In Defense of the 'Hood

In response to comments on a Washington Post article concerning crime in the N.E. Washington, D.C. Trinidad neighborhood, I had to add my two cents' worth today. I wish I had more answers and help, but what I know is this:

My parents moved there 7 yrs ago after raising us in S.S. & Tak. Pk., MD. I was taken aback because I remember hearing of that exact street in the late 1980s and it wasn't the place to be. I've learned, however, that it isn't the residents who commit these crimes. My parents' neighbors (friends) are old fashioned, southern, (many retired), friendly, everyone-knows-everyone and their mama, brother, cousin...They will look out for your car, bring you a Sunday newspaper or a plate of food, even medical supplies for your sick spouse. They repair each other's cars, do DIY projects and fundraisers for each other and support good causes. They give rides to church and to hospital.

The male babies grow up and perhaps to some they are suddenly viewed as a threat, but we know that they are the same kids that have been there the whole time and who have loving families who are proud of them.

Whoever has commited these murders needs to be taken off the street. They too are someone's neighbor, of course, but I seriously doubt they live in the Trinidad neighborhood and shoot at people who would ID them. It isn't an all-black neighborhood anymore. It is fast-changing--on the block is a mixture of families: Afr. Am. (young/old), Latino, Asian, and white singles. Also, Gallaudet students pass through and live in the vicinity.

See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/20/AR2008072002025.html