Riches to Rags

Happy Monday to ya. It is truly a dark, stormy, and soggy day here in the DMV urrea. With all the rain we've had over the past few days (and with more to come), corn on the cob better be sweet as sugar this summer! And now on to my topic for the day...

Last week, I caught a story on the local news about a man who was evicted out of his home due to foreclosure. This particular story made the news because the eviction took place in Georgetown, an affluent Washington, D.C. neighborhood filled with with million dollar homes.

Check the clip:




(Source: WJLA ABC 7 News)

I'm not sure whether laughter or tears are appropriate.

Mr. Aina, the evicted homeowner, claims he is a foreclosure property specialist, runs an investment club, and owns emerald mines. And yet he could not avoid foreclosure? He lives in a neighborhood nationally known for its prestige and notability. Movie scenes have been shot there. Senators, congressmen, and ambassadors make their homes there. Yet because of this "businessman", certain activity has been brought to the neighborhood which usually occurs on the "ghetto" side of town.

People are pulling their cars over and jumping out to get a closer look. Some do it out of curiosity, but most are just opportunists who cannot believe their luck at having a shot to dig through (and roll out with) the belongings of a million dollar home. The man is fortunate to have a few nice neighbors who try to keep an eye on his stuff and shoo away the vultures. Can't help but love the sista who shouts "I got your tag number!"

These are all reasons for me to laugh.

Now when I learned of Mr. Aina's nationality, I immediately raised an eyebrow. Nigeria has been linked to many shady business scams. My own mama has advised me to be cautious when dealing with Nigerians. It ain't right to profile someone based on their ethnicity or nationality. Lord knows, I know better being a lifelong victim of racial profiling. But it definitely raised a red flag to me.

Why didn't this man just vacate the premises when he got that letter marked "FINAL" telling his ass the U.S. Marshals were on their way? Was it his arrogance that wouldn't allow him to bow out gracefully? And why address the news cameras, adding further insult to injury? I was embarrassed just watching the clip. No need to dance a jig for the camera too. And speaking of spectacles, would this story have made the evening news if the homeowner was of European descent?

And who but a poor man has ever used a wheelbarrow to haul his prized possessions?

These are all reasons for me to cry.


Tumultuously Yours,
Dark & Stormy