The Illest Brother Claims Respect

Much has been written about that AC Transit bus fight so I won't grandstand, but I did want to share some thoughts. It's hardly surprising but always disheartening to see an event like this unleash all the message board hate. I'm not sure how one fight between two dumbasses tells you that it's OK to share how much you hate all black people. The message board haters are like those public restroom scrawlers; their crudely etched graffiti is always to your right and left but it's best to ignore it and look straight ahead at the stall door; or read a newspaper if you're lucky enough to have one. Anyhow, taking race out of it, it's clear that Epic Beard Man is crazy and the other guy ignored that fact.

Firstly, as much as everyone likes to make the argument that E.B.M. walked to the front of the bus after the initial verbal exchange, he was trying to stir shit up no question. One thing that remains unclear to me is who brought up the shoe shine first. I've heard from people that it was the black dude (Michael) and others that it was the white dude; but every video I've seen starts with E.B.M. saying "how much to spit shine these Stacey Adams? I've got a funeral to go to tomorrow." Did Michael comment that he needed a shoeshine? That's what I've been told but that seems highly unlikely.

Nextly, even if E.B.M. did bring up the shoeshine, everything about E.B.M. should have told Michael that he didn't wanna step to E.B.M. Clearly unstable and unafraid and with nothing to lose, E.B.M. would have scared off just about anyone else. Now, here's where I think race--or I should say circumstance or background--might have played a role; this is going to sound presumptuous coming from a middle-class white dude, but I think if you come from a hardscrabble neighborhood, it's important to not be publicly perceived as a punk. If you're seen as weak, you'll be eaten alive--and you're not certainly not claiming respect. That's where the title of this posting (one of my favorite Gang Starr songs) comes from. MIght makes right or survival of the fittest are two aphorisms you might be more familiar with.

Even taking the code of the streets into consideration, I think Michael was ready to let it go after E.B.M. went to the front of the bus and even after E.B.M. continued to mouth off; but once the instigating shit-talker, Lyanna Washington (the girl sitting next to Michael), chimed in and told him to go beat E.B.M.'s ass, all bets are off. I also just learned that Michael was drunk. Big development. Anyhow, when you see Michael approach E.B.M., it's clear he hasn't fully committed himself to the task at hand. Michael isn't a tough guy--he didn't want to fight but he felt like he had to, thanks to Lyanna. He throws a harmlessly half-hearted right jab at E.B.M. and the rangy 67-year-old immediately responds with a surprisingly accurate series of haymakers.

So there you have it. All of these factors taken as a whole you can see how that shit went down. Any other day Michael would've just put on the headphones and ignored him. Without the alcohol and Lyanna Washington it never would've happened. Not to discount personal responsibility, but I almost feel sorry for Michael. He ran into a perfect storm; and there's no rainbow at the end of this one; just Epic Beard Man waiting for you with his hardened knuckles--ready to teach some hard lessons.

Wow--turns out I did grandstand. Anyhow, be sure to check out Gang Starr's Daily Operation. One of the finest rap albums ever produced. Check this video of "Mass Appeal" (from another album)