From disturbing observations to oven mitt eulogies, here are the ramblings and ruminations of a writer of color as she examines the social nuances of everyday life within - and without - big city limits.

Now Playing: Lemme Ghetta
By Hamida Kinge
5-23-06

“Won Ton Phooeyyyyy” the young man says in a barely-audible tone, with an accent lifted straight out a vintage Kung-Fu flick. It’s the kind of thing he might say louder if in the presence of his friends, but right now he seems to be no more than thinking aloud, as if subconsciously singing a familiar jingle.

As he enters the Chinese take-out joint, the man — 20-something with red-brown skin and a long, sandy-colored beard — is dressed de rigeur for the
part: army fatigue jacket, white tee and shin-length, wide-legged jeans accented by construction Tims.

He heads for the foggy, plexiglass window and upon reaching it, says wryly to the cashier, “Lemme  Ghetta Philly Blunt.” (more…)

here is a NY Times article about the matter.

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An accelerating exodus of American-born blacks, coupled with slight declines in birthrates and a slowing influx of Caribbean and African immigrants, have produced a decline in New York City’s black population for the first time since the draft riots during the Civil War, according to preliminary census estimates.

press ‘more’ to read the rest here. or see the original piece @ the nytimes.com (more…)