I'm From DC; You're Not
Why are people always so surprised when I tell them I'm actually from Washington, DC? You know, babies are born here occasionally, or so I've been told. But folks seem think that because there are so many transients around, everyone must have been shipped in. Or if you are a native, maybe you're like, this unusual rare creature with a bizarre upbringing--possibly living under the Lincoln Memorial bumming quarters from government workers.
Uh, no, McFooligan. Believe it or not, growing up my playmates and I were all from D.C. (Now, don't ask me how many of them are still here but you get the point.)
I went to Keene elementary, which no longer exists. I went to Rabaut Junior High, 
which no longer exists. Thankfully Woodrow Wilson High School is still around. Go Tigers!!
And speaking of high school, what's this with people who claim they grew up in the District, but when I ask where they graduated they tell me its Suitland or Kennedy or Fair Oaks or Outer Boondockia or whatever? Puh-lease!! If you weren't a Rough Rider, or a Tiger or even a (sigh) Clerk or a Colt, you are not one of us.
This 'Tiger' did not go to Wilson!!Back in my day we ran from The Bunny Man, chatted up the National Guard Troops on our street corners during the riots, and some of us even remember when that McDonald's on South Dakota Avenue didn't have seats and you couldn't even eat a dollar's worth of food.
If none of that stuff rings a bell, next time you're on the West Coast and someone says, "where are ya from?", Remember: You are from Bowie.
posted by Derek McGinty @ 12:08 PM
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5 Comments:
In some circles being a "Native Northern Virginian" is also pretty rare. Yeah I was reared or raised in Hagerstown (not that far away) but Born in Arlington and went to middle and High School inside the beltway in Sunny Virginia.
I remember the Freedom riders staying in our local (Methodist) church on their way to DC and Martin Luther's Speech. Same place where we had our boy scouts meetings.
But yeah most 'are' transients, just ask your associates (each one) where they grew up... I'm sure you already know.
We live in the "bubble"... That being the one good thing about this area, that the Federal (bureaucracy) Government provides enough economy to shield us from some of the effects of economic downturns...
Yeah we just work the ever growing perimeter, and retire in some other part of the state (or Country) where the living is cheaper.
I was born in DC, (K Street)raised in Maryland. I consider myself a Washingtonian because all of my activities as a child was location in DC i.e., church, dance class,skating, sleep-overs with my cousins, etc. I remember when the construction of McDonald's started on South Dakota Avenue. My cousin lived directly across the street. We would purchase our goodies and go watch the "Late Late Show" and watch Monster shows at night. I also remember resueing some of my family during the 68 riots, getting caught over the bridge and the troops giving us a hard time as we tried to get back into Maryland. I was at the March on Washington but I had a hard time seeing M.L. King because we were so far away. I remember playing in the reflecting pool. I remember the days when we use to drive around the Jefferson Momorial, park, and run up the steps and look at the view. It was consider "Lover's Lane" during that time. the Capital Building was another lover's lane. We use to set on the steps and look over at the Washington Monument. Most of my childhood memories were in DC. I was a regular at the Howard Theater, and U Street was the PLACE to go (fashioned down). At one time, I Miller's Shoe Store was a fad for the ladies shoes. I can go on and on about my childhood in DC. I came up during the transition period of intergration. One more story - we use to pick up people during the bus boycott. We went to Resurrection City on the Mall and saw Jessie Jackson and started a Chant about "Where is Abernathy?"
You are right about most people are surprised to find people from DC. I tell them "Most of my friends (and family) are from here."
I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. When I tell people that I am from D.C., they instantly say, "I thought that you were from Maryland." Now, what is that supposed to mean-I'll never know.
I too have very fond memories of my playmates and times spent attending Keene Elementary and Rabaut Jr. High School. The glee and science clubs were the best. I remember running from the Bunny Man, "Choo Choo" Charlie and whomever else was supposedly near the railroad tracks. I was shocked to see the military standing on the street corners as I walked home from school. I remember the McDonald's on South Dakota Avenue and walking there (with permission) after the school day was over at Rabaut. How about the lunch counter at People's Drug Store on Riggs Road? They had the best fries.
I remember how fun and exciting it was to go the Bookmobile. I remember Johnny's Barbershop (no longer there) on South Dakota Avenue and having him or one of his fellow barbers make sure that we crossed the street safely to get to the Bookmobile.
Summer in the Parks and having a good time participating in the activities of my local Recreation Center were also some of my best memories of being a native Washingtonian.
I was born and raised in Washington, D.C. When I tell people that I am from D.C., they instantly say, "I thought you were from Maryland." Now, what is that supposed to mean-I'll never know.
I too have very fond memories of my playmates and times spent attending Keene Elementary and Rabaut Jr. High School. The glee and science clubs were the best. I remember running from the Bunny Man, "Choo Choo" Charlie and whomever else was supposedly near the railroad tracks. I was shocked to see the military standing on the street corners as I walked home from school. I remember the McDonald's on South Dakota Avenue and walking there (with permission) after the school day was over at Rabaut. How about the lunch counter at People's Drug Store on Riggs Road? They had the best fries.
I remember how fun and exciting it was to go the Bookmobile. I remember Johnny's Barbershop (no longer there) on South Dakota Avenue and having him or one of his fellow barbers make sure that we crossed the street safely to get to the Bookmobile.
Summer in the Parks and having a good time participating in the activities of my local Recreation Center were also some of my best memories of being a native Washingtonian.
DC all day, from birth (George Washington's Hospital of Women, NW) to the age of 14, moved in 93 and been in Columbia, SC since, but damn that I'm from DC you know you can tell if someone is from the D? Ask them what part, if they don't say Northwest, Northeast, Southwest or Southeast they NOT from here. Hell I'm gone get a tat on my arm w/the DC Map that read "Mayor of DC" self proclaimed that's my sh!t. I went to Brightwood Ele, on 14th & Nicolson, instead of Rudolph which was right across the street from me, (I'm from Northwest, Kansas Ave, Kansas & Ingraham), then I went to Rabaut Jr. High Schoo before they closed it, my brother went to Roosevelt, notorious in DC, for HS. Damn Orange & Blue. DC gets NO love, despite Georgetown and Howard U. which is one of the top 50 Black college's in the US, also where my parents met. Its gone change when I blow up I'm gone put us on. Even though we have plenty of stars from DC already: Johnny Gill, Steve Francis, Marvin Gaye (R.I.P.), Shai, Dave Chappelle, Goldie Hawn, Elgin Baylor, Duke Ellington, Stacy Lattisaw & Maury Povich
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