Growing up in the ghetto is surely an experience! Funny enough, within the hood, an imaginary social class still exists. Those who live in flats are identified as the "classy" ones in the area. Families who can manage anything on four wheels often raise their shoulders high (especially their kids). Most of these four-wheel drives are in such states that would make one wonder if owning the said "car" is a blessing or a curse.
I remember papa Emeka who came home one evening and called his neighbours to drink to his new "car". The next morning the "new car" just couldn't make it to his workshop which was only half mile away. His three sons pushed and pushed the car which eventually picked up, poisoned the air with carbon monoxide and them promptly failed to climb the hill out of the street.
Still he was counted as lucky to own a "car".
My favorite moment is usually early in the morning when neighbours rush out with their toothbrushes to brush along the street. They brush with so much paparazzi as to make you wonder if anything was wrong with cleaning up quietly and at least using the gutters. Life in the ghetto would make you understand again that using a brush and toothpaste is one of the "big man" attributes that defines class in the ghetto.
My brother once said to me that people who live in duplexes and G.R.A's are really suffering. I think he paid someone a visit and couldn't bear how calm and quiet the entire environment appeared. To him, the inability to sleep at any hour because some children are playing or adults are fighting and the frequent traffic across compounds are an important part of life. He felt children who do not experience all that were definitely bored.
My friend once told me how she relocated to her husband's home across town and one day unconsciously screamed "up NEPA!!" when the light came one day. She hasn't stopped talking about her embarrassment that day.
To be continued.....
