Morphological Confetti

Ben's Chilli Bowl on U Street in Washington, DC (Photo: S Bess 2006) Forget about the present situation, these were the Pre-Obama days in DC. Gentrification had not fully enveloped the U street corridor at this point. Ben's alley wall was blank and there was nothing happening "Next Door." There were still a few business left from the post-riot days; however, everyone knew that it was coming. The one hundred year cycle was over! The place was changing. DC was changing. My life was changing. Things are very different now in 2017.  ~ Peace

April 4, 1968. DC Riots after the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mr. Larry Rosen There are many who think of Washington D.C. as a transient city. As a matter of fact, I have at times even defended it as a true city with a true local culture. Sure, there are many government and military personnel who come and go every day, but there are also families who have lived and worked here for generations – my own family included. These long time Washingtonians have seen the city’s landscape and people change right before their eyes. Larry Rosen is one of those people. I was introduced to Larry by his web designer, who read my blog post on the 1968 riots in DC. She sent me an email telling me about Mr. Rosen and how he once owned a store on the corners of 14th & Clifton St. N.W. She also mentioned that he was affected by the riots and encouraged me to contact Mr. Rosen if I wanted to learn more. I was fascinated! I have always been interested in learning more about what I call, “White Washington.” I mean, I wanted to learn more about the long time Washi...

Wor(L)d Problem Let us imagine that the discontent in the Black community could be summed up like a word problem Question: How many injustices would it take for one Black Nation to explode? Answer: 2 Kings 2 Many 2 Kings 2 Many By: Stephen Bess 1992

Before I knew who Martin Luther King, Jr. really was, I probably thought he was some sort of medical doctor or healer. I was a year old when he was murdered in Memphis, so my infant mind had no understanding of the times. I had no idea that DC had erupted upon the announcement of his death and Washington's innercity was on fire. When I became old enough to be interested in what my parents and grownups were discussing I heard them talking about someone named Dr. King. It sounded as if they knew him personally because they spoke of him with so much affection. They talked about all the things he had done to help black people and how he was a minister of peace. I heard words in reference to Dr. King that I didn’t understand like equality, justice, discrimination, segregation, integration, and assassination. I heard grownups talk about his Nobel Peace Prize ; I didn’t understand what that was either, but I figured that it was something wonderful because it had the word “prize” in it....

The corner of 14th and U Street in Northwest DC The date was Thursday, April 4, 1968. It was time for change. If you were somewhere around the corner of 14th and U Street (Little Harlem) in Washington, D.C. things would’ve seemed normal. Unbeknownst to the people, it would become a transitional period in this nation’s history. It was early in the evening and there were people moving about. Black people. There were nurses, police officers, prostitutes, construction workers, pick-pockets, pimps, and preachers just carrying on like any other day. I often imagine that day even though I was just an eight month old baby living in Northeast Washington, D.C. with my parents. I imagine a young black man walking down 14th Street that day in 1968. He's carrying a small transistor radio. The radio is playing Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s new hit, Ain’t nothing like the real thing. He seems to enjoy it as he smiles and pops his fingers to the melody. Suddenly, the song is interrupted and the...

Good morning, What can I say....it Friday!!!! I'm always happy on Friday. I'm looking forward to this weekend. There are a few functions that I will be attending here in DC. Most of it will be taking place on historic U Street. I recently mentioned U Street in a post concerning another spot near (Busboys & Poets). U Street is a classic spot here in DC. It was called "Black Broadway" when my grandmother was growing up here in Washington. It's near the Shaw section of Washington that saw the brunt of the riots in 1968, but with the help of gentrification it is now too expensive for words. *sarcastic grin* Anyway, I should still enjoy myself. Peace to you and have a great weekend!!