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[D]ISPLACED [C]ITY NATIVE
CULTURE NOT ERASED, JUST DISPLACED.
[D]ISPLACED [C]ITY NATIVE IS A PERSONAL BRAND CREATED TO PROVIDE COMMENTARY ON THE CULTURE ERASURE HAPPENING TO NATIVE WASHINGTONIANS DUE TO GENTRIFICATION.
THE WASHINGTON POST REPORTS THAT "DC HAS THE HIGHEST INTENSITY OF GENTRIFICATION OF ANY U.S. CITY."
A city that was once more than 70% Black, is now only 47% (as of 2017). As rents get higher, local Black-owned businesses disappear, and landmarks get destroyed, a highly original culture that was once thriving is now being displaced and erased.
[D]ISPLACED [C]ITY NATIVE IS A BRAND THAT CELEBRATES LOCAL CULTURE AND HOPES IT WILL BE REMEMBERED & APPRECIATED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
From carryouts with fried chicken & Mumbo sauce,
to Gogo music,
to New Balance 990 sneakers
to Helly Hanson coats,
and our distinct slang words.
[D][C] culture is like no other, and [D]isplaced [C]ity Native aims to create a space where locals can always openly expressed their love for all of it.
[D]isplaced [C}ity Native is a cultural movement, striving to create a physical illustration of the effects of gentrification on DC.
It is a brand created to give [D][C] natives an uplifted voice to our culture, while also rebelliously telling the world that WE STILL DO EXIST. And will continue to as we reject our displacement done through acts of racism and classism aided by our local government that allows every corner of the city to gentrify.​​
The goal is to get [D]isplaced [C]ity Native posters and lawn signs to every DC Native - regardless of if they still live in the [C]ity or been [D]isplaced into the surrounding suburbs - to show which areas DC Natives still reside. By doing this we will create a physical illustration of the effects of gentrification in DC and where it has scattered natives to live now.
Stickers are available for free to anyone. T-Shirts designs are being created and will be soon available for purchase.
A portion of the sales will help fund the creation of the lawn signs.
DC'S LOVE FOR NEW BALANCE
Since the shoes inception in 1982, DC has been obsessed with the New Balance 990. And while many others are catching on to the "Dad shoe" wave today, [D]isplaced [C]ity Natives know they are the originators of this trend.
New Balance and DC were the perfect match for many reasons. In 1982, the 990 became the first $100 shoe, making the ultimate flex for DC dealers in the height of the crack epidemic that the city was at the center of. The shoe was favored for its neutral colors that were subtle enough to match the local style without being too flashy, while also providing all day comfort in the streets.
The 990 became a city staple, as even kids looked for a way to show status and style while simultaneously being comfortable running through their neighborhoods and to and from school on the Metro.
Today, New Balance is still a hugely popular shoe brand in DC for people of all ages to wear, not just the elderly. As DC public schools kids rely on Metro public transit to get to school, 990s are a comfortable choice that also conveniently meets uniform dress codes. OGs still wear them in their neighborhoods. The shoe has become synonymous with original DC culture.
As part of [D]isplaced [C]ity Native's first mini project, I captured pictures of the New Balance's I saw being worn as I went through my normal everyday traveling in DC via the Metro. All the photos were taken up to the subjects waist, as I wanted emphasize the places and uses of the shoes - not the people who wore them.
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