Night. Black Sundays in Leimert.

 10:50pm. Home. I had a good time today out in Leimert. Sales were ok. Last week was better but I still had a good time and still walked away with more money than I started the day with. So that's a win. It was good to see and spend time with friends. The worst part about vending is bringing the art and other items back into the apartment. But if that's the worst part of my day, I'm a lucky woman. I'm going to turn in because I have to get up really early tomorrow. Oh, the band was incredible tonight. It's such a beautiful scene. The band is set up in the alley under the lights and the crowd is standing and sitting around hanging off of every note. And what great notes! What a way to end a Sunday! Something interesting did happen down there today though. A Mexican man set up to sell his food. It took him well over an hour to get set up too. He was right next to me. A brotha approached him and told him that Sundays were set up for the Black vendors. Mostly because Black vendors can't just set anywhere in the city. Specifically where Mexicans are. We can't just roll over to Olvera Street and set up and it be cool with them so we have a place where we can go and not be hassled on Sundays. He told him that if he wanted to set up any other day in Leimert that would be ok but not on Sundays. He also said that he could stay today but not to come back on Sundays. The guy agreed. Less than twenty minutes later A Sista (who will remain nameless) came and told him that Sundays were for the Black vendors and basically the same thing the brotha had just told him. She also said that where he chose to set up was where the band was going to be playing and he couldn't be there blocking the spot. At this point there is a crowd and the Mexican guy didn't want to look punked and was saying stuff like we're all humans and that he cooks for everybody and the more he went on the less the crowd wanted to hear his All Lives Matter rhetoric. The Sista cut him off and told him he had to break his shit down and leave. Personally, I feel like he could have stayed for the day and I see why he was defensive. I also understand the Sista's point about keeping Black Sunday Black. She was right about Black vendors having limited spaces in Los Angeles where we can just set up. Especially in Mexican communities. Many Mexicans are just as racist and white folks and in my personal experience the pain is even deeper because I feel like Mexicans should understand what we have to deal with because they have to deal with white folks too. In the end, the Mexican guy did break his shit down. He hung out for a while and then left. To be clear, no one has a problem with Mexicans or ANYONE coming down to Leimert on Sundays to shop, eat and experience the vibe. Setting up and getting money from us ON SUNDAYS is a different thing though. The Sista could have been more respectful but I'm glad she rode for us. Blessings to the Mexican dude and I hope he made his money somewhere today. Ok, it's 11:10 and I'm tired now. Love yourselves.