It's weak to speak and blame somebody else
When you destroy yourself
First nothing's worse than a mother's pain
Of a son slain in Bensonhurst
Can't wait for the state to decide the fate
So this jam I dedicatePlaces with racist faces
Just an example of one of many cases
The Greek weekend speech I speak From a lesson learned in Virginia (Beach)
I don't smile in the line of fire I go wildin'
But it's on bass and drums even violins
Watcha do gitcha head ready
Instead of gettin' physically sweaty
When I get mad I put it down on a pad
Give ya somethin' that cha never had controllin'
Fear of high rollin'
God bless your soul and keep livin
'Never allowed, kickin' it loud
Droppin' a bomb
Brain game intellectual Vietnam
Move as a team
Never move alone
But Welcome to the Terrordome
1990 Public Enemy-Welcome to the Terrodome.
With all bullshit talk of a "post racial" America, I can tell you a lot of shit down here in the Old Dominion is still quite the same.
The above quote from Public Enemy references an incident that happened here at Virginia Beach in the summer of 1989. What use to be the Black Greek weekend down here, in the summer of 89' turned into a gestapo riot by the Virginia Police and National Guard. Prior to 89' the weekend event had been gaining momentum making it the East Coast destination for most Black college kids during Labor Day weekend.
On this particular year the crowed swelled so large that Atlantic Ave, which is the main drag on the beach, became a sidewalk. It became virtually impossible to contain everyone on the sidewalks so kids were walking in the streets. Instead of simply closing off the strip to traffic, VA Beach's' finest decided they were going to force everyone to stay on the sidewalk. What better way to do that then to beat the shit out of a few people with billy clubs to get the rest to fall in line? Well between the alcohol, the disrespect, and really no place else to go, many decided they were not gonna to take it. By the time everything was said in down there was a Phalanx of uniforms of brutality marching down Atlantic Ave and millions of dollars in damage to shops and property.
By the next year the festival had been neutered to the point you had to park and ride to the beach and there was a curfew for being in the street. Quite Ironically one of the main security precautions that year was to close not only Atlantic Ave but all traffic going to that main portions of the beach save residents and hotel guests. By the next year there was no more Greek Weekend in Va Beach.
By 95' City officials made a concerted effort to change the image of VA Beach into that of a family destination. Soon there were cops on damn near every corner and for good measure they began closing the city parking lots at 2:15am. One must understand that bars have to stop serving alcohol at 2am down here. Meaning you got 15 minutes to get in your car and get the fuck out of VA Beach. Ah! but as one attempts to leave the cops are lying in wait to pull folks over for DUI. Even better they undertook a policy of "cleaning" the streets at this very time as well. So imagine leaving the club, rushing to get your car before it gets towed, while being pelted by the water and debris from the street sweeper. That is why you will not find my ass down at the ocean front after dark. To further promote their "family friendly" environment no cursing signs were placed on poles on every block.
What did the police learn from all these incidents? Well there is currently and investigation into widespread use of racial epithets by VA Beach police when dealing with people of color. In fact one bar sued the city claiming the police and their tactics were driving their patrons away and destroying their business.
The same type thing is going on in the Granby St. downtown part of Norfolk. All the clubs have a no jersey, no boots, and no baggy clothes dress code. Which on its face seems fair. What they don't say is you can wear fucking ripped tennis shoes, a ball cap on backwards, and ripped jeans. Over the last eight years or so Norfolk's once fledgling downtown has had a resurgence. About three years ago two of the major clubs downtown clientele was becoming predominately black. Then bam! new dress codes. A Dj friend of mine was working in one of the clubs at the time and when management was discussing the new rules with them he commented "oh this must be the no nigga rule." Which it is!
Some anecdotel evidence. Me and my Wis went to one of the sports bars in downtown Norfolk. It was about 7PM, I was dressed in a Perry Ellis Sweater, Tommy Hilfiger blazer, brand new dark blue Levis Jeans and a fresh pair of construction Tims right out of the box. She, as usual, is looking fly in her jeans, Italian boots, and a black turtle neck. We step to the door, the bouncer ask for I.D.'s and before we can get them out, he looks at me and says "your not going to be able to come in here with those on" pointing at my feet. What, but there are chicks in their with damn near no clothes on, whiteboys with hats on backwards, and Chuck Taylor's with holes in them, are you fucking kidding me?!
I have also been turned away from places because of my dreads, in fact there was a club in VA Beach, that recently lost a lawsuit due to an admitted no dreads and no braids policy.
Anyway the picture at the top is part of my "Where I'm from" photo collection I'm working on, as well as my feelings toward VA beach as a whole, and the downtown Norfolk area.
The possibility of change is upon us but never let us forget old habits die hard.
Just prior to hitting send on this post I saw the cartoon that was in the NY Post today. For those who have an understanding of our long and sordid history in regards to race and oppression need no explanation. For those who will defend it, well, like I said, we are far from being anywhere near "post racial." If there is even such a thing. Let us also not forget that NY, yes NY, was once the largest slave holding territory in the "New World."
