getting tired...

of statements re the horrible Charlottesville incident of  "let's look at what we are, where we live etc".
Why? Because these statements are so general---they demand further discussion and insight, and on social media they just sit there without making any further demand.  I think this is the time for people who care to sit down and form groups where if they want to discuss racism in the US, or anything else that they feel is pressing, they should have ideas that are shared.
   Yesterday---a long day, with a lot of walking. Began at Cobra, stayed a while, saw my bartender friend Olivia, but it was too early to go to South Fourth, so I  "wandered" ,  bit---took the 60 bus to Fulton and Rockaway Avenue, then the 25 to Utica, where it becomes Malcolm X Boulevard. Then began the walk from Fulton all the way to Broadway, in other words a south to north walk through the heart of Bed_Stuy. And what did I see---the first part of the walk, the part of Malcolm X closest to Fulton has several coffee places--as I continue north, there are less of them---most of the street consists of small apartment houses, with some brownstones in the middle. Saw about the same number of white people as black people---the feeling on the streets was pretty mellow. After hitting Broadway, I walked to Myrtle, and got on the J. Somehow my description of my journey seems hollow to me. I dared myself to take this trip---what did I hope to find? Beautiful Brownstones on the side streets. Can this be the Bed-Stuy, that until a few years ago, I was taught to avoid?  Yes, cityboy loves walking---but what is he trying to come to terms with?
   Several friends were waiting at South Fourth, so had a decent discussion for a while, then decided to catch a friend in a comedy club on Franklin, on what I call, the Bed-Stuy---Clinton Hill border. Hard to find---when I did, I felt uncomfortable about going in, and opted instead for a beer at Black Swan--the bar restaurant that I have been attending intermittently for a number of years, that is a block away on Bedford near Lafayette. Watched the first three innings of the Yankee Red Sox game, until fatigue came in. Tired, jumped on the G, to the C, to the 1 and home. The events of the day don't galvanize, yet somehow I felt very challenged by the walks, what I saw, how much ground I covered, simply on foot.
  Saturday night, I went to my friend Alaina's song cycle at the Tank, an artist theater space located in the heart of the Broadway area. Walking around there at around 8:45 at night, is very frightening, crowds of what seems like thousands of people milling about. And this is after everyone who has gone to the theater is in. Alain'a song cycle was beautifully performed by a cast of four women--it was very short---very much an embryonic piece, but one that could be expanded in many different ways. Afterwards I spoke with Alaina about it---she said she is  turning down other assignments for the next few months so that she can expand the cycle. Looking forward to seeing how it evolves.Afterwards we all went across the street to an Irish bar, Pig and Whistle. About 10 of us hung out--some good conversation. The bartender was very nice and efficient, and surprisingly enough, the bar was not very crowded, considering the craziness outside. Would go there again.
  Tonight, a BAN meeting, then not sure what will happen afterwards. I am little tired from yesterday, but perhaps will find a place to hang out and watch the Yankee Met game, or something else. Will report tomorrow.