fiction – Spicy…

Come on now…is she really Gen Z — the generation that selfishly makes its way through the world? The generation that protests against voting; that has no respect for Civil Rights History tactics? Yep. She’s only 23 years old. However, she’s employed by the activist org., Project Say Something (PSS), and she works beyond her duties and from her soul. What?!

So, here we are at Taziki’s, where the restaurant is holding a fundraiser for PSS. Yes, the Founder, of PSS, Camille Bennett, and her mama (me) are there, but it’s Kierra working the door; it’s Kierra who constructed this huge sign; it’s Kierra who has a smile (Wait… Gen Zs don’t smile!) and welcomes every customer with a nonpartisan Voter Guide, and it has been Kierra who has posted daily videos, teaching us about our votes and what they mean to our individual good. She was at Taziki’s until 9:30PM and drove back to Birmingham from Florence, AL! What?! She’s here… she’s there…she’s everywhere, but beyond her job, Kierra is an activist to the bone.

“I live in a Black neighborhood…we have each other’s backs.” She believes in who she is and holds no limitations for who Blacks folks are as a people. She studies history wth Bennett, and remains steadfast in supporting Bennett as they go lobby at the Statehouse in Montgomery, AL. She also leads a brigade of young folks into the political activism process.

I can’t understand how she finds time to do what she does. She’s in law school! She works with young folks (What’s the generation after Zs…I get confused), teaching them to learn about the political process and encouraging them to study. And there she was with a foghorn protesting in a rainy Birmingham, AL, against racial injustice and for change.

Three individuals engaging in a conversation inside a brightly lit establishment, exchanging flyers or promotional materials near a door with exit signs.

Big example below:

BLACK YOUTH ARE THE MOVEMENT (Spearheaded by Kierra Burks for Project Say Something

“Hey guys! I’m trying to survey Black young folks in the South. Oftentimes I am the only young person in the room and often the youngest person there as well. Not only that, but I am one a few Black people. A lot of funding and support do not aim to support Black voices. Sometimes we are labeled as too radical, or we are simply not the target they hope to mobilize. I’m sick of it so I’m launching my own research so I can show what young Black people need and what issues we care about. ”

Two women smiling for a selfie at an event, with a banner in the background promoting engagement and activism. — **Kierra Burks and** **Founder of PSS, Camille Bennett**

Y’all, I know this is not the full profile she deserves, but in this issue of Garden Spices Magazine, November 4th, our topic is Offer(ing). And I had to give this shout-out to Kierra Burks

Kierra, thank you for your offerings—your diligence, strength, and courage. PSS is happy to have you, and the world is blessed to experience your resolve.

Joy Juice

We Baby Boomers have paved the course for future generations, fighting racism and gaining Civil Rights. It really feels good when youngins show respect and give us credit for our accomplishments. Kierra and Project Say Something acknowledge the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We are aware of mistakes we made, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see progressive youths shift social awareness and move us forward. Here’s the thing. We gotta get out of the way for mindful youths to make their strides. (Emphasis on mindful).

The spotlight continues to shine on Kierra Burks with Project Say Something.

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. Isaiah 1:17

“All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.”Dhammapada Verses 129–130

“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

https://www.instagram.com/gardenspicesmagazine/%post_id%

And So It Begins! Charlotte, NCJune 9, 2021

…Brief VisitsJune 11, 2021

It Doesn’t Take Much…Two Visits with Mr. K.October 2, 2024With 2 commentsTagsfamily, fiction, life, travel, writing

First Leg

It’s been a month since my Birthday travels to the Carolinas, Maryland, and DC, and I’m still flying high! Here’s the thing. I must say that Mr. K. does not let dust settle. I was on the move the moment I set foot on Charlotte, NC’s ground. What?!

Let’s begin with an FYI. Did you know that Contour Airlines flies from Muscle Shoals,AL Airport directly to Charlotte, NC, round-trip for a little over $200!? I do believe they designed this flight just so Mr. K. could come visit ~~me and his family~~ his family and me, without a six-hour drive. Of course, this means I can fly into Charlotte to see him or to connect to travel internationally with him. The plane is small, but this gift is mighty and has served us well.

I digress. I hit Charlotte with Mr. K. waiting, and I immediately requested a Cuban lunch. I’m gon’ tell y’all right now; if I find some good eatin’ and service in a place, I’m hooked, and Azucar Cuban Restaurant has both. It’s quaint with people-watching windows, the service and food are delicious, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. What?!

Interior of Azucan and the beef strips, plaintain, and veggies Mr. K. ordered. Of course, in usual fashion, no image of my Pollo dish which had veggies and rice to share.

On to Columbia!

We rested for a day before we picked up Mr. K.’s pal, Rufus, who uses a wheelchair. Rufus used to live in Chicago, and we were jamming to Smokey’s station in the car and on our way to see…guess what? Michael! Mr. K. had to drive through a downpour, but our knight lifted Rufus to. his wheelchair, and me to my umbrella as he ushered us into the theater.

If you’ve seen it, then you already know. Michael was wonderful, the lady next to me and I were dancing in our seats. Rufus is wonderful too. He has a great sense of humor and told me Mr. K. is part of his family. When we delivered Rufus home to his sister, Linda. She concurred that Mr. K. was part of their family, and by the time we both applauded the film, Michael, I felt like family too. What?!

I asked Mr. K. to find a good deli in Columbia, and he took us to Groucho’s Deli, the Columbia location. You already know I had to have corned beef to Mr. K.’s pastrami. I also tasted Groucho’s Original Style Potato Chips, all were right what the doctor ordered.

Mr. Friendly’s with Cedar

We went to a festival outside of Columbia – great ride, great food, music, and Saturday fun. Sunday brought our Cedar-time! You guys have met my sister friend, Cedar Lawrence, during my visits to see Mr. K. She was in town visiting her cousin, so rather than us traveling to Augusta to see her, we took Cedar to dinner at Mr. K.’s favorite restaurant, Mr. Friendly’s. Little did we realize it was a graduation weekend. Y’all, we had to sit and eat at a bar. I can’t stand sitting at a bar to eat, but I must say that even at the bar, the food was delicious and the service was on point.

Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe boasts a diverse menu, including grits and delicious greens! Cedar invited a male friend, but she was so cute that she ended up making friends with the guy sitting beside her. We enjoyed our dining experience and had to take a short walk afterward. We were thrilled to spend time with Cedar.

After the weekend, we rested on Monday to hit Greenville on Tuesday.

Green Light to Herbie Hancock

Y’all. I heard from my Chicago, now Charlotte, friend, Lugenia, that Herbie Hancock was in town. I missed his tour date for Charlotte, but he was also appearing in Greenville, SC. Tuesday, May 12, we were where? There!!! Herbie is my favorite jazz artist, and I had to see him in concert.

I have never seen so many happy fans. Most folks were our contemporaries, and we were really spry as we walked a block from the parking lot to the venue. We were not disappointed. This iconic musician is 86 years young. He looked great, and his band, including the great Terence Blanchard , James Genus, from SNL, Lionel Loueke, and a drummer who is only 27, Jaylen Petinaud rocked the house. They were killing works by Wayne Shorter and other greats, and of course, ended with Head Hunters. Hancock had his recorder on his shoulder and was literally jumping!!! The show was incredible.

**Yes…Herbie Hancock was jumping up and down with his instrument**

Herbie ended the first leg of my trip, but not without some Spicy drama. Well…we parked on the fourth floor of a lot. Mr. K. remembered where we parked, but when we got to the lot, the elevator was out. I HAD TO WALK UP FOUR FLIGHTS only to find our car was not there. We walked down and asked about the other lots. On our way to find one, I noticed there was another entry to the one we tried. Yes. The elevator worked, and yes, our baby was parked where we left her. (He drives a Hyundai Kona).

The thing is, I almost made it without my knees cutting up, but the stairs… the stairs…the dreaded stairs. They shut me down for a day, in fact, on my Birthday. But after I rested…

STAY TUNED FOR OUR LAST LEG.

Joy Juice

I was looking back at my Birthday celebrations. I’ve been sharing them with y’all at least since 2020, my 70th year during COVID. Hallelujah, I’m still here, healthy, whole, and still traveling. What thrills me is to see us, all of us in every hue, faith, culture, and physical condition, doing what we can to affirm our vitality. It may not be traveling, but we find our way to express gratitude for still being here in the world, and I’ll listen to your stories too, ’cause that’s how we do.’

“When death finds you, may it find you alive.” – African Proverb

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7

“It’s all good/love/God” – Victorine

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