yet another decisive electoral victory, D.C. Councilman Marion Barry is once again embroiled in controversy, this time for remarks disparaging Asian-owned businesses in his poor, majority-black ward. At his primary election victory party Tuesday, Barry said: “We got to do something about these Asians coming in and opening up businesses and dirty shops. [...]
