Reflecting on Saturday Morning Cleaning Rituals: A Nostalgic Look Back

Opinion: Remembering the Saturday Morning Ritual of Cleaning to R&B Jams

Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, many Black households had a Saturday morning ritual of cleaning to the sounds of R&B music. For Panama Jackson, this ritual was a significant part of his childhood, with memories of songs like “You’re Right About That” by the R&B duo Kiara playing in the background as he straightened up his room.

Reflecting on his own childhood experiences, Jackson recalls the familiar tunes of Luther Vandross, Kenny G, Rod Stewart, and Hall & Oates filling the air as he and his family tackled their weekend chores. This shared experience of cleaning to music was a common thread among Black families across America, creating a soundtrack to their Saturday mornings.

Now a parent himself, Jackson finds that the tradition of cleaning to music has faded in his own household. With busy schedules and weekend activities filling up their days, there is little time for the leisurely cleaning sessions of his youth. While he longs to recreate the nostalgic moments of his childhood for his own children, the reality of modern life often gets in the way.

Despite the challenges of finding time for family cleaning sessions, Jackson wonders if other families still uphold this tradition. Is there still a place for the Saturday morning ritual of cleaning to R&B jams in today’s fast-paced world? As he ponders this question, Jackson reflects on the cultural significance of these memories and the bonds they create within a household.

In the end, Jackson’s musings on the past serve as a reminder of the simple joys of childhood and the traditions that shape our identities. While the Saturday morning cleaning ritual may be a thing of the past for some, its legacy lives on in the memories of those who experienced it firsthand.