Our besieged businesses have grit. It’s time to show them we do too

by Marlene Berlin

Let’s talk about grit. Here are two great examples:

“We are heartened by the support and loyalty of our customers and our community — they are our lifeblood and we will continue to serve them joyfully for the decades to come and beyond.” – James Alefantis, owner of Comet Ping Pong in a statement hours after the gunman entered his restaurant Sunday

We love our block & our neighborhood. We aren't going anywhere. https://t.co/KrFK8ASgPe

— Little Red Fox (@littleredfoxdc) December 4, 2016

Now, neighbors, it is time show our grit. We’ve stood up for Comet Ping Pong, Little Red Fox, Terasol, Jake’s American Grille, Buck’s Fishing and Camping, Besta Pizza and Politics and Prose as online message boards spread vicious lies about these businesses. We expressed our support as these lies emboldened people to send abusive, hate-filled online messages and make threatening phone calls to their staffs (Read the transcript of WAMU’s interview with Besta Pizza’s owner).

And then a man with a rifle walked into Comet to “self-investigate” what he’d read online.

First, I was shocked. This slowly changed to anger, and then resolve. I resolve that this gunman will not change how I live my life. I will continue to frequent this block of businesses serving our Forest Hills neighborhood. I am not alone in my resolve.

Supporters of #CometPingPong standing outside #pizzagate @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/7mHrU88krB

— Nikki Burdine (@NikkiBurdine) December 5, 2016

We will continue to meet our friends for coffee and dinner at these establishments. We will continue to crowd the book talks at Politics and Prose. We will not let them down.