Respect Your Elders!

By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

 (TriceEdneyWiire.com)–It seems to be a forgotten value, but I’ve always been told, “Respect your elders.”  Among African Americans that admonishment was unnecessary.  You’d have been hard pressed to find anyone I knew who would be bold enough to violate that ethic.

We aren’t the only ones who practice this ethic.  It’s generally accepted that among many Asian cultures, elders are revered and honored.  In other parts of the world, elders are held in high esteem for their experience and wisdom.  How is it that so many people who live in so-called advanced societies are willing to reject the common-sense approach of offering respect to those who’ve preceded us in life?

Recent events in Washington, DC have heightened my attention to the lack of respect paid those we should enthusiastically honor.

Dr. Frances Cress Welsing has for over 40 years lived on her 16^th Street NW property.  For most of that time, she’s lived a relatively tranquil life.  2-1/2 years ago her neighborhood underwent significant and life-altering changes for her.  Most of her immediate neighbors left her block and a new, threatening neighbor moved in.  Her new neighbor was the Jewish Primary Day School (JDPS).  The threat that emanated from it was excessive noise and an obvious goal to displace Dr. Welsing from her home.

Dr. Welsing was always willing to coexist with the JPDS as a good neighbor and only asked for reciprocity.  JDPS has been unsuccessful at purchasing her property, and has seemingly engaged in psychological warfare against Dr. Welsing by allowing its students to play and make excessive noise in the area adjoining her property.

After an initial complaint against the excessive noise, the school was instructed by the Board of Zoning to leave trees next to Dr. Welsing’s home that would serve as a possible noise barrier.  Instead of following the Board’s remedy, school officials had the trees cut down without providing any type of replacement noise barrier.  This has resulted in an incessant barrage of noise from students that assaults the peace and tranquility of Dr. Welsing’s home.  Not only has the JPDS flagrantly disobeyed the remedy of the Board of Zoning to eliminate or reduce the impact of school noise upon Dr. Welsing, the Board is now refusing to enforce its own remedy and has refused to entertain further requests for assistance from Dr. Welsing.

Dr. Welsing’s counsel and supporters filed Motions for Reconsideration with the Board of Zoning.  On May 8, 2013, with no consideration for the impact of the noise from the school on Dr. Welsing’s deteriorating health -- as confirmed by her doctor-- the Board of Zoning voted not to provide relief to Dr. Welsing.  Adding insult to injury, the Board of Zoning gave permission to the school to further negatively impact Dr. Welsing’s peaceful use of her property by agreeing to allow the school to expand and add a Summer Day Camp!  From the actions of JPDS and the Board of Zoning, it can only be concluded that every effort is being made to force Dr. Welsing from her home.

In a stunning vote by the Board of Zoning, without considering Dr. Welsing’s well-being, Lloyd Jordan, Kathryn Allen and Anthony Hood (voted by proxy) denied both motions to provide relief for Dr. Welsing.  Robert Miller didn’t vote.  Dr. Welsing is now left with no alternative but to take the matter to the DC Court of Appeals—thus costing her more money and allowing the loud noise in her residential neighborhood to continue.

Until we’ve finalized plans to mobilize support for Dr. Welsing, please keep her in your prayers and meditation.  We mustn’t allow this travesty against one of our most revered seniors to continue.  This injustice cannot stand—and she shall not be moved. SHE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!