South Wood, formerly known as San Suzi, was one of Richmond’s largest apartment complexes that’s located in the cold trenches of the city’s south side. In the mid 1990’s, my older brothers and a few of their childhood friends cofounded a brotherhood called N.I.C (Niggas-In-Corporated). Many of N.I.C’s members were teenage pretty boys whom were known as a local rap group. Despite their charitable contributions and helping me with my homework, they were allegedly linked to a long string of serious crimes, including homicide, shootings, assaults, drug trafficking, and gun trafficking.
My brothers’ gang was well established and respected throughout the city of Richmond, which was the then-murder capital of the entire country, and their influences extended beyond the Commonwealth of Virginia: Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee. I was the spoiled, baby brother of San Suzi’s most prominent gang leaders – and no one dared to piss off my brothers or their footsoldiers.
As the baby boy, of course, my mother, Mrs. Freda, who was like the neighborhood’s first lady, and my stepfather took expensive, hard strides to protect my best interests; whereas, I was sheltered away from most of my brothers’ reckless lifestyle.
“You can’t repeat bad habits in front of a child, yet not expect the child to adopt those patterns of malice behavior.” – Latif “La La” Torres-Robinson
One day I was kidding around with my little crew in the neighborhood. It was because of my brothers’ recognition why I had my own followers. We were minding our wannabe adult business, looking for spontaneous trouble to get into and chasing the girls. While we played around on the sidewalk, we stumbled upon an older mob. The mob, who was led by the neighborhood’s bully, was 3-4 years older than us. And although the bully’s popularity didn’t hold half the weight as my brothers’ reputation, the bully was feared by most of the boys and girls in my age bracket.
However, as I spoke up for a friend of mine, I got into a brief tussle with the kid bully. After the bully landed a punch on my friend’s jaw, I immediately intervened and pushed the bully despite his physical advantage. Everyone witnessing the altercation held their breaths, as they’d never seen a person oppose the bully. When I pushed him, taking him a little off of his balance, he adjusted quickly, yoked me up then slammed my back against the ground. By the time he tried to get on top of me, though, his entourage had stopped him. When I got up and wiped the dust off of my clothes, I read his expression clear: he wanted to fight. “I’ll be back!” was my promise before my crew and I pilled off to go and get my brothers.
Adversed experiences has taught me a lot. Obstacles shoot unpredictably at your life’s goals, so it’s exceptionally wise to never leave your kingdom without a vest on. Something inside me was on its high horse, waiting on a challenge of its power and capabilities.
Word travels fast. By the time my brother, JeMario, my friends and I scrolled in to the entrance of the parking lot (where the fight initiated), everyone and their grandparents were there.
“You’re gonna fight him!” were my brother’s words verbatim.
My heart skipped a beat; however, although the bully was bigger than me, I had no other choice but to fight him, and most importantly, I knew I had to win.
As all of the other kids and spectators formed a circle around us, I cleared my throat, and lifted up my chin and hands. I countered his attack with a hard right blow to his head. We began exchanging punches – he was fast but I was faster. I focused on moving forward, not stuck or stagnated. Once I got in my zone, it was a no-fly zone. Something took over me, something had erupted in me that I didn’t know was there: anger.
To many surprise I was on top of him, delivering lightening strikes to his face. “Yeah, La La!” people chanted. The crowd’s genuine voices filled with inspiration, joy, and freedom motivated my stamina, delegating me with a purpose far greater than my own. The only thought I had bumping around my head was: “I have to win!” Furthermore my puppy love crush was there, so I had even more of a reason to win. And I did.
From that day on, I always stood ten toes down for what ever I believed in. I was a quiet, observant person courtesy of my earlier childhood trauma. A lot of guys hated me growing up. I was one of those envied boys who had a lot of girls smiling from ear to ear. Females brought me a ton of trouble, even black eyes; however, I always stood on business (man time). Fellow boys thought because I was an angel face kid that I didn’t have any fight in me. They thought because of my somewhat privileged background that I wasn’t fit to survive in the streets. They thought because I was a clean cut boy that I wouldn’t get my hands dirty. Well they were wrong and literately caught off guard. If I thought I was right, or thought you were coming for me, you had better came correct. I was with all of the bs, and however you felt, good or bad, I matched your energy. It was on!
On a positive note, however, a bully was defeated by the brave hands of the least expected. Claiming justice for not only a vulnerable friend, but courageously standing up to, shedding blood for a future full of happiness and peace in my community and country. I have matured a lot, indeed, but the patriotism still flows thickly in my veins. I believe that no citizen should have to walk the streets of America in fear of his or her safety. The seeds of my country’s wealth, liberty, power, respect, and peace grew from the blood of those whom posed threats against us. If you try the U.S.A, you’re going to need the rest of the world; if you try me, you got to go through my community; and if you try my loved ones, you better be prepared for the American Gangsta. What bully?! #AG