The New Kids On The Block

The influx of the Ethiopian diaspora community has been forming in the metropolitan D.C. area ever since the 1970s (some may argue as early as the 1960s) However, the Ethiopian population’s extreme growth is not attributed to a random and spontaneous occurrence, but rather a series of events that would help shape and form the community known unofficially as Little Ethiopia today. As history would show, the Ethiopians were able to escape from the tyranny of their European advisories; however, that did not protect them from the danger of their own people. The rise of a new dictator, Soviet backed rise of Marxist Dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, resulted in multiple problems within the Ethiopian state including famine, drought, refugees, and military violence. The rise of this military dictator left some without a choice but to find a new home.

In the 1980s, people like Negasi Belay would find themselves to be one of the fortunate ones to be granted immigration through the immigration lottery service. Mr Belay found himself locating to D.C. knowing that an Ethiopian community was developing and was near the Ethiopian embassy if he ever needed support, however, the relocation to a popular urban city came with costs at times. The underappreciated and rundown U Street area was full of properties that were empty and cheap, a combination Ethiopians exploited in order to develop their business. The development of these businesses helped U Street to be revitalized after its crumble.

Although the primary reasons behind a Little Ethiopia may be economic, the results have benefits that transcend Washington D.C. The interview with Mr. Belay revealed that the profits gained by Ethiopian businesses do not just stay within the city of Washington D.C. “You often have business owners here, and non-business owners as well, sending a good sum of their profit overseas to their family back home. We are a community that does not forget our roots.”

The primary adversaries to the establishment of a Little Ethiopian community are ones that one would not first assume, African Americans. The U Street has widely been known as a culture center also known as the “Harlem of D.C.” The area used to be filled with jazz emanating from various venues and theaters that fostered African-American culture. U Street, also known to many as the “Black Broadway” of D.C. houses sites such as the childhood home of Duke Ellington, the Howard Theater, and the Pearl Theater.

However, the once booming African-American center of U Street became ridden with poverty which led to high levels of drug use and prostitution. This was a result of Marin Luther King Jr’s assassination in 1968 during the height of the civil rights movement. Small businesses in the neighborhood were forced to shut down after some were burned to the ground and as the neighborhood began to gain a reputation as the “ghetto” of D.C. Ethiopians then jumped on the opportunity of landing themselves property in an area that they needed for their businesses to grow, something that D.C. native African-Americans do not hold a favorable view on to this day.

A main opponent against the establishment of a Little Ethiopia is community activist “Dee” Hunter, an African-American woman who makes the claim that the Ethopian movement is comprised of “a small group of people who are obsessed.” Ms. Hunter is not the sole one who believes this though; Myla Mass, a member of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, believes that “just because you’re good business entrepreneur doesn’t mean you get a whole corner.” Ms. Mass believes that Ethiopians haven’t fostered a strong and true relationship with the neighboring African-American community. Although an increased partnership and friendlier relationships are possible, it is worth noting that the African-American landmarks that are so widely respected in the community are not anywhere located within the area people want designated as Little Ethiopia. African-Americans would still be able to rightfully hold on to their past roots while also allow Ethiopians to build upon their community. If anyone were to complain about having to be considered being apart of Little Ethiopia, perhaps it would be the small, but present, Eritrean population that has businesses along 9^th street.

Eritreans have a right to want to protect being generalized as being another Ethiopian business, however, they must have realized when opening stores that Ethiopians already dominated the area. Mr. Alazar admitted to me that at the time of his decision to open a business that “Yes, the street was mainly Ethiopian places…” If you take one look at Chinatown you will see a vast array of vendors that do not serve authentic Chinese or even Asian cuisine. Kinuthia Macharia, sociology professor at American University, agrees with this conclusion when saying “a special ethnic designation is more about the potential economic benefit for business owners, rather than an attempt by Ethiopians to elbow out other cultures.” This statement made by Ms. Macharia describes the Ethiopians want for a Little Ethiopia as a business venture, not an attempt to scorn the African-American and Eritrean community that surrounds the Ethiopians. The Ethiopians have nothing to gain by petitioning the designation of community to simply spite their neighbors, what they do have to gain are a few more dollars of profit everyday.

From a realist perspective, this collision between the Eritrean, Ethiopian, and African-American culture seems only natural. The African-Americans want the culture of the "Black Broadway" on U Street to carry on the legacy; the inclusion of a Little Ethiopia in the middle of it would only detract from the culture and pride many African-Americans take in with the area. Along with African-Americans, Eritreans feel that they will be misrepresented of having their stores and businesses as being labeled in an area known as Little Ethiopia. This battle of the cultures and pseudo-border wars is almost as if the small D.C. neighborhoods act as sovereign states themselves. The African-Americans, who have members on the areas council board, are able to block the sovereignty and creation of the Ethiopian neighborhood in D.C. It is as if one of the Big 5 vetoed a states membership to be recognized, for example China pressuring other states to not recognize Taiwan.

If African-Americans and Eritreans have had conflicts with Ethiopians with this in the past, as well as other conflicts that have transcended into school and personal life, than the African-American and Eritrean communities will not want the Ethiopian businesses to profit more. The neighboring African-American community also wants its businesses, such as Ben's Chili Bowl, to also flourish and not be forgotten by consumers. Any savvy businessperson would want to make sure that their competition is not getting more publicity, hype, and customers than their business. Through these points you can see how the businesses in Little Ethiopia and the argument over whether a Little Ethiopia should exist showcase realism in a way that is not conventionally explored.

Works Cited

“CNN visits Little Ethiopia in Washington DC.” Online Posting. Youtube, 15 November 2011. Web. 18 November 2011.

Firke, Teddy. ""Little Ethiopia" Revisted." BrownCondor. 21 June 2010. Web. 10 November 2011.

Schwartzman, Paul. "Shaw Shuns 'Little Ethiopia'" Washington Post. 25 July 2005. Web. 10 November 2011.

Showalter, Misty. "Inside Washington D.C.'s 'Little Ethiopia' - CNN." CNN.com. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., 22 October 2010. Web. 14 November 2011.

“Success Story: Little Ethiopia, Washington DC.” Online Posting. Youtube, 16 August 2010. Web. 19 November 2011.

Westley, Brian. "Washington: Nation's Largest Ethiopian Community Carves Niche."USATODAY.com. 17 October 2005. Web. 13 November 2011.