What is liberation? Is it lying on a beach, eyes closed, resting? There will be endless images of sunsets and lovely views but for now we’re exploring some of that Hawaiian bounty. As we enjoyed the markets, restaurants, and cafes, two thoughts kept coming to …
Tucked into the corner of the Black Garden is a plant not much bigger than a sapling. Its flat leaves are distinctively delicate. This is a black currant bush. And this variety is called Ebony. It is the sweetest of all varieties. Love letter # …
Over the years, our traveling family unit has grown from just me and the parents to my brother to significant others and even the next generation. We’ve asked ourselves: if we go there, what will so-and-so like? This is just another reason why cities are at the heart of our travels. Sure, we hit the mountains, wilderness, country, and the remote but there’s just something magical about cities. We like the energy.
There’s of course Atlanta, arguably the capital of the New South. The home of Dr. Martin Luther King, the Varsity, and Coke.
And the city in the Aegean, Athens, that elevates its ancientness as its modern residents navigate the past. I lived there for a year and every day I learned something new. I could never get enough of the cuisine, especially vegetarian stews and luscious yogurt with puréed fig of thyme-scented honey.
And like most cities, Athens was always my base where I’d venture to far-flung places like Santorini, Crete, Patmos, and Istanbul.
Stay tuned to Barcelona and Berlin!
This will be short and (so) sweet. This week my parents came to Chicago to party. Yes, it included late night conversations, a walk around the Point, delicious food, and laughter. More than anything, it included love. Parents, grandparents, children, spouses, and grandchildren… so much …
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve returned home from Hawaii. I’ve had time to reflect on the many beautiful and touching experiences that we had on the islands of Oahu and Maui, what many refer to as paradise. Countless moments come to mind that I …
The Black Garden is coming along nicely. Like most things in life, when you’re planning something, it’s not always clear how things will work out. Does gardening encourage patience? Flexibility? Curiosity?
Every year, the Black Garden gets more interesting. A new black tomato is planted, some greens that were cultivated years ago come back, and the darkest, velvety edible flowers once more make an appearance.
Can growing food be a source of joy for Black people?
My work has a refrain: are we deserving of beautiful and delicious food? Are we able to be anointed by our ancestors’ knowledge of growing food for centuries while discarding the horror, inhumanity, violence, and cruelty of slavery? Can growing food be a source of joy? We say yes!
What is pleasure? Why is it often discounted when we speak of Black culinary traditions?
Here’s a peek at this year’s bounty.
Summer came so strong that I’m just getting around to sharing our James Beard Awards weekend. To say that it was the cat’s pajamas is an understatement! We had an absolute ball. This was our first time attending the awards but having Chicago proudly hosting …
A year ago in July, we launched Onion Dip for Breakfast. It has been a year of growth, writing, cooking, planning, eating, trial-and-error, traveling, art-making, but especially one of celebration. Oh, how we love our family! We’d like to thank you for joining us on …
While visiting the Afro-Atlantic Histories exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, I rather accidentally entered into the gallery which houses “The Shaw 54 Regiment Memorial”. Although the countless pieces of artwork in the Afro-Atlantic Histories’ show were beyond profound and beautiful, this adjunct piece was even more breathtaking. The masterpiece is a replica with slight refinements of the original sculpture which stands in Boston, MA.
The monumental sculpture honors the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, a group in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The unit was the second African-American regiment, although it was commanded by a white officer by the name of Robert Gould Shaw, depicted here riding a horse. The first all-Black unit was the Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
As I looked at their faces, I thought about these soldiers who were of African descent like me, who were fighting for freedoms. The relief’s sculptor, August Saint-Gaudens, was able to finely depict the physical features, resolve, and countenance of these men as they marched forward. The sculpture almost spans an entire wall and is commanding in its presence.
At the battle of Fort Wagner on July 18, 1863, the soldiers of the 54th were at the front of the charge and were among the first to die. Of the 600 men in the unit who fought, over 250 were killed, wounded or captured including the Colonel. By the end of the war, African-Americans composed 10 percent of the Union forces.
The Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial is acclaimed by many scholars as the greatest American sculpture of the 19th century. I can understand why. In standing there in front of it, to the left and to the right of it, my mind thought of the heroic efforts which were depicted in this artwork. As is so often the case, art connects us with the past and the present. I’m certainly grateful for all of the forces which came together to create a lasting tribute of the infantry’s heart, honor, and soul. So happy that I was able to see it!
Has anyone told you lately that there’s so much good stuff out there? If not, I’m saying it. Summer has its unique way of revealing how much is out there: zucchini for giants, pounds of tomatoes, mint taking over any and every garden if you’re …
