Promoting Citizen Engagement
Investing in communicating to the public (especially those most susceptible to being disenfranchised) the importance of participation in the District's decision-making process as well as in neighborhood/ward organizations is crucial to the "One City" concept. I think if the city took a poll (especially in the neighborhoods where citizens are most disenfranchised) about political/gov. services knowledge, the city would be surprised as to the lack of knowledge regarding how to engage. So many citizens in DC express their disappointment and frustration with DC's gentrification and I think some of this frustration stems from not being part of or participating in the process. What I have come to know is that many who have expressed such have very little knowledge as to how. Even I, as my ward changed from 2 to 6 had a little difficulty navigating my way to the appropriate organizations for neighborhood feedback and I am working on a PhD, research is my thing! I actually received very little assistance from DC government proper, as they were clueless. I went to my neighbors. So, imagine the difficulty of someone way less aggressive than I or with less education. I think a campaign to inform citizens on how to participate, would go a long way. Imagine how many people who don't have a computer are missing out on this opportunity. If you want DC to be "One City," I suggest that the city should behave like it values every"One". If you want people to participate and your really value all citizens equally, then you have teach those that don't know how to participate! It may sound elementary, but in many ways DC is in an elementary traditional stage. This is KEY regarding parent engagement in schools, senior citizen engagement and engaging those from low-income neighborhoods.