Washington DC No Longer African American Majority Population

 White House

Times and demographics have changed as Washington DC no longer has an African American majority living in the city. According to just released census data the non-Hispanic white and Hispanic population now makes up 50 percent of the population.

The appeal of life in Washington DC has simply resulted in changes that have pushed many lower income residents outside of the city. In other words the cost of living has risen as areas underwent changes to attract resident that enjoyed the close in and walking based lifestyle. In what is generally known as gentrification as lower income neighborhoods undergo renovation and increases in rent and sales prices, the former low income residents simply move out. In the case of Washington DC, many of those displaced low income residents are African American as their population decreased by 11.1% since 2000 while whites increased by 31.4% over the same period. With Hispanic blacks added to the number the total black population is 50.7%. An article titled “In D.C., blacks are no longer the majority” by Oren Dorell March 25, 2011 and published in USA Today breaks down the census figures.

This type of shift is not a surprise and is taking place in many areas of the United States as the shift from the suburbs to central city living is being driven by many factors including fuel prices and traffic congestion. It is just ironic for Washington DC to lose its status as a majority African American city with the first black President occupying the White House.

ARE THE ACADEMY AWARDS RELEVANT FOR MINORITIES

                                 Grauman's Chinese Theatre Hollywood

Oscar time has passed again. This time there were no major nominations for black actors, actresses or movie makers. Mo'Nique won for her role in the movie Precious at the 2010 Academy Awards' show. That was then and this is now.


Other minorities also seemed to be left out in great numbers as well. It is evident that what appeals to the academy is often very different from the tastes of many minority movie goers. Things that hit the emotional chord of Hispanic, African American and Asian viewers are often foreign to mainstream film makers. While it may be true that there may not have been minority roles worthy of an Oscar win this year, that largely goes back to the opportunities available.

Tyler Perry often is ridiculed for his movie making style and heavy-handed approach to drama, but what Perry has done is remove the excuse that minority film are not bankable. So the question might be when will a black performer get a meaty enough role to warrant walking onto the stage to receive a golden statue again.

What happened to films like Malcolm X? Precious was a good film and it was financed with funds from a couple new to the movies business.Has the success of Tyler Perry allowed mainstream Hollywood to feel that they don't have to worry about servicing the black film going audience anymore. I hope not.