The Diversity of Atlanta, Georgia
One of my college roommates was from Atlanta, Georgia. And I must say that I had an idea, a stereotypical idea that I am not proud of, but I had always considered that those from the South, may be a bit..closed minded in their ideas of race, religion, ethnicity. She proved me wrong, as the city will do should you decide to visit at some point. I went to see Jackie a few years ago, and we treated ourselves to a stay in one of her favorite luxury Atlanta hotels downtown.
Walking through the streets that night, I realized that the city is populated by a diverse group of people. One man we met was originally from Bangalore. Our waiter was from Manhattan, and the woman we bought ice cream from later on that night was from Czechoslovakia. I don’t think we came across anyone who was actually born in Atlanta, except for Jackie herself. The people and city streets remain very welcoming to newcomers, they were very welcoming to me.
We stopped in to the High Museum of Art. A major renovation and expansion was just completed, with designs from the famous architect, Renzo Piano. One of the best elements of this museum for me, was the fact that the High is partnered with Paris museum, the Louvre. Pieces of work that I may never be able to see, unless one day I decide to travel to France, were hanging on the walls in Atlanta.
The Louvre ships exhibits from their permanent collection, as well as sending the traveling shows on through to the High. This month the museum is also presenting lectures, on topics ranging from the works of legendaryarchitect John Portman, to the world renown Renee Cox and her exhibit “Undercover: Black Female Identities”, and a night with Tierney Gearson. Gearson has spent a lifetime working as a photographer and will be exhibiting her new works titled “Explosure” at the end of October. This is a city that I will return to one day, that is for certain.