I live in a major metro area that has recently seen a lot of gentrification. A whole lot of it! So when I’m walking through some of the historically black neighborhood in the former hood and see remodeled houses with open windows, no blinds and curtains drawn, in the middle of the night…I always assume that the owners are part of the growing white (non-black) population.

Black people are not known to leave our windows uncovered all day and all night so that people can see our possessions in full view. We like our windows covered.  Black folks love curtains, blinds, and various types of window treatments. We love our privacy and we sometimes assume that our neighbors are nosy…and sometimes they are. Honestly, sometimes we are too, thus we notice open windows that display all manner of flat screen TVs and other valuables…oh and the occasional naked person. I don’t know why someone living in a major metro area would want the whole neighborhood to see their naughty bits…sad.

Older black women, especially, love a beautiful window treatments (drapes) that match the decor of a room. We’ve all see some antebellum looking drapes in someone’s grandmother’s living room (parlor room) accompanied by 1 or 2 pieces of furniture covered in plastic.