The Plan (Washington, D.C.)
Encyclopedia
In Washington, D.C.
, The Plan is a conspiracy theory
regarding control of the city. Theorists insist that whites
(Caucasians
) have had a plan to "take back" the city since the beginning of home rule
in the 1970s, when the city started electing blacks
(African-Americans) to local offices. The "age-old" theory enjoys considerable, if quiet, support.
era may be the last time Washington will have a black mayor. If negative programming and characterization of black leadership are allowed to continue in the city of Washington and especially the black community, there is a strong possibility of the 'master plan' which I have so often spoken about maturing in the 1980s." As with many conspiracy theories, The Plan has some foundation in reality: believers note that the Federal City Council, an organized group of civic and corporate leaders, mostly white, meets in secret and uses its power to influence the city's direction.
Anti-theorists note that instead of an organized conspiracy, there are market forces, demographics, and gentrification
—which is happening quickly in the District of Columbia—at work. Black residents have left the District, just as many whites moved to the suburbs beginning in the 1950s. Both groups left a decaying city, its crime, and its failing schools seeking "a better, safer life. . . . One could argue that middle-class blacks abandoned the city. Was that part of 'the plan'?" Others counter that the existence of the theory reflects "the fears of a black community that already feels under attack in a city whose rising cost of living makes hanging on difficult . . . . if such paranoia seems laughable, it reflects a reality that's easily illustrated in bright colors", although the theory has been around longer than the city's changing demographics.
Efforts to improve the District of Columbia Public Schools
have been linked to the purported conspiracy, as the improvements have tended to increase enrollment of white children. Although shifting demographics are broadening school demand, these are seen as either the effectuation or the result of The Plan. Similarly, rising real estate values, increased business, more abundant night life and other factors which "would otherwise be viewed as a positive becomes evidence" of the scheme, even to those who benefit from the improvements. One commentator opined "Don't ask [Mayor] Fenty or [Schools Chancellor] Rhee
whom this world-class school system will serve if low-income black residents are being evicted from his world-class city in droves" and went on to claim "The scheme was odious: re-create a more sophisticated version of the plantation-style, federally appointed three-member commission that ruled the city for more than a century until 1967."
The Plan, and related fears, are said to have contributed to the defeat of incumbent mayor Adrian Fenty
in the 2010 primary election
. One observer noted: "A vote for [challenger Vincent] Gray
, admirers of the D.C. Council chairman imply, stops The Plan dead, putting all those whiny newcomers in their place."
Keith B. Richburg, Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa, BasicBooks, New York, 1997, especially pp. 144–148.
Ytzhak, Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The State of the Black World the Struggle Continues!, Portland Independent Media Center. Accessed 2010.09.25.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, The Plan is a conspiracy theory
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
regarding control of the city. Theorists insist that whites
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
(Caucasians
Caucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
) have had a plan to "take back" the city since the beginning of home rule
District of Columbia home rule
District of Columbia home rule is a term to describe the various means by which residents of the District of Columbia are able to govern their local affairs...
in the 1970s, when the city started electing blacks
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
(African-Americans) to local offices. The "age-old" theory enjoys considerable, if quiet, support.
History
It appears that Lillian Wiggins, a columnist for the Washington Afro American newspaper, was the first to articulate the conspiracy theory. In 1979, she wrote: "Many residents believe that the Marion BarryMarion Barry
Marion Shepilov Barry, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, representing DC's Ward 8. Barry served as the second elected mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991, and again as the fourth mayor from 1995...
era may be the last time Washington will have a black mayor. If negative programming and characterization of black leadership are allowed to continue in the city of Washington and especially the black community, there is a strong possibility of the 'master plan' which I have so often spoken about maturing in the 1980s." As with many conspiracy theories, The Plan has some foundation in reality: believers note that the Federal City Council, an organized group of civic and corporate leaders, mostly white, meets in secret and uses its power to influence the city's direction.
Anti-theorists note that instead of an organized conspiracy, there are market forces, demographics, and gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
—which is happening quickly in the District of Columbia—at work. Black residents have left the District, just as many whites moved to the suburbs beginning in the 1950s. Both groups left a decaying city, its crime, and its failing schools seeking "a better, safer life. . . . One could argue that middle-class blacks abandoned the city. Was that part of 'the plan'?" Others counter that the existence of the theory reflects "the fears of a black community that already feels under attack in a city whose rising cost of living makes hanging on difficult . . . . if such paranoia seems laughable, it reflects a reality that's easily illustrated in bright colors", although the theory has been around longer than the city's changing demographics.
Recent developments
Census figures show that between 2000 and 2010, the District lost about 39,000 black residents while over 50,000 whites moved in. The black population declined by 11.1%, while the white population enjoyed a 31.4% increase. "The District, once 'Chocolate City', is becoming, as the saying goes, 'Vanilla Village'." Currently, the city is about 51% black and 39% white—compared to 61%–34% in 2000. The black population peaked in 1970 at 71%. If trends continue, the city would get a white majority any time from 2014 to 2020. This has been attributed to The Plan.Efforts to improve the District of Columbia Public Schools
District of Columbia Public Schools
District of Columbia Public Schools is the traditional public school system of Washington, D.C. in the United States.- Composition and enrollment :...
have been linked to the purported conspiracy, as the improvements have tended to increase enrollment of white children. Although shifting demographics are broadening school demand, these are seen as either the effectuation or the result of The Plan. Similarly, rising real estate values, increased business, more abundant night life and other factors which "would otherwise be viewed as a positive becomes evidence" of the scheme, even to those who benefit from the improvements. One commentator opined "Don't ask [Mayor] Fenty or [Schools Chancellor] Rhee
Michelle Rhee
Michelle A. Rhee is a public figure involved in the American education system. She was chancellor of the Washington, D.C. public schools from 2007 to 2010...
whom this world-class school system will serve if low-income black residents are being evicted from his world-class city in droves" and went on to claim "The scheme was odious: re-create a more sophisticated version of the plantation-style, federally appointed three-member commission that ruled the city for more than a century until 1967."
The Plan, and related fears, are said to have contributed to the defeat of incumbent mayor Adrian Fenty
Adrian Fenty
Adrian Malik Fenty was the sixth, and at age 36, the youngest, mayor of the District of Columbia. He served one term—from 2007 to 2011—losing his bid for reelection at the primary level to Democrat Vincent C. Gray...
in the 2010 primary election
Washington, D.C. mayoral election, 2010
The Washington, D.C. mayoral election of 2010 took place on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. The primary elections occurred on September 14, 2010. Vincent Gray won the general election by a wide margin, although many voters wrote in incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty, whom Gray defeated in the...
. One observer noted: "A vote for [challenger Vincent] Gray
Vincent C. Gray
Vincent C. Gray is an American politician who is currently serving as the seventh Mayor of the District of Columbia. Prior to his inauguration as mayor in January 2011, Gray served as Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, and as Councilmember for Ward 7...
, admirers of the D.C. Council chairman imply, stops The Plan dead, putting all those whiny newcomers in their place."
See also
New World OrderKeith B. Richburg, Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa, BasicBooks, New York, 1997, especially pp. 144–148.
Ytzhak, Dr. Leonard Jeffries: The State of the Black World the Struggle Continues!, Portland Independent Media Center. Accessed 2010.09.25.