As long as I can remember, I’ve been told that I am my mom’s copy. It was always understood that they meant I looked like her (which was the highest compliment) but what I always wished was that my heart was like hers. There is …
This month the Black Garden co-sponsored a monthlong film festival by the nonprofit, HotHouse, featuring Afro-Cuban women. Each documentary highlighted a different woman’s story and I was reminded once again that not all stories are told and certain ones are perennially left out of history.
I had my notebook to jot down points to introduce as prompts later in the school year. Without realizing it, I started scribbling and sketching ideas while watching these films, called to it like a love language flowing from lips you’re eager to hear. Does creativity fuel others’ creativity? Emphatically yes.
This month was packed with images. During October, a month I especially associate with harvests, I revisited Julie Dash’s beautiful film, ”Daughters of the Dust”, filled with the stories of the Gullah/Geechee women on Saint Helena Island.
These yellow leaves on the screen and in this downtown garden frame these beautiful stories. Whether in South Carolina (Georgia!) or Chicago, listening to the shimmering leaves rewards the listener. So many stories, so much life.
As a kid, traveling meant using every single mode of transportation and exploring both the new and familiar. We were just as likely to visit the other side of the city where we were living as we were to be in San Francisco, Venezuela, Boston, …
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 #
Dear Black Garden,
What’s happening below the soil? How long will it take for the green orbs to turn black? Will they be sweet? Will they pop like grapes as we enjoy them?
Forever,
xo
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 …
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 …
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 …
