On a visit to Dupont Circle this week, I passed by several bookstores, and visited a few. What struck me more than the selection of the books, however, was how the political views of the management were expressed in the layout of the stores.
While entering Books-A-Million, I was immediately struck by a large pile of Glen Beck's latest book, Arguing with Idiots. Among the 'recommended titles' was Jonah Goldberg's Liberal Fascism. I did not see the tables full of Obama paraphernalia that I was used to in the local Borders or Barnes and Noble in my hometown, Bowie, which had a majority African American population. It was quite subtle, but easily noticed.
Others were not so subtle in their political viewpoints. One gay bookshop made their disdain for social conservatism blatant, filling their window display with signs condemning the passage of Proposition 8 in California, mannequins with t-shirts reading "legalize gay", and various political books supporting gay marriage. I couldn't help but smile at their honesty. There was no use of the subtilties seen in Books-A-Million; they wore their hearts on their sleeves.
In a town that runs on politics, it is not hard to believe that the great issues fought over in Congress could flow over into the city's public life. During these book store visits, it became quite clear to me just how extensive it can be.
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This is a great post that really captures all that D.C. has to offer. Politics does not just take place here, it lives here! I am happy to see that everybody is starting to realize this. In a way, you could say these bookstores expressing their right to free speech is an honor to the men and women who died fighting for this country, and for whom the memorials are created for. They are almost like memorials themselves! This was a great blog!
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