My son's as you all know, have different fathers. I believe I may have also commented on the fact that although neither of them led a life that would characterize them as "upstanding citizens," but my younger son (Little D)'s father has, for the most part been BOTH their fathers. And although both of them have their shortcomings, I have (of course while holding my breath) been receiving child support for the past 3 years+, and regardless of Little W's father's random disappear acts, he finds comfort in knowing that Big D loves the both of them just the same...I digress.Big D's past which includes several arrests, time in County, and time in the Penitentiary is not one he is proud of. And a few years ago when he and I decided to "give it another try," he had an epiphany---since that day, he has been working the SAME job (WITH benefits), has gotten his license, bought himself a car, and actually pays bills! Even though (and I blogged about this) he was with my friend of 13 years before I could even settle in Kentucky, I have to hand it to him...he has been doing quite well for himself...until this most disturbing recent chain of events.
Quite frequently, after his 2nd shift day ends at work, he and others from work who are members at a "private (for the purposes of avoiding the smoking ban) bar" head over there. They play pool, have an after work drink and just shoot the shit. Well, this day in particular, Big D happened to be the minority...in fact, the ONLY minority in the bar. Other patrons decided he was too loud, so a spat began. The spat turned into EVERYONE in the bar jumping him, and his friend who was with him (and tried to help him) was forced out, the door was locked, and the ass whipping commenced.
Shortly after Big D could no longer see, his face was all bloody, and his eye was swollen shut, the basic instincts of survival kicked in, and he pulled out a pocket knife and waved it frantically---blindly. 2 men were stabbed a total of 6 times, one in the armpit and I believe in the side, the other 3 times in the back, and once in the stomach. When everyone realized he had a knife, he was able to shake loose, unlock the door, and run...but by that time, the police arrived...he was arrested.
Of course the media being the fantastic, and most honest and objective people that they are printed an article in the local paper clearly stating nothing but "factual" information, all the way down mentioning that one of the "victim's" intestines were exposed. The information also included the "fact" that Big D was arrested facing 2 charges of felonious assault, the picture of his beaten and battered face was put in there (he was barely recognizable)---there was however no mention of the fight...other than it being those 2 men of course---there also were no statements made; there has been no follow up article---and no mention that Big D has been in the hospital twice.
I am one who most often gets upset when people make things about race, so I had to ask myself...what was this really about? If the majority had been the minority in this instance would others have been arrested? What do you all think?
21 comments:
Boy o boy. What a mess.
I think that the 'minority' is usually seen at fault.
So sorry.
NoR~I just keep playing it over an over in my mind, and in fact have witnessed what has happened when "we" are the majority. The police shark our bars/clubs and flash lights, harassing us until we get in our cars and go home! This is truly an outrage!
I wrote a very long response to this that my computer just ate. This really sucks. Something like this happened to my family a few years back when my cousin died.
The writers don't care.
And now they'll get to write bigger stories.
Kofi~Darn, that really does suck! Your cousin died as a result of the incident?!?! What a shame. I tell you what, I've been wanting to slap the shit out a reporter since the day they glorified the wrong crap in another article years ago. It's a shame what they have to do to get to the top.
I doubt the local media would have portrayed the incident exactly the same had a couple of the roles been reversed. It's really a sad reality. I hope that everything works out as it should, for once.
Nina~I'm sure you're right...I hope it does as well, things look good so far.
The article was actually written as the result of my cousin's death (and her kids). It was a bad period in the family and the article decided to rip into my grandmother and my uncle's childrearing abilities.
It wasn't a good time.
tera, so sorry about all of this! the whole "private club" thing just makes it a bigger mess, i'm sure. sigh. you've had a rough year.
Gyuss~My sentiments exactly.
That's awful.
dmarks~Absolutely
Oh, and pardon my manners...WELCOME TO P&P DMARKS! I hope you come back soon :)
You should write a letter to the editor of any paper nearby. That's all I have..
Susan~The thought crossed my mind...I'm going to see how it pans out in preliminary court hearings.
He sounds like a great and wonderful man, Lil D's father that is. I am a single parent, but no mother around for my son or daughter in the house
Torrance~It has taken him some learning and growing...I just hope this big mess all works out.
Sorry to hear about that. Good luck with the preceedings and ramifications.
As far as the question, I don't know all of the details, but if the situation was reversed, I believe the "mob" would have been in quite a bit of trouble, while the guy with the knife would have been portrayed as a hero. Well, maybe not a hero, but someone who was utilizing self defense. I try not to make it about race, but it is what it is.
That sucks. My heart goes out to you.
mp1~Welcome!!! You're absolutely right.
Cyber~Thanks
if the majority was the minority people would stil be talking about it and things would play out much different self defense!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so sorry to hear that all this is happening. It may very well have turned out differently if things had been reversed. Such a shame. We still have a long way to go in this country.
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