PARISH CHIC: Hot & Bothered
Seersucker Response:
A Stylish Twitter Exchange
Roland S. Martin, above left, and me with Gregory Lee, another New Orleans native, at the NABJ conference in Las Vegas, where I later met Roland Martin. Lee was elected treasurer of NABJ in 2007 and is now the organization’s president.
My “Taco Tuesday on a Wednesday” was served with a side of beef last week, dished by Roland S. Martin. He took issue with the ending of my recent column, “Seersuckered in Three Acts,” in which I write about the time Martin called me out for wearing a seersucker suit during the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Las Vegas in 2007. For those of you who don’t recall, I reported that he said, “Hey nigga, where the fuck you think you at…the Hamptons?”
Martin, the political analyst of CNN fame, tweeted me his response to the article: “Your post is an absolute lie. I don’t even use the N-word. At the Defender, I put it on the front page to abolish it.”
I was with a group of about fifteen people discussing the BET Awards, whether the Raiders would have a winning season, and debating if Solange is smarter than Beyoncé. I wouldn’t have been surprised it he didn’t recall our brief meeting five years ago, but I didn’t expect him to deny it. I knew I couldn’t change his mind—I could only stand behind the truth.
We were never disrespectful, nor did we come to an agreement. We simply remain two brothers with a penchant for bow ties, ascots, and seersucker. A taste of our Twitter exchange is below (hashtags removed), for the sake of giving our readers the opportunity to see Martin’s response.
I wore my Billy Reid seersucker shorts again, which was almost the fourth act—the tragic end. Someone had stolen my style. My laptop, well Delfeayo’s laptop, and my external hard drive went missing late Saturday night. Miles away from where I was parked, someone dropped the drive off at a church. Soon enough, my drive was back in my hands, and the tragic act of losing my work was averted. My drive was full of the images I hope you will soon enjoy, because this is the column that almost didn’t happen.
L. Kasimu Harris: Read about my only encounter with Roland S. Martin, the television personality and how it relates to style.
Roland S. Martin: Your post is an absolute lie. I don’t even use the N-word. At the Defender, I put it on the front page to abolish it.
L. Kasimu Harris: “Denial is always easier than confrontation, especially when what you have to confront is yourself,” Delfeayo Marsalis.
L. Kasimu Harris: Brother, good sir, you said it. Now, you may have grown since then and for that, I commend you. Your word shocked me.
Roland S. Martin: You might want to read this: http://bit.ly/M8gn8x. Haven’t used that word since 2005. Your facts are all wrong.
Roland S. Martin: At @nabj, we crack on each other all of the time. Cats cracked on me wearing seer sucker every day in Tampa.
L. Kasimu Harris: I’m in New Orleans now, and headed to the Hilton & if you’re free, we can speak in person.
Roland S. Martin: I even had the @nabj bruhs hitting me up on Twitter asking if I was doing seersucker with ascots and sandals this year!
L. Kasimu Harris: I don’t doubt that you do have folk hitting you up for still advice. perhaps you don’t recall & I’d understand.
Roland S. Martin: nope. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for speech. Tape @tvonetv show Friday. Wedding in Miami Sat. Won’t make it to NOLA.
Roland S. Martin: but if you wear a seer sucker, I’ll be sure to tell @nabj‘s Garry Howard @SN_GarryD to crack on you! He’s a good bruh.
L. Kasimu Harris: however, in all honesty & with humility, I firmly stand behind what I wrote. I’ve never lied with the pen. It’s true.
Roland S. Martin: go ahead. but I’m used to folks being wrong. Enjoy NOLA.
Roland S. Martin: And I’m firm in where I stand. I don’t buckle. I’m out. Gotta go steam my seer sucker suit!
L. Kasimu Harris: thanks good sir. Have a great night.
Street Photeaux:
Style on the Spot: The National Association of Black Journalists
Alexander Bourne, proprietor of Patina Shoe Parlor; Bow tie: The Wild Life Reserve; Shirt: Luchiano Visconti
Bob Meadows, deputy editor at Essence magazine, with Lola Ogunnaike, entertainment journalist with the New York Times and a contributor to The Today Show
Robert Pierre, freelance writer
Mike Ross, of New York
Adrienne Samuels-Gibbs, senior editor at Ebony magazine
Marsha Ambrosius, singer/songwriter, formerly of Floetry
Michael Smith, reporter for ESPN and former classmate of mine at McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School and fellow member of SGA
Kevin James
Shirt: H&M; Shorts: The Gap; Bow tie: Marshall's
Stan Verrett, an ESPN anchor. Suit: Zara.
Shereen Marisol Meraji, reporter for Marketplace's Wealth & Poverty Desk in Los Angeles
Style on the Spot: the Hot & Bothered Fashion Show
Nasimiyu Murumba and her band performing songs from their upcoming album Rules Aren't Real
Andrew Freeman, director of communication at Young Audiences of Louisiana
Scott James, architect and recent New York transplant. Pants: Levi's; Blazer: Theory; Linen shirt: Banana Republic.
E. Paul Julien, photographer. Hat: Myer's the Hatter; Shirt: Italy; Glasses: vintage Fendi
Style on the Spot: Garden District Books
John T. Edge at the Taceaux Loceaux truck following a signing for his new book, The Food Truck Cookbook.
