Model Community or Breading Ground for Discrimination

The city of Mount Rainier appears to be model community within Maryland. Although this community is known for its diversity, cultural acceptance, and peace initiatives, some feel discrimination and racial profiling are its best-kept secret. In this paper, I will show how these accusations are valid yet ignored throughout this community.

When most people think of Mount Rainier, they imagine the highest and third most voluminous volcano of the Cascade Range. Mount Rainier, to me, is a small town in Maryland that I call home. For the past 10 years this city, which is located on the outskirts of our Nations Capital, has been my place of residence. This city is the historic Route 1 gateway community from Prince Georges County Maryland to Washington DC at the districts northeast boundary. It’s approximately 17 square miles, with a population of 8,500 (according to 2000 census).

Mt. Rainier was a city established due to a great demand for housing. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Washington DC (like most other American cities) experienced a period of urban expansion. This demand put development pressure on areas directly outside the city limits as people wanted the amenities of urban living but desired the serenity of a rural home. It’s most attractive feature was a new streetcar line to downtown Washington. Mt. Rainier was “the” convenient housing option for the working-class.

Mt. Rainier was also attractive because of its landscape. Houses were one or two story structures nestled on huge lots. Homes were classified as “charmingly located” on “very large (rich) grounds” that were “high and healthy”. In the 1990s, the history and architectural value of Mount Rainier’s housing stock was recognized when most of the City was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, there is a different perception of Mount Rainer. Mount Rainier is still known for its history but it is now an aged community.