Terrance WilliamsHoward University’s 101st Homecoming is only six weeks away, but increased federal law enforcement and economic uncertainty is casting a shadow over the annual event.
Howard’s Homecoming has been rapped about, referenced in popular media, and responsible for the breakout of many stars in a wide range of industries. Attracting alumni, members of Greek-letter organizations, businesses, tourists, athletes, movie stars, and recording artists, the event is a major economic booster for the city.
But this year, what the event will look like is still unclear.
In August, President Donald Trump invoked emergency powers, allowing him to increase the number of federal law enforcement officers in the district and deploy the National Guard in an effort to reduce crime. Since then, the Guard’s initial 30-day orders have been extended through Dec. 3, and seven additional states have sent troops.
Federal agents from various agencies have conducted checkpoints and arrested individuals on the streets, sparking protests throughout the city. All of this, in addition to weak economic data and rising unemployment, has had a chilling effect on Howard alumni and local business owners, sources told The Wash.
Michael Vasquez, who lives in Maryland, is one of those alumni.
“I am currently undecided about attending homecoming,” he said. “The current political climate in the city makes me uneasy. With the recent threats directed at HBCUs, I worry that the university could become a potential target.”
So far, Howard has not said it will change its regularly scheduled events for this year’s homecoming.
On campus this year, the university has been using numerous methods to help students feel safe, including the POM initiative, the BisonSafe App, and issuing a letter to the community in March, detailing how one should handle an encounter with ICE. While these efforts are aimed towards students, alumni are still expressing concerns.
“I’m not going to be coming back to the area because of what the Trump administration is doing to D.C.,” said Ahmeen Muhammad, an alumnus who lives in Houston. “Being a military member, I have no problem with the National Guard being in D.C., but I’m not coming back to homecoming so I can feel like I’m outside of a [military] post again. I’d rather stay home and sit this one out.”
Even without the addition of troops and federal agents, businesses, alumni, and residents say they are dealing with the reality of economic uncertainty as well.
Matt Fay is an advisory neighborhood commissioner on ANC 1B, the district covering Howard University, Ledroit Park, and the U Street Corridor, a popular business district nearby.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” he said when The Wash asked how U Street businesses are preparing for the event.
“The additional presence of policing resources on U Street have definitely had an impact,” Fay said. “A lot fewer people are going out to eat, to bars and clubs. Business is down.”
Others echoed that sentiment.
Carl Brown is the director of the Howard University Business Development Center. His clients, who are mostly small businesses in D.C., have said similar things.
“Employees sometimes don’t come to work because they hear ICE is in the area. People are not coming to the district to eat. It’s very disrupting,” Brown said.
Those disruptions are being felt all over. Howard alumna Keya Stanford is a travel nurse from Georgia. The economic slowdown is forcing her to change her homecoming plans as well.
“Economy, economy, economy,” Stanford said. “Eggs cost crazy money, and I don’t even eat eggs.”
Brown said he has noticed the university is increasing campus police presence and security, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department driving through campus more frequently. MPD usually works with the university and the ANCs to create traffic management plans.
In years past, the month leading up to the event has been filled with unveilings of performance lineups, ambassadors, and party schedules. The website currently lists 18 scheduled events, information on sponsorship, and a vendor application.
Questions surrounding homecoming events are not uncommon. With so many changes happening in the district, however, some alumni are simply making other plans.
“I most likely will not be attending,” said Howard Alumnus Tristen Neal. “It has nothing to do with the presence of soldiers. Donny ain’t gonna stop me. I just have prior engagements.”
Another alumna, who asked not to be named, said she will not be going to Homecoming because “I was just there for my 10-year reunion last year and only plan to go for significant milestone class reunions.”
The university did not respond to requests for comment.
Kendall Staton
Joshua Sun
Excellent article and thoroughly well written sir! It’s unfortunate that this is a topic that even has to be covered let alone acknowledged but these are the times we’re in. Just nice to know we have voices likes yours to cut through the noise of the normal conservative apologists rhetoric!
As Howard University prepares to celebrate its 101st Homecoming, the usual fanfare the bands, alumni reunions, festive parades is being shadowed by deeper currents of tension and concern. Two interlinked dynamics stand out: economic unease that is pinching budgets and expectations, and an intensified federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., which many see as affecting the atmosphere, security, and the very feel of what should be a joyous weekend.Excellent article Mr.Williams
Fair and insightful article. Not sure why Howard Alum cares about security and policing in a “more secure city” we love. Unlike other locations across the nation, Washington DC belongs to the people. We love safety over high egg prices.