Black Panther
The kids of Alain L Locke [PS 208] in West Harlem and a handful of volunteers from New York Cares went Saturday morning to see Black Panther at a theatre. We showed up at the school to have a bit of a get together before heading about six blocks to the nearby theatre.
There was a dichotomy of the art and the neglect that I had a hard time shaking. Harlem is poorer than a lot of New York. It serves a different population of people, and it permeates the streets, strictly when you look too hard at it.
Yet the streets are covered in art, shouts into the spaces given to them. Beautiful murals, or intriguing creations.
The kids are great, excitable and interested. They chatter incessantly about games and tv shows [Avatar the Last Airbender] rappers [Logic – Black Spiderman] and Black Panther.
The students started with a saying that outlined their goals and ideas, exercising their voice to vocalize their opportunities.
Look, movies are expensive in the city. I saw Black Panther once before in the Kips Bay AMC, the ticket was IMAX not 3D and it cost 25$ with the goddamn convenience fee. We contributed 11$ each as volunteers but I’m unsure the exact cost a seat. Nearly every kid had 15-20$ to buy snacks, which most did with gusto. Lots of large Icees were filled and consumed for a frightening amount of sugar. I nearly no one opted for popcorn, instead chicken tenders, pizza, and hotdogs were the most popular choices.
I’m not here to judge, because who am I? I’ve barely met these kids in a slice of their lives, and they are just kids. But. Food at a movie theatre is expensive and not good.
Again, no idea how these kids live, it’s very possible that they have much healthier habits at home. Maybe budgets allow them some financial freedom at the movies. I definitely hope so. Definitely a few had athletic hobbies they talked about with gusto.
But it echoed the greater problems that America faces with obesity and smart financial decisions.
Which just makes me miss the Obama’s so much more. They were aware of their roles and cultural ambassadors [Turnip for what??!!]. And though they still try to push the conversation with booklists and playlists, I shutter to think of the model that Trump portrays. [Hint it’s objectively fat, unhealthy, and ugly. More than skin deep too.]
These kids don’t have it easy, I heard plenty of stories of being one of many siblings, of being uncles and aunts, of non-traditional caregivers. Yet they have the same love and curiosity and playfulness as anyone.
I love kids. I love their energy and light. I’m in awe of their hopefulness and honesty. I’m hopeful for their future and their impacts on the world around them. I’m grateful to be a friend and inspiration and source of encouragement.
I’m here still, trying to make any difference at all.