From Corner Stores To Health Joints
Posted in Community on November 12th, 2009
By Ajani Husbands aka Esface Black
I used to live maybe four blocks from Howard University, on 9th and U street. It’s an area where, a few years ago, taxi drivers would hesitate to take you there, or just say no altogether. The yearly Caribbean Parade would be eagerly attended, along with murmurs of “don’t stay past dark.” And now, almost the entire length of U Street is considered urban chic; it’s the place to be. Every other establishment is a lounge, night club, or overpriced (but appropriately atmospheric) restaurant. Patrons walk the streets day and night and everyone stops by Ben’s Chili Bowl (rest in peace) for a late night meal.
On U Street, there are two CVS stores, one 7-11, and one Rite Aid. There is also a grocery store maybe 15 minutes away walking. Yet, every couple of months I rented a Zipcar and made the cross-state trek down to Pentagon City, VA to shop for groceries at Costco and the nearby Harris Teeter grocery store. Why? Quite simply, I like healthy-looking fruits and vegetables. I like having a variety of bread. I like being able to buy ingredients I need to make varied, and healthy, meals. This isn’t to say that the grocery store near Howard University did not have stocked shelves, but the produce was often set in pitiable quality.
Regrettably, inner city grocery stores are not havens of healthy food options. Candy bars, potato chips, and juice substitutes (aka drink) reign supreme. And quite frankly, those items are far cheaper than whole wheat pasta or brown rice.
Thankfully, there is a budding movement that aims to change all of this.
Read more..
The Esface Blog Welcomes Ajani “Black” Husbands back to the scene
Posted in Community, Entertainment on November 12th, 2009
Esface co-founder Ajani Husbands (second from left) is back on the esface scene as the newest/freshest contributor, keeping you abreast on pertinent issues effecting everyone from the American urban community to our counterparts on the continent of Africa aka “the Motherland”, where he currently resides. Ajani has always been a passionate and outspoken spokesperson for his people here and abroad, with a mother from Barbados and growing up in DC, his exposure to different cultures has shaped his outlook from an early age. Graduating from Stanford University where he left his mark in the black community as one of the most prominent “community activists”, he spent time studying and immersing himself in South Africa before going on to pursue a career with the State Department and currently is posted in Eritrea (east Africa). While in South Africa, he founded the Mamelodi Project (www.mamelodiproject.org) that aims to “promote a positive image of Africa” by documenting/broadcasting aspects of the beautiful country/continent rarely shown in mainstream media.
Enough said.. you get the point, the boy is serious business and will be providing powerful commentary on interesting topics serving to educate and even entertain you at times because I forgot to mention his witty sense of humor that will have you rolling out of your chair while sparking some serious thought. Check the blog EVERY MONDAY for the Ajani aka “ESFACE BLACK” post.
