Just a little note of geographical and demographical education of our Nations Capital... the D.C. neighborhood of Anacostia has been plaqued with high crime for at least 20 years that I know of. The Anacostia River is so polluted near this neighborhood it's pathetic. The living conditions of the people who live in this neighborhood is unbelievable, especially when you think they are only blocks for our suits of K street and the Mall, White House and Capital. The latest statistic I've read is that this community is 95% African American. Many great Americans have grown up in this neighborhood and somehow pulled themselves out of this poverty. I see nothing wrong with the National Zoo, which is located on Conneticut Ave. celebrating African American's Day. Especially if it can instill some pride in children from neighborhoods like Anacostia and show them some other ways of life ourside of what there current living conditions are. I'm all for it, I want my tax dollars spent on it. So that they will know that the people of this country do care about them and they don't have to join a gang to feel like they are part of something. And IMHO, shame on our politicians in DC for allowing neighborhoods like Anacostia to continue to exist so close to their own front doors. I suppose they figure these people can just "eat cake". tsk tsk. Off soap box. > In a message dated 6/22/2007 6:58:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > [log in to unmask] writes: > >> Didn't the National Park Service have to cancel its annual African American >>