Niggas on Broadway: Thursday about 7pm, I was walking down Broadway headed toward Times Square to meet Suite Suzy for dinner @ Victor’s Cuban Café. It was a long hike because I was walking from 17th & needed to get to 52nd; damn my ‘feets’ were hurting! I know I could have taken the subway, but I really like walking to see whatever I can see.
When I made it to Broadway & 29th, I spotted a rack of sequin covered Converse All Stars & decided to pull out my camera because they looked pretty cool. I popped on my 50mm lens & started taking shots; then out of nowhere this guy asked me if I was taking pictures of the shoes or the “niggas”. I was thrown off by the question. He then asked me again in a more aggressive tone. “Are you taking pictures of shoes or niggas”. I replied, what are you talking about; what “niggas?” Next thing I know, like 8 “niggas” popped out of nowhere (yes, magically appearing niggas). They were all thugged out, most with fucked up teeth & I was like hmmmmmm.
At this point, I was like the shoes as I started to walk away. Then he and a few other “niggas” were like, we out here doing some shit, ain’t no pictures allowed. Then the head “nigga” took one of the shoes & threw it on the ground & was like came back a take a picture BITCH, if you want a picture of this bitch ass shoe, come take one now.
Since I’m usually not in the mood to get into a street jump off with a bunch of “niggas”, I declined his offer & kept stepping.
As I continued to walk, I did notice quite a few “niggas” out & about on Broadway between 29th & 30th looking like they were slangin’.
A few things I learned were, a) niggas, can appear from nowhere, b) niggas do not care if you are an artist c) my camera bag can be used to swing on cars but not sure how it would work on “niggas” on Broadway d) I need to be more aware of my surroundings.
Niggas Need Cabs Too: Wednesday night after wonderful conversation & dinner at Negril Village with bloggers Cluizel, Jose Vilson, & Renea, Suite Suzy & I decided to take a taxi back to the hotel because we were both tired (and that last pomegranate rum punch put me over the edge).
The decision to catch a cab was pretty easy but actually getting one was a little difficult. I cannot tell you how many cabs whizzed by with no passengers that would not stop for us. After 10 minutes of flagging cabs down, we finally got picked up. We got in the cab, me with an attitude, & said thanks for picking up a couple of Negroes.
Once we were off, I expressed my frustration with CWB (Cabbing While Black). The driver was a Negro himself, Ghanian in fact, so we had an open discussion.
He shared a few stories with us that illustrated his frustration on having to deny “his people” rides. He told us how Blacks [some] would get in for a ride, then jump out @ the destination without paying. He also told us how people would get in, get to their destination then claim to have little or no many. He even described an incident when a Black woman tried to jack him up physically & monetarily. Lastly, he stated that he was just really sick of niggas who just want something for nothing & act like you owe them a ride on GP.
The conversation was really interesting & showed me the opposite side of the coin, which gave me a little more understanding of the problem in NYC.
Once Suite Suzy & I were back in the room, we continued the conversation & she felt the reasons given by the cab driver were enough to justify the denial of rides to Black potential passengers. I on the other hand, felt what he was saying, but the simple fact of the matter to me was not every Negro is going to jump out.
My thing is, if you want to deny rides based on a possible jumper, then you need not drive a cab because shit can/will happen on any job. I’m Black, I have money for your service, so break me off with that ride & don’t speculate on what I might & might not do; just do your job.
After my incident on Broadway, I thought back to the conversation with cab driver & said, these must be the “niggas” that he was talking about.
The Second Sixty-Eight / June 22, 2008
LMAO @ magically appearing niggas. But at least you didn’t have another Nigga Moment…
Tamra / June 22, 2008
Love both posts.
At least you got a few pics of the shoe after all–and, good thing they let you get out of there without beatin’ you down for your camera and other personal belongings–or just beatin’ you down altogether.
Sad state of affairs. ::Sigh!::
Los Angelista / June 22, 2008
You had some true NYC experiences! Clearly there’s a reason the sequined covered shoes are still on the rack and it’s because those wanna jump bad dumbos can’t figure out that the same person who cops a photo might also be like, you know what, y’all are cool, these are fly, let me pick up a couple of pairs.
As for the cab driver, he’s full of it. So every black person in NYC has no money and is gonna try to jump out the cab without paying? Whatever, they don’t even wanna pick black folks up down in the financial district when they’re dressed for business and clearly look like they have stacks in their pocket.
Torrance Stephens bka All-Mi-T / June 22, 2008
sequenced chck tailors lol
u need to wikapedia blackanomis, i did obamafication
the blinded by the Obamafication of America
shea / June 22, 2008
wait…someone was trying to sell these dirty chuck taylors… hmmm
i’m behind on your posts but just wanted to say that this was a very interesting read!!! for some reason i find myself still thinking about it… dunno why
Bygbaby / June 23, 2008
TSSE – LOL!!!
Tamra – “Sad state of affairs.” So true, so true!!!
Liz – “Whatever, they don’t even wanna pick black folks up down in the financial district when they’re dressed for business and clearly look like they have stacks in their pocket.” I forgot all about that piece. I was so stuck on us po’ Negroes. further up town.
Torrance – “The act of being so caught up in a man, one looses site of the issues.” I love it!!! LOL I need to come up with a good def for blacknomics. gimme me a minute!
Shea – Where you been boo??? Yes, those shoes were dirty!!! That was also interesting.
Bygbaby