I think I've been in California too long.
Either that or I have yet to adjust to the Black West Coast culture.
In an earlier post about a downtown Sacramento event, I said I didn't see any old Black couples, like my folks or many others I saw back home in NYC. But, ya know? I just wasn't looking in the right place.
I was fortunate to have heard about a festival in Sacramento's Oak Park showcasing some local acts and featuring Midnight Star; remember them?
"I'll be your freak-a-zoid, come on and wind me up..."
Yeah, them. And, yeah, that was the jam!
Well, low and behold, Black folks came out in force filling the park with the spicy, smoky smell of barbecue, melodic music and laughter as sweet and thick as molasses. It felt good to see so many Black folks having a good time; from toddlers to seniors.
I'm not sure if I was consciously looking for an elder couple, but, when I saw one, something moved in my chest and it wasn't an alien ready to burst out or from high blood pressure.
Thank you very much.
The happiest-looking, lovingly embraced Black couple I have seen in some time was taking pictures with their cell phone, talking, smooching, dancing, singing along with the performers and having a grand time. I know I was standing there staring. I felt it. I must have had a mindless, tilted head, glazed-eyed look on my grinning face, because when they noticed me looking their way, they smiled back. I asked if I could snap a photo, they gladly said yes.
My senses kicked back in when I thought about it for a while; there must not be enough soul in the other event for Black folks to go all the way downtown for. Black folk don't just get up and walk around or up and down stairs on their day off for no good reason - especially older folk. Mother wit; ancient mother wit. Father wit, even.
And after that realization, I felt better.
I could see Adam and Eve in "The Garden" talking to the Creator and saying, "Lord, you didn't have to make paradise so big, this area right here is just fine!"
I know I would.
Not only did I see a Black, elder couple, I saw a few of them and you know what? They were married and happy.
My faith is restored.
2 comments:
That's good to hear. Maybe we should tag them like Marlon Perkins used to do...So we can find them again.
Marc, you are heck-a-funny...
Then again, Marlin had a career with that tagging thing.
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