#510. 'Brothers' Being Hassled in Akron

Words are important in the Black community. Take for instance the term “Brother”, a fine greeting that Black people toss around freely to describe an individual of close relation whom they feel a certain fondness with and admiration for.

The interesting early 2000 film Zoolander perfectly describes this phenomenon in a scene you can find here, when Derek Zoolander discusses the importance of the term “Brother” in the Black community:

“Rufus, Brint, and Meekus were like brothers to me. And when I say brother, I don't mean, like, an actual brother, but I mean it like the way black people use it. Which is more meaningful I think.”

Yes, the term “Brother” has a deep, almost religious connotation in the Black community that binds all Black people together in a battle against the nefarious MAN, for Black people have long been at war against their oppressors. This unnamed struggle would leave Henry V at a loss for words, for the Band of Brothers that induces people in their cars to their lock doors at the mere sight of them, exercise an incredible power over nearly 200 million Americans.

White people joke amongst themselves about inner-cities being dangerous and speak in code so as not to offend the true masters of the universe – Black people. White people – when they are prepared to make a politically incorrect statement – will always look around two or three times in the anxious hope a commissar of Hate Facts isn’t around to brand them a bigot.

It’s akin to crossing the road: look both ways before you get cross so you don’t get hit by a car, but when unloading a politically incorrect statement about Black people, white people always look around in a 360 degree radius to assiduously ascertain that no offending ears are present.

A new phrase that can be added the growing list of offensive statements white people can make towards Black people is, "watch what you're doing":

“A Kent State student is hospitalized in critical condition after a brutal attack that witnesses say was unprovoked.

Kent Police say 23-year-old Christopher Kernich was walking home on East Main Street with two friends early Sunday morning, when they were nearly run over by a car.

Witnesses say one of the students yelled to the driver "watch what you're doing".
Police say the car then pulled ahead of Chris Kernich and his friends, and two men, 20-year-old Ronald Kelly and 21-year-old Adrian Barker jumped out and began beating the three students.

Members of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity saw what was happening and tried to help Kernich and his friends.

Kent State Senior Shawn Mullins says "this kid ended up getting beaten up and then they started stomping him in the street and he was by himself really."

By the time the members of the fraternity got to Chris Kernich's side, he was laying in the street.

Mullins says "it didn't look like he was breathing whatsoever and his body was like limp so we had to physically pick up out of the street."

While a couple of the fraternity brothers summoned medical attention for Chris Kernich, the others kept Ronald Kelly and Adrian Barker from fleeing until Kent Police arrived.

But they almost ended up being victims themselves.

Shawn Mullins says "when we chased the kid off, they tried to hit us, the guy, he came out from the driveway over here somewhere and he tried to hit us with the car too."

Akron, Ohio again, the same place where it was decided that this is a Black world, now:

“It came after a family night of celebrating America and freedom with a fireworks show at Firestone Stadium. Marshall, his family and two friends were gathered outside a friend's home in South Akron.

Out of nowhere, the six were attacked by dozens of teenage boys, who shouted ''This is our world'' and ''This is a black world'' as they confronted Marshall and his family.”

Like the word “niggardly” and merely boarding a school bus in St. Louis, white people have been forewarned about the dangers of offending the palate of Black people, for the taste of white indifference toward Black people is a most indigestible fruit.

Many words exist that offend the auditory system of Black people, yet we are entering exciting new times when a phrase such as “watch what you’re doing” is the impetus for a Pier Six Brawl.

Of course, merely disagreeing with Black people is grounds for a swift punch to the face even if you’re a professor at Columbia. Avoiding a moving vehicle and admonishing the driver to “watch out” is hereby grounds for a pummeling henceforth.

We live in a Black world. To deny this is to brandish the laws of gravity a triviality.

Stuff Black People Don’t Like views Akron, Ohio as the epicenter for interesting activity that confirms the dispossession of the majority underway across the nation. It also views this as another example of SBPDL: ‘Brothers’ being hassled in Akron.

A Band of Brothers indeed.