I’ve never been to Lake Lanier, that infamous body of water in North Georgia named after some racist Confederate soldier. The unfortunate inhabitants of Oscarville, a Black town that still lives and breathes beneath its dark, restless, sunkissed waters, make a habit of pulling those bloated, boating, jet skiing, partying, fun-loving sunburnt white people into their vengeful arms. I’ve never been to Lake Lanier because the county it belongs to is still a sundown town. So I drove on that bridge towards that sundown, wishing. I’m not afraid that they’ll pull me under. I know they’re not looking for me.
A Southerner, TED Speaker, and musician, Queen Esther is a New York City based generative performing artist.