By Arita Sysamout

Once in a great while we get something called a Big Night Out. This is something we look forward to, a chance to be with other adults that aren’t just work related. The best part is there are usually no kids! This time my big night out was a Lauren Hill and Nas concert. I was a young teen when they arrived on the scene back in the 90s so naturally myself and every one else in my generation came out to relive a night of our youth. It was like a 15 year High School reunion and all the surrounding counties showed up. Every group or cliché in high school was represented. My girlfriends and I would have been the Cool Asians, just think of Adidas and Jabowokeez. We were all enjoying this beautiful warm September night at an outdoor concert pavilion. Celebrating our kids going back to school from grades K- College. We picked up our concession stand dinner of potato wedges, mac & cheese waffle cones and apple donuts, a complete balanced meal, and headed for the lawn.

I was minding my own business and enjoying our snacks, when I noticed a few questionable things.There was definitely a baby attending the concert. I mean a fresh baby. That baby dropped on Tuesday like a hot new album fresh. This fresh baby didn’t offend or bother me. It was really cute, just out of place. Did they smuggle that baby in somehow? Was it even old enough to get in? The first time I saw a scary movie, my parents took me to see Godzilla. I cried the entire time until we left the movie theater! Even at 3, I could tell my parents that was a bad idea. We can agree they should’ve left me at home. Alone. I don’t think that fresh baby was even paying attention to the concert at all! It didn’t look impressed or amused.

After we finished up the little picnic, we headed towards our seats when a nice venue worker gave us upgraded tickets and just like that, we were up there with the big ticket buyers. That’s where things got real interesting, I’m all about doing or wearing what makes you feel good but let’s keep it weather appropriate! I noticed there were a lot of sweaty, tight blazer guys trying to boogie. They looked like they were steaming hot on the inside, though the ankles were left cold and uncovered and it does get worse, the only way it can, no socks with the loafers trend. Yes, it’s a European style, but this is Murica. Sorry, but not sorry if I offend your sweaty feet loafer guys. Socks are still a nice touch.

The Concert was great, Lauren Hill showed up, Nas was in fact the Illest. I two stepped till my knees reminded me I wasn’t a young teen anymore. That was also the night I realized we all go to concerts for the love of the music, no matter what age, to feel that nostalgia of when and where we were, who we were, in those simpler times. When Lauren and Nas come around, everyone shows up. From the brand spanking new babies to all the 70s & 80s babies. I try to attend a concert at least once a year to feel that nostalgia. Luckily, I live close to the venue and a lot of talent comes through here of different genres. It’s great for lovers of music. I’m fortunate enough to have immigrant parents that set up home near a major city. We have a lot of culture and diversity and concerts have a way of uniting people. We need it now more so than ever and seeing all of my peers come out for a chill night with Lauren Hill and Nas, it reminded me that it doesn’t matter what kind of lunatic we have running the country now, and what kind of hate filled crap they say to divide us, our generation is so much better than that.

We have beautiful mixed race children that don’t see color like most of us don’t. They know how to treat and respect people like people. We want them to grow up and change the world just by being positive people and having a better outlook but still young and carefree. They just want to wear they’re skinny jeans and make up funny memes and dance routines. Whatever makes them happy as long as it’s weather appropriate.

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