Has President Obama’s presence in Washington changed the social aspect of the city?  The former murder capital of America in the early ’90s is currently the place to be. After eight horrific years of Bushism, the city was overjoyed on November 4, 2008 when the U.S. elected the first African-America President. Seventy-six percent of voters in Washington voted for Barack Obama. He has certainly made an impact in Washington politics, as well as attracting tourists to Five Guys, Ben’s Chili Bowl and Ray’s Hell Burger for the social aspect of the city. Anything this man touches is comparable to the touch of “Midas”. Local mom and pops are receiving an increase in revenue after visits from Michelle, Barack and his staff.

This is a remarkable time to be in Washington for the thriving creative community and local businesses as the President has taken interest in the city’s culture. A few weeks back, the President hosted a live poetry party that was streamed directly on the White House’s website to feature poets, writers and performances by jazz musicians. Local DC artists like Tabi Bonney, Wale and bands like the Tennis System will be able to utilize on DC’s moment in the limelight. Art-o-matic, Art Whino and the DC Mini Gallery have also crawled above the surface to showcase local talents that are not represented in the bigger museums and galleries along the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue. Retailers Redeem, For the Greater Good and Palace 5ive and local eateries like Busboys and Poets, Pho 75 and Zengo will also be able to increase revenue.

Another social factor that I can think of at the moment is the buzz created and centered on the city. During the peak time of tourism in the summer, the city expects an increase of visitors traveling to Washington. Destination DC has provided an itinerary to feature local spots that have been visited by the President. This organization provides a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historical communities. With the sudden curiosity for all things Obama and Washington, celebrity sightings and the rumored mansion purchased by Oprah in Georgetown has shined upon the most powerful city in the world.

As the press focuses on politics in Washington, the entertainment industry has also branched into a new found interest in DC. Reality Blurred has recently announced the inevitable. The website revealed that the twenty-third season of MTV’s reality show will be making a presence in Washington, as Bunim-Murray has placed a job search for an assistant production accountant on a job board.

What I find most interesting about the city’s new “buzz” is the arrival of reality shows. The niche neighborhoods of Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, the U Street and H Street corridors will be filmed and viewed by the locals and outsiders of the city.  MTV’s young audience will have their eyes set on seven strangers in a house located in Dupont Circle, the hub of DC’s gay community, which is a neighborhood away from the bars on 18th Street and U Street in Adams Morgan. The CW’s Blonde Charity Mafia is set to debut this summer to follow the lives of DC’s socialites who have been dubbed Georgetown’s new “it” girls. Is this the Hills or Capitol Hills?

Bravo recently made an announcement about the upcoming Real Housewives of DC series. From prior seasons, the Real World has never had a great impression in the city that the seven strangers invade. I also think that the Real World cast may not have a huge interest among Washingtonians as they will likely attract unwanted exposure of the city’s best kept secrets. On the other hand, the local mom and pop establishments like Ben’s Chilli Bowl will be able to leverage off this negative exposure to utilize on President Obama’s popularity.

Will these reality shows focus on the “real” DC or social/political DC – as in Capitol Hill and the stretch of lounges along K Street and 14th at night?

Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to see that the city is receiving recognition but for some reason, I feel as though – the “buzz” about the city will shun away from the creative community and historical neighborhoods. If the Real World DC presents the show in a manner opposite of Blonde Charity Mafia’s Republican invite only parties, I will not fret about it.

The density of the city is small in comparison to other cities. As you travel from one neighborhood to the next, you will be surprised to find a Peruvian chicken restaurant, located next door to a Pho spot that sits along Target in Columbia Height’s urban development.

I suppose we can take it with a grain of salt but I anticipate a poor representation of the city that does not connect with the creative residents of the DC metropolitan area. The “real” DC is not in Capitol Hill, Chevy Chase or Georgetown. Murder capital is no longer present, as the South East quadrant of the city has slowly gone through transformation after National’s Park (the Washington National’s stadium) was built. It’s the first LEED-certified green professional sports stadium in the country. National’s Park location is somewhat similar to the location of the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

From hood to the White House, DC has it all. As for the places and content of the city featured on these upcoming shows, I speculate an unfair illustration of the nation’s capital. In the end, it’s a show produced by the entertainment industry, which doesn’t always document life in a real world setting. “Reality” or scripted show, you be judge.

Published on 5 June 2009 | 1 |