SAD NEWS: About 45 minutes ago, Austin Jenkins,the eldest son of the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach, passed away.

About 45 minutes ago, Austin Jenkins, SAD NEWS: The eldest son of the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach, passed away.

As temperatures rise and the days lengthen, the stage is set for group gatherings and festivities. Nostalgia has become a prevailing theme for an unforgettable summer, with social media feeds inundated by parties themed around Freaknik.

These gatherings pay tribute to the legendary Atlanta festival of the ’90s. NPR described Freaknik as an annual spring break bash in Atlanta during the 1980s and ’90s that drew massive crowds at its peak.

The original Freaknik left an indelible mark on Black culture, capturing moments of sheer joy as crowds of carefree individuals reveled in music from boomboxes and flaunted their style with hot cars. The atmosphere was electric.

While modern versions of these parties may seem like passing trends, characterized by ephemeral social media invites and posts that vanish in a flash, they hold deeper cultural significance rooted in reclaiming narratives and spaces.

“The fascination with ’90s culture among the new generation stems from a revival of Black awareness, acknowledging that what we were once criticized for—what was deemed ghetto and irrelevant to culture—is actually integral to our identity,” remarked Zorine Truly, also known as the “Hoochie Historian,” a prominent figure on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Through her online presence and the annual event, Hoochiecon, Truly has reclaimed Black fashion and culture while challenging respectability politics.

“The resurgence of ’90s Freaknik is a tribute to our immediate ancestors, who were often dismissed as ‘ghetto’,” Truly explained.

Freaknik-themed gatherings are an extension of providing spaces for Black self-expression, often spilling out into the city for all to witness. However, these events are sometimes dismissed by outsiders using harmful rhetoric.

It’s crucial for Black individuals to have spaces where they can be themselves without fear of judgment, particularly in the South, Truly emphasized. She highlighted the prevalence of venues that cater to white clientele with seemingly anti-Black dress codes and restrictions.

“We’re often forced to code-switch and wear masks,” Truly noted. “Having environments where we can relax and enjoy ourselves without fear of judgment or police intervention is vital.”

Degarrett Javoll, who experienced the heyday of Black-Memphis party culture, referred to those times as the “Denim and Diamond days.” He recalled how these events allowed Black individuals to see the lifestyle depicted in television and media unfold in their own city.