10 Great Things About The Hood

i thought that today i would add a different flavor to the blog. often times we think that "the ghetto" is merely a place where bad things happen and no one is getting ahead. but those of us that are from the hood and eventually leave never to return (unless absolutely necessary) know better. still, we often need to be reminded of the good that's left in the hood. i remember when steve harvey used to host a hoodie awards in los angeles where he would highlight some of the best places in the hood in all categories from car washes to restaurants, and while i won't name any names in this particular blog, i will generalize the idea.

1. THE FOOD! - everyone who's anyone should know that no matter where you live, if you want a finger licking, iced tea and dessert type of down south meal you better find your nearest hood 'cause popeyes chicken and biscuits will not suffice.

2. BOOTLEGS - sure it's wrong but beyonce' and denzel already made their millions! let a brotha get his hustle on fam! why not get a movie or the latest cd before it even comes out and you don't even have to know a big-wig studio person to get it. okay so the picture is a "little off". you seen it didn't you?

3. ART GALLERIES - yep, i said: art galleries. you would be surprised at how many art galleries that are in the hood! and the artist usually own the galleries so you can have a one on one with them and get the inspiration behind the masterpiece straight from the horses mouth. how about them apples?

4. COFFEEHOUSES/LOUNGES/AFTER HOUR SPOTS - usually you can't have a great meal somewhere and stay for some drinks and live entertainment then get your party on till the break of dawn, but in the hood you can. you just gotta do your research! and not to mention the comfy couches and your homegirl/homeboy hooking up the mochas and green teas behind the counter while the wednesday night open mic is crackin'!

5. HAIR SALONS/BARBERSHOPS - wanna hear about the latest scoop from around the way, fashion show, concert or just shoot the breeze with your girls or boys while getting your sew-in, relaxer or line up? Hello, look no other than the hair salon/barbershop because you will get nothing less than you deserve (sometimes!). and if you don't have anything to say in the heated conversation...hey just read ebony, jet, vibe, essence, sophisticated black hair, etc. and get inspired!

6. AUTO REPAIR SHOPS/ROSCOE'S DRIVE WAY - you can go to jiffy lube and get that oil changed but when your carborator and catalytic converter breaks down you need to go to Roscoe so he can hook you up for half the price of the uppity car shops that just want to eat up your wallet with parts and labor charges.

7. SCHOOLS/LIBRARIES - i really don't understand how dropout rates ever went bad in the hood 'cause schools and libraries are everywhere. there's pretty much one on each block! one thing the hood does not lack is its schools and libraries so get your learn on youngins!

8. 99 CENT/DOLLAR STORES - okay, go to wal-mart if you want to but will they have that convenient cost of soap, baby clothes and pine-sol that you can get from your corner store? and if you're in the right neighborhood you can also get some fresh fruit to go with that! sounds good to me.

9. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - living high on the hill is the good life, but if your car breaks down that one bus that drives thru your town will not run pass 8 o'clock, but in the hood the buses stop practically right at your front door. great for SheShe and her 3 kids when the car is actin' up!

10. CHURCH (duh!) - so i saved the best for last. church is the heart of the hood. it knows everybody and everybody knows it. so if you want to really know who's who most likely their family and old friends are in the church. and while you're there listen to some soul, gut wrenching gospel and get saved, sanctified and filled with the holy ghost. then buy you a plate after church and fellowship!

gotta love the hood...

stay tuned, 'cause we got more hood love

-Janus