Why were D.C. residents gathered outside Representative Trent Franks (R-Arizona) office this week? Residents mobilized by DC Vote protested against Franks’ bill that would disallow abortions in D.C. after 20 weeks, and the fact that he didn’t allow Delegate Norton to speak at the hearing. If Franks wants to ignore our Home Rule and stamp Arizona politics on D.C. residents then why shouldn’t we ask him to address other constituent concerns, like metro repairs and broken street lights?

On the Rachel Maddow Show, Del. Norton called Franks’ bill a “straight-out cowardly case of bullying.” She said:

Here you have a bill that affects only my district, no other districts in the United States, which signals out to the residents of the District of Columbia and says, ‘You women will not be subject to the constitutional mandate of Roe versus Wade. You alone can have an abortion only until 20 weeks. By the way, don’t talk to us about how this violates the 14th Amendment as well, which treats you differently from women in other states. Not only are we going to try to impose that on you, but we don’t want to hear from the only voice you have in the house, you have no voice in the senate; we shut her up, so we don’t hear from D.C. residents at all.

This issue reminds Washingtonians of the ways in which the federal has been meddling with our affairs for years. For instance, passing same-sex marriage legislation was a great victory but it only marked the beginning of a longer fight we are reminded of today.  The District’s status as a non-state means that opponents of marriage equality can wait for a more friendly Congress to prohibit same-sex marriage from taking place. Legislation already in place, including rights to have a safe abortion, that is threatened allows us the opportunity to defend and demand something finally be done about an injustice –  taxation without representation.

Norton said to Maddow: “[L]et me tell you something about us, we know how to fight back.”

The Making of Busboys and Poets

A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets

We’re proud to announce A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets, the new memoir from our CEO and Founder, which reveals the vision, challenges, and triumphs behind opening Busboys and Poets. Packed with misadventures, unexpected triumphs, and insights on race, business and politics, Andy Shallal’s memoir takes us on a “How I Built … Continued

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For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Speech given on February 1, 2024 in Havana, Cuba In 1927 Langston Hughes walked into a Cuba amid an emerging community of artists, intellectuals, and radicals.  He saw a “sunrise in a new land [– a day – in his words]sic – full of brownskin surprises, and hitherto unknown contacts in a world of color.”  … Continued

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Palestine Week 2024

January 18, 2024 – January 25, 2024 In keeping with our ongoing mission of uplifting racial and cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week (January 18 through January 25, 2024). This week-long series of events will offer a diverse range of programming featuring Palestinian food, music, dance, poetry, discussions, and other enriching events. … Continued

The People’s Poetry

The People’s Poetry

You send us your poetry and we publish them on our blog! Send your poem to events@busboysandpoets.com and it may show up!

Busboys and Poets Books Review: Brunch is Hell

Busboys and Poets Books Review: Brunch is Hell

First let’s agree that brunch at Busboys and Poets is a delight. That established, Brunch is Hell: How to Save the World by Throwing a Dinner Party (Little, Brown, and Co. $25.00), the newest book from hilarious hosts of The Dinner Party Download Brendan Francis Newman and Rico Gagliano, is certain to put “I will … Continued

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Busboys and Poets – Baltimore

You may have noticed the new mural being installed on the windows of the new Busboys and Poets location Charles Village – 3224 St Paul Street Baltimore, MD This mural is titled: The Busboy and the Poet by Mia Duvall The name Busboys and Poets refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a … Continued

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Art All Night – The Drive-Thru Art Gallery in Anacostia

Created by local artists in partnership with the Anacostia BID and Busboys and Poets, the Art All Night Drive-Thru Art Gallery brings the Anacostia business corridors to life with an eclectic collection of artistic installations and original work. Follow the CURATED MAP of artwork and businesses throughout the streets of Anacostia. The artistic installations will … Continued