I wrote a poem (I used to write poetry, but now I find little poetic) about Atlanta many years ago. I believe I called it an illusion in the desert. Many young, Black adults think it is the Mecca for jobs, power, and, for women, marriage. But, it's all an illusion. To find a job there is difficult because it is HIGHLY competitive. EVERYone has an advance degree, so school name recognition, grades, and connections are very important. There are tons of beautiful women with long, beautiful weaved in tresses, great professional jobs, and stylish clothes & shoes. There are not as many handsome, perfectly muscled men with professional jobs. The professional women outnumber the professional men like in every big city, so there is fierce competition there as well. In fact, many women can't find a steady, because the men find the plentiful temptations overwhelming. Asking him to be faithful is like asking a child not to touch any of the candy from the Willy Wonka Factory. (Impossible.) There is a chance for political power, but you better be extremely wealthy or apart of one the Atlanta 'royal' families, if you're not, good luck with that uphill battle. There is crime, like any major city. And the DeKalb County Police are under scrutiny because they just shot their 11th suspect to death. In case you didn't know, it's the Black San Francisco as well. Thousands of black, gay males go there to live in peace and anonymity away from there close family and friends. (I'm glad they have a place to be their true selves.) But, it's disappointed to the young women who see a beautiful man, well-mannered, and professional man only to find out he wants to know if you have any cute brothers. Good for the other gay men, bad for the straight women (one less shot). Now, there are many great things about Atlanta. A very, very large Black middle class. Tons of Black people that are doctors, lawyers, engineers, bankers, and accountants. It's very uplifting. When I was in the airport two clean cut, twenty-somethings stared directly into my eyes (and cleavage) and smiled, told me what a beautiful, black woman I was. (One saw my badge, and asked if I was a cop. I said no, a prosecutor. His response, "oh, I thought i was going to get arrested for looking!") Atlanta is filled with retail, restaurants, corporations, and small businesses ( i.e., tons of money). Tons of affordable, safe, NICE & updated housing (unlike Louisville). They even have their own "older" part of town with eclectic houses and shops called, coincidentally, the Virginia Highlands (as old as it can be in a place where Sherman burned everything). I've had many joys, pains, and little deaths in Atlanta. I enjoyed my time there and love to visit now and again. Might move back, one day, under the right circumstances. It's not a Black heaven; it has its bruises and boils like any city.
I was there the Thursday & Friday, and to all my ATLiens it was great to see you all. To those I missed, I'll catch you next time. Uh, my baby and I will be rocking and swaying to the blues this coming Friday. (Next stop Vegas to see Prince as 3121!)
Smooches JST.
1 comment:
Why can't the black community in Louisville come together to creat what they believe is in Atlanta?
There is more black power and success in Louisville than most people realize or are ready to admit.
The only think Nashville has over Louisville is three HBCU's, which Louisville had! Around two to three.
Simmons and KSU must be supported by the black community of Kentucky. All black children must be EXPECTED to attend college...in additon to encouraged.
If you don't think Louisville has any black power... Visit Cincinnati or Chicago. Park DuvValle is still black. See if that's the case with Cabrini Green in Chicago.
Louisville and Kentucky aren't going to be like Atlanta and Georgia. Georgia is nearly 30% black compared to Kentucky's 7%. But if people would be ecouraged to stay and stop leaving.. Degrees in Aviation, Logistics, Computers and Health are the big ticket in Louisville. There is not reason someone can't get a degree in one these and scuceed in Louisville. Humana, Mercer, Ventas, Kindred, UPS, FedEx all have a need for one or more of these disciplines.
I grantee more graduates will bring more jobs. The cost of Living in Louisville is still low that the companies will RUSH to get the highly educated people who will work for less than in Michigan, New Jersy, Connecticut, Chicago, New York. That's why they came to Atlanta!
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