Who Is Ms. Auburn (Ms. “A” fa’ shawt)? I’m a former employee of the Auburn Avenue Research Library (hence the tag) who believes in the power of words – written and spoken. I believe in lifelong teaching and learning, no degree required. A Real Wife of a Native Atlantan who was once a child of the SWATS myself (that whole left side of I-285 really ~ check my old school swag above). I have a slight issue with the passive way my generation is shepherding its legacy. With this column and your help, I hope to change that.

There used to be a practice among African-Americans known as “sittin at the knee.” The kids watched and listened while the adults taught them appropriate customs and practices and passed down the history, griot style. Ghetto Ya Ya Sisterhoods is how girls like I was once learned to sew and cook. But in a different age and time, I learned how to weave together a decent life and feed my family’s collective spirit by sitting at my mother-in-law’s table, all while bumpin’ Soul Food from the speakers. Sunday mornin’ where you eat-in’ at?

It was funny to me when she talked about walking down Hunter or Bishop Streets as a child, streets I now know as MLKing and 17th, respectively. She’d mention the parents of friends of mine and I could

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