Well, the day started out lovely enough. I treated myself to breakfast at M&G's before doing a little grocery shopping.
the ladies of M&G's: Maxine, Angie & Chris
It was a pretty usual crowd - Black people in the 50s and 60s coming in for a bit to eat and some of Maxine's witty repartée. It was hot and getting hotter; not even 12 noon yet and we're sweating despite the air conditioning. Fully nourished, I head to Fairway, get my vittles and mosey on home.
the legendary Martha Dolly, Mount Morris' shining star
I ran into Martha went I got to the block. Martha's late husband, Dr. Harold Dolly, is responisible for the landmarking of our neighborhood, the Mount Morris Historical District of Harlem. Her home is truly opulent and you've truly arrived if you've been invited to one of her parties.
And she knows how to work for the camera ... check out that Lord & Taylor bag! *LOL!*
I settle in after I put my groceries away and veg out on the computer for a bit.
I was working on something and suddenly the computer shut off. Then I noticed the lightbulbs; they kinda faded out - they didn't go out immediately. White, yellow, orange, amber ... out. I only have a cordless phone and it was dead. I didn't know what else to do, so I went out into the hallway. Then I went outside ...
A neighbor from around the corner came down the street and before he even said anything, I knew this was a bigger problem than I thought. He pointed out that none of the traffic lights were working. I went and got a couple of bags of ice from the bodega. Looking up Lenox Avenue, I noticed that none of the traffic lights were working as far as the eye could see - and the lights in the buildings downtown, like the Empire State Building, were not on either.
on 125th Street, trying to get home
I came back home and packed my perishables in my cooler with the ice I bought. By this time, my landlady and her family were out as well, everyone just trying to get as much information as possible. She let me use her phone to call my mother. I went back outside and hung out with the people who began gathering outside, on their stoops. A couple of guys that I know came to check up on Martha to make sure she was okay.
nervous energy cleans a car; the doyennes of 122nd Street: Martha, Dolores & Rosalie
Honestly, I was getting restless. I had also been to 125th Street to witness the mayhem there. It seem pointless to hang out there, so I went back home. I went, got my laptop and pushed on over to Columbia University to use their Wi-Fi network. Well, that didn't happen (my battery was dead) so I just took more pictures before heading back home. By that time, it was getting dark.
up and down Amsterdam Avenue
in the dark we live: on Broadway ...
... the crowds ...
... are growing
heading back home through Morningside Park; typically Harlem, ripe for renovation
a block away from home; Lenox Avenue & 122nd Street
People were not leaving the street, either. Many brought out their grills and music - it felt like a citywide block party. You just couldn't see anything, unless someone was flexing 5 mph with their high beams ... and THEIR music.
It was pitch black by the time I got back to my block, but everyone had lined their stoops with scented candles and were still tickling the cool night air with camaraderie and assurance. I was still a little scared, but it really felt good to be around people who care about each other.
Glad to know you’re safe baby.
I was in Massachusetts for the ‘77 Blackout and didn’t know what to expect for this one. So relieved that it’s been treated like an unexpected excuse to party and laugh.
Thanks for sharing your pictures of the blackout.
wow these pics really hit the spirit of nyc during blackout. i think people really pulled together on this one. and actually driving w/out the traffic lights was better than driving with them. traffic moved more quickly and people were kind…there was also no honking.