Model Community Or Breading Ground For Discrimination

The city of Mount Rainier appears to be model community within Maryland. Although this community is known for its diversity, cultural acceptance, and peace initiatives, some feel discrimination and racial profiling are its best-kept secret. In this paper, I will show how these accusations are valid yet ignored throughout this community.

When most people think of Mount Rainier, they imagine the highest and third most voluminous volcano of the Cascade Range. Mount Rainier, to me, is a small town in Maryland that I call home. For the past 10 years this city, which is located on the outskirts of our Nations Capital, has been my place of residence. This city is the historic Route 1 gateway community from Prince Georges County Maryland to Washington DC at the districts northeast boundary. It's approximately 17 square miles, with a population of 8,500 (according to 2000 census).

Mt. Rainier was a city established due to a great demand for housing. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Washington DC (like most other American cities) experienced a period of urban expansion. This demand put development pressure on areas directly outside the city limits as people wanted the amenities of urban living but desired the serenity of a rural home. It's most attractive feature was a new streetcar line to downtown Washington. Mt. Rainier was "the" convenient housing option for the working-class.

Mt. Rainier was also attractive because of its landscape. Houses were one or two story structures nestled on huge lots. Homes were classified as "charmingly located" on "very large (rich) grounds" that were "high and healthy". In the 1990s, the history and architectural value of Mount Rainier's housing stock was recognized when most of the City was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, there is a different perception of Mount Rainer. Mount Rainier is still known for its history but it is now an aged community. If you take a ride on the infamous streetcar, now called a transit line, the community will not appear to be most attractive or appealing place to live. With its assortments of liquor stores, pawnshops and boarded-up storefronts, you barely notice this historical landmark. However, if you take a walk through this four-block community, you will find that you truly can't judge this book by its cover.

Mount Rainier is recognized as a model village for artist, environmentalists, pacifists, multiculturalists and other liberals. Gay pride banners wave from the porches of its residents. "War is Not the Answer" placards planted in neatly mowed lawns hint at the passions that prompted city council member to pass a resolution condemning U.S. military action in Iraq. There is a police station built with recycled materials, based on an energy-efficient design and touted as the nation's first "green" police facility. There are even low-Income loft apartments established for struggling artists.

The people living within Mount Rainier are very active in the community and involved in the daily decisions of their government. Imagine a town that elected an openly gay Latino resident to its council. This occurred in 1993. The Latino leader, Briones, joined a government with two African American women - one of whom was Muslim - and a white lesbian on the council, and a gay white mayor. Brions commented, "Being gay was not significant. What was significant was the fact that it was never an issue in the campaign."

Even today, the mayor is an African American woman. She is a single parent of four adult children, the grandmother of ten, has been a resident and community activist within the community since 1968. (Historic Mount Rainier 2005) So this is truly a town where race and gender are not a social issue. Mount Rainier is recognized for its diversity, cultural acceptance, and peace initiatives.

Take a look at its population statistics, which are just as diverse as its government. According to the 2000 Census, about 60 percent of city residents are black, 20 percent are white and 20 percent are Hispanics of any race. Some of its businesses are comprised of places like:

* New Ways Ministry, a nationally active group founded by a Catholic priest and nun to reach out to gay men and lesbians

* Glut Food Co-Op, a nonprofit natural foods market which begun in 1969 by conscientious objectors to the Vietnam Way

* Joe's Movement Emporium and World Art Focus, which teaches and performs international dances

* Dar Es Salaam bookstore, which sells books promoting African American empowerment

Mount Rainer Elementary School, which my 8-year-old son attends, launched a peace initiative teaching children how to avoid violence. This program has gained national recognition. Overall, the residents of this town are extremely wealthy, not in finance, but culture and diversity.

You are probably wondering, if Mount Rainier is such a great town, why aren't people knocking down the doors to become residents or open businesses. This sounds like a prime environment for growth. Why are there any boarded up storefronts? Mount Rainier appears to be part of a social movement that's destined for success. Well, many within the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas haven't even heard of Mount Rainier. In addition, during the 1900s, there was an open-air drug market heart of the city, which discouraged buyers. Thus, the war on drugs began.

Since the years of President Eisenhower's term, every president has introduced new measures to decrease drug use in the U.S. Most of these measures were unsuccessful and drug abuse became a serious and dangerous problem within the 1980s. 'President Bush launched his "war on drugs" in 1989. His goal was to equip law enforcement with finances required to clean up the streets. About 70 percent of the $7.9 billion budget would go to law enforcement.' (Check1995)

Now equipped with adequate resources, the city of Mount Rainier police launched a coordinated campaign of surveillance and arrest. By mid 1990s, the police were successful in closing the drug market that previously deterred potential citizens. Consequently most of the offenders involved in these drug cases were African Americans. As a result a connection was established between African Americans and drugs within the community of Mount Rainier.

Now fast forward about 10 years into the future. When conducting interviews to identify racial and gender concerns within my community, most residents