Wait, reader! Read this first.
I’m riding my bike on Lancaster Avenue when a stranger waves me down.
Black Stranger: Heyyy you! On the bike! We got free food!
This all seems familiar to me.
This time, I pull over immediately and head over. After last time’s… awkwardness… I take a moment to examine my surroundings a little bit more carefully. I’m walking up to a building called the “New Africa Center”. So at least I know that much.
Black Stranger: Good morning!
Me: Hey, how ya doin
Black Stranger: You can leave your bike out here, I’ll watch it.
Me: Yeah. So what is this?
Black Stranger: It’s a monthly thing! On the first and third Saturdays of every month, we give out free meals to people in the area!
Me: …yeah but wh-
Black Stranger: Now head on inside and get your food! You got anybody back home? You can grab a platter for them too!
Me: …k
So I go in. This time, there are two workers and I’m determined to get answers.
Me: So what is this place, anyway?
Black Worker: …
Me: …what do you guys do here?
Black Worker: …
Me, internally: why why why why did I come back
Other Black Worker: You’re gonna have to speak up, they’re hard of hearing.
Black Worker: WHAT?
Me: ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Me: SO WHAT IS THIS PLACE, ANYWAY
Black Worker, suddenly very friendly: You’re in the New Africa Center! We are an organization dedicated to preserving the early African-American Muslim experience. We’re in the business of community development, and are expanding our operation right now as we speak!
Me: Well that all sounds pretty great
Black Worker: WHAT?
Me: I said… I SAID, “COOL”
Black Worker: How many plates you want?
Me: jus… JUST ONE, PLEASE
Black Worker: Here you go! Y’all live around here?
Me: Yes indeed I do, I’m just a co-
Black Worker: WHAT
Me: YES, I LIVE NEARBY
Black Worker, shaking my hand: Well, good to meet you, neighbor!
