Monday, January 30, 2006

Afros and Gold Teeth

Man, I miss the crib. It’s just something about Memphis and the South I love. Maybe its because right now I’m in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico at the Tamaya Hyatt Resort and Spa. It is a nice place with Casino’s, a golf course and a luscious spa, but it is cold here man, real cold. I made the mistake of not checking the weather channel and came up in this camp thinking it’s the desert, that it had Mexico in its name and that it would be warm. But I was wrong. It was 40 degrees when I arrived and that was at 2pm. Now I’m stuck missing not only the crib, but the southern weather that was 67 degrees when I left the heart of the dirty.

But that’s not all, since I have been here I have counted three Negroes, and they were all in the airport. Memphis, like many other areas of the South is a heavenly place complete with Barb-Q, soul food, hustlers, pimps and more importantly, folks that look like me. Not that this is all good, but it isn’t al bad either. It just a truthful notice that when one is out of their environment, they miss those things they take for granted. Like a person who misses their girl friend or husband when they go away for a few days, or how one misses their children in the same manner. I miss the South man, especially Memphis, and my folk from my neighborhood from Castalia to South Parkway, complete with Afro’s and Gold teeth.

8 comments:

Stephen A. Bess said...

Yes, we are some interesting people (BLK folks). I hope that you get some fun out of your trip. It's warmer here in DC.

E.R. Carpenter said...

I feel ya on that one Torrance. I ain't even from the South but I miss it every time I have to drive in the snow, ice and cold here in Cleveland. My parents migrated here from Memphis back in the day but I used to always go back with them to see Big Momma, Big Daddy and all the cousins, aunts and uncles. I hope you make it back home to Memphis in time for the Black Writers Conference in April. I plan on doing it big while I'm in town. Man I love that city. I can't wait to hit Beale Street and that buffet style restaurant with the slammin' catfish.

You think that's something? Try living in Altus, Oklahoma for over a year. I was stationed there during my Air Force days. Though it was a few brothus and sistaz on the base, the town was pure country. No black radio. No black clubs. No black culture whatsoever. Walmart was the place to hangout.

So remember. It could be worse. You could living there FOREVER. Get home safely brother.

-Emanuel

Anonymous said...

I love how assumptions can really prepare people, lol. I love my home and like you boast about the South, I boast about the sacred mountains that surround my home...a place of culture, power, and presence of ancestral knowledge...the smell of feast day food in the air and gathering together with family and friends laughing it up. I see my people work long hours and cater to the many people that come to visit the resort but know that beyond the clothes and seemingly shy nature they have, that a whole world of sharing is possible. Ancestors taught, where you go know the language and open yourself to the possibilities of what that place can hold while keeping home in your heart. With those words, I've visited places across the world yet feel at home.

Rev Island said...

London has a lot of blacks but when I was there 1997-8 if I was walking on the sidewalk towards white woman walking towards me, she would usually jump into the traffic if necessary to try to get to the other side to avoid the perceived danger of walking near to me. A speeding Beemer was perceived as less danger than me.

Dee said...

I agree there is nothing like the south. Home. Family. Cuzins and kinfolk....I reckon so. LOVE IT!!

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