A city known as “Chocolate City” for it’s large number of African-Americans, may not be able to call itself that anymore.
The Black population in Washington D.C. has slipped under 50 percent this year, close to 51 years after it gained a majority, according to an estimate by William Frey, the senior demographer at the Brookings Institution.
“You can’t help but look around and see the face of the community changing before your eyes,” said Tom Sherwood, co-author of “Dream City : Race,power and the decline of Washington DC”
He added, “That can be an uncomfortable feeling, and you’re going to have some people acting out, expressing their concern in racial code words.”
Many African American politicians and residents are pointing to the loss of Black businesses and unemployment as major factors. In April, the Census Bureau reported that Ward 8, in the city’s predominantly Black and poor Southeast section, had the highest jobless rate in the country.
In the past decade, the white population has jumped 31 percent, while the Black population has decreased 11 in D.C.
(Cited from ; newsone.com)
