The Diary of Dwan Jordon - I am From

I am from a neighborhood in Washington DC that was a true village.

A place where you could smell morning breakfast and dinners cooking; the smell of fun Spring and Summer days. 

A place that was safe and our way of dealing with conflict was to fight. However, we were just around the corner from a world of crime.

The murder capitol, chocolate city, Mayor Barry, SYEP summer jobs, ice-cream trucks, go-gos, Madness, rec centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and neighborhood schools.

A place where my mom and dad survived unfortunate playing hands  in the game called life. A place where they were divided but alike in many ways. 

A place where schools were second homes that unintentionally focused on the social-emotional well being of most.

A place where everyone sold weed, crack or cocaine, knew someone who sold weed, crack, or cocaine, and/or knew someone affected by weed, crack, or cocaine. 

A place where many teachers, coaches, and police officers were father figures for the male students. 

A place where going across the bridge was rare. 

A place that allowed me to be the first in my family to graduate from college: 

A place that I came back to and created a school that was recognized by the United States Department of Education for being a model for school transformation: A place that offered students a world-class education that they deserved. 

A place where politics reign.

A place where death has hit many families hard but hope remains the heartbeat of the city.