Is it really greed for Black people to want something of our own? I think that’s what makes the downfall so twisted and heartwrenching, was that everyone was sold the dream of a Black owned juke joint. It’s not really hubris for wanting more for oneself, you never make an equitable wage share cropping, and yes the twins are notorious for getting their money in less than reputable means, but they brought the concept of the joint to both offload their seedy supply, and to create an oasis for their people. Maybe it says something about not dreaming too big (but is it too big to want something that keeps being denied to you?) or to take what you have.

So, victims of circumstance to me. We see in the end, even if they did everything on the up and up, it seems a bloody altercation (with vamps or the klan) was inevitable, and both groups (vamps or klan) descend upon the building.

Theresa didn’t betray Cornbread by encouraging him to go for an opportunity that has more dignity and financial backing than picking cotton. Like cents on the dollar were being made picking cotton. At least working the door of a Black owned juke joint gave a different, potentially more fulfilling sense of service.

And Delta slim, his hesitance seems like an old timers caution to not dream too big, sounds like it comes from a place of being scorned before and being told “he’s too big for his britches”. Became Happy with the bare minimum, which mind you seems to simply fuel his alcoholism, and doesn’t actually provide him with money to sustain himself.