Editor’s be aware: The next article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the writer’s personal. Learn extra opinions on theGrio.
We’re within the midst of traditionally Black school and college homecoming season in African America. This weekend, as an illustration, at the least seven HBCUs will welcome alumni, mates household and curious onlookers to their campuses to revel within the tried-and-true custom of tailgating, communing, remembering, celebrating and questioning what might have been, all in super-Black areas. Dozens extra colleges have homecoming on the horizon; October is mainly homecoming season for the overwhelming majority of us alumni and attendees of HBCUs throughout the nation. What a beautiful time in Black America.
As I close to my twentieth time attending the homecoming festivities of Morehouse School and Spelman School (SpelHouse is how we’re normally referred) — I graduated in 2001 and solely missed 4 homecomings, together with the COVID years — I usually replicate upon issues I’ve discovered through the a long time I’ve ventured to Atlanta every fall to have a good time with the homies. I’d prefer to share a few of these classes and insights with you, particularly when you’re 20-plus years away from commencement (or seeking to get there in your personal life, finally). Look, sharing is care and I care. Let’s go.
1. Consolation has undoubtedly overtaken flyness by way of my tailgate drip. Fly consolation is now the secret.
I’ll by no means put on Chuck Taylors once more in my life after I could also be on my ft for upwards of 10 hours. After I hit campus for tailgating, I NEVER sit down. I spend a lot time going from tent to tent and part to part that, sooner or later, my ft will begin to burn. Now, I ensure I’ve on comfy sneakers for all of the strolling. It’s best to, too. Only a suggestion, actually. Additionally, that fly outfit irrespective of the climate? Such a horrible thought. I get it; I’ve executed it myself. I’ve additionally been chilly. Thank goodness I at all times hop out of my mattress and switch my swag on instantly. That may be a joke from 2008, by the best way.
2. Moderation is definitely essential as of late.
I used to stroll round with a bookbag stuffed with all types of high quality liquors. And I’d drink all of it, with the assistance of the homies, after all. We USED to start out our tailgatery with photographs of 151. We had been unserious folks; I don’t know why we thought this was a good suggestion. There are movies and photos of a bunch of us actually passing round a number of bottles of 151 and downing them. 2023 me would by no means, might by no means. 2023 me appears to be like at THAT model of me and actually shakes my head at him. Plus, you don’t need to be the 40- or 50-plus drunk individual. One thing simply doesn’t look proper about professional-aged of us being pissy drunk and splayed out whereas good occasions occur round them. Nope, now I contemplate my alcohol consumption and hearken to my physique. You aren’t about to show me right into a meme at my large age.
3. I nonetheless can’t think about my children at a tailgate after, say 12 midday.
It by no means fails. Yearly, I discover myself feeling actually sorry for some one who is attempting to push a stroller or carry a number of children by the throngs of people that actually don’t care about ANYTHING however pleasure, in no matter state they’re in. The stress on the mother and father’ faces is one I do know, however one I’ve by no means needed to know due to homecoming. Fridays on campus are good child days. Commiserating within the yard or attending occasions appears simply high quality for household occasions. Moderating your liquor consumption since you actually must preserve your eyes in your children OR not having the ability to stroll round aimlessly looks as if a downer. I don’t choose anyone who brings their children on the market; I get it. It’s an expertise like none different. I additionally assume that the expertise is ours; the children can get theirs as soon as they get accepted. Additionally, let me level out that this solely issues in case your homecoming tailgate is popping. If it isn’t, properly, I really feel sorry to your homecoming.
4. At this level, I simply want to let homecoming come to me as an alternative of going out with objectives.
That is clearly depending on the place you’re in life. Me? I’m married proper now so there may be zero strain on my homecoming journeys. It’s 100% concerning the shenanigans with the homies and cruising by Atlanta, remembering the place we had been when that factor occurred with you understand who and ‘nem. For some, although, homecoming is “shoot your shot” central. I do marvel if that also appears to be like the identical in any case of those years. What number of unsuccessful photographs do it’s important to take earlier than it simply appears to be like creepy? I imply, perseverance and tenacity are normally admired however I believe it is very important know the place of us are in life in comparison with the place you’re when taking a little bit bit too lengthy on these hugs. I’m simply saying, let the enjoyment be 80% of the expertise.
5. I’d begin hitting up galas sooner or later, however Saturday night time is now for home events.
I was on celebration time after tailgating. Now I’m on home celebration time after tailgating as a result of absolutely the naked minimal is what I’m attempting to do after spending ALL DAY outdoors hugging hundreds of individuals and pretending to know a thousand extra names that belong to faces I’d know. I do totally anticipate, sooner or later, to start out going to occasions with tuxedos that ask for donations, however I’m simply not there but. A home celebration, nonetheless, checks all the things I search for at homecoming: mates, seats, wings and pleasure. Signal me up. 10/10. Extremely suggest. No notes.
Panama Jackson is a columnist at theGrio. He writes very Black issues, drinks very brown liquors, and is fairly fly for a light-weight man. His greatest accomplishment to this point coincides together with his Blackest accomplishment to this point in that he acquired a cellphone name from Oprah Winfrey after she learn one in all his items (greatest), however he didn’t reply the cellphone as a result of the caller ID mentioned: “Unknown” (Blackest).
Ensure you try the Pricey Tradition podcast each Thursday on theGrio’s Black Podcast Community, the place I’ll be internet hosting among the Blackest conversations recognized to humankind. You may not go away the convo with an afro, however you’ll undoubtedly be on the lookout for your Afro Sheen! Take heed to Pricey Tradition on TheGrio’s app; obtain it right here.
