examiNation DC: What do you think of the widening income gap between blacks and whites?

...what no one wants to mention. As Dinesh DeSousa once challenged in a debate "What is the biggest problem at this time, racism or illegitimacy?" What difference would it make if the world went colorblind overnight, but no one would make different choices in how they run their lives and raise their families? Q: According to some statistics & commentators, what is the single biggest factor that determines if a young, black male stays out of jail? A) upbringing B) education C) income The answer is none of the above. It is actually D) Marriage.

Could it be related to the fact that an intelligent black child is called an "Uncle Tom" or worse by his/her peers whenever he/she gets good grades in school?

There was a time after the civil war that African Americans had a thirst for knowledge and a similar entrepreneurial spirit as the immigrants that have come to this country since. However, decades of terrorism, apartheid, and discrimination has mostly destroyed that spirit. This has left psychological burdens and economic disenfranchisement. Many like me have overcome these issues with education (college or trade), positive thinking, and faith; without any real role models in our neighborhoods to show us the way. We have to believe in ourselves, educate ourselves, and we will overcome. Those that have made it need to give back volunteer and mentor to show others the way. At this time we need to help ourselves, the opportunities are out here if you are prepared to take on the challenge.

We as black people have been trapped in a self-perpetuating cycle for years. Most people are a product and reflection of their environment unfortuanetly. The only thing that can break this cycle is by retraining the general mindset that is in place now. The current Black communities in DC are like factories that produce nothing but failure. These communities need to be revitalized and cleaned up with more opportunities for success.

I wish I made $89K a year. But wait, I'm female, so I get what, 70 percent of the average?

I think that statistics usually only focus in on Whites and Blacks because they are the ultimate extremes on the color/race spectrum. They are the usually but not always the lightest and we are usually but not always the darkest. And whether we want to admit it or not White and Black people have a long history/connection together in this country. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. So I think that there is always a present curiousity (by both races) in our society to try and figure out what the other guy is up to.

I think there's something pathologically sick about people who can't think of anything better to obsess about than race.

I think there are many reasons for the economic disparities. Some are related to discrimination, poor education, lack of opportunities, ect. But all of this can not be blamed on racism. This is not just an issue in the District. All across this nation you hear the sobering negative statistics related to Blacks whether it be out-of-wedlock births, drug use, ect. The only way we will improve our community is to begin to improve ourselves and I am not talking about everyone suddenly becoming a doctor or lawyer. I am referring to conducting one's life in a way that leads to fewer problems. There are aspects of our lives that we can all control such as not using drugs, having children out of wedlock or not attending school. Blacks need to remember what so many died for in the civil rights struggle. The opportunities are here. True there are people who may try to stand in your way but walk around them. Parents, go and protest the conditions of your schools. Change sometimes starts small.

I don't know about ypu, but I seriously feel like taking a bath right now after reading the disaprity levels between the haves and havenots in our community. This is crazy, third-world stuff.

city is a genuine nightmare for nearly 80% of D.C. residents, according to the report. Promises made are often promises never kept by most of the taxpayer-funded incompetents we keep electing. As more of us become economically bruised and broken, the able among us leave our school system, shop more outside the District, seek jobs there, and eventually move out altogether. That's the true tale of our city, and our elected local officials are the authors. Urban Economics 101: supporting and expanding a mixed-income family friendly city generates exponential revenue and other socioeconomic benefits that strengthen the city's fiscal foundation. The next time you stroll D.C. after the suburban commuters and tourists have left for the day, beyond the occasional sound of gunfire, ask why does so much of our city have this dead-dull quiet feeling in the late afternoon and weekends. Where have all the families, rhythm, energy and future of the city gone? According to the U.

The headline blasts the newest revelation that many of us already know and live as a reality in the District: 'Wealth gap widens as whites hit $89K, blacks take in $34K' Of course, as our city's fiscal foundation continues to sink in debt and more families quietly flee, our mayor and D.C. Council grin, spin and photo-op their way through another year of third rate governance. We, as supported by recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, are not amused. Anyone who hasn't made the connection between the ongoing fiscal incompetence, brain dead District governance, act like you know leadership, and the true economic state of D.C. is either insane or purposely in denial. A budget busting baseball stadium, a failing convention center, more condos, and the usual slate of shortsighted economic initiatives that benefit the few over the many are coming home to roost. Once again our dirty socioeconomic laundry is hanging high for all to see. The dream of a family-friendly ci

I wanted to know the average income for hispanics and asians. I am not sure I saw that in the story. We need to stop blinking white and black all the time and think about the others colors in the prism.