Pull Up a Seat, It’s Our Time

I have looked forward to this issue ever since I started Kinspire.

Our traditions are just that — ours. From the mac-n-cheese to the greens to the sweet potatoes and the dressing (don’t you dare call it “stuffing”), this time of year is about togetherness and thankfulness.

But let’s be real: The real star is the food. The sides, the sides, the sides are probably more revered than the turkey. And the ham. And the chicken. And any other protein that attempts to usurp the piles of potato salad, deviled eggs, rolls and — yes, chitlins. (Side note: Yuck.)

But beyond the food, there are the other Black traditions. Spades, anyone? Bid whist? Dominoes?

And if Mama or Grandmama or Auntie finds out that someone has no place to go, you can rest assured that an extra seat will be available at the table. And make sure you pack that boy a to-go plate.

Then there’s the “-itis.” That after-dinner feeling when you fall into a food coma, take the most luxurious nap, then wake up ready for some red velvet cake. Or caramel cake. Or sock-it-to-me cake.

The way I outlined Thanksgiving Day shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us who grew up Black. It really is our collective holiday. Across miles, across families, across incomes, we do it the same. As a family.

Enjoy The Table issue of Kinspire.