In the Shadow of Power

When most Americans think of Washington, D.C., they may visualize the grand monuments that stand as testaments to our country's noble character, or the immaculate lawn that stretches back to that famous house on Pennsylvania Ave, or the various likenesses of our nation's most honorable leaders punctuating the column-lined mall that seems to denote all of the greatness and grandeur of the U.S.A. They may think of the capitol building with pride; that this is where our elected officials come with meritorious intent to draft the policies that shape our great nation. In movies and on television shows, images of our nation's capitol are confined to those same white-washed edifices, and what we really learn about this arcane city is limited to a view that lacks the social realities that define Washington D.C. as it truly is: a city of dual-existence, where the most powerful individuals in the world are operating amidst a city of poverty, hunger, and desperation that are not typically associated with American life.

But despite the manicured nature of the D.C. that most tourists see, there are undoubtedly parts of the city in which the reality is quite grim, as thirty-two percent of D.C. children live in poverty, an unacceptable rate which is nearly twice the national average. Washington, D.C. is also the city with the highest AIDS mortality rate in the country. And there are more than 10,000 homeless individuals and families surrounding those sparkling downtown streets where the world's most powerful individuals converge to set their agendas. All around the city, residents suffer from such insecurities as poor health, lack of access to fresh food, low performance in schools, low graduation rates, and violent crime. And these issues are largely confined to the poorest neighborhoods of the city, which are intensely segregated according to race, giving the city it's notorious designation as "the south's northernmost metropolis."

Photojournalist Kike Arnal has done an amazing job in exposing these circumstances that face many of D.C.'s residents in his new collection, In the Shadow of Power. He began with a project in 2003 to document the city's library system, and was shocked by the unjust politics and the radical, unashamed separation that lies between the city's elite and those who live in poverty. It is an honest account of human life, and a bold exposure of its often brutal nature. It is a very powerful collection, and should be viewed with much thought and reflection. The startling black and white photos put into perspective our notion of this seemingly forthright city, and give us symbolic insight into the structures that define not only D.C., but our entire country.

Check out the photos, and read the artist's message here: http://www.intheshadowofpower.com/photos.html

300 Smiles

Congratulations to Sinjoyla Townsend and her partner Angelisa Young! They were the first of 150 same-sex couples to become legally wed in Washington, D.C. today. It was a monumental day for love, as people drove in from all around the region to have their marriage licenses given to them in the nation's Capitol. Upon arrival, they were greeted by a gender-neutral marriage bureau, which merely asked for the name of each "spouse," rather than for the names of the bride and the groom. Needless to say, there were smiles abound in Washington, D.C. today.

The District council made a historic decision back in December, when it voted to legally recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, granting same-sex couples their inherent civil right to benefit from all of those convenient marriage bonuses, which are given without question to heterosexual couples across the country. And Mayor Adrian Fenty signed off on the law in December, keeping in step with his promise that gay marriage would be on the horizon for Washington, D.C. This action provides not only tax benefits and financial co-dependency rights, but a symbolic movement in the capitol of the country which boasts itself as the most free; finally allowing all of its citizens the basic freedom to love without judgement or deprivation. It means that their relationships will be respected, and that their commitment to each other will be recognized in the eyes of the law.

And today was the day that it went into effect. And although their is some worry about the revocation of marriage rights, given the tragic outcome of California's Proposition 8 vote during the 2008 elections, and the unsuccessful opposition to the council's decision, today was a day reserved for celebration, not fear. Washington, D.C. now joins the ranks of 5 other love-friendly locales in the nation: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hurray! These are the kinds of freedom-giving, difference-accepting places that I'd want to live in. What about you?

Flower of the Week

Hurray for March! The air is becoming warmer, the days are getting [slightly] longer, and Spring is so close I can practically taste it. Can you?

To celebrate, here is a firey tulip to remind us of the blaze of springtime coming our way! How could we possibly let snow monsters get to us when we've got such a dazzling, bright horizon in store?

Pedal Power

New York City has seen an increase in bicycle traffic and alternative transportation awareness recently, as the local government has stepped up its efforts to strengthen the city's environmental efforts. As a part of Major Bloomberg's PLANYC program, which launched in 2007 in hopes of creating a vision for the city's sustainability goals, and includes "long term decisions that will improve our economy, our environment, and our quality of life- all at the same time," the city has burgeoned support for bicycle travel on a multitude of levels.

Part of the plan includes an expanded network of bicycle lanes and trails throughout the city- with a total of 1,800 miles expected to be installed by 2030. And a program sponsored by the NYC Department of Transportation has led to the creation of new, innovative bicycle parking racks, which were ironically designed using recycled parking meters! The DOT, along with other cohorts, called for artists to compete in a design competition for a variety of bike racks to be used in all 5 boroughs, to increase the security of bicycle parking in hopes of fostering more bike traffic on city streets. Although the finalists have long been chosen and have had their designs installed all over NYC, you can still see photos of the finalists' work here. Now that's something to be proud of!

Despite earning a "Bronze" level designation for being a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists, New York has had a dark past when it comes to cycling. The city has been known to have a high percentage of cyclist deaths, prompting a number of bicycle safety ad campaigns, as well as the installation of street memorials in the form of Ghost Bikes, which serve as haunting reminders of the dangerous nature of riding in the city. Since 2007 that city has drawn a lot of heat from the cycling community for its arrests of critical mass riders, bicyclists who organize "coincidentally" to form a large herd of bike traffic on the city streets. While engaging in a completely legal affair, these innocent folks have been arrested by NYPD cops for "obstructing traffic." As if bicycles themselves do not count as traffic.

Still, recent trends in NYC transportation policy have resulted in a variety of positive actions taken towards accepting a bicycle culture as a mainstream mode of transportation within the city, thus facilitating an increase in bike use. With the expanded bicycle lanes and necessary bike infrastructure, cyclists may feel safer and more taken care of on the streets. And with the increased security of the new, innovative bike racks which are popping up every where you look on city streets, there is a sense of comfort in bicycle parking. Already, 141 new miles of bike lanes have been added, and 2,011 bike racks have been installed! If trends like this continue to move us forward on bike traffic, then the PlaNYC goal of creating a "greener, greater NYC" will surely be realized sooner than we think!

Music for Your Mind

"Keep your head up, maintain & progress.... "

The Becoming. Awesome new music from the Infamous Few, a group of inspired young artists from the D.C./ Maryland area. The beats are fresh & the lyrics are real- sure to feed your mind and your soul. Check it out!

And for a sweet mixture of spoken word & original composition, check out Adjectives and Expletives- When I first Learned the Truth, featured here with some beautiful photo accompaniments. Check out the audio version here!

Happy Lent!

For those of us who follow any type of religious doctrine, sacrifice and penance are usually regarded as means of achieving a higher state of mind, and are used to attain a closer relationship with the spiritual self. This is true across many denominations, and for Christians that time of resolution comes with Lent. Starting on Ash Wednesday and lasting for 40 days until Easter, Lent is a time of penance and reflection. It is an opportunity for us to realize and take responsibility for our lifestyles and how they affect everyone around the world. That is why a Carbon Fast for lent is a great way to reflect on the impact of our day-to-day activities, and to make the positive changes that are necessary for creative a better world. It is a means of sacrifice, as energy consumption has become such a central part of our lives, but it is also a means of spiritual cleansing and social responsibility.

Here is a copy of a Lenten Carbon Fast Calendar, put together by some lovely people at the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program, which gives great "going green" tips for all of the 40 days of Lent! Whether you are religious or not, these simple suggestions are truly helpful, each being easy and interesting. The calendar is a tool we can use to reduce our carbon footprint, and to brighten our souls at the same time. It could also be useful for all 365 days of the year ;-)

How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live. -Thoreau

I have not written very much on here recently, but rest assured, dear readers, I have been doing a great deal of LIVING! Peas Peace will return soon enough. :-)

Love.