Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Obama shirts in NYC

An ode to the urban entrepreneur. Hail to the urban entrepreneur. Folks hawking t shirts, hair braiding, even plates of home cooked food in our dense cities. Known often as a 'hustle' these side jobs are a whole underground economy of their own. They also have a long history. For example, in 1920s Harlem, there was the 'rent party' which shows the creativity of people working against systemic racism. This tradition lives on as a way to make up for the wage gaps in place. Every head of hair done on the side helps pay the car note, the rent, the heat. Work at home businesses have become popular, as craftspeople use their skills and talents to make a little extra cash.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

i hear ya. i love the fact that folks are able to parlay their creative mental faculties and general know how into a side/front hustle. i consider doing garment alterations to be mine.

Anonymous said...

Your alterations are top notch. *thumbs up*