Williams: Welcome To D.C. — Publicly Progressive, Privately Guarding Its Privilege

Williams: Welcome to D.C. — Publicly Progressive, Privately Guarding Its Privilege

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This summer will mark the 15th anniversary of my move to Washington, D.C. Having spent so much time in this place, I find myself contemplating its nature. Given the reckless driving habits of Maryland commuters in the vicinity, it is possible that my bike and I may not have many more years left.

How can I describe the District? When friends from other areas ask about my chosen hometown, I often explain that, for better or worse, "Washington, D.C. is an extremely serious city, inhabited by individuals who ponder over weighty matters with great seriousness." Forget the sinister portrayals you’ve seen on political TV dramas, disregard the empty rhetoric of candidates demonizing the federal government they claim to aspire to lead – this is a city that operates on idealistic, sincere, civic-minded dedication to public service, public discourse, the public sector… to the public, in general.

However, it is also a city that resembles many others in the United States: a center of consolidated, well-paying employment and economic influence that consistently draws in waves of privileged newcomers. Similar to places like New York, Seattle, Austin, San Francisco, and Oakland, the construction of new housing is struggling to keep up, resulting in the displacement of long-standing residents from the city. With an intensely competitive housing market and a child care system that is almost universally unaffordable, D.C. is veering towards a future where a middle-class income may become a prerequisite for any family attempting to reside – and remain – in the city.

That is the essence of D.C. in 2022: a city of compassionate progressives straddling the line between their inclusive public ideology on one side and the mounting pressures influencing the private lives of families on the other.

Recent polling conducted by researchers at SocialSphere provides some empirical evidence to support these reflections. Compared to respondents from nine other states included in the survey (as well as the national average), D.C. residents displayed the highest level of political engagement, the greatest awareness of national politics, and the highest likelihood of identifying as progressive. They were more inclined to express favorable opinions of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as well as local public health officials in D.C.

They were also the most likely to view U.S. public schools as good or excellent and to hold favorable opinions of local school officials. Second only to Missouri, they were most likely to respond positively regarding local teachers. Furthermore, they overwhelmingly approved of a hypothetical proposition to reform school funding in order to allocate more resources to schools serving low-income children and children of color.

In essence, even in the midst of the political turmoil that characterizes our current era in America, my fellow D.C. residents continue to maintain a strong belief in public institutions. When asked about the impact of the pandemic on children, a significant 52% of D.C. respondents expressed the view that children were temporarily disadvantaged but would eventually catch up. This optimistic result was unmatched by any of the other nine states included in the poll.

However, it is difficult to reconcile this sentiment with the path the city is taking. The construction of new housing falls behind the demand, particularly in the development of denser and more affordable units. Any attempts to address this issue are often met with opposition, primarily from affluent homeowners. The competitive housing market perpetuates racial and socioeconomic segregation within the city. According to a measurement tool for school segregation developed by the Urban Institute, a single school, Deal Middle School, which primarily serves the affluent neighborhoods west of Rock Creek Park, accounts for nearly 16% of the overall racial segregation in D.C. By concentrating a large portion of the city’s affluent (and mostly white) families in its enrollment, Deal Middle School contributes to the increased segregation of the rest of the city.

How does this happen? How does a family gain admission to Deal Middle School? It’s quite simple! They purchase a house in one of the neighborhoods that have guaranteed access to the elementary schools that directly feed into Deal. However, back in 2015, even before the D.C. housing market was energized by the pandemic, the median price for a three-bedroom, single-family home in these particular neighborhoods was already exceeding $800,000. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that a quick search on the real estate platform Redfin reveals the current median price of a three-bedroom home within the boundaries of Deal Middle School to be $1.2 million.

Naturally, the elementary schools in these neighborhoods play a significant role in exacerbating the issue of segregation in D.C. These schools, which are predominantly white and luxurious campuses such as Janney (contributing to 4.1% of school segregation in D.C.), Lafayette (4%), Murch (2.6%), and Hearst (1.1%), contribute to the problem. It is extremely challenging to find affordable housing near these privileged areas.

As the effects of gentrification become more prevalent in D.C., the city is increasingly characterized by a combination of compassionate individuals and those determined to protect their own advantages. We strive to create a more inclusive and progressive city, advocating for various initiatives like decriminalizing drugs, implementing paid family leave, and promoting the development of more bike lanes. However, we are hesitant to let these efforts significantly impact our ability to secure access to predominantly white and affluent neighborhoods and schools. We make minor adjustments to our school enrollment policies, hoping to make them fairer and less influenced by the overwhelming gentrification trends reshaping the city’s demographics.

Ironically, in two decades, D.C. could potentially have the most fair, progressive, and equitable public policy systems in the entire United States, yet it will have displaced a vast number of its communities of color and low-income residents who could have greatly benefited from these advancements.