Robin de Puy Instagram – A little sooner than expected, episode 2: JAMARIO EN DAMAJ, CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI.
In 1930 -downtown Clarksdale, at the crossing of Highway 61 and 49- Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil, in exchange for the art of playing the guitar. For a moment I fear Robert did not only sell his own soul but that of the town as well.
We cruise the empty streets, looking for someone that can play the promised blues for us.
Because of our slow tempo and me staring out the car window, people immediately take us for police. Believe me, that is not a good look here.
Kind of mopish we try to wash the day away in the hairy pool at the motel.
At night the town still feels quiet, but light seeping through the cracks of wooden walls of abandoned looking buildings promises otherwise. Finally we discover the blues, hidden under a plastic ceiling. A toothless singer, unintelligible when he speaks but not when he sings, welcomes us- his only audience. He treats us to a private concert and for a while we don’t feel like going anywhere.
The next morning, looking for coffee and intriguing faces, we pass a tire shop. Jamario (20) and Damaj (17) sit under a canopy waiting for their first client. Damaj is the owner, born in Jemen and brought to America by his beloved dad. This boy can have anything he wants, as long as he stays in school. But Damaj has other plans- he wants to work. His dream? To own a nationwide chain of 500 tire shops, within ten years. ‘Like Starbucks or McDonalds.’
‘What about you, Jamario? What is your dream?’ I ask. ‘Tomorrow I’m turning 21 and I will register myself to the Police Academy. And I will become a father in a month.’
I ask Jamario a bunch of questions, searching for affirmation of my prejudiced views on his life, but he soothes my doubts. Dreams are big here, but seldom misplaced- as long as you see them through the eyes of The American.
And remember: If you can’t make it on your own, you can always sell your soul. Without it- you can go very far. Just look at Robert.
@de_volkskrant @robprochnow @recsound_amsterdam @mvrossem | Posted on 18/Oct/2022 19:24:13
