It’s a Saturday night in Charlotte, North Carolina. What is there for a young person to do? First of all, to go anywhere in Charlotte, a car is necessary. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is slow and inefficient, and there is no subway system, so having a car is a must. When looking at entertainment options, the mall is always a good choice; specifically Concord Mills. That is where all the local young people go on the weekend. Not many teens frequent the clubs because generally the age requirement is eighteen for females and twenty-one for males. So if girls can’t go out with their male friends, they all will go to the mall instead. Nevertheless, once arriving at the mall there is ample entertainment suitable for all ages. In addition to having stores like a regular mall, Concord Mills includes a go-cart track, miniature golf course, Jillian’s and an AMC Theater. The movie theater becomes the main attraction once the mall has closed. Note: In the teenage world, there is an unwritten rule that one must not be seen going to the movies before 8 o’clock. If one does so, such person will be looked upon as lame. So after leaving the movies around midnight, the next destination is the bed because one must attend church in the morning.

Big churches are the rage in Charlotte, so if you are young and black, you will probably attend Friendship Baptist Church, University Park Baptist Church, or New Life Fellowship Church, led by the infamous John P. Kee. After church, everyone goes back to the house of the best cook (usually someone’s grandmother) and has Sunday dinner. This will most likely include fried chicken, fried fish, possibly Carolina barbecue, potato salad, collard greens, Jiffy brand cornbread, and maybe even chitterlings. After a meal that practically lasts all day, it is time to sit back, relax, and reflect on your weekend in Charlotte.

Victoria Freeman

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Cultural Orientation