Foreign Friend wants to see ATL's "Black Culture" (Atlanta: neighborhoods, live)

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Don't they have black people in Brazil?

I'm guessing he wants to experience Black American culture.

If he's coming during SpelHouse homecoming weekend, that would be awesome. Black college football, marching bands, the homecoming stepshow, etc. would be good representations of Black culture. Even this weekend with the Classic would be good.

As far as church goes, I'd nominate Elizabeth Baptist over World Changers. Or perhaps Ebenezer Baptist or Big Bethel AME for something more traditional.

Also check to see if some professional events are going on with certain groups, like the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

If the dude wants to come to America and experience black american culture, why is that such a big deal? If he wanted to go Italy and experience italian culture or Japan and experience Japanese culture, no one would bat two lashes. Hell, if he wanted to come the States to experience Italian-American culture or Irish-American culture, no one would say a peep if he was pointed towards NYC or Boston.

While you are happy living this non-ethnic based existence, it doesn't mean as your comment suggests that's a common thing. Especially for black folks. I would try to explain it, but clearly by your post you don't understand IT. SMH

Can't rep you but agreed 100%. And if someone wanted to experience Asian culture here in Atlanta, we'd promptly direct them to the Buford Highway corridor--and rightly so.

I don't know why some people only have a problem with this sort of stuff when it comes to Black people.

[Listennow32]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, this is great! And I totally forgot about AUC homecoming events/ Marching band shows etc. But to those wondering why he or anyone else would be interested in Black American culture, the reason is believe it or not, black folks aren't the same the world over. In fact in Brazil, its actually kind of like what ATLTJL was saying. There are some differences of course, but for the most part everyone participates in "Brazilian culture" rather than black brazilian culture, white brazilian culture, asian brazilian culture.. etc.

But as we all know, the USA is not Brazil. So for someone coming from a place where there is one dominate culture, but then to come here and see so many different ones its an interesting experience. Besides I would be posing a similar question if he had asked to see say "white southern culture". This diversity of culture and ethnicity, that we often take for granted, is what makes being American so great.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Can't rep you but agreed 100%. And if someone wanted to experience Asian culture here in Atlanta, we'd promptly direct them to the Buford Highway corridor--and rightly so.

I don't know why some people only have a problem with this sort of stuff when it comes to Black people.

White guilt?

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

White guilt?

I suppose. It's annoying though.

[Mostar]

Nightlife? Just go to a random club in Atlanta and you'll see black culture.

[ATLTJL]

I'm just going on what I've been told by some black people.

There are so many blacks in America, it's hard to say "black culture."

I think it stems from the "black community" where I've heard people say don't think Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton speak for me, those guys are tools.

I figured calling something black culture might be offensive as certainly not all black people identify with what would be called black culture.

So.....what, exactly, is black culture? I mean, aside from being around other black people? Like we've said here, not all black people like greasy southern food or hip hop music. What, then, is black culture?

[Listennow32]

You bring up a good point and in that respect I should have specified. Black culture historically has been synonymous with African American culture. Therefore, when I posted this, I was thinking of showcasing more African American culture than anything else and that in itself is very distinct. However, due to the fact Black people are no longer the homogenous group that it once was no more than 40 years ago, I can see how using the term "Black Culture" can be confusing.

But to answer your question, Black culture imo is the expression of traditions and collection of achievements of people of African descent from all over the world. However, as I stated earlier I'm looking for things that would show African American Culture in a city with a historically large AA population.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by equinox63

(Almost) all of the above, plus:


The Historic West End
Sweet Auburn Curb Market
Camp Creek Marketplace



Soul Vegetarian (West End)
Shine of the Black Madonna


and it would really help if you knew a lot about these places so you can discuss them with him as you tour the city...

just my two cents.

Great suggestions! Especially the Soul Vegetarian/Shrine of the Black Madonna combo. It's been a long time since I've been down there. I should take a trip this weekend.

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

As far as church goes, I'd nominate Elizabeth Baptist over World Changers. Or perhaps Ebenezer Baptist or Big Bethel AME for something more traditional.

100% agree. I won't say anything disparaging about World Changers, although i could, but those other churches would be much better if he's in to that sort of thing.

[bizchick86]

When is "later this year?"

If you're thinking the fall, AUC homecomings are finished by the end of October, and during the Thanksgiving holidays and winter break no one will be around.

If it's around Christmas, there are a lot of black holiday events (i.e. Kwanzaa celebrations, Black Nativity plays etc.) If you can provide a bit more specifics about the date, I can suggest some things beyond the whole "soul food and strip club" theme, though I thoroughly enjoy both of those haha!

In general though, I think an average night out in much of midtown will expose him to plenty of black Americans. Some primary nightlife spots:

- MJQ on a Friday night
- Apache on a Sunday night
- Castleberry Hill Friday or Saturday
- Compound, Reign, or Vanquish Friday/Saturday
- Tongue and Groove on Monday
- W Whiskey Park on a Thursday or Friday

General neighborhoods:

- West End/Cascade- eat at Chanterrelle's and/or Soul Vegetarian, then you can drive up to the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore and check out the Black Holocaust Museum. This year is the Shrine's 60th anniversary, so they're doing some things throughout the year. Check out one of their Sunday services if you're around (except late October because they're having an anniversary retreat outside of the city). If you're lucky, you might land on a book signing, since prominent public figures consistently make a stop at the Shrine when they promote their books. Up the road is Wren's Nest and then continue as it becomes Cascade Road where many of Atlanta's black political families reside, and Creflo Dollar, too. Maybe eat at The Beautiful or Q Time on the way back.

- Sweet Auburn/MLK Historic District/Edgewood Ave- Check out the Sweet Auburn Curb Market and the Apex Museum. Travel up to the MLK historic site. Dine at Harold's Chicken and Ice Bar on Edgewood Ave. Later you can lounge at Cafe Circa or Indigo bar. On the weekends, Cafe Circa has a super late night brunch (2am-5 am). It's like going to Waffle House for the after party, but 10xs better food. FREE Mimosas this FRI & SAT Late Night 2am-5am = “Breakfast Club” @ Cafe Circa | Get Spinz

- Castleberry Hill- this is more for an evening out. Just check out this hood any given Friday and Saturday, and there's a good 5-6 bars restaurants you can enjoy. There's not a ton to see here, so maybe spend a few hours lounging and then go to bars/clubs in the city for an actual party.

-Greenbriar- The mall is really hood, so I wouldn't totally suggest that, but up the street is Tyler Perry's studios, which would be a cool experience. Despite all the critiques of the man, it's amazing how he started from being homeless to having an empire. His studios are huge and well worth a visit to see how this black dude became to own so much. Also, one thing that is typical for a lot of Black folk who grew up in Atlanta is a night at the skating rink. I loooved going skating growing up and often went to the Cascade Skating Rink--they have grown folks' nights!! Adult Nights Skating Sessions at Golden Glide and Cascade

Other things to do:
- There are plenty of black non-profits that do work in predominately black neighborhoods. One is WeCycle Atlanta, which consists of a lot of young black bicyclists and they do various service projects. A good way to actually meet people and learn the city on an intimate level beyond the ritz of nightlife that ATL is known for. An event for example: https://www.facebook.com/events/1419847974896858/

- The National Black Arts Festival is based here, and they have various fine arts and performing arts events throughout the year. Updates here: Events - National Black Arts Festival

Again, once you get a specific time frame in mind, I could suggest some other cultural activities (i.e. Black film festivals, art exhibits, music venues/concerts, etc.)