My decision to attend law school involved a much-dreaded move from Atlanta to Baton Rouge. I loved my Midtown neighbors in the ATL and my apartment, especially the porch. I'd even grown accustomed to walking home alongside transvestite hookers --- but only after I realized I didn't have anything they were looking for --- following my shifts at Blake's, the neighborhood bar across the street from my abode. So, when faced with the move, I knew only of one neighborhood in Baton Rouge that could possibly rival the excitement of Midtown, the historic Spanishtown area.
Spanishtown in the 1980s and early 90s, much like Midtown, was a place where both crack addicts and gay men searching for sex easily scored. Eventually, the neighborhood went through a regentification of sorts. But luckily, a decent number of long-time residents remained. Thus, the present-day hood retains a lot of its flavor. The residents are a very eclectic group of folks. But what sets it apart from any other cool hood is its fascination/obsession with pink flamingos. Flamingos are everywhere. There are big flamingos, small flamingos, flamingos on houses, in plants, and even on t-shirts. So when the Baton Rouge Advocate broke the news via a front page editorial, my neighborhood was in a frenzy. What news am I talking about? The decision by Union Products to quit producing its patented pink flamingo. As the Advocate reported:
"Spanish Town residents will not mourn the death of the iconic, yet kitschy pink plastic flamingo, which has come to define the bohemian neighborhood.
With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Historic Spanish Town Civic Association chairman Bill Good said the long-legged lawn art is like the phoenix. 'It will be back'."
Baton Rouge may not offer the racy excitement of Midtown Atlanta. But hey, like the flamingo, one day I'll return to my old beloved neighborhood. Until then, I'll pay proper homage to the bird.
For full story: Spanish Town Fools
