I think everyone has some preconceived notions that don't reflect reality. I always thought the White House was surrounded by opulence and well-to-do white folks - until I visited DC. My cousin picked a hotel a few blocks away from the White house. The front desk warned us not to go out alone at night - into the hallways! Yes, guests had been mugged in the hallways by outsiders. At night we looked out the windows and saw roving gangs of blacks, and police cars lit up doing their thing. During day, ghetto buildings nearby. We checked out and went to Georgetown, difference of $10/night but safe among whites. That was during Clinton's reign, maybe it's better now (unless it's worse).
Lordy, where did you stay, the Harrington?