So much has changed in the District of Columbia in the past 8 years, and almost all of it without the 
consideration, approval, objection, or active participation of a demographic that is otherwise indisputably the most influential and coveted in America. But millennials don’t vote in local elections. And politicians know that, and they don’t really care. It means that as elected officials they aren’t beholden to a cohort that had nothing to do with putting them in office. The result is what you see in DC from the past 2 mayoral administrations; a scarcity of programs that positively affect and change the conditions of District citizens between the ages of 18 and 35.
Political analysts and government policy makers may object to this characterization of the Fenty and Gray administrations, but the bike paths and dog parks of the Fenty years and the support for the imported technology sector of the Gray years hardly constitute real support and care for younger DC residents. Dogs don’t create jobs and those 20 something tech geeks who’ve been here for a year and a half only hire folks who look like them. Sure, the renovated libraries and recreation centers in DC are in theory beneficial to this age group, but less so in context when more funding has gone to dysfunctional jobs programs, laughable affordable housing programs, and to a Department of Corrections that has a budget of $140,476,000.
Let’s be more specific, because our focus and that of our audience is arts and culture. In a city that has been home to some of the greatest talent ever seen in entertainment and that is absolutely full of brilliant promoters, bloggers, performing artists, videographers and filmmakers, DC spends more in one half of one month to arrest, prosecute, convict and incarcerate its youth than it commits in a year to supporting a home grown entertainment industry. As a sop, it makes $8,503,000 available to “the Arts” if they are fronted by non-profit organizations that have been on the take for years without doing much of anything to elevate DC’s artistic reputation. And how much does our local government spend to invigorate and grow the business of entertainment? Nothing.
In 8 years the city has shut down more black entertainment venues and festivals than it has provided tangible support to. It is not enough to see the Howard Theatre reopen and its day-to-day operational management turned over to a company from out of town. It is not enough to see the Lincoln Theater given appropriated renovation funds and turned over to a company that will serve up a bill of obscure out of town bands. And the prominence that should have been afforded to a park that honors the contributions and legacy of Chuck Brown required far more foresight in terms of its location and scale.
Established, emerging, and aspiring artists and entertainment professionals in the District of Columbia cannot afford another 4 years of indifference from elected officials. Nor can the many layers and levels of businesses and citizens who would be positively impacted by releasing the pent up opportunity for growth and profit in this sector. We’ve been saying the obvious for years; that music and entertainment in DC is a business, not an admirable hobby, not a non-profit venture, not a zero-sum gain alternative to drugs and crime. It is the same business that has grown mega stars and spawned related enterprises in Atlanta and New York, New Orleans and Miami. Its success here requires public officials who recognize and support its business potential with just as much vigor as they’ve supported the technology folks behind 1776 and Fortify and Living Social. The industry is in need of a mayor who won’t just use it as background props, but who will commit to doing what is necessary to propping it up.
There are two candidates in the April 1 Democratic mayoral primary that seem to appreciate this. Andy Shallal and Muriel Bowser are both qualified through prior actions and public statements to do many things in support of the arts in the District of Columbia. Each deserves an audience for their points of view and support for their candidacies. Either would be a friend to the dreams that inspire artists to do great work. But both cannot be elected for a job with one opening. It is time to choose….
We support Muriel Bowser as the most capable and qualified candidate in the Democratic primary for mayor of the District of Columbia. We believe that if she wins the primary and the subsequent November election she will provide an open door and open ear and real support to the entertainment industry in DC. We urge all of the artists and performers and event managers, venue operators and promoters who brand their work with DC to reach out to your circles of friends and fans and followers who are DC voters and ask that they take the time or make the time to vote for Muriel Bowser on Tuesday April 1st.
Don’t underestimate your influence. You are the difference makers that no one except politicians take for granted. And you have an advantage unlike any generation before you. It’s called the hashtag. Use it to shake up DC! #VoteMurielBowser4Mayor