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Memories Don’t Live Like People Do

2024; Wiley; Volume: 112; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1353/tyr.2024.a921500

1467-9736

Donauta Watson,

Race, History, and American Society

Memories Don't Live Like People Do Donauta Watson (bio) I remember when Bogle dead, I remember the Pepper Seedand the Butterfly, I remember Maverick a do the Bruk Up, myintroduction to 90tz steeped in the bwoys dem a dance. I remem-ber M.J. birthday party. I remember Petal daughter who dressedlike big woman and did wear big woman hairstyle, I rememberhow she used to dance like big woman too. I remember how meuse to watch her curious like and wonder how the lifestyle fither so easily. I remember Donna and Kemar, Marlon and Santy,Sophisticats salon. Me remember Dimey and Sasha, Keisha andTony, Keisha and Pana. And Keisha and Donovan. I rememberRutland Road. Clarkson, P.S. 219, Lincoln Terrace Park, and DeadMan Hill. I remember playing Manhunt, running through theplaza, Mookie screaming, "Refrigerator Donna," and how it didshame me. I remember being in the 90tz while keeping secretsin the 90tz. I remember Cripple and Jiro, Eddy sister and howshe did walk round dressed like Aaliyah, how me use to watchhar curious like and think how she look suh fearless. I rememberEddy in the Elephant Man Pon De River video, I remember TerrorFabulous Action, Brandy, and Monica The Boy Is Mine. I remem-ber calling Bobby Simmons to request Britney Spears Oops!…I Did It Again pon repeat. I remember Biggie Smalls, I remember Keisha inna the showerand me yelling "Keisha—Biggie dead." I remember her crying.Crying like Biggie was a family member. I remember her baggyTommy Hilfiger shirts and when she cut her hair short even [End Page 60] though Mommy did tell har nuff fi cut her hair short. I remem-ber Total and En Vogue, Flavia and blind eye Keisha, Charleneand Wingate Park. I remember Chip, I remember Chip madda,I remember when them steal Chip shoes after school and himwalk all the way home barefoot. I remember the pearly whiteshoes him did a wear a him madda funeral and how me tell himwid me head down I like him shoes but did really wan seh, Chip,me sorry bout your madda. I remember Ms. Mac house, Mr. Reid house, and Mr. Millerhouse. I remember moving from block to block, house to housecause me mother always back up pon the rent. I remember bigbelly Jack in the laundromat round the corner pon Rutland, andMs. Enie corner store shop. I remember getting me hair done onSaturdays at Annie shop and Latoya Annie niece and the exactmoment when Latoya first start gwann gwanny gwanny like shedon't remember me. I remember Gwenny hair salon when it diddowntown Brooklyn before she move ga the Bronx. I rememberMs. Hall and Ms. O'Connor, Kevin and him LL Cool J lips, andhow all the girls did have crush pon him and Ms. O'Connorson. I remember Kings County Hospital, Jannette and Sade andMarsha house and Indian. I remember staying up late with a dol-lar worth a candy at Marsha house watching Apollo on Saturdaynights. I remember Marcia sweet and sour fried chicken andpotato salad, I remember watching her cook, I remember seh it'sMarcia, Aunty Marcia who teach me how fi peel a onion and teachme Psalm 23. I remember when Shaniah did born. And how is mewho teach her how fi walk. I remember Meyer Levin, steel pan Merak and Seonn, Mr.Edwards and the time Mr. Edwards ask Carmen, "Carmen wehyou look pon me suh fa, yuh hungry?" I remember Ms. Baptisteand Haiti and the revolution and Merline and Canarsie and thetall light-skin boy me let feel up me breast while wearing me newpretty pretty white bra. I remember Monique and Junior and how [End Page 61] Junior wouldn't stop look me even though him must a been closeto twenty-one and me barely yet finish junior high school. Meremember the color Iceberg tights me use to wear when me startdress like big woman and exactly when me shape...