Foreign Friend wants to see ATL's "Black Culture" (Atlanta: cul-de-sac, houses)

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Just take him to Vine City or Bankhead.

Co sign. Or you could drop them off in the area south of Underground Atlanta. Let them wonder area Atlantas blackness.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

I was thinking the same thing. As I read the suggestions, it's embarrassing for me as a black person that when people think of black culture they automatically think rap music, fattening foods and black women shaking their rumps or stripping--pretty much every negative stereotype associated with blackness.

What's worse is that people see these things as something to be proud of.

This is Atlanta after all. The term ratchet, twerking, swag, trapping are a big part of the local vocab. Nothing we can do about that, its just apart of the culture.

[cqholt]

Be careful since the MLK Historic Site is closed due to the gov't shutdown.

[bhammaster]

Originally Posted by 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?

Not all Asian people are eat lots of rice. Not all hispanics speak spanish? What is Asian and Hispanic culture?

Not all Asians and Hispanics identify with what would be " Asian" or Hispanic" culture.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by BlackPeach2

This is Atlanta after all. The term ratchet, twerking, swag, trapping are a big part of the local vocab. Nothing we can do about that, its just apart of the culture.

What the heck is twerking? Sorry. I'm not very hip...

[bhammaster]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

What the heck is twerking? Sorry. I'm not very hip...

It's just the current social media term for butt shaking or "backing that azz up".

[mdiggs1]

I agree with attending a black church.

I'd also suggest let him live with a Black American family, and let him see their ways; I don't know if you know any black people that would take him in though.

For those of you who say go to a strip club, what does that have to do with black culture in America? Men of all cultures like naked women; there's nothing 'African American' about that. That's a penis thing, lol.

I agree with going to a nightclub though.

[gold15]

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.

LOL. It makes us less different, and that's discomforting to some.

[Listennow32]

Originally Posted by 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.)

Awesome suggestions! The timeframe will be the first week/weekend of November.. which sucks because a lot of the homecoming events at the AUC are the week before.

[RocNY]

There are black people in atlanta?