Periodically, my roommate and I take long walks for the sake of exercise.
For our latest walks, we’ve included eating dinner, but for this particular food walk, we attended a Martin Luther King, Jr celebration at our nearest HBCU (Historically Black College/University). Although this was one of our longer walks, it was far more pleasant than the marches our civil rights ancestors had endured.
As soon as we reached our destination, we joined a long line for a combo plate from one of the locally-owned soul food trucks.
At first, my roommate wasn’t hungry, but after standing in line, which rivaled the wait time of any amusement park ride, she definitely had an appetite.
While in line, we enjoyed hearing live music on the nearby stage,
and also being immersed within a diverse crowd that can only be achieved in Austin during special events. From our vantage point, we spotted friends we’d not seen for a spell and made new friends through casual conversations we had with other people in line with us.
On the way back home, I saw with fresh eyes a sight I’d driven and even walked past many times before.
The gaping space where a Latinx market used to be. A market that I’d always said I wanted to check out, but never did because I took for granted that it would always be there.
Everything, except for the freestanding market sign, had been razed. Yet, upon that sign read, “SPACES AVAILABLE.” A phrase that began literally, transformed into irony. The gaping space where the market once stood was now, indeed available.