About those "scary" Black men of Anacostia
Today I was chatting with some good friends on Good Hope Rd SE and I had a thought: "How would they look to people who didn't know them?"
What stereotypes would come to mind? What would strangers assume about this group of Black men gathered on a street in Anacostia? What assumptions would they make about their stance, their clothing, their color?
Would their presence generate feelings of intimidation or fear? Would someone be uncomfortable walking past them on a public street? Would a visitor tweet about feeling "unsafe" on the streets of Anacostia or jokingly proclaim their "escape" the mean streets of Southeast?
And little would they know that each man in this photo has at least a Bachelor's degree; owns their own business and chose to base their business out of Anacostia. Not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
Spread love, not fear.
#SoutheastLove
What stereotypes would come to mind? What would strangers assume about this group of Black men gathered on a street in Anacostia? What assumptions would they make about their stance, their clothing, their color?
Would their presence generate feelings of intimidation or fear? Would someone be uncomfortable walking past them on a public street? Would a visitor tweet about feeling "unsafe" on the streets of Anacostia or jokingly proclaim their "escape" the mean streets of Southeast?
 |
| (l-r) Jehiel Oliver of AYA Consulting, Karim Abodye of Perfect DPI, and Jessie Johnson of Stockbridge Consulting |
And little would they know that each man in this photo has at least a Bachelor's degree; owns their own business and chose to base their business out of Anacostia. Not because they had to, but because they wanted to.
Spread love, not fear.
#SoutheastLove
 |
| Click here to learn more about our advertising philosophy! |