Sydney, Soul Food & Secret Societies

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Last night was the long awaited first meeting of the Blacks in Oz secret society. We chose a hidden location where none of the locals would think to look - the only soul food restaurant in town. Even though I'd only met one of the other founding members I was fairly confident that I'd be able to pick the group out from the other patrons at the restaurant. In my 15 months in Oz this was only the 2nd occasion I'd seen more than 3 Blacks together in one place at the same time - so I took a picture. It was a strong minded group comprised predominantly of African Americans plus one member of that even rarer species known as Black Canadians. As we sat down to converse and eat, a sense of anticipation, usually reserved for Tyler Perry openings (google it Oz) and Jay-Z comeback concerts, was palpable.

Visiting Sydney huh?

One thing that I've learned in my short time here is that folks pretty quickly pick out that I'm not exactly from these parts.  Either they think that (1) I'm just here for a visit or (2) are expecting me to leave pretty soon.  They give me that look like they're letting me in on the secret that there aren't that many Black people here.  DUH!  I've been able to discern this over the course of numerous interactions with the locals.  These interactions, while always friendly, tend to come with that undeniable hint of "you must be lost" in the questioner's voice.  Most conversations start with "Where are you from?"  I tell them 'Wahroonga' and just just act as if all the Black people in Oz are from there. (Wahroonga is a leafy suburb with tons of old money and houses with names like 'Culingral' - we rent there now and I've yet to see another Black person mowing their lawn or having a jog in the neighborhood.)  So as any good American would do, I try to take full advantage of the misperception that I'm just a guest in my newly adopted homeland. (see Mands - I told you I could say it) Below are few things I like to do it give myself a bit of a laugh...