Anthony DeRiggs: The Man at the Window
Several years ago, I was traveling to a city I had never been to before. I bought a map and drove to a number of places I had to visit. But there was one location I could not find on my map. The city was undergoing major growth and signs of construction were everywhere. New buildings, new streets. It was around noon so I stopped at a restaurant for lunch and spread out the map on my table next to a window.
I put my nose to the map and began to study the streets. Just then, the waitress walked up. “May I help you find something?” she asked.
“Sure,” I said, and told her the name of the building I was looking for.
She smiled and said. “Don’t look at the map. Look out the window. It’s over there.”
I glanced out the window. The building was just across the street staring directly at the restaurant.
I thanked the waitress and we had a good laugh. But later I thought of the incident and realized a profound truth. Often we travel through life looking for things with obsolete maps. But if we take the time to look out the window, the things we’re looking for might just be staring us in the face.
What does all this have to do with Anthony DeRiggs, you ask? Glad you asked. You see, if you read DeRiggs, you realize he’s always reminding us to look out the window. His writings encourage us to lift up our noses from many of the obsolete intellectual mapping we’ve grown up with and to take a closer look at our unique experiences in life, whether you’re from Grenada or not. His writings are more accurate representations of our Grenadian reality than many of the foreign interpretations we so readily accept. Wherever you’re from, he will inspire you to appreciate the richness of your roots.
I am not saying to ignore the great writers and philosophers of our times. They have provided great maps over the years. But the landscape of life is constantly changing, so when maps become obsolete it’s time to look out the window to get a new sense of direction. Whenever I need an accurate fix on where I came from, so I’ll know where I’m going, I read Anthony DeRiggs.
When you read DeRiggs, it’s an all-encompassing experience, far greater than a flat lifeless map. His writings overcome obstacles of space or time. You can be in North America, and he can take you to Grenada in an instant, on a walk down the stone steps of Cooper Hill, up the steep St. John’s street, or across the breezy Carenage. But it’s only just begun. You hear the sweet steel band sounds of Angel Harps floating across the harbor, you feel the breeze, you smell and taste the spicy blood pudding, and you laugh with the people. He humanizes people and brings them to life. He transports you to an environment buzzing with amazing characters and incredible stories. It’s the view from the window.
So, whenever I feel a little lost, even with my map, I don’t panic. I read Anthony DeRiggs. I hope you read him too. He’s the man at the window.
I put my nose to the map and began to study the streets. Just then, the waitress walked up. “May I help you find something?” she asked.
“Sure,” I said, and told her the name of the building I was looking for.
She smiled and said. “Don’t look at the map. Look out the window. It’s over there.”
I glanced out the window. The building was just across the street staring directly at the restaurant.
I thanked the waitress and we had a good laugh. But later I thought of the incident and realized a profound truth. Often we travel through life looking for things with obsolete maps. But if we take the time to look out the window, the things we’re looking for might just be staring us in the face.
What does all this have to do with Anthony DeRiggs, you ask? Glad you asked. You see, if you read DeRiggs, you realize he’s always reminding us to look out the window. His writings encourage us to lift up our noses from many of the obsolete intellectual mapping we’ve grown up with and to take a closer look at our unique experiences in life, whether you’re from Grenada or not. His writings are more accurate representations of our Grenadian reality than many of the foreign interpretations we so readily accept. Wherever you’re from, he will inspire you to appreciate the richness of your roots.
I am not saying to ignore the great writers and philosophers of our times. They have provided great maps over the years. But the landscape of life is constantly changing, so when maps become obsolete it’s time to look out the window to get a new sense of direction. Whenever I need an accurate fix on where I came from, so I’ll know where I’m going, I read Anthony DeRiggs.
When you read DeRiggs, it’s an all-encompassing experience, far greater than a flat lifeless map. His writings overcome obstacles of space or time. You can be in North America, and he can take you to Grenada in an instant, on a walk down the stone steps of Cooper Hill, up the steep St. John’s street, or across the breezy Carenage. But it’s only just begun. You hear the sweet steel band sounds of Angel Harps floating across the harbor, you feel the breeze, you smell and taste the spicy blood pudding, and you laugh with the people. He humanizes people and brings them to life. He transports you to an environment buzzing with amazing characters and incredible stories. It’s the view from the window.
So, whenever I feel a little lost, even with my map, I don’t panic. I read Anthony DeRiggs. I hope you read him too. He’s the man at the window.
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