Photo Essay: A Walk Down MLK Ave. in South East D.C. on MLK Day 2010
He fought for Love. He fought for peace. He fought to uplifting Christ. And he fought to take down racism… But in the end Dr. King knew it was all about the allotment of resources in America.
His famous, “I Have a Dream” Speech, could have easily went down in history as the “Bounced Check ” speech. He spoke of America’s failure to include African-American’s into the greater society post-slavery. He acknowledged African-American’s role in the disenfranchisement, as many passively accepted what was given.
And now, 42 years after Dr. King’s assassination we have been given a National holiday in celebration of his birthday, and a Martin Luther King Jr. Ave in every major US city.
Every Martin Luther King Jr. Ave I have ever been fortunate enough to bare witness to runs through the most economically downtrodden part of the city.
I decided to take a walk down Martin Luther King Jr. Ave in the Nation’s Capitol, and this is what I saw…
Martin Luther King Jr. Ave in South East Washington D.C. is a main artery through a predominantly African-American community. The area is in the transitional phase; the dilapidated structures of yesteryear still loom as a reminder of the 1968 riots after King’s death, the influence of crack cocaine in the 1980′s, and the economic turmoil that has plagued many Black communities since their creation- and through the current recession America is facing.
And like Every Black community in America, there were check cashing stores, liquor stores, heaps of trash in the street and graffiti on the walls
But right next to the graffiti was something that started to open my eyes to the depth of the spirit present in the Anacostia community….
Islam was far from the only religion present, in fact the number of Baptist churches was comparable to the amount of corner stores…
Fittingly enough, while attempting to take a shot of the church, another dominant force in the community conveniently intervened in my photo…
Cops and God.
But the governing bodies are also taking initiatives to aid the community…
I don’t doubt the necessity for government aid in the Black community, but nothing trumps knowledge of self and knowledge of the land in which you reside. And in the community of South East Washington, D.C. there are numerous reminders of how fertile those grounds are, and how deep Black roots run through here said grounds.
And most of all… the words and image of Dr. King himself
On January 15th 2010 Dr. King would have been 81 years of age. To his memory, I give my respect.
January 18, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Beautiful tribute…you should do a coffee table book of all the MLK Blvds across America.
January 19, 2010 at 6:03 am
A beautiful day in the Nation’s Capitol appropriately captured. Great job!
January 19, 2010 at 6:06 am
This weekend, I was in Seattle (King County). I was amazed at how his message reverbarated so far west, and really, around the world, and in this case, inspired people to name a primarily White county after him.
Unless I am more naive than I believe, I did experience some very polite white folks in the Pacific Northwest. The city came across fairly tolerant.
Nonetheless, as we all have to use our creativity to share King’s complete message with the next generation. Like this: http://theblackhour.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-do-dat-ft-green-for-all-dream.html
January 20, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Great pics… I love the back to back of the school… As well as “food so great, it’ll make you scrape your plate”
January 22, 2010 at 7:21 am
Dam great job man, I really enjoyed the piece on so many levels.
January 24, 2010 at 5:11 am
very insightful….beautiful pictures
January 17, 2012 at 12:54 am
[...] in Oakland’s Jack London Square, just outside of West Oakland. The year prior I walked through South East Washington DC by the Big Chair and Frederick Douglass’ house in order to capture the sights of MLK Ave. in the [...]