Washington, DC – On July 22, 2013 Mayor Vincent Gray, along with a handful of aides and scores of reporters, paid a visit to Petworth with the intention of cracking down on synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia being sold at small businesses in the neighborhood. “That’s illegal, man. Can’t do that. That’s drug paraphernalia,” warned the Mayor. This isn’t the first time that Mayor Gray has posed as a law enforcement official in order to bust local shops, in his effort with the group Advocates for Drug-free Youth.
The visit took an unexpected turn, however, when Gray encountered an Ethiopian clerk who had trouble understanding English. “You don’t understand? How do you sell anything if you don’t understand? If somebody asks you for something, do you know what they’re asking you for?” Mayor Gray chided. At one point, visibly frustrated by the language barrier, the Mayor told the clerk “I don’t even, I really don’t know how you are working here if you can’t communicate with the people who come in here.” Despite criticism from NBC4 reporter Mark Segrave, the Mayor denied that his remarks could be considered insensitive and said that the language barrier was “irrelevant.”
According to federal and local laws, DC government must provide interpretation and translation when interacting with limited- and non-English proficient individuals. By asking for interpretation and having his request denied, the clerk was deprived of his right to “equal and meaningful” access protected by Title XI of the Civil Rights Act and the DC Language Access Act of 2004.
Over 85,000 DC residents speak a language other than English at home, according to the 2010 Census. The most common languages include Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. With these facts in mind and the law on his side, it is difficult to watch the Mayor tell the young clerk that his actions are illegal — not to mention while Mr. Gray himself is under federal investigation for corruption charges.
It isn’t the first time a PR move like this has gone wrong for the Mayor. Just this time last year, he brought a small army of city officials with him to Martin Luther King Boulevard in SE to demand that shop-owners stop carrying rolling papers and selling loose cigarettes. In many of the stores, Mr. Gray and the Director of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Nicholas Majett also encountered language barriers. Then too, the City Paper’s Alan Suderman picked up on the Mayor’s disregard of language access laws:
It did not seem like many of the foreign-born clerks would be able to read the letters without some assistance, as they often appeared to have no idea what the mayor was saying. Majett said it’s a common ploy for immigrant clerks to claim poor English skills whenever dealing with the DCRA. “We always get that,” he said. And Gray said they were still getting the message. “They don’t speak English well, but they understand this is an enforcement visit,” he said.
Following the Suderman piece, the DC-based organization Many Languages, One Voice revisited the stores to get reactions from the owners, most of whom were Korean and spoke little English. MLOV also responded to the most recent incident in Petworth in a video made by English language learner youth in their student organizing program, S.M.A.R.T. (Student Multiethnic Action Research Team):
Lidya Abune, a former S.M.A.R.T. member was surprised by the Mayor’s actions, saying:
“The fact that he’s making fun of him, I don’t expect that from the Mayor. I really respect Vincent Gray, but this is really immature. And definitely in DC, we have the Language Access Act and we have to respect it. DC is very diverse. We have a large immigrant community and you will be respected if you respect someone’s language, culture…it’s really critical. It is someone’s identity…You have to show respect for the people that you’re serving.”
Laws are on the books for a reason. As progressive as the DC Language Access Act is, it is born partly out of the violence and bloodshed of the 1991 Mount Pleasant riots. Incited when police openly shot and killed a handcuffed Latino man, the riots catalyzed big changes in the way government worked with non-English speakers, and immigrants more generally:
Ultimately, government and community leaders realized that language barriers, discrimination, and unequal access to services in the Latino community had created the conditions for the riots. But by denying the clerk’s right to an interpreter, the Mayor openly showed his ignorance of the law and its history or worse, that he doesn’t care about DC’s immigrant community.
In addition to getting trained on his responsibilities under the law, the Mayor ought to get a lesson in neighborhood demographics of DC — a step that might have prevented his surprise when encountering a store clerk who doesn’t speak English fluently. While Petworth is a historically African-American neighborhood, there is no denying the abundance of immigrant-owned businesses along its busiest avenue and the diversity of its residents:
|
Year |
Total ANC-4C Population |
% Children |
% Black |
% White |
% Hispanic |
% Asian/P.I. |
Average Family Income |
|
1990 |
19,875 |
19% |
88% |
6% |
6% |
1% |
$77,679 |
|
2000 |
19,519 |
23% |
72% |
6% |
20% |
1% |
$85,209 |
|
2005 |
19,540 |
17% |
63% |
14% |
20% |
1% |
$92,009 |
|
2010 |
20,330 |
19% |
57% |
15% |
26% |
2% |
n/a |
With increasing demographic shifts and rampant gentrification in the District, I constantly see a faulty characterization of DC along Black/White racial lines. This mentality completely erases the history of so many immigrants who have come to call the District home. My family immigrated to DC from Ecuador in the early 1960s. As a 3rd-generation DC resident, I take issue with the mindset that immigrants are not part of this beautiful city. We live here, work here, go to school here, and most importantly, pay taxes here.
Mayor Gray needs to understand, our language is our right.
Why do many immigrants choose not to learn English? They want to live here and work here and drive with valid licenses, but some don’t want to learn English. Why?
Hi Lou, thanks for checking out the article and commenting. As someone who teaches English to adult language learners in DC, I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of immigrants WANT to learn English, but face huge obstacles. If you have ever studied a foreign language (especially as an adult), you know that it is a time-consuming, frustrating process. Research has shown that there is a narrow window in childhood when humans can easily learn languages, and the older you get, the harder it becomes. Despite the difficulty, thousands of immigrants are enrolled at the school where I teach. Still, hundreds if not thousands more are on the wait list to get into classes. Many of the students I teach hold down 2 or 3 low-wage jobs, and still make the time to come to class 12-15 hours a week. It’s a huge commitment. When I ask my students why they are studying English, they say they need it to live a better life, to get better jobs, to help their kids with homework, and to eventually fulfill their dreams by going to college or starting a business. After all, isn’t that what the “American Dream” is all about?
I don’t understand this article… Is it about store clerks rights or the fact the these store clerks and owners are selling drug paraphernalia to our people, because that’s what it should be about. Grass Roots organization seem to only keep blacks down to a very low level instead of helping blacks. The sell of paraphernalia is unacceptable. Why is the article coming down on the Mayor? I wish this organization get shut down. This organization fight to keep Project Housing developments open, where crime activities continue to take place. People need affordable housing, but its 2-3 generations living off of grandma or great grandma public housing voucher. SMH!!! Blacks need to get it together, stop living off the system and make a way for themselves. Not keep having kids and thinking the system is suppose to take care of it. I want this city to change for the best and help those who are trying to do better and is showing it. not to keep handfeeding people. Sorry to sound so uneasy towards a certain group of people, but it is time for change for the better. This is not a all poor black city and every Ward in DC have and need to get better.
Watch the video , if u have not, and see how the mayor puts the clerk down.Its more about him not speaking English than anything else.
Hello Tori,
I believe there is room for an article about store clerks selling drug paraphernalia on this blog as well as room for this blog post, which is about the Mayor Gray’s unwillingness to recognize the value and importance of the DC Language Access Act. If you would like to write an article about store clerks selling drug paraphernalia in your neighborhood that would be fabulous.
I’m sorry that you feel that Grassroots DC should be shut down. I am confused by your statement, “Grass Roots organization seem to only keep blacks down to a very low level instead of helping blacks.” Do you mean Grassroots DC keeps blacks down? If so, I think you may be unaware of what we do and why.
The mission of Grassroots DC is to provide media production training to low-income and working-class residents of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area and those who advocate on their behalf, and also to provide media coverage of issues that impact the underserved communities of the District of Columbia.
Your comments suggest that by advocating on behalf of public housing residents and supporting the efforts of affordable housing advocates to maintain public housing complexes Grassroots DC is in fact keeping blacks down to a very low level. I disagree.
You yourself point out that people need affordable housing. Your concern seems to be that not everyone who lives in public housing deserves to be there. That may be true. But what about the ones who do deserve to be there? If all the public housing were to disappear, where would they go? If all of the public housing were to disappear, would crime disappear along with it? I don’t think so. If you have evidence to the contrary, I’d love to hear it.
[…] this guy that what he's doing it illegal, and what he's doing is pretty illegal," says Galos, who wrote a blog post about the […]
ETHIOPIA DOES NOT HAVE CRACKHEADS OR WEED ADDICTS…Maybe Khat, and I bet Mr. Mayor never heard of it!
FYI: Loose cigarette wrapping paper is what he’s calling illegal “drug paraphernalia.”
You wanna chit-chat, go to a barber shop.
[…] Grassroots DC […]
Mayor Gray: I thought that was the rapper Snoopy doggy dog the crack head from Los Angles;California doing community service in D.C. area I thought he smoked marijuana himself he very arrogant politician; an professional and bad leader..
Mayor Gray: I thought that was the rapper Snoopy doggy dog the crack head from Los Angles;California doing community service in D.C. areaIthought he smoked marijuana himself he very arrogant politician; an professional and bad leader..
Great story, ignorant mayor, puts too much pressure and stress on the poor clerk. Well he speaks Amharic as much as the mayor speaks English. I was shocked when a public servant intimidates the poor clerk and he keep on going questioning him. I hope he gets a good lawyer and sue Gary.
The so calls mayor probably grew up in smoking weeds. Okay the clerk never heard and never seen about a weed, why the “mayor” make fun on the clerk. This is a total disrespect of immigrants.
Is Mr. Gray African-American? If he is, I am so ashamed. If he isn’t, I blame the voters. I noticed that The Mayor made himself so proud that he speaks English in the United States of America but If I take him to Africa and let him live for a year or two, I know for sure that he will have someone for a translation but also will never try to learn the language. Why does he expect someone who has been to the US for quite few years to speak fluent English or understand the English language?
I never seen my life such ignorant mayor like gray!am sure he the one selling distrubte illigal drugs!mayor gray you think you born and raised hear you think you are big shoot above the Law!i don’t think you understand the meanings of beings an American. .mr mayor. gray to me being American means becomes tolerance. and diversity. and colourful !’that’s. the beauty. of America !as immigrant. i live. u.s.a more than 14 years. i am Ethiopian. i am black !do you think black. people. means. only African. American. the rest of us we not blacks. people .most of black. people. in American i met they thinking. they are only and should be called. black !
To be honest the mayor was wrong on this one. May be it is much better to visit different parts of the world to be judgmental. From my own experience, before I came to the USA I have never heard of marijuana or any kind of illegal thing whatever the mayor mentioned. The place we grew up in Ethiopia such a thing is never heard of, we usually see people chewing khat ( a fresh leaf) the clerk is not the only person he has never heard of the name, I would have been another one including many others from Ethiopia. I think the mayor must have mixed up the cultural differences high schools in Ethiopia and the USA.” I FEEL SO SORRY FOR THE MAYOR” for not knowing and understanding that there are many people who doesn’t know and never heard of such a thing in Ethiopia. We don’t have too much money to spend for such waste we really spend our earned money to help our families, friends and community.
MACK
Mr. mayor I was very disappointed about your comment you made with the Ethiopian gas station clerk. I wasn’t expected from you this kind of sarcastic comment. As a mayor, you should know about DC Language Act Law. Definitely, you’re not getting my vote at this time and the Ethiopian community people as well. This community supported you when you were running for mayor and vote for you. Mr. mayor, you should know that DC is a diverse city and the diversity of the people gives flavor for the city. You should apologize the Ethiopian community. This is the community that they prayed for you when you were running for mayor. You came to our church for support to vote for you which we did. This Ethiopian clerk could have been new to this country. Therefore, he face cultural difficulties and you embarass him infront of the media and the rest of your team. That is unacceptable from the nation capitol mayor. You need to apologizae him by using the translation service provided by DC government Language Act Law and trated equally under the law. This shows that you disrespect all Ethiopians and Ethiopia. Ethiopian community helps the DC economy since 1980 and well liked and respected by others.
Mayors should work for the people who elected them. It is shame to see the mayor’s bad behavior. this should be a learning experience . Ethiopians are powerful especially in Washington, DC area. Mr. Mayor if you are trying to put Ethiopian community down, you are making a big mistake.I ask you to come to your sense and apologize them publicly. these are the community work very hard for you during your election.
Mr. mayor I was very disappointed about your comment you made with the Ethiopian gas station clerk. I wasn’t expected from you this kind of sarcastic comment. As a mayor, you should know about DC Language Act Law. Definitely, you’re not getting my vote at this time and the Ethiopian community people as well. This community supported you when you were running for mayor and vote for you. Mr. mayor, you should know that DC is a diverse city and the diversity of the people gives flavor for the city. You should apologize the Ethiopian community. This is the community that they prayed for you when you were running for mayor. You came to our church for support to vote for you which we did. This Ethiopian clerk could have been new to this country. Therefore, he face cultural difficulties and you embarass him infront of the media and the rest of your team. That is unacceptable from the nation capitol mayor. You need to apologizae him by using the translation service provided by DC government Language Act Law and trated equally under the law. This shows that you disrespect all Ethiopians and Ethiopia. Ethiopian community helps the DC economy since 1980 and well liked and respected by others.
Mr. mayor I was very disappointed about your comment you made with the Ethiopian gas station clerk. I wasn’t expected from you this kind of sarcastic comment. As a mayor, you should know about DC Language Act Law. Definitely, you’re not getting my vote at this time and the Ethiopian community people as well. This community supported you when you were running for mayor and vote for you. Mr. mayor, you should know that DC is a diverse city and the diversity of the people gives flavor for the city. You should apologize the Ethiopian community. This is the community that they prayed for you when you were running for mayor. You came to our church for support to vote for you which we did. This Ethiopian clerk could have been new to this country. Therefore, he face cultural difficulties and you embarass him infront of the media and the rest of your team. That is unacceptable from the nation capitol mayor. You need to apologizae him by using the translation service provided by DC government Language Act Law and trated equally under the law. This shows that you disrespect all Ethiopians and Ethiopia. Ethiopian community helps the DC economy since 1980 and well liked and respected by others.
Mr. mayor I was very disappointed about your comment you made with the Ethiopian gas station clerk. I wasn’t expected from you this kind of sarcastic comment. As a mayor, you should know about DC Language Act Law. Definitely, you’re not getting my vote at this time and the Ethiopian community people as well. This community supported you when you were running for mayor and vote for you. Mr. mayor, you should know that DC is a diverse city and the diversity of the people gives flavor for the city. You should apologize the Ethiopian community. This is the community that they prayed for you when you were running for mayor. You came to our church for support to vote for you which we did. This Ethiopian clerk could have been new to this country. Therefore, he face cultural difficulties and you embarass him infront of the media and the rest of your team. That is unacceptable from the nation capitol mayor. You need to apologizae him by using the translation service provided by DC government Language Act Law and trated equally under the law. This shows that you disrespect all Ethiopians and Ethiopia. Ethiopian community helps the DC economy since 1980 and well liked and respected by others.
Mr, mayor why you are very specific on this particular clerk. Very outrageous to see a public elected official being very disrespectful of Individual rights and all Ethiopians as well.
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