Casio

Black Red Nonsense - Battle of the Generations

For the purpose of this essay and this essay alone, Generation Y refers to all those born between 1975 and 2000; Generation X refers to all those born between 1962 and 1974;The Baby boomers are born before 1962 (or can easily remember what Independence day felt like – The Independence Day itself and not the movie! It in no way reflects the generational brackets as stipulated by the American public…or so it seems.

Now, if you’re reading this, you’re either one of the above mentioned generational brackets or my piece somehow survived the trying times of literature appreciation in the smiling coast. When you look around your office, except if you’re working for one of those “high tech”, modern, private companies, you’ll easily see these three brackets in the same building trying to get the work done.

The Passing

I sit at the corner with my wobbly little table waiting for the rugged sandy roads to bring their shoes to me. Every day of every week, I wait with my small hammer, needle, thread, evo-stik and the evidences of my profession. I am Abubacarr the cobbler.

From a distance I can see her walk towards me beautifully attired as usual and my frown becomes a smile. A customer is hassling me for a 5 dalasi discount and I am at my most generous point so I do not argue. My eyes are fixed on her as she strolls by towards my table as if to say hello but she pauses a few steps away from me and a beautiful black sedan stops next to her. She exchanges a word or two and disappears into the tinted darkness of the car and my smile disappears.

Fridays are my best days by far. Everyone is scurrying to make it to Friday prayers on time which means one thing – more sandals and slippers to mend. That is however not why they are my best days.