DC Perspective
by Alexandra Warren (Fall 2016)
Washington DC is unlike any city I have ever been to. I did my best to take the time to explore the city this semester, and I think I was able to get a feeling for the culture. It took me a while to figure out how I feel about DC. As I walked around the various neighborhoods, I noticed that each one had a very different feel to it.
Adams Morgan was vibrant, U Street artistic, and the Capitol a sign of American greatness. All of these neighborhoods communicated a different side of DC, so it was difficult for me to figure out a way to mold all of these very different cultures together. That is the primary reason why whenever someone asked me if I liked DC, I could never come up with an answer to that question. To me, DC was a culmination of neighborhoods, not a cohesive city. When I was able to use the little free time I had this semester to explore on my own, I realized how much I enjoyed DC’s diversity. The city has attracted many people because of government or business opportunities. These different cultures have created their home in DC through food and artwork. There are always events in DC centered around art, whether it’s in galleries or an outdoor venue. I loved seeing the public displays of art as well, through murals all around the city. In addition, the Smithsonian museums allowed everyone to participate in DC’s rich culture. I believe that by making these museums free, DC has made it a primary objective to communicate its culture freely among all of its citizens. I appreciated the openness of DC through its artwork and also through its food. This city had food fit for anybody. The options were endless and the quality strong. Food is DC’s way of celebrating its diversity. New cultures are represented through countless restaurant options, which have all become DC staples.
A wall at the new Smithsonian museum for African American History and Culture.
I experienced another side of DC through my internship. The city comes alive during rush hour. The packed metro trains and crowded platforms were a headache to say the least. Commuters from Maryland and Virginia flooded the city every weekday morning and swelled the population by huge numbers. As I walked across the street to the Department of Justice building every morning, I always looked to the left to view the Capitol. Seeing the Capitol every morning before work always picked me up a little on the inside. The Robert F. Kennedy Main Justice Building is home to nearly every division of the Department of Justice. The first day of work was intimidating, even walking up to the building was intimidating because it looks like a fortress protected on all sides by security guards. However, once I settled into my daily duties, I realized something about DC. Everyone there is willing to help. Whether its co-workers, interns, or citizens, government employees will usually do their best to assist where and when they can. This was especially true for my office, and it was a prominent trait that stuck out to me throughout my time in Strategic Communications. The DOJ showed me that no matter what negative comments citizens express about the American government, I know that there are people working in DC who are helpful, trustworthy, and kind.
I will miss the Capitol so much. It was a source of inspiration to me throughout the semester.
Alex is a sophomore majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics and interning at the Department of Justice.
