Two weekends ago the movie ‘Sinners’ directed by Ryan Coogler premiered. I saw it, I loved it, and I recommend it to you all. The deeper message of the movie stood out more than the little bit of horror attached to it. Prior to seeing the film, I watched a few of Coogler’s interviews where he spoke on the inspiration for the film. It was influenced by his uncle who passed away ten years ago. He never got to fully mourn his death secondary to work. Once he did, the memories of their interactions came to him. He reflected on his uncle’s upbringing in Mississippi, love for the Blues, and his love for drinking/dancing socially. Hearing this story makes me want to set the scene of a moment in my upbringing. One that I would want to live on as part of my life and legacy. So, I will set the scene for you…
I grew up in New York City in the 1990s and early 2000’s as a late 1980’s born baby. The fun I had as a kid in the 90’s always made me wish I was also an adult as well because I could imagine the additional fun I would have had. In my opinion, this was a time when music was at its greatest. Every genre of music was at the top of it’s game and I knew songs from most of them. My favorite genres are R&B and Hip-Hop and this is a big representation of the time. There were artists such as Mary J Blige, TLC, Total, Tupac, and the Notorious B.I.G. birthed in the 90’s. Many streetwear brands were flourishing such as Fubu, Karl Kani, and Cross Colors. Other fashion brands accepted in Black culure such as Tommy Hilfiger, Timbaland, Ecko, and Fila. Bright colors, baggy clothes, shiny suits became a thing.
My personality during this time can be described as whiny but happy, self-protective but caring, and loud but quiet. Many of us were bound together by living on the same block or living in the same building. I grew up on a street where there were mostly multi-family homes. Many including myself had multiple generations living in it. On my block, many of us talked to each other, but there were some who did not. But, we looked out for each other for the most part. Personally, I even knew the cars most of the people drove.
Just like right now, with the warmer weather, you couldn’t find me in the house. We were outside playing street games such as ‘Tag,’ ‘Mother May I,’ and ‘Red Light/Green Light.’ We often rode our bikes and jumped double dutch. Hanging out on each others’ stoops eating long Ice Pops that were 25 cents and Sunflower Seeds was a thing. Ice Cream trucks were driving around, and Mister Softee was the only one I trusted. The husband and wife team knew us all very well. Many people drove around with their car windows down blasting music day and night. There were corner stores/bodegas where groups of people usually men would stand around and have loud conversations while sometimes drinking beer. We had parks and would go sometimes but this could be a place where there was trouble as many people from different areas would frequent it.
This was the time in which I grew up and loved. I now sound like an old person saying these were the good ‘ol days. This is so because these are the times in which I discovered myself and what I wanted to do with my life. This is a part of who I am. Just as in the movie “Sinners,” we get to see a period of time where many of our ancestors/relatives discovered themselves. In the after credits their is a scene that represents the new and old generation briefly crossing over in terms of fashion and style. I am now at a point in my life where I am becoming removed from the new music and fashions from those who are in their self discovery phase. Just like in the movie, we must never lose sight of the time in which the older generation lived because without out the influence of these times the new generation wouldn’t exist. Now it’s your turn. Take a scene from your life that should be a part of your story and be sure to tell it to the younger ones in your family.