And Obama is a charismatic speaker too

A friend, Xiao Shi, came to visit me in DC today. I'm grateful that she did because (1) it meant that I got out of the house and (2) because I was able to explore more of the city in one day than I would have on my own. We saw several of the Smithsonian museums, including the Natural History, American History, Washington Monument & the Holocaust museum.


Holocaust: I am continuously curious about the marketing and propaganda of Nazism. In particular, how was this political establishment able to craft a message in such a format that it gradually became ok to kill fellow humans. the ultimate in an effective marketing campaign. The answer, after walking through the message, seemed to be a consistent message that started with an us versus them, and then extended into slightly more degenerating messages. Whilst there, listening to a Hitler speech, a man said to his partner "You know Obama is a charismatic speaker too." To which she replied, so who will he want to take over [paraphrased]. Unfortunately, she saw me standing next to them the moment after the words slipped from her mouth, so I was unable to hear his answer. I was so curious to know his thoughts!


Then, we went to the Kennedy Center and saw an exhibition on Pakistan women's clothes and a poetry session. It was dope to hear this Def Poetry Slam poetess drop her lines on the audience. It was one of the 360 days a year free performances at the Kennedy Center.


Lincoln Memorial: The city of Washington was built in the likeness of Paris. So, with a sweep of a curve new views come into sight. The Lincoln Memorial is one of these impression sights. The grandiosity of that memorial was amazingly beautiful. The Gettysburg address & Lincoln's second inaugural address are engraved on either side of the walls of his throne. The building has 36 columns to represent the states when he was president, the 48 states are inscribed around the top of the building represent the states in existence at the time of the momunment's erection; Alaska & Hawaii got an honorable mention on a placard in front of the building. His statue truly is incredibly large. Sitting on the steps of that memorial provided a moment of reflection to appreciate the depth of my country's industrious & ability to overcome. The memorial worked it's magic.


Vietnam Memorial: Xiao Shi & I planned to leave The Mall, but found ourselves in a nighttime tour of the Vietnam Memorials: the statue dedicated to the women of the war, an American Flag & POW flag, a black, white & latino man, the unknown men who fell, and the great wall. We learned that there was symbolism in more elements than we realized; from the number of trees to the walls orientation to the Lincoln & Washington memorials. The memorial combines to create a contemplative space, with the names of 58K who are MIA or were killed from the war. The park ranger shared stories of how people attempt to gain closure through this memorial (having a last cigarette with their dead husband, leaving a letter to give forgiveness, a rubbing), alongside of the struggles between the disconnect of the soliders to the protestors at home -- the memorial pulled at my heart strings in unexpected ways.


When the docent tour ended, we went to Dupont Circle and ate. And then spent time at the Kramerbooks & Afterwards store. A restaurant, bookstore, music thingy all in one. It was such a good day! I can't believe we were able to see all of these things in a 12 hour span. I love truly love learning about history. The experience is making me more excited about my time in DC & all of the history that will be available to explore in this city.