There is a way that we can take care of us. Nov. 24, 2024

At the beginning of the summer I wanted to start doing fresh markets on the block once a month. They don't call it a food desert for nothing. I thought we could get local farmers to come down to the block once a month and sell fresh produce to everyone, but prioritize those with ebt.

My grand plan was to have nutritionists come out and pass out samples and give advice, my chef friends to teach us how to make healthy snacks and meals. I wanted them to talk about how we could use food and good eating to change our community from the inside out. If we could address food insecurity and scarcity, we could address one of the root causes of gun violence.

I was so excited. It was going to be great...

UNTIL, THE SINKHOLE OPENED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION.

After that, my summer was consumed with fighting for speed bumps, trying to keep our kids from getting shot, or falling in that damn hole.

Not only are they in a food desert, they've also been living around barricades, horses, hoses, sewage, steel plates and yes, still, THE SINKHOLE.

The city has made it crystal clear to me that I don't control anything and that intersection will be closed off until the next administration, if they want it to be.

I am not the Alderman, nor the Mayor. I'm just a lady who hangs out on a corner on the Southside.

I might be? However, I'm not powerless. And right now, more than ever, we're gonna have to lean on each other.

What I wanted may have been delayed, but no matter how hard they've made it to get to my corner (and it is NYT crossword hard!) We will not be denied. And it's even better now than I had first imagined!

I not only have farmers, I have Black farmers. Some who grow food and another who raises livestock, to provide fresh meat as well!

Blackhaven Ranch and Matt Ross  came through today with fresh Food and Meat from Black American Freedman Farmers. 

I love the idea of an anti-violence organization in the middle of one of the most undeserved neighborhoods in the country, partnering with Black farmers, to not only address food insecurity, but to also show our children and young people there's so much more to Black folks than what they show on television!

There is a way that we can take care of us. We are not hopeless!

I look forward to this market growing and we as a people, growing with it! We'd like to do this at least once a month.

So you should come out and help us make it happen!😉

Days of Awesome Part 2

October 7 , 2024

So. The street is blocked off. Like blocked off, blocked off.

It's a dangerous environment for kids to have to navigate going to and from school.

School busses can't get through, so if you have a kid who takes one, you're driving them to school in the meantime.

Meals on wheels deliveries for the disabled and seniors has also been put on hold because they can't get through.

And please don't need an emergency vehicle!

Because that's not happening either!

There's been a hole in the middle of the street since June. The raw sewage seeping up from the street, that kept us from holding a block party, is still stinking up the place.

AAAAAND, there's nowhere to park.

I guess this is what I get for asking for speed bumps, huh?

It's cool. But, just as a favor for me and the people on the block, I'd appreciate it if everyone who's coming down for Yom Kippur on Saturday (because I won't let this stop me! ), would please take photos and call 311 to complain about the conditions.

Don't worry you'll be repulsed enough to call when you see it.

It's a disgusting mess that no one should have to live in!

Days of Awesome

Oct 7 2024

My Yom Kippur service is not like everyone else's, because my brand of Judaism isn't.

It is one influenced by the journey of Africans before and after our own kidnapping.

It is one that helps me connect with my ancestors and their struggles.

It is one that gives me a way to make sense of the world and the community that I live in, instead of despairing in it and hating G-d for it.

It is how I know G-d is real and always present, no matter where I am or what I'm doing.

My Judaism isn't just a culture or a religion, it's a way of life.

So nope. You're not going to get a completely traditional service out of me; because, there is nothing traditional about my life or my experiences as a Jew who is Black in this country.

There will be portions that are traditional and recognizable to other Jews, but some parts that will be new. Just like in our everyday lives. There are some things we have in common, but in other ways we are foreign to each other. And that's fine.

I've spent my whole life learning how to be Jewish like everyone else, and a year to understand I don't have to be.

Judaism belongs to me and Jews like me as much as it does anyone else. I've done it the  "right way", for long enough.

Now it's time that I do it my way.

See you on the block!

#DaysofAWEsome

#Yomkippuronthecorner