News & Politics

Gary Tischler • June 18, 2012

When it comes to international affairs, there’s always a lot of talk about American Exceptionalism in political circles and not so much about exceptional Americans.

In the cultural and art world, you hardly ever hear the phrase.

You would have with John Paton Davies, Jr., prescient and courageous American diplomat and later in life, an artist and always husband, father, grandfather.

All of those qualities come to the fore in Davies’s posthumously published autobiography, “China Hand.” (Davies died in 1999 at the age of 91.) It coincided with a remarkable exhibition called “A Singular View: The Art and Words of John Paton Davies, Jr.,” which closed recently after a stay at the Mansion at Strathmore.

It was an exhibition that shimmers with a singular life and a history of the times and interests of Davies, a veteran American diplomat whose advice and reports about China during World War II and immediately after eventually cost him his job, an extreme case of the consequences of daring to speak truth to power during the McCarthy era.

The exhibition, the autobiography and the work and life all showcased qualities deserving of attention—for historians, for lovers of unique art, and admirers of singular people.

Davies was that rarest of men—a true American original, whose expertise, curiosity, gifts and knowledge functioned at a high level throughout his life. He lived the life of a high-ranking and highly-regarded foreign service professional among many of his peers—George Kennan was a friend. In the 1950s, having lost his career he began another, moving to Lima, Peru, to open a furniture store with his wife and family. He excelled in both worlds, but he was much more than that—good father and husband, exceptional writer and student of history and art.

All of this was very much in evidence in the art he created while in Peru, in the memoir, in the life. Many of the prints—he based them on pre-Columbian art—also bear a striking echo of Chinese art in their dramatic simplicity. Both the Latin American and Chinese-influenced prints seemed at once ancient and modern, something he saw clearly in his study of the art. “While the record of these ancient art forms reflects the flight of centuries, it is apparent in that in their strength, their vitality, often in their humor, they are modern as tomorrow, as rich and visited to the decorative quality as a millennium of yesterdays,” he wrote.

That’s a fact, and that’s poetry, also. The exhibition includes photographs from his life—of Davies and his wife Patricia Grady Davies in their studio in Lima, among others. The works, mostly monoprints comprise a kind of journey, and are not devoid of a winsome quality as well as a powerful simplicity. Most of the works in the exhibition had been seen publically only once before in 1961 at the Little Gallery in Birmingham, Mich.

Davies was the son of American missionaries in China and was born there. He entered the then new professional foreign service in the 1930s and served in China beginning, off and on, in 1933. He was on the staff of the legendary General Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell in World War II. In China, he saw the forces of both Communist leader Mao Tse Tung and Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek up close. Davies argued that Chiang was corrupt and would not prevail in the battle against the Communists and suggested that the U.S. establish ties with Mao. This kind of assessment—while accurate and pragmatic—did not sit well with the powers-that-be in Washington, embroiled in the McCarthy disloyalty hunts of the time. Davies and other China hands were caught up in the furor, characterized as men who had “lost” China. He had numerous security investigations against him, all unfounded and with no proof of disloyalty ever found. Instead, the staunch anti-communist Secretary of State John Foster Dulles fired him for lapses in “judgment, discretion and reliability,” after Davies had refused to resign. In 1969, after years of battling, Davies had his security clearance restored.

He and his wife—a writer and partner in her husband’s business in Peru—moved the family to Peru, site of his last diplomatic posting. They were married for 57 years and raised a family of seven, six daughters and a son, among them Patricia “Tiki” Davies, who was for years the communications director at the Kennedy Center.

In pictures, Davies, sometimes wearing sun glasses as on the cover of his autobiography, looks lean, intelligent and thoughtful. Like so many things, pictures don’t always tell the whole story. They certainly don’t encompass the life, work, art, loves, family and friendships, of the exceptional American life lived by John Paton Davies, Jr. In “China Hand,” you find a man with a keen gift for to-the-point story-telling. The book encompasses his foreign service life and is full of insights about the men and women he encountered, among them Stilwell, Kennan, Mao Tse Tung, and Chiang Kai Shek.

(“China Hand” is published by the University of Pennsylvania Press, part of the Haney Foundation Series.) [gallery ids="100733,121371,121365" nav="thumbs"]

Michelle Kingston •

Too many shopping bags in hand from a day on M Street? Most of us would just put up our hand to hail a cab, but maybe we should just struggle and walk the distance now after the D.C. Taxicab Commission reports that seven taxi drivers have been arrested for allegedly assaulting passengers within the past few weeks.

One victim was a Georgetown University student who reported to the Department of Public Safety at approximately 1:23 a.m. on March 29, that he (or she) was assaulted by a taxi driver around midnight who was also making inappropriate sexual comments.

“What we’re seeing is an increase in [cab drivers] physically manhandling their fares,” D.C. Taxicab Commission Chairman Ron Linton told ABC7 News. “Striking them. Pulling them out of their cabs. One woman was pulled out by her ankles.”

Linton has put out a warning, especially to females, as six out of the seven victims were women, to be cautious.

Due to the increase in attacks, the commission has proposed a plan to install panic buttons in to all cabs by December. GPS units and cash-free meter systems that will allow riders to pay with plastic are also expected to be placed in D.C. taxis for a much needed upgrade.

Robert Devaney •

As the nation has begun its celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, which gave us “The Star-Spangled Banner,” we also observe Flag Day. It is designated June 14 because of the 1777 resolution by the Continental Congress which established the design of the U.S. flag on that day.

While there was a D.C. flag tattoo flash mob, that started today at 5 p.m. at Dupont Circle, there are some serious thing to know about the flag and its role in American history.

To say that the flag is an emotional symbol for Americans is an understatement. For many, the flag is perceived and handled almost as if it were a sacred object. There are general rules on how to display or store the flag. While there are few legal constrictions on treatment of the flag, one who mistreats or shows disrespect in public to the Stars-and-Stripes does so at his own peril.

Georgetown has played its part in the history of the flag. It was home to the author of the national anthem, which celebrates Fort McHenry’s stand against the British as well as the triumphant flag which still waved over the fort at the end of the fight. His name was Francis Scott Key and lived on what become known as M Street next to where a bridge and a park would be named in his honor.

After the burning of public buildings in the new capital city, Washington, D.C., in August 1814, the Royal Navy and British army prepared to attack the bigger city of Baltimore in the days before Sept. 14. Meanwhile, as the British roamed around Chesapeake Bay and Maryland, they had captured a town leader, Dr. William Beanes, from Upper Marlboro, prompting a presidential group to seek his release. President James Madison had asked Georgetown lawyer Francis Scott Key to meet the British and negotiate his release. While with British officers on their ship near Fort McHenry, which guarded Baltimore harbor, Key could not leave and witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry. After the British push on land to Baltimore City was stymied, the navy stayed out of range of the fort and hit it repeatedly but failed to pass its defense.

Ending an evening of terrible explosions, lights and sounds, the British gave up the fight and withdrew in the morning. As “the dawn’s early light” revealed that Fort McHenry had stood its ground, Key was elated to see “that our flag was still there.” A large American flag — the Star-Spangled Banner — waved atop the fort. It was a moment of profound relief for the Americans. This war revealed one of the first times that Americans had acted as Americans — a fresh national identity — and not just as Marylanders, Virginians or New Yorkers. Key wrote these sentiments into his poem, “The Defense of Fort McHenry,” which was quickly renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It become an instant hit, an army musical standard and finally the national anthem.

Key lived with his large family in Georgetown, D.C., from 1804 to around 1833 with his wife Polly and their six sons and five daughters. Their land was across from what is now the Car Barn (3500 block of M Street) and their backyard went all the way to the Potomac River (the C&O Canal did not yet exist). An accomplished lawyer, a true gentleman, scholar and fine orator, he was involved in church and community in the small town of 5,000 Georgetowners. He was the district attorney for Washington under the Jackson and Van Buren administrations.

Years later, business leaders and the Georgetowner newspaper founded “Star-Spangled Banner Days” to celebrate the flag, the anthem and its author, a hometown hero. In 1993, Francis Scott Key Park was completed and dedicated on M Street — one block from his famous home, demolished in 1947 — between 34th street and Key Bridge.

Today, Francis Scott Key Park and the Star-Spangled Banner Monument is a D.C. and national salute to the flag, the anthem and the man with its percola, bust of Key and a flag pole which flies a Star-Spangled Banner. That original flag, which inspired Key’s song, is on display about 25 city blocks away at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Passers-by can rest and meet at this Georgetown oasis and recall a time when a young city and country had confronted its own years of war and lived through it to thrive and create a great nation. [gallery ids="100860,126837" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet •

The annual National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday May 27 was interrupted about half way through due to a weather emergency. But we were able to grab close-up photos of the entire performance at the full dress rehearsal a day earlier inlcuding performances by Joe Montegna, Gary Sinise, Daughtry, Natalie Cole, Trace Adkins, Jessica Sanchez, Ellen Burstyn, Dennis Franz, Selma Blair and Russell Watson.

You can view our photos by clicking on the photo icons below.

View additional photos by clicking here. [gallery ids="100819,125181,125173,125165,125157,125148,125140,125132,125125,125117,125109,125101,125093,125201,125085,125207,125214,125222,125191" nav="thumbs"]

Jeff Malet •

The Annual National Memorial Day Parade, took place along Constitution Avenue in Washington DC on May 28, 2012. Consisting of a lineup of entertainers, veterans units, marching bands and patriotic floats, the parade honors those who have served and died to protect our liberties. The reviewing stand was symbolically positioned directly opposite the National Archives Building, the home to this nation’s most hollowed documents including The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. The parade as always began with the marching platoons of each of our armed services. It was televised around the nation and to our troops serving around the world.

View our parade photos by clicking on the photo icons below.

View additional photos by clicking here. [gallery ids="100820,125329,125337,125345,125353,125361,125369,125377,125386,125395,125404,125412,125420,125428,125436,125444,125451,125459,125321,125313,125495,125209,125487,125219,125480,125227,125474,125236,125244,125252,125260,125268,125274,125282,125290,125297,125305,125467" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Cine Francophone: Bus Palladium

June 14th, 2012 at 07:00 PM | $9 admission | Tel: (202) 234-7911 | Event Website

Named after the popular Parisian music venue in the 1970s and ‘80s, Bus Palladium tells the story of a young, four-person band named Lust. Manu (Arthur Dupont) the charismatic leader and singer, and Lucas (Marc-André Grondin) the discreet composer, are childhood friends, but their friendship is put a stake when Laura enters their already precarious and fragile world. French with English subtitles.

Address

Letelier Theater,3251 Prospect St, NW, Upper Courtyard

Opening Reception: Winging It

June 15th, 2012 at 06:00 AM | Free | info@heinercontemporary.com | Tel: 202-338-0072 | Event Website

Heiner Contemporary is delighted to announce Winging It, a group exhibition exploring the study and depiction of birds, featuring work by Colby Caldwell, Todd Forsgren, Justin Gibbens, Megan Greene, Jenny Sidhu Mullins, Roger Tory Peterson, and Beverly Ress. The exhibition takes as its starting point three works by the American naturalist, ornithologist and artist Roger Tory Peterson.

Address

Heiner Contemporary, 1675 Wisconsin Ave NW

Become a Pilot Day

June 16th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | Free Admission! Parking is $15 | bedneyN@si.edu | Tel: 202-633-0732 | Event Website

Family Day and Aviation Display!

Join us for the eighth annual Become a Pilot Day at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport. See 50 visiting vintage, recreational, military, and homebuilt aircraft, on display outside the Center for one day only. Talk to pilots and find out what skills are needed to fly. Inside the Center, test your piloting skills in flight simulators, talk to aviation experts, and enjoy story time and hands-on activities with the kids.
Address

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, VA 20151 USA

A Golden Father’s Day

June 16th, 2012 at 10:30 AM | $3-7 | mkatz@tudorplace.org | Tel: (202) 965-0400 | [Event Website

George Washington left his mark on Tudor Place. What better place to celebrate your favorite “Founding Father”? An interactive tour through the historic mansion, uncovering treasures from the first President. Learn all about gilding – the application of gold leaf to mirrors, picture frames, and other decorative objects – work as family groups to gild a gold-leaf frame to take home. Bring cameras to take pictures with Dad in the gardens!
Address

Tudor Place Historic House and Garden
1644 31 Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20007

Pet Adoption Event

June 17th, 2012 at 12:00 PM | Free Admission | mnute@cbmove.com | Tel: 202-333-6100 | [Event Website](http://www.cbmove.com/real_estate_office/135/District-of-Columbia/Washington/Georgetown.aspx)

Adopt a dog and never walk alone. Pet Adoption Event, The Washington Harbour, 3050 K Street NW, Sunday, June 17, 2012, 12 – 4 pm.

The Georgetown Office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is proud to join forces with Operation Paws for Homes to host a Pet Adoption Day in Georgetown.

For more information about the event, you may call 202-333-6100 or visit us at www.CBMove.com/Georgetown.

Address

The Washington Harbour, 3050 K Street NW

Weschler’s Fine Book Auction

June 20th, 2012 at 10:00 AM | info@weschlers.com | Tel: (202) 628-1281 | [Event Website](http://www.weschlers.com/)

Weschler’s will auction one of the most diverse private collections of fine books in recent history. The collection, consigned by a Maryland estate, includes many first editions of American and European history, natural history and natural science, travel and exploration, philosophy, literature and poetry, and more. The collection will be exhibited on Monday, June 18th and Tuesday, June 19th from 10am-3pm.

Address

Weschler’s Washington, D.C. gallery

Charlene Louis •

On the eve of this year’s White House Correspondents Association Dinner, NPR “Friday Night Spin” was star studded in preparations for the dinner. With Solange Knowles spinning and party goers celebrating, it was night that many went home praising.

The evening’s festivities are made possible through donations by NPR Trustees John Herrmann, Jr. and John McGinn, as well as in-kind donations. In-kind donors include: Gibson Guitar Showroom, Georgetown Cupcake, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Smart Water, Robert Foley Vinyards and Beam Global. [gallery ids="100760,123170,123165,123143,123160,123149,123156" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act of the District of Columbia, months before the more famous Emancipation Proclamation. The local law granted 3,100 slaves within D.C. their freedom.

D.C. Emancipation Day is on Monday, April 16, a public holiday, and the District is celebrating today, this weekend and Monday with events, ranging from stops at several memorials, shows at the Lincoln Theater and a fireworks display at Freedom Plaza.

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION AT THE CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM & CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL, THURSDAY, APRIL 12

• HOST: THE HONORABLE FRANK SMITH

• 4:00 PM TO 6:30 PM

THE DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AT THE LINCOLN THEATRE, THURSDAY, APRIL 12

• WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ BAND

• HOWARD UNIVERSITY CHOIR

• BRIAN LENAIR

• 6:15 PM TO 7:00 PM LOBBY RECEPTION

• 7:00 PM TO 10 PM PROGRAM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY JAZZ & COMEDY CONCERT AT THE LINCOLN THEATRE, FRIDAY, APRIL 13

• WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ BAND

• BRIAN LENAIR

• DICK GREGORY

• 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM AT THE LINCOLN EMANCIPATION STATUTE ON CAPITOL HILL, SATURDAY, APRIL 14

• HOST: FREE DC

• 7:30 AM TO 8:30 AM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM AT THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS ESTATE, SATURDAY, APRIL 14

• Hosts: Rev Willie Wilson, Historian C.R. Gibbs, Peter Haynes

• 3:00 PM TO 5:00 PM

BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION (BET) PRESENTS THE DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY GREAT DEBATE AT THE LINCOLN THEATER

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 6:00 PM TO 7:30 PM.

• REV. AL SHARPTON

• MICHAEL ERIC DYSON

• TBD

• TBD

• T. J. HOLMES, MODERATOR

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY CHURCH SERVICES, SUNDAY, APRIL 15

• REQUEST ALL CHURCHES TO HOST 150TH ANNIVERSARY DC EMANCIPATION DAY RELIGIOUS SERVICES WITH THEIR CONGREGATIONS

• INVITE ALL CONGREGATIONS TO DC EMANCIPATION DAY PARADE, ACTIVITIES & CONCERT

• DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY GOSPEL BRUNCH

AT THE HAMILTON RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 14 & F STREETS, NW

• 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSAY ACTIVITIES AT THE LINCOLN COTTAGE SOLDIERS HOME, SUNDAY, APRIL 15

• Host: Paul Pascal

• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Monday, April 16

DC EMANCIPATION DAY

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PRAYER BREAKFAST, MONDAY, APRIL 16

• Willard Hotel: 8:00 AM

• Invited Guest: Rev Al Sharpton

• Invited Guest: Dick Gregory

• Invited Guest: Rev. Joel Osteen

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE, MONDAY, APRIL 16, 11 AM

• PARADE ROUTE- 3RD & PA AVE NW TO 13 ½ PA AVE NW

• GRAND MARSHALLS:

3100 MARSHALLS OF THE VILLAGE INCLUDING NATIONAL & LOCAL LEADERS OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY E STREET NW FESTIVAL (BETWEEN 13TH ST NW & 14TH ST NW), MONDAY, APRIL 16

• 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM, ACTIVITIES & CONCERT, MONDAY, APRIL 16, AT FREEDOM PLAZA.

• 2:00 PM TO 8:30 PM

• Concert

DC EMANCIPATION DAY 150TH ANNIVERSARY FIREWORKS EXHIBITION, MONDAY, APRIL 16

• 8:45 PM TO 9:15 PM

• Location: 13th Street NW & PA AVE NW

TUESDAY, APRIL 17, Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Emancipation of the District of Columbia
Georgetown University, 9 to 11:00 a.m., Copley Formal Lounge. RSVP 202-687-5677 or cbm29@georgetown.edu.

Jeff Malet •

The 134th annual White House Egg Roll attracted over 30,000 visitors to the White House South Lawn for a day of racing, reading and fun on Monday, April 9, 2012. The theme of this year’s egg roll was “Let’s Go, Let’s Play, Let’s Move!” which was modeled after the First Lady’s “Let’s Move!” campaign. View our photos by clicking on the icons below. (All photos by Jeff Malet)

View additional photos by clicking here. [gallery ids="100730,121180,121188,121196,121205,121213,121221,121231,121241,121249,121258,121172,121162,121298,121290,121111,121283,121121,121277,121129,121138,121145,121153,121268" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

In a city of monuments, one of Washington’s lesser known memorials will be in the spotlight this weekend, April 14-15. The Titanic Memorial at the foot of P Street, S.W., is along the Washington Channel and will be the centerpiece of Saturday’s Southwest Heritage commemoration, “Titanic 100,” beginning 7 p.m.

The story of the “unsinkable” RMS Titanic hitting an iceberg and sinking on her 1912 maiden voyage has been told many times — most recently with a new National Geographic exhibit, TV shows and an re-issuing of the 1997 film, “Titanic,” in 3-D.

The sculpture by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was unveiled in 1931 and originally perched at the foot of New Hampshire Avenue where the Kennedy Center now stands. Whitney’s design was chosen by the Fine Arts Commission in 1914 . The image of a man with arms outstretched in self-sacrifice supposedly inspired the scene at the bow in the movie, “Titanic,” when the main characters faced forward and balanced themselves in the ocean breeze. Also, Whitney’s sculpture is said by some to resemble her brother Alfred Vanderbilt, who died in the sinking of the Lusitania during World War One in 1915. Whitney’s other sculptures in D.C. are the Aztec Fountain for the Pan-American Building at the Organization of American State and the Founder’s Memorial at the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Constitution Hall. Besides being from two of the wealthiest American families as well as an artist and arts patron, the remarkable Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney is best remembered for her founding of the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City.

The Christ-like sculpture, originally named the Woman’s Titanic Memorial, and re-erected on P Street, S.W., in 1968 honors the men of all ages and backgrounds, who gave their lives to save women and children. The etching on its plinth or base (designed by the architect of the Lincoln Memorial Henry Bacon) reads on the front:

TO THE BRAVE MEN
WHO PERISHED
IN THE WRECK
OF THE TITANIC
APRIL 15 1912
THEY GAVE THEIR
LIVES THAT WOMEN
AND CHILDREN
MIGHT BE SAVED

ERECTED BY THE
WOMEN OF AMERICA

The words on the back of the base read:

FOR THE YOUNG AND THE OLD
THE RICH AND THE POOR
THE IGNORANT AND THE LEARNED
ALL
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES NOBLY
TO SAVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN

The Saturday commemoration includes a performance of “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” the last song played on the Titanic, at 9 p.m. The Men’s Titanic Society will hold its annual salute to those who died just after midnight, at 12:30 a.m., April 15, in front of the sculpture. For more information, visit SWDCheritage.org.