I expected that the latter group would most likely represent landlords of nuisance properties; drug dealers intent on staying in business; or bullies who through intimidation and threats of violence expected the community to turn a blind eye to their lawlessness. Despite my sometimes overly optimistic hopes that we can ‘all work together’ , I am a person of the world and sometimes the world can get you a one way ticket to the emergency room (or worse). Concerns about my personal safety were valid ones and as such I opted to write under a pen name and thus ‘The Advoc8te’ was born. To be clear, my concerns were not because Ward 8 is so much more dangerous than any other place in the District but because of the sometimes sensitive nature of the blog topics themselves. It is to be expected that residents (on both sides of the issues) get passionate when it comes to dialoguing about the hopes, dreams and challenges facing our community. What should not (I repeat ‘NOT’) be expected is for conflicts of ideals to disintegrate into acts of violence or even threats of violence. Isaac Asimov said it best, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent”.
Now that you have been brought up to speed I come to the heart of today’s post. I have long come to the conclusion that it is better (and just plain easier) to put out there what I am feeling when it comes to writing on CHOTR. Trying to censure myself just doesn’t work. You can’t write dispassionately about something that you are so passionate about (in this case the community). For that reason I am sharing with readers something that happened yesterday and it’s not pretty. In fact it represents all that is ugly (and sometimes dangerous) about writing a community blog.
While I was not really surprised by her disdain for me (she’s communicated that before) or even her repeated threats of violence on my person (seems Mary is no stranger to violence) I was deeply disturbed that she felt very comfortable and not at all concerned about communicating those threats of violence through a third party and in front of witnesses. Not only did she make the threats to commit physical harm upon my person but she wanted to make it clear she wanted this third party to communicate them to me. It is clear she views herself outside of the laws of common decency as well as the laws of the District of Columbia.
Words cannot express how truly disturbed and horrified I am by her comments. Not just because she holds a public office as a Commissioner of ANC 8C but for the following reasons:
1. Mary Cuthbert is a person of color just like me. To promise to “whoop my ass” is offensive as a person of color.
2. Mary Cuthbert is a woman just like me. To promise to “whoop my ass” is offensive as a woman.
3. Mary Cuthbert is someone’s daughter just as I am someone’s daughter. To promise to “whoop my ass” is offensive as a daughter.
4. Mary Cuthbert is a mother just as I have a mother. To promise to “whoop my ass” is offensive to my mother.
5. Mary Cuthbert is a resident of Ward 8 just like I am a resident of Ward 8. To promise to “whoop my ass” is offensive as a Ward 8 resident.
6. Most importantly, Mary Cuthbert is a human being as I am a human being. To promise to “whoop my ass” is offensive as a human being, a child of God and a member of a civilized society.
This blog is far from perfect, it is in so many ways a work in progress and I learn so much from it every day as well as the readers who keep it relevant, informative and most importantly - honest. I feel privileged and honored to give something back in any small way and if that means I have to put my own personal safety on the line to do it then so be it.
Therefore I say to MARY JANE CUTHBERT, public official, person of color, woman, daughter, mother, resident and human being that I got your message loud and clear and I hope you have now gotten mine. Instead of promising to "whoop my ass" perhaps we should sit down have some pancakes at IHOP (my treat) and talk about how we can get OUR community back on track?
I will NOT be intimidated.
I will NOT back down.
Yours Truly,
Nikki Peele
Person of Color
Woman
Daughter
Resident
Human
Advoc8te
21 Comments:
Ms. Cuthbert's behavior is outrageous. We wonder why are youth are so out of control but the very people that should be role models are simply not setting the examples they should be. If I were an elder resident i would focus on grooming the younger generation so that we as a community can build and learn from our past failures instead of keeping things "hood and understood". SHAME ON YOU MARY!
All I can say that’s a shame, that a “so called” leader of the community is showing the youth of ward 8 that they have show acts of violence to get there point across. Bravo, Mary Cuthbert! You are in dire need of a big hug, some guidance and a swift kick in the @ss!
You should if she intends to meet you at the playground at 4pm by the jungle gym--we aren't in the school yard. we're grown adults. If she has a problem then she needs to learn how to resolve it like an adult. She is the epitome of ward 8 foolishness.
I still can't believe she actually had a messenger pass this memo along to you!!! This woman is crazy. But, don't take her threats lightly...she has already let it be known several times that she will not hesitate to act out violently. All i can say is be careful when you cross the street!
p.s. who can this be reported to? She can't continue being a broke down ANC commissioner and treat residents of the ward she represents as such....
keep your head high and know that you've done nothing wrong, and she makes herself look petty, small, ignorant, and pathetic (in the true meaning of the word) with what she said.
change will come. sometimes it just takes more time than we want it to.
keep pushing for a better community, and you'll get it. you're on the right side of history!
I really do appreciate all the supportive comments and emails. I really do believe that the vast majority of folks both within and outside the Ward are really good people who are working hard for a better Ward 8 for tomorrow. We are working TOGETHER.
Despite how nasty and viscous Ms. Cuthbert has been and continues to be I am optomistic that change is not only going to come but that it IS coming. Mary Cuthbert and anyone else like her can continue to be obstructionists but they are only one tiny, insignficant part of a bigger and better movement.
I am going to pray for Ms. Cuthbert - I really am. In this time of change, progress and transparency she must really be afraid. I am going to attribute her multiple threats of violence (not just this one instance) to that fear.
i support you, Advoc8te! change for ward 8!
Advoc8te, you keep on keeping on!! There are always crabs at the bottom of the pot trying to pull you down. We got your back!!
Anyone assuming the position of "power" in "government or pseudo- government" positions need to understand people will criticize their ability to do their jobs, and if they can't handle that fact, need to take a hike.
This Mary Cuthbert has all the markings of a thug. This is what happens when small people get a little bit of power. She should be embarrassed!
So you're on the wrong side of Cutberth!!! Welcome to the club. The real question is, what are you going to do. You know you young "river easters" don't have to wait until 2012 to knock off Marion Barry. You can start by taking over the ANCs. Mary represents SMD 8C03 and She ryns in 2010. This was her voting result in 2008:
ANC FOR SMD 8C03
Elvera Patrick 251 39.04%
Mary J. Cuthbert 379 58.94%
Write In, if any 13 2.02%
Total 643 100.00%
So do you have someone who could get 500 votes in 8C03? How about it Advocate!!!!!!
I definetly agree that the way to effect change is in the elections. I would LOVE someone to run in all the Single Member Districts not just hears. We need more diversity and choice in all of our ANCs! If someone out there is willing to run please let me know!
We need to do a clean sweep! Mary is the first that needs to go. Her time is up. She is a thug and thief! We have had enough.
LOL - I hadn't smile quite so much in a while. Your article shares a clear unrest of the so called threat. But Advocate my dear, you gave too much of your professional time to someone and something that didn't deserve it. As I read, all I could recall of Ms. Whoop Azz was a cast on her foot; then I wondered just how old you were by allowing her threat to give rise.
Admittedly, I must agree, she is 'unapproachable' to most, as there were plenty of days I simply wanted to compliment her on her style, and 'clare I felt a cold wind stop me cold in my tracts to exit stage right out of her path.
...but I ask of you- a young advocate for growth to please consider where she may have come from and what she may have seen in her lifetime; Once you've grasped a little of her history, seek ways to take her (chuckle) whoop-azz banter with a grain of salt.
Take it from someone who is no stranger to fights nor threats and is not afraid to confront a soul, that continued kindness kills them softly and there is no revenge as good livin'.
Lighten that heart up girl and send her a rose - but always continue to do what you do best which is keep 'em on their toes. (I didn't mean to rhyme there)
PS - Marion helped me get through those horrible bloggers by reminding me that anyone who chooses to hide behind an alternative name, ain't got shit much to say worth anything. If you have to hide behind what you say, then think twice about saying it.
Oh! (Long isn't it?) I kind of place Ms. Contrary Mary in a category of Congresswomen Watson, Lee, Waters, Kilpatrick, Norton, ect. when it comes to communication. These and many more african american women in politics have had to fight in ways you couldn't fathom to simply be present in the room - let alone have a seat at the table. When WE encounter each fight and come out standing, our skin gets a little thicker and tools a little sharper. And as a result our hearts, tone, and spirits are affected in one way or another - most times tough as leather. We could hold a forum on the different paths minority women have taken toward success in public policy. But for the subject at hand, find out for yourself 1 on 1 what her problem(s) could be, and raise a brow at the '3rd party' who felt it necessary to give you that message.
lol kindly,
oops!! mispselled some stuff, ie tracks. Can I use my cellphone as an excuse? Anywho I've been told I'm on the 7th grade level. On blogs and non-business emails my position is if my point was clear then cool beans. I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE and find it extremely informative!
Donna :)
Be careful messing with someone like that. I hate to judge but she looks like the type with a rack of convicted felons she calls kids. She is exactly the type of person that needs to leave the city. What a loser.
dbrighthaupt has a lot of valid points. And I understand that black women have had to struggle to get where they are but why must they inflict the same grief on us as they have had to endure? When will it they help and mentor the younger generation instead of setting up road blocks?
I hate to spread gossip but I don't think that there is anyone out there that geniunely likes the woman. I was at a community meeting last night and someone mentioned her name and several people said the same thing - she is a nasty woman and that she needs to go. These were native Ward 8 residents so clearly her vitrol isn't just for the young and the new. What gives?
DC Debutante - I feel you. When I attended DNC Boston, I wanted to sit with the DC Delegation but was 'blocked' by what seemed to me a bunch of 'senior' good ole boy groups who all knew one another and held those delegation spots election after election without a problem. I was gritted on and told I could not sit there. With my head down and lip out I wound up in a booth with the Louisiana crowd and had a ball :).
My point is that something worth having is more than likely going to have a road block of some sort. But once obtained, isn't it that much sweeter? That small group of 'insiders' know they've got a sweet deal with perks to be taken advantage of. They're also aware of this knew educated Washingtonian in town who wants a piece. A natural human instinct is to fight to keep it.
So you young energized change-makers with a pure cause fight to get it! Just don't get amnesia when YOUR time is up and you must pass the baton.
OH! (Long I know) Advoc8te, When someone is angry and wants to (chuckle) whoop yo azz, YOU MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!
I think CHOTR should post a Top Ten Most Wanted List of the ten most egregiously talentless, legends in their own mind, River East elected bum ass yungins.
No bounty or warrants needed --
Top Ten would be for the Top Ten people who have held the community in its clutches for years, decades so that the community can deteriorate to such a lower level that the B2 is now the "Baby Express" and seeing a young man / woman WITHOUT 1. a tat on their head including neck 2. a "hold" in their face other than their ears 3. a tat on their hand is an ANAMOLY. Have you seen our young men and women out here?
Not all, but more than a couple live in a world where they have no idea who Eric Holder is but they know who Jeezy is.
Who is guilty? The Top Ten Most Wanted River East Leaderless Leaders.
Wash Syndicate will definitely assist where and when needed.
I think CHOTR should post a Top Ten Most Wanted List of the ten most egregiously talentless, legends in their own mind, River East elected bum ass yungins.
No bounty or warrants needed --
Top Ten would be for the Top Ten people who have held the community in its clutches for years, decades so that the community can deteriorate to such a lower level that the B2 is now the "Baby Express" and seeing a young man / woman WITHOUT 1. a tat on their head including neck 2. a "hold" in their face other than their ears 3. a tat on their hand is an ANAMOLY. Have you seen our young men and women out here?
Not all, but more than a couple live in a world where they have no idea who Eric Holder is but they know who Jeezy is.
Who is guilty? The Top Ten Most Wanted River East Leaderless Leaders.
Wash Syndicate will definitely assist where and when needed.
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