Why so much hate with EOTP vs WOTP parents

[Anonymous]

This may be the single most factually accurate post on the history of D.C. that I've ever read on DCUM.

Thanks. DC isn't that different than many other US cities in terms of the basics of this history. Possibly the biggest difference compared to other cities is the large historical black middle class, because of things like Howard University and then federal jobs.

I'd be interested to see someone write a history of the WOTP schools as an OOB "safety net" for the black middle class from the 70s-90s. That is a big driver of growth in charters- as families WOTP started returning to DCPS, they eliminated the many OOB slots that were filled by EOTP families, many of whom were middle class blacks. So those who stayed in DC were among the earliest adopters of charters, especially the now so-called HRCS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are always saying the Hill is so diverse but where are the Asians? I hardly see any.

i knowwww I'm asian and thinking of moving out even though both kids are in good schools b/c i can't stand the lack of diversity, there are barely any asians (NO asian foo store- oh Lotte how i miss you) and barely any hispanic families either. of course my family thinks we are crazy spending so much $ to live in the city when it the schools are so bad (the extracurriculars, no mathnasium, odyssey of the mind) and live in MOCO or Fairfax

+2. I'm thinking of moving out too because the Asian population is so small. I end up having to go to the burbs anyway for food, cultural activities, etc. Then you compare DC schools with those out in MoCo and Fairfax, and you begin to wonder if the easy daily commute is truly worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are always saying the Hill is so diverse but where are the Asians? I hardly see any.

And the people from Latin America and the islands? Africans? Nope.

When self-congratulatory people on dcum verbally pat themselves on the back for their "diverse" District neighborhood, they always mean "more African Americans [that haven't -yet- been displaced ] than Spring Valley. "

I'd put my CCDC neighborhood up against any 4-block area of actual Capitol Hill for true diversity in the dictionary definition.

Except economic / SES diversity.

That type of diversity isn't really valued beyond lip service. People want a multicolored classroom full of kids from educated middle class families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are always saying the Hill is so diverse but where are the Asians? I hardly see any.

And the people from Latin America and the islands? Africans? Nope.

When self-congratulatory people on dcum verbally pat themselves on the back for their "diverse" District neighborhood, they always mean "more African Americans [that haven't -yet- been displaced ] than Spring Valley. "

I'd put my CCDC neighborhood up against any 4-block area of actual Capitol Hill for true diversity in the dictionary definition.

"Diversity" in Washington is just code for "black" and maybe "Latin". When it comes to true ethnic diversity, suburbs are so far ahead DC, it's not even funny. Any suburban MD or VA school will have much more ethnic variety than DC schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:True.I am Ethiopian and my parents send my brother and I to private schools. Foreigners are very strict when it comes to education.My father worked two jobs to pay private tuition.My parents were college professors at Howard and University of Maryland.They still live in ward 4.

Yes, and I bet your parents give zero fucks as to how diverse the school is, they just want THE BEST school for their children. Americans - please learn from immigrants on how to choose schools.

[Anonymous]

Yeah its a total white guilt thing

No Asian guilt and Asians are ahead of whites because of it

African immigrants same thing

[Anonymous]

I would seriously love to send my (white) kids to a school with lots of Asians and African immigrants. Ever since I moved here, it has amazed me how ethnic DC isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would seriously love to send my (white) kids to a school with lots of Asians and African immigrants. Ever since I moved here, it has amazed me how ethnic DC isn't.

Move to the burbs and you'll get your wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, i was told in one instance that "its like a jungle on that side of town, schools tend to be very low performing and its not the environment for a well educated and upper class family." I couldn't believe what i was hearing. The other parents just nodded in agreement.

I live EOTP, and that's only true with respect to DCPS schools. The best charters, however are all EOTP, because there are enough higher SES families who wanted them and built them and fill them. Some of them are good enough that they draw students away from the DCPS schools WOTP. The downside is that you have to lottery in. There's no guaranteed admission at schools like Washington Yu Ying (Chinese Immersion) or LAMB (Spanish Immersion Montessori) or Mundo Verde (Spanish Immersion - green/sustainable focus).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I moved to NW DC from NYC. I thought I was suffocating. It felt very, very suburban. I ended up moving to Capitol Hill where I was much happier.

Points for NWDC- definitely better schools and a better high school feeder plan. Like dramatically better middle/high schools.

Points against- you're either driving forever or on the train forever if you work for most federal agencies. The subway here blows. Almost everything is driving distance in NW DC. If you're a minority you might feel uncomfortable (I did). No one is very friendly. I made lots of friends (I'm a friendly person), but it's not like NYC where you introduce yourself to other parents at the park.

Points For EOTP (really Capitol Hill)- more diverse, closer to downtown, nicer, friendlier Neighborhoods, much more walkable. You are close to the Smithsonian. Lots more active moms/dads groups like moms on the hill (MOTH).

Points against- terrible schools in some areas, bad middle/high schools throughout

There is crime all over DC. This was a shock to me coming from NYC because crime wasn't so much a part of life as it is here. People in Ward 3 claim it's less of an issue, but that's a lie. The metro SUCKS. Driving here sucks too.

Look at the crime maps. There is a dramatic difference in the incidence of violent crime east and west of the park. It's not a matter of opinion, and certainly no lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I moved to NW DC from NYC. I thought I was suffocating. It felt very, very suburban. I ended up moving to Capitol Hill where I was much happier.

Points for NWDC- definitely better schools and a better high school feeder plan. Like dramatically better middle/high schools.

Points against- you're either driving forever or on the train forever if you work for most federal agencies. The subway here blows. Almost everything is driving distance in NW DC. If you're a minority you might feel uncomfortable (I did). No one is very friendly. I made lots of friends (I'm a friendly person), but it's not like NYC where you introduce yourself to other parents at the park.

Points For EOTP (really Capitol Hill)- more diverse, closer to downtown, nicer, friendlier Neighborhoods, much more walkable. You are close to the Smithsonian. Lots more active moms/dads groups like moms on the hill (MOTH).

Points against- terrible schools in some areas, bad middle/high schools throughout

There is crime all over DC. This was a shock to me coming from NYC because crime wasn't so much a part of life as it is here. People in Ward 3 claim it's less of an issue, but that's a lie. The metro SUCKS. Driving here sucks too.

Huh? I live in NWDC and take a metro 5 stops to my federal job. I walk to tons of stuff. Maybe not the Smithsonian, but I can walk to the zoo, hike Rock Creek, etc. not to mention a movie theater, a library, restaurants and bars.

RE friendliness, we've met lots of friends in our neighborhood. Meanwhile, I have friends who live on the Hill for years who know like 3 people on their block.

Please let's not generalize and give the OP false information.

Same here. Maybe the PP lived in Barnaby Woods or another truly suburban part of Upper NW. I can walk to tons of things from my house in AU Park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would seriously love to send my (white) kids to a school with lots of Asians and African immigrants. Ever since I moved here, it has amazed me how ethnic DC isn't.

Move to the burbs and you'll get your wish.

Or send your kid to Oyster-Adams (DCPS). There is diversity of every type at that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I moved to NW DC from NYC. I thought I was suffocating. It felt very, very suburban. I ended up moving to Capitol Hill where I was much happier.

Points for NWDC- definitely better schools and a better high school feeder plan. Like dramatically better middle/high schools.

Points against- you're either driving forever or on the train forever if you work for most federal agencies. The subway here blows. Almost everything is driving distance in NW DC. If you're a minority you might feel uncomfortable (I did). No one is very friendly. I made lots of friends (I'm a friendly person), but it's not like NYC where you introduce yourself to other parents at the park.

Points For EOTP (really Capitol Hill)- more diverse, closer to downtown, nicer, friendlier Neighborhoods, much more walkable. You are close to the Smithsonian. Lots more active moms/dads groups like moms on the hill (MOTH).

Points against- terrible schools in some areas, bad middle/high schools throughout

There is crime all over DC. This was a shock to me coming from NYC because crime wasn't so much a part of life as it is here. People in Ward 3 claim it's less of an issue, but that's a lie. The metro SUCKS. Driving here sucks too.

Look at the crime maps. There is a dramatic difference in the incidence of violent crime east and west of the park. It's not a matter of opinion, and certainly no lie.

Again, OP is considering North Portal Estates. It is EOTP by a few hundred yards (very isolated) and has similar or less crime than a lot of WOTP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People are always saying the Hill is so diverse but where are the Asians? I hardly see any.

And the people from Latin America and the islands? Africans? Nope.

When self-congratulatory people on dcum verbally pat themselves on the back for their "diverse" District neighborhood, they always mean "more African Americans [that haven't -yet- been displaced ] than Spring Valley. "

I'd put my CCDC neighborhood up against any 4-block area of actual Capitol Hill for true diversity in the dictionary definition.

FYI, DC has one of the largest populations of Ethiopians and Somalians.

I'm well aware of that. I also know they don't live in the Hill. which is what this sub-thread offshoot is about.

north Georgia Avenue? Brightwood? Takoma Park DC? Yes.

[Anonymous]

I lived EOTP for 10+ years, and now live WOTP. People are not really much different. Most neighbors are generally good down to earth people on both sides. Most are just worried about their kids and family. There are a handful of jerks, and a handful of busy bodies, and a handful of gossips in every neighborhood, and the same is true whether you're EOTP or WOTP.

EOTP, people worry about crime and the poor state of schools, but they feel superior to the suckers who live WOTP because they are getting more house for their money and think they have a more diverse array of neighbors. EOTP, people also worry that the WOTP crowd is getting special favors from government, like more snow plows or better garbage pickup.

WOTP, people worry less about schools or crime, and seem happy to have paid more to get those benefits. The biggest school worry WOTP is that the schools are too overcrowded, especially from people outside the neighborhoods. People don't seem to think much negative about EOTP, or really at all; it's just far away "over there."

I think the level of hostility on DCUM flows mostly from the intense focus on schools here. This is where many EOTP people feel they are entitled to attend the WOTP schools because they've been planning on that for years. Their frustration at getting zoned out is understandable. But similarly, the WOTP people feel entitled to get first dibs on the WOTP schools because those are their own neighborhood schools, and the EOTP families have other schools in their own neighborhoods. Their frustration at overcrowding from OOB kids is understandable too.

That's my two cents at least.