By Khaliah Kendrick
Raising $3.7 million in capital funds, Cora Masters Barry dedicated years to establish a fun, clean and safe environment for the children of the Washington DC area. With DC constantly being referred to as the “murder capital” of the United States Mrs. Masters Barry’s vision was definitely needed. Statistically DC is one of the most dangerous areas in the country. In 2007 alone there were 14 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents, which is about three times higher than the national average. Although the crime rate has dropped since then, it is still very high in comparison to other places.
In the first three years the group hosted donations and cleanup projects that benefited east-of-the-river rec centers. They spent half a million dollars providing vans for kids during sporting events, as well as helping to build computer labs and dance studios.
“The center is like a body,” says 14 year old Devonta Williams (in a Washington Informer article). “The left side of the building -- that’s the brain. That’s where we learn, do our homework and get tutoring. Then, you have lding, which is the strong side -- the feet. That’s the tennis side where you can be active and not lazy.”
“And, then you have the middle -- and that’s Mrs. Barry’s office. I think that’s the heart of the center. It’s keeping us running and keeping us breathing,” she said. (Read the full Washington Informer article here)
You’d think something that was doing so much good as well as being so publicly supported and endorsed by such notable people as Hilary Rodham Clinton, Maya Angelou and many tennis greats such as Serena and Venus William would have longevity and continue to benefit the community. However that doesn’t seem to be the case. Surprisingly with new Mayor Adrian Fenty in office, Mrs. Barry has been given an eviction letter and told to vacate the Tennis and Learning Center that has been benefiting the community for over a decade.
Anybody can see how Mrs. Barry's determination has brought nothing but good to inner city youth. Why is it that DC is trying to shut down such a prominent community resource and safe haven? The government is calling it a technical error but many people believe there may be some personal vendetta behind it. Whatever the case may be, wouldn’t it be a great loss for the city if such a vital community resource were to close? At this point it seems as if Mrs. Masters Barry has done all she can. It’s now up to us to do what we can to keep her vision alive. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 15th at 9:30am on the 4th floor at the Superior Court located at 500 Indiana Avenue, NW-WDC 20001. It will be in Judge Susan Whinfield's chambers. They are urging everyone, more specifically youth to come and do as much as they can to support. All involved should be there no later than 9:00am.
For more information on this ludicrous decision see the Washington city paper http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=37677 and click here to read the Washington Informer article.
To contact the mayors office about their mistake go to DC's official government page: http://app.dc.gov/apps/about.asp?page=atd&type=dsf&referrer=[$DSF_SERVER_NAME$]&agency_id=1075&portal_link=hr .
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