An American University journalism class explores race and culture in the Metro area

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Blocks away, a world apart: Latino immigrants shape and meet the needs of the unique Alexandria community

Photograph by Kate Musselwhite| By Kate Musselwhite |

Arlandria is easy to miss.  The Spanish-language signs end almost as quickly as they begin after crossing over into Alexandria from Arlington on Mount Vernon Avenue.  Before you know it, you’re in the midst of typically quaint Alexandria areas like Del Ray and historic Old Town. Just blocks away, these neighborhoods seem worlds apart.

Alexandria resident Margaret Lorber, who has worked for years with the Arlandria community and the city’s schools, said many are unaware of what goes on in the neighborhood.

“You just can’t believe how many sides there are in Alexandria,” she said. (more…)

Tradition in every stitch, Africa in every outfit

Photograph by Karina Stenquist

Amy David gets a head wrap made at House of Laces in Langley Park, Md.

House of Laces sells colorful fabrics that reflect the history of global trade

| By Karina Stenquist |

Every square inch of wall in the store is draped in color. Six-yard rainbow swathes are folded and stacked by the door, hung from overhead rails, piled on shelves. Sequins and pearls glint on velvet and voile. Bright hues and gold highlights battle for attention. Bolts of beaded lace drip down the counter side next to cotton waterfalls. In the House of Laces, an African fabric store, culture is wearable. (more…)

Beyond the headlines and the numbers: Voices from Anacostia High School

| By Christina Charlery and Joseph Hornig |

Anacostia is a historic neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C., and is located east of the Anacostia River, which the area is named after. According to the 2000 Census, 92 percent of the neighborhood’s residents are African American.

Those outside Southeast D.C. often see a dire public image from local-news headlines:

Body found floating in Anacostia River.

Students arrested after cafeteria brawl.

High school fight moves to city streets.

SE apartment building locked down after fatal shooting.

To local media and many outsiders, the name Anacostia has become synonymous with negativity, particularly crime.

With data showing that Anacostia murder rates are 625 percent higher than the national average and the risk of robbery 229 percent higher than average, according to The Washington Post, stereotypes of Anacostia aren’t baseless.

But they are one-dimensional, say students, administrators and teachers at Anacostia High School, now known as The Academies at Anacostia. (more…)


Anacostia & H Street

Beyond the headlines and the numbers: Voices from Anacostia High School

| By Christina Charlery and Joseph Hornig | Anacostia is a historic neighborhood in Southeast Washin

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Arlandria

Blocks away, a world apart: Latino immigrants shape and meet the needs of the unique Alexandria community

| By Kate Musselwhite | Arlandria is easy to miss.  The Spanish-language signs end almost as quickl

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Columbia Heights

Columbia Heights – A community in flux

In 1892, an electric streetcar began its ascent northwest into what would be known as Columbia Heigh

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Georgia Avenue

Georgia Avenue

For this edition of D.C. Intersections, the Race, Ethnic and Community Reporting Fall 2010 class dec

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Langley Park

Langley Park

Langley Park, Md., is best known for its “International Corridor,” along University Boul

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