So, This Happened.
Getting ready to go to a talk here at Cave Canem between Nikky Finney and Nikki Giovanni. As I finished up lunch in the campus cafeteria, I went to put away my tray. The dishwasher was a black gentleman in his 40s. I said hello. Here’s our conversation:
Him: Where are you from?
Me: New York.
Him: Like Flatbush?
Me: No, Harlem, but there is another writer here from Brooklyn.
Him: Oh. *pause* You remind me of RuPaul. Know who that is?
Me: I love RuPaul. She’s so smart.
Him: *blank stare*
Me: She said something like “You’re born naked and the rest is drag.” I love that. Like, we’re all performing all the time.
Him: *pause* You into that?
Me: No.
Him: *sighing* Thank you.
Me: Well, I’m too lazy to be a drag queen. It’s a lot of work, you know. I love them too.
Him: *blank stare*
Me: It’s cool there’s a space for everyone to be themselves.
Him: Yeah…
Me: Alright. Have a nice day.
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