Individuality, Diversity, and Inclusion
by Lindsay Pradieu (Spring 2017)
Washington DC is without a doubt known for the diversity of its people and its cultural experiences. I came to the capitol city because I wanted to explore its local and international food, visit museums, learn about its neighborhoods and indulge in its unique professional culture. As I set out to fulfill my mission, I was ready to explore DC’s diversity in traditional tourist fashion, but what I experienced was a city that celebrates individuality and whose people support for each other is distinct and constant.
Poster wall following the Women’s March on Washington
Coming to DC in January post-election, the environment was very politically charged, and the day after the President’s inauguration, I found myself amongst thousands of people taking part in the Women’s March on Washington. Surrounded by men, women, and children of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, and religious preferences, I was captivated by the welcoming feeling that surrounded the atmosphere. Signs were filled with encouraging words held up by smiling faces. Strangers greeted each other, offered each other their hand, guided each other, and laughed together. The march after the rally was long. It had rained previously, and there were clouds over head. It was crowded, marchers were chanting, some playing music from their portable speakers. As I marched along with everyone else, a new feeling took over. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them up again. As I opened my eyes, I took the time to look around my surroundings. I looked at all the diverse faces, the various signs, and listened to the chanting words. I took in everything around me, and at that very moment a sense of serenity took over. I was surrounded by thousands of strangers and yet there was an overwhelming sense of community and inclusivity. It was at that one moment that DC defined itself in three words: individuality, diversity, and inclusion.
Brightly colored homes in historic Georgetown
After the march, DC’s practice of expressing the individuality, diversity, and opinions of its residents became evident in many different capacities. Although marches and protests are important platforms for DC’s citizens, one other platform stood out. As I walked through DC’s residential neighborhoods, I found myself taking countless pictures of the architecture and design of the homes. Coupled by the vibrancy of its people, DC homes pay homage to the cultures and heterogeneity of the citizens, as well as serving as a platform of expression. From Georgetown to the historic row houses, residential homes are painted in vivid bright colors. They are decorated with cultural flags and other forms of individual expression. DC residents also use their homes as a way to continue the dialogue of their marches and protests. Home windows are decorated with Black Lives Matter posters, their doors draped by pride flags, and their lawns with signs that read “no matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor” in English, Spanish, and Arabic. As I walked down a street in the Woodley Park area, I came across a home with a sign that read “immigrants are welcomed here”. As I continued my walk down the street, I smiled to myself as I noticed that the home next door had a hand painted sign pointing to their neighbor that read “we stand with our neighbors”. These are the things I believe distinguish Washington DC and its people. With areas such as Embassy Row, home to a concentration of embassies, it is only fitting that DC communicates its diversity through its homes and its people.
Lindsay is a senior interning at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and seeking full-time employment in child welfare here in Washington.
