a brooklynite and a harlemite.

March 14, 2022

Name: Mingus and Christopher

Notes:

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” —Anaïs Nin

I met Mingus before I met Christopher. My pal Heru introduced us in 2002 (I think) believing we’d get on because we both loved Prince’s music. He was right. Mingus met me after work one day (I was at the Schomburg then) decked out in a black suede jacket, fringes on each sleeve, with Prince’s logo emblazoned on the back. 10 points! The Brooklynite was taller than I had imagined (because I think I am taller than I am) and had a warm, infectious smile. He’s easily one of the smartest people I know.

After getting to know Harlem-born and raised Christopher (see “gatherer”) in the early 2010s, I suspected that he and Mingus would get on. And I was right. Bigger than life personalities. Hearty laughers. Christian. Shit talkers. They cook. Intellectuals who wouldn’t call themselves intellectuals. Self-authorized thinkers.

Both provide me with worlds I can’t imagine not living in. Wild, wide-open spaces to be my crazy self, the one I like. My New York experience is larger, legible, and livable in their eyes/hearts. Both are proficient in Blackspeak, a mix of upSouth frankness and New York don’t. even. try. it.

Websites:

In the Life 2.0

https://www.everybodyneedsawitness.com/ 

Donald Andrew Agarrat’s Flickr page feat. Mingus photographs

Social Media:

IG: @inthelife2.0

Words: 254