By Jeremy Fong
After the early morning departure from Uniontown, PA, we made our way to Washington DC for our first stop. However, rather unfortunately, the Fredrick Douglas house was closed for remodel so we were unable to visit. Instead, we had extra free time which I took with great pleasure. If I’m being honest, part of the allure of this trip beyond the opportunity to learn and witness the history of the US’s racial reckoning was to explore parts of America that I haven’t been able to. DC was particularly high on that list because I plan on moving here after I graduate in June.
From my initial impression, I can say it’s pretty cool. In many ways, DC reminds me of Berlin, the city that continues to hold my heart. What I loved the most about Berlin beyond it’s liveability was the ways in which it’s physical structure still bares the scars of it’s history. While DC did not face the onslaught of soldiers invading the capital as Berlin did, DC still bares the scars and the trauma of it’s racialized history. These are definitely more subtle than the bullet holes that pierce the pre-war buildings of Berlin. However, if one looks closely, they can bare witness to the many racial struggles that occurred within this district.
As I explored the city, I was constantly in awe of it’s beauty. But at the same time, my mind could not help but drift to those who labored to make it so. When I applied for this trip, this is what I wanted to be reminded of, not of all issues that still run rampant in this country, but of the beauty that exists because of those who worked so hard to get things started.
I guess I should also state what I actually did. I walked around the main boulevard for a while trying to find a bathroom while flaneuring. I ended up at the Hirshhorn museum which had a wonderful bathroom and had free admission for its exhibits. They were quite interesting works and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Though there were a couple of pieces with descriptions that made me think that art is just about narration. After I walked to a Falafel sandwich shop which was so good and soooooo cheap, before making my way to a walking tour near the FDR memorial. The walking tour was interesting. I’m not privy to the fact that the capital of the US would need to gloss up it’s image. But it was interesting to see the kinds of events and people that were omitted from these spaces.
At the end of the day, we met with some alumni at Ben’s Chili Bowl. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great and all I can say about DC is that I have to come back to experience more!