I thought Philly was the city of Brotherly Love.....
But I found another city that poured brotherly...or should I say sisterly love into me. Denver.
Denver, Colorado.
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Colorado is notoriously known for its legalization of marijuana. Denver is known to be the most populous city of Colorado as it is the home of the Broncos football team.I went to Denver with a open mind as I didn't know much about the city although my sister has lived there for the last three years. I went to visit her with the notion of visiting some great mountains and winding down after eventful Miami.I was aware that I probably wouldn't see many black people there but open to other cultures.The first time I met my sister's roommate, she gave me a welcoming hug and reassured me that her home is my home. My initial response was thrown off as I was not expecting a hug. I accepted and hugged her back.We stopped by another friend's house where we pre-gamed with others and I received hugs from everyone there as an initial welcome. I again was thrown off. I am from Baltimore where black people don't hug one another enough. We may greet each other but we are the last city to show affection, especially to strangers.As the weekend progressed, I received many more hugs from my sister's friends and other strangers. I felt loved by strangers, a feeling I haven't felt since my experience in Europe.I realized that due to black people truly being a minority culture in Denver, there is a special appreciation of the culture. Black people in Denver hugged and embraced one another, they loved one another although they are strangers. For the first time, I felt a sense of unity among my people. We shared stories, advice and laughs among one another. I was surrounded by beautiful black people who showed one another "brotherly affection."I felt a sense of unity within Denver itself, every culture and race was super nice. The city is a truly integrated city where race seem not to matter over who you are and where you come from.I will be back Denver but in the meantime, I plan on creating a positive space in my own city and other places I travel.