theDoor

this evening I studied computer science at a local Barnes&Noble bookseller. I couldn't help but notice the fine looking members of my community, perusing literature in various forms and taking advantage of the table space in the cafe. Meetings seemed to be taking place and I couldn't help but over hear the conversation emanating from a threesome at the adjacent table.

This particular meeting was between a "thirtysomething" real estate agent and a young couple. Though I do not know the industry terminology for this introductory meeting, I tuned in when the agent said, "so, you all are interested in buying a house." Naturally, I was excited for the couple and thought about this particular meeting's significance during this time of economic turmoil. The agent asked some personal questions, beginning with their current living situation which was renting. He asked about the couple's rent and their monthly take-home income before taxes. He asked about lease-breaking policies and other particulars concerning what the couple could afford. He moved into credit scoring and State of Georgia Law concerning obtaining two annual free reports from the three major agencies. He moved into a description of his products and the parts of town the couple was interested in living. Whatever mortgage he was selling/ making a loan offer for he pitched as a "best" option stating it didn't matter what score the couple had... he could help them obtain a mortgage at a fixed rate around 6% saying some times an interest rate of 5.5% was possible. He informed the couple of following the market i.e. the FED. interest rate and its potential to drop. He explained some of the costs attached at making an offer and a $500 fee attached to making a serious off that would be credited to the cost of the house. He closed by inviting the couple to a seminar of some sort at the West End CoC. How interesting!

I was pleased to hear my people sharing valuable information amongst each other in a comfortable, though quite public setting. I thought about such meetings taking place over the years, across the ATL and across the country. I thought about other real estate agents I knew hosting such meetings and the process of home-buying... I thought about writing off any expenses of such a meeting and the locale of the subsequent seminar, from this particular meeting...

so, this is how it works

What a world! Not only would the couple be invited to learn about the home-buying process, they would be led in a CoC. I wondered if they would be approached by members. I wondered about the connections between the Church and finances... I thought about how valuable information is shared amongst members of the Church- how communities form and how informed Blacks in Atlanta, proverbially, get down.

interesting...

My exposure to the CoC was a good one. I found the services intellectually/scripturally stimulating and really enjoyed their poetic take on Biblical interpretation. As a young person who grew up attending Church, I was no stranger to the gospel and praise and worship.

Atlanta, resting in the Bible Belt south is still fueled by visions and mechanisms of prosperity through strong ties to Christianity.

I remember a chapter in Our Kind of People titled The Right Church. History and the wave of spiritual energy aligned prosperous folk with certain churches... and now, I was privy to theDoor.

Knowingly or unknowingly, the young couple was a potential client of "Black Society."

the door... I had a bright idea of what was beyond it, having tried the knob myself...


I drove home an hour later after focusing on my computer science. I love myself and my story... I am a fortunate and highly favored individual, no-diggity. And as q-tip's "Getting Up" coursed through my 95 Honda's speakers... I nodded my head in agreement, " we getting up..." fa sho.

-delano