This is Jamil Antoine, a great fighter and motivator of Haitian descent who fought out of Starrett City in Brownsville, Brooklyn and Syracuse, NY. Jamil was one of the first people who introduced me to boxing. We met in a Latin American Literature class for advanced Spanish speakers at Columbia University in 1999, the perfect juxtaposition to our boxing craft. Balance is key in life. Our mutual love for boxing united us then and we continue to be training partners 20+ years later. We get younger every day champ!
One Foot in the Ring, the Other in the Streets
No transaction was foreign to the boxing gym. There were dope dealers, arms dealers, pimps and other wheelers and dealers. A boxer uses a big duffle bag to transport his gloves, head gear and equipment. A Golden Gloves finalist, Fetti Bass packed automatic weapons in his bag underneath his training gear. It was the perfect place for a transaction. Boxing gyms were holy grounds. The locker rooms were off limits to outsiders. Even police respected them. Alongside churches, they were the only place a young Black or Brown man was unlikely to be stopped and frisked. I’ll never forget going to change in the upstairs locker room and getting a wink from Fetti as he sold heavy weapons. He gave me a little wink and I laced up my sneakers, keeping my mouth shut and my eyes from wandering too far.
Break-In City
Parking your car near the gym is risky business. Twice I came out to find my car stolen. Over the course of years, I lost track of how many break-ins occurred. There were at least fifteen. It got to the point where I did not even tell my friends someone smashed my car windows out because they were sick of hearing about it.
Harold “the Hulk” Haynes had just returned from his second tour in Afghanistan, where he continued to train as a boxer and wrestler with a team of Hawaiian and other native fighters. One evening, he came out of the gym to find his pride and joy — his Toyota Highlander — destroyed. Everything that could be sold in Hunts Point was gone; the culprit took a knife and gutted the seats out. Walking in circles, irate, the Hulk said he left one battle field only to return to another. I remember when the police showed up two hours later, the Hulk filled out the report, screaming at them as he paced around. The average-size police were afraid the Afghan vet was going to take his pain out on them.
The conspiracy theorists alleged that the Hunts Point glass companies were intentionally breaking car windows to generate more business. The local mechanic Hipolito and his crew was on a first name basis with many of us. One July 4th weekend, someone broke into thirty five vehicles in a row. Grand Master Flash’s iconic lyrics “Broken class everywhere, people pissin’ in the stairs like they just don’t care,” were still relevant three decades later. There was a Christmas eve when someone vandalized an entire line of cars. New Year’s Eve witnessed its own casualties. Was any day sacred in this neck of the woods?
One sweltering summer day, I came out of the gym on Westchester Ave. and walked towards my Jeep Cherokee, nicknamed “the Death Trap” because of the poor condition it was in. Five undercover cops hovered over a man who was shirtless and in handcuffs. His face was kissing the concrete in front of my hooptie. I saw my back-up red Ringside gloves, grey mitts and weighted jump rope strewn across the street. A police officer had his knee in the man’s lower back. I approached to explain that he had broken into my car and those were my gloves. I ignored the police and leaned down to angle my face so that it was perpendicular to the thief’s face. I made eye contact with him. I asked why he stole my stuff. He begged me: “Por favor, It wasn’t me. It was someone dressed all in white.” The police grew impatient, telling me I had to go with them to the 40th precinct to press charges.
I continued to talk to the man underneath their knees and batons. Within minutes, his story shifted. The updated version was: “I know the little blanquito (light-skinned) guy dressed in black who stole your stuff.” What I was really after was my car radio that was yanked out a few weeks before. Realizing this was going nowhere, I collected my stuff. The police raised their voices at me asking me why I was not going with them.
As I stormed off, I responded:
“He is in obvious trouble. He doesn’t need a jail cell. He needs rehabilitation. Earn your salary by helping people, not just locking them up in unforgiving dungeons. Let him go. Get a real, productive job.”
They yelled back at me, looking at me as if they had the wrong guy under their batons. I scurried back into the gym. I needed a second go at the pads and heavy bag.
Hood Tours
Some friends visiting from Albuquerque wanted a tour of the South Bronx. Myself and a fighter named Jim Jack rolled down 1 4 9 to show them around. The timing was impeccable. As soon as they arrived, three police cars drove up on the sidewalk of 149th St. — nearly running over the local vendors — to corner a lone Black teenager. The police wailed away with their batons and hurled him up against the closed gate of an electronics store. My friend was in disbelief. “Yo look at that.” He started to film. Jim Jack rolled by the accident slowly commenting:
“Film away brother. You better keep your iPhone out because this is all day. Every day.”
Another visitor from St. Petersburg looked around on 3rd Ave. and remarked “I don’t think I have ever seen this many human beings in my entire life.”
Walking from the gym to the 2 or 5 train, the fighter traversed a labyrinth of hustlers and addicts. These corners hosted one of the highest concentrations of addiction in the U.S. Slumped-over zombies nodded in and out of reality, hoping to wake up far away from their pain. What a paradoxical image alongside our protagonists who were sculpted of steel and courage! There is a thin line separating grace and disgrace.
After his son was shot dead by the police in Chicago, Old Red nosedived back into the abyss of self-mutilation. Nicknamed Red because of his light skinned Puerto Rican complexion, he was bilingual; he spoke Boricua and survival, the language of a street-smart, agile fighter.
When the boxing hustle did not work out for him, he went back to the only other life he knew. Strapped for cash to pay for his next hit, he and his partner Tina begged on the trains. Tina put a pillow under her stomach to feign pregnancy and dragged an oxygen tank behind her, with a tube connected to her nose. They sustained their lifestyle for decades this way. When fighters bumped into the-once-quicker-than-lightening, Ol’ Red, they put their hoods on and buried their heads in their laps. They preferred to remember the former legend effortlessly prancing under punches, than to be face to face with what he had become.
In the “Rat’s Nest” with my son Ernesto, Kealim from County Down in the Occupied Six Counties in the north of Ireland and Kingo, a Puerto Rican Olympic Champion. “Ping Pong Ping Pong!” Big Kingo is a great motivator, trainer and man. Te quiero hermano.
Did your friend ever come out of jail???
Must of have been very hard going to a gym where you only have a small spot that you own talking about how dirty the gym if it was me i wont even want to go. Expecially with debbies attitude every single day .
Michelle santana
What’s interesting about the article is that I only live a block away from johns boxing gym, Mott haven projects is where I grew up at, seeing and knowing what these neighborhood’s are about it doesn’t come to a surprise that there are people doped out on the corners cars getting broken into or people of color being harassed by police , but there is a surprise to your pals who’s never seen thus before, there were two people who you mentioned Smooth and pooda I happen to know and see these two dudes often as we all live in the same projects
Socializing seems tricky in this world!
The dedication it takes to be a boxer is admirable. The consistent training and in the conditions you were training out in shows your determination. Its sad that your friend Muggaboy had gotten locked up. Even though his occupation wasn’t legal, he wasn’t given the opportunity to make it big in the boxing world. I liked the part when you were djing and the group at the party were closed minded to the song you were trying to play. You were trying to expose them to a different type of music and they called it “hillbilly” and “redneck” music. Then again you did get your opportunity to drop knowledge at your gym when the boxers were in a heated debate about the Black Panthers. It goes to show that knowledge is something that everyone should have even if someone thinks it isn’t necessarily your history or your background.
I can some what relate to the section “rats nest” I went through some kind of experience with rats in my friends dad mechanic shop. I love going there but I really hate seeing the rats eating all the food on the floor and jumping inside cars , it was disgusting . although I didn’t mind going there because we had a lot of good times there and memerioes so I never hesitate to go back.I can also relate to you when you said ” all I want is my peace in this my home away from home” , that’s how I feel about my aunts house that’s my peace full spot. Of course though I will always want to go to my real home after some point.
-brigette villanueva
It’s such a shame that we live in a world that we do not feel protected by police but have the “us against them”. It’s sad that so many young men in urban areas are victimized by the people who vowed to protect them
it is so interesting knowing that every time I am in class, I am not learning to pass an exam, I am learning to pass a higher mental level where I can realize how is the real life outside. I like the paragraph where you say that “a young man has more chance to go to the prission than getting a graduation high school’ and its totally true because if you have a parents with low income they would have to being working more than 12 hours per day, they even have more than 1 job but they would not haven time for their children, and in this moment is when the children decide to do “bad things,” the parents are not really taking care of their children’s education. In the other hand we have the “rich people” who have almost everything, why this difference have to exist? it is a good question with a hard answer maybe all I can say its that the government don’t give a solution, they make things worst
Good read, but when I landed And you saw the Facebook message about muggaboy being locked up what ran through your mind, how did you feel?
It’s crazy to think that something that is seen as being a prestigious job nowadays was at some point one of the most hated professions not too long ago. Though we still have people who do not care for the police because of all the latest incidents ;we still have people that worship the ground they walk on. I think it’s great that despite the area you are still able to bring positive things and show that there are other options than to be on the street.
Every time I finish reading one of your articles I stay in disbelief. I didn’t believe nor never opened my eyes to really believe in what society we are living in. It’s amazing how “police” suppose to protect but they choose on what they actually wanna protect. I do believe the “American dream” is living in the white world we live in now
It is something that we would never want to happen to us but it is sad that we have the police locking people up.What happen to your car is something that we see much to often in the streets of NYC. That conspiracy of of the broken window effect is something that plays a big part in what happen with 20 people in a roul having their windows bashed in. When people show area is unsafe even for your car, it pushes people away. Like for example my friend June a 46 year old man in front of Key Club by Boston Road was shot in the head and few other times. No one is really going to Key Club so late, so the money has gone down but the neighborhood is and has always been bad. See the thing with crime is that we never know when someone we love will be victim of its punishment. So cops can’t always help, all they do is bull shit there way out of one more report off their desk. So people will always find a way to do crime, Red your friend is not a lost case some day i hope he will find a way out. My biggest worry is about my friend June’s son he is handicapped and can’t work for himself. who will take care of him now.
After reading your blog about coming up as a boxer in the Bronx, I realized that it was more about the relationships you cultivated and experiences you had in the community than it was about boxing. I’ve never boxed or been to a boxing gym but I was born and raised in the Bronx and many of your experiences resonate with me. My car has been broken into on more than one occasion. It is refreshing to read how you handled the situation and how you continue to see the best in the community in spite of its problems.
Typical South Bronx day, the rugged cops who spoil the atmosphere with vengeance too belittle the minority public to socially distraction them from economic change. overwhelming so these men manage to overcome these harsh reality of the police.
It is really sad that the story of your friend Muggaboy who was locked up, but what is more shameful is that the reality he lives now is the reality of hundredths of young men in the South Bronx , and that the ones that are supposed to protect us and judge us with equality and fairness are the ones that are stopping the growth of the youth and also doing the total opposite of what is supposedly their mission. one thing that upsets me a lot is to see how many people actually portray this country as an equal, fair and justice place but that is no the reality lived by the people here at all and it makes me really sad that these type of stories aren’t shared more often because they can help to unfold the lies that many times we been told.
Danger is in everywhere but the bronx is unique because there are not a safe place in this city. The Bronx is one of the most dangerous cities in United State, therefore, does not impress me to see too many crime, I even been victim of the delinquency that occur every single day in the bronx. Many people from other country might think that the bronx is the worst place to live but actually is not 100% true because most of its people are good people that does not do nothing wrong to no one, there are just a few that break the laws.
In my point of view Police officers are trained to be rude with minorities because every time I read something or I see something in the news police are attacking latinos and African-Americans like they are nobody. However don’t get me wrong there is a little percent of police that are willing to protect the citizen, but is hard to believe in someone that has done anything for the community when it comes to keep us save and they just attack us like there is no tomorrow. This is why we stereo type them and don’t show respect to them anymore.
The world we live in is so cruel & unfair. So many laws have been made & these so called rights we all have, but the injustice happens every single day. Are we really free? Has anything really changed? We are constantly conflicted with oppression. The NYPD harasses and interrogate young black men or any men of color the way they are treated still and how they are viewed is so wrong. The conditions that you trained under are terrible but yet it shows the motivation and love you grew for boxing but it didn’t stop you.. every bad thing you go through makes you want to fight even harder. It’s a shame that people have to be scared or worried after they park there car. Worried if they are still going to have a car when they wake up, concerned and having to take there belonging out of the car because it might not be there when they come back. There are so many terrible things that occur sometimes I feel in disbelief of how can this really be the world we live in.
In the beginning paragraph, I wouldn’t use “holy grounds” as a right term for boxing gyms after using the descriptions prior to the term. More like a safe haven for them so that way they can transact drugs and armory. Besides that, I can see that the experiences you have are unorthodox, but I can also infer that it’s just typical for things like that to happen in the South Bronx. Even the police are unfair, and whether there is evidence or not to show the truth about the guy cuffed up near your jeep, it doesn’t seem like they made any fair handling towards him.
They way you described The Bronx and the tourist visiting The Bronx is still very similar to today’s image of it. Many people don’t see The Bronx as a good place to tour but it all In people’s head, because i live in the bronx i know what is like to feel unsafe but at the same time that’s my “Hood” because i grew up here. Another thing that is still very present is police brutality in The Bronx, many people who live here know and have seen first hand police abusing colored people, immigrants and people that can’t defend themselves.
It seems the aim of the police in these neighborhood is to oppress these already oppressed young African-American or Latino men. It is indeed a shame to see the people who were appointed to protect and serve us are the ones bringing us down the most. It’s very unfortunate that most of these men barely stand a chance of survival based on the stereotypes that society has thrown upon them.
The South Bronx as that time is so crazy how they even allow people to enter the boxing center with weapons and drugs. The police officers shouldn’t jumped on any black people suck that they had to experienced that situation especially here visiting. The police officers always putting bad names for themselves. Its disturbing because i myself want to become a police officer hoping to make a Big change and difference.
Ol’red is a compelling story that you see way too often on the trains of New York City. We might see and judge people, but what we don’t know is who these people really are and what they have gone through.
At this point, this world of yours becomes familiar to me because it is the stereotypical Bronx that I had heard of on television and movies. Only living in New York for a few years, your stories have become apart of the “normal” for me as well, but it is still rather saddening to think of how hard one’s life must be to turn to drugs and begging strangers like Red did. The tours of hood that you gave somewhat bothered me because I noticed that it is a tourist “attraction” in the Bronx and Harlem, as if Black and Spanish people’s daily lives are nothing more than a zoo to outsiders.
It almost seems impossible to park a car in the Hunts Points area if people keep on robbing from people and damaging their cars, especially so many cars at once. I’ve lived in the Bronx all my life and have never experienced that many bad stuff. Reading this article kind of makes me appreciate the neighborhood I live in and did this happened during the day or at night?
Training on my wrestling is something I still love and do today, though injured I am, I coach with my original high school coach, teaching and guiding new young wrestlers to success, on and off the matt. The culture shock could be something when coming to NY, and especially here in the city where we are melting pot of diversity, the sad truth is our police are still are prejudice towards young black and brown youth and your friend to see this shows how much things in the Bronx today are still the same. Older fighters always deserve the most respect from younger fighters before them, we can find lessons and wisdom from older fighters that we can pass on to the next generation of fighters m. it isn’t a ideal life, fighting can be hard and very stressful you just don’t know what could happen in a fight and that anxiety never leaves before a fight.
It’s interesting how cops then displayed pretty much the same actions towards the ones they are suppose to protect. i also can’t believe after reading your articles how profound you are in so many areas of culture. I personally would have never been able to adjust to participate in a filthy gym.
That’s so crazy how your car got stolen and broken in to so m any times.sometimes police officers don’t want to loo at the bright side all they want to do is lock everyone up. It’s great you told them what you said, if it was someone else they would have for filled the police goal by taking someone else off the streets and pressing charges.
I found really brave how you responded to the police by saying they should get a “productive job.” This was really brave, and from what I know, it is telling the truth because they find much easier to just lock people up instead of finding out the reasons why the do certain things. I found that people recording scenes when they could help is not a surprising situation because social media shows us that many people are more interested in keeping their mouth shut (recording) instead of speaking up (doing something.)
It’s crazy to see how many stories you are related to. As I said I live by 3rd avenue and it’s sad to see all this people looking as zombies. I used to walk late nights by 149th and my heart go broken when I saw a couple with 2 kids carrying some clothes and a plastic bag, sleeping next to crackers on the streets.
Kudos to you, any individual would have gladly condemned the perpetrator and have sided with the Police and Praise their “Work Ethic”.
Our Black and Latino Brothers and Sisters are in dire need of help and reform, but instead we greet them with hand-cuffs and a jail cell.
The story you posed about Old Red is a story that is much too common to our society today. Many people are not given the opportunities to excel and to live a prosperous life as they need, and so they will either fall back into their self-destructive ways, or take up new, dangeous habits to sustain them. This is likely also the case for those committing all the acts of auto theft and vandalism: given nothing but trouble and systematic oppression by the government and the police, they do what they must to get by, however they must. It’s a sad state of affairs, to know that even in the year 2016, people (if not more, now) still are being forced to live this way.
I loved the line where you questioned what you and your friend were. You said, “Two litterateurs turned fighters? Or two hard-nosed kids turned into scholars?”. It makes me think of how some people question those who’ve made it to the top that come from rough backgrounds. They always have to bring up the negative side. Inspiring story though, professor.
It’s weird reading and hearing stories about the Bronx. I live and grew up in the Bronx and I haven’t really experienced half of what you wrote about. I grew up very close to the Irish village in Yonkers and the stories I hear about the South Bronx seem like something from a movie. Reading all three parts left with some questions like did you find out what happen to the guy who got arrested for breaking into your car? And after finding out the guy you had a boxing match with was a serial rapist, how did that affect you? Did you regret fight him?
I have always had an interest of wanting to be a police officer but reading this showed me how some people are beginning to see them. They are no longer seen as people that can protect rather hurt us, which is very sad to perceive. It is an everyday thing that occurs without anyone doing anything towards it. Many officers seem to not have the proper training to be working like they do.Very few are out there to actually protect the community from harm. It was also significant learning about the dedication you have towards boxing. It showed the community that you are surrounded in and the experiences you been through which was delightful,besides from training in the conditions that were mentioned.
There are many dangerous things that happen in the Bronx and among those things minorities are the ones being affected by it. Having to experience being robbed I feel that you handled things in a good form. I agree with the statement made about the police and their way of taking action. I believe that their should be other alternatives made when dealing with young adults actions. Regards to boxing people seem to feel protected in that particular environment because they don’t feel targeted by the police or the outside streets. They find boxing as a way to escape their personal problems. Although the conditions and encounters you faced were unpleasant you still manage to use that energy in the ring in a healthy way. Boxing shouldn’t be taken advantage of instead it should save a person from getting into trouble but not all choose to change the paths they walk on.
It is incredible how so much violence on the streets is encountered. Rather than the police helping to create a solution for the community, they lock everyone up. Then once they are let out, they find the sam hustle on the streets and feel forced to return to their old ways. While something like boxing helps people stay out of trouble, when reality settles, people do what they have to do to survive.
It sucks that the break in occur so often, that it just a normal thing that happens so much. Not many people know how to handle it very well, as you did because all you wanted to know was the reason why. Yes crimes do happen all the time. But sometimes there is a point that it becomes too much for a person. It gets hard to handle, sometimes you have to choose a safer bet. Sometimes doing what you love can have a cost to it.
Wow just wow. Standing up to police officers like the way you did telling them to get a “productive job” is really brave. Many individuals would not do that because of everything going on with the police officers now they would use excessive force not all but some. Many people would have pressed charges on the individual that stole your stuff but you didn’t you understood that he was troubled and could not help himself so you wanted people to help him and that is something that not everyone does.People do not stop to think why individuals do things like these they are always just worried about they selves and their belongs.
While reading this part of the story, I found interesting that to the individuals of the ring, they did not find strange when people would enter the gym with “secretive stuff” under their boxing gear. The boxing ring was not only as a source of throwing a few punches but also served as a ring for crime. One could be performing their boxing routine inside the gym, yet outside, one’s car could be broken into. Furthermore, the police pressuring at the idea to press charges toward the individual who was suspect of breaking into a car, makes one think like mentioned in the story, “He doesn’t need a jail cell. He needs rehabilitation.” To most in society, they might create judgement toward minority people who may look like “suspects” and might believe that the bed way to end crime would be by taking them to jail. However, a criminal who is put into an environment where violence is seen, like in prison, there first train of thought could be to fix their mistakes, while others might need more than a glance of their life. The rest of the people might need help, specifically rehabilitation. At the end, to strangers the hood and the boxing ring might be a fascinating moment to film, yet to others, the non-strangers, the hood is their home, where they do not see it as the “hood” but as their way of life.
Many of our neighborhoods have become places where people are constantly trying to survive. Places where certain individuals have to face challenges almost everyday. This is the result of how our society has been set up. This is unfortunate because certain systems that have been placed in our society tend to target some individuals. For instance the system of the police department in which most times their actions are not helpful, if not destructive to these individuals. Moreover, it is important for communities to have places such as the boxing gym where people can come together. A place that people can work towards their goal, and become on outlet from the events that occurs in their neighborhood.
After reading the last part of this article, I understand that is not only about boxing in the Bronx but also about how hard it is to survive in that neighborhood. How unfair the system is to those who are lost and forgotten. It is easy to turn around and blame those who are less fortunate. This reminded me of an article that I recently read from Felipe Luciano, who narrated his life, growing up in Harlem as a poor Puerto Rican. Even though this happen in the Bronx I can associate the two tales and realize that this is part of this great America, and there is not a sweet American dream for all.
It is a good trait, that you never forgot where you came from and who was by your side from the beginning. It is also unbelievable to know that you are a great writer and scholar but also were focused on boxing. It is hard to accept the truth that locker-rooms were the only privacy people with color got. Poverty and greediness pushed people to break other peoples cars. what you said to the cops is something that all cops need to hear. You are absolutely right, nothing can be fixed by throwing people in jail cells as most don’t learn their lesson, for example the rapist who raped again even through he did a long period of jail time for the same particular reason. As I have learned this about boxing , you were able to take your anger out through boxing. I can’t even imagine that this kind of brutality from the cops goes on everyday in such neighborhoods. Police men just cause corruption instead of helping maintain the society. This world is so devastating. People are lost and want to escape from reality and their problems, so they do these drugs instead of fixing their situation. It is never the end to anything in this life for as long as you’re living. Sometimes life does it to us, we go through so much we tend to forget who we were or still are. The challenge is to keep pushing as things will get better, by being pessimistic and working hard. No one has it easy but that does not mean we go and beg for money and mercy from others. We have to all strive to be the best that we can possibly be. I believe us human’s have all failed to being united and to always be equal. In fact we are all equal, what separates us is not our skin color but our actions and believes.
After reading this article, it shows me that when a crime takes place it is important to first wonder why that person did what they did instead of automatically assuming the worse of people. For a lot of people in the world, things are not going right in their personal lives. Whether a person is having a rough time because they cannot afford something, are being treated wrongly by the people around them, or are just feeling down, they all need somewhere where they can release how they are feeling in a positive way. Boxing comes into the picture once again as a method for people to use in order to feel better. Just as you were able to use boxing as a way to positively deal with the anger you were feeling, so many other people are able to use this to do the same thing. Boxing becomes a safe place for people to deal with what’s wrong in their lives without worrying about being treated unfairly by the police.
This story allowed me to be more aware of how dangerous the Bronx is and the effect of these dangers on minorities. I believe that you handled the robbery well. I definitely agree with how you handled the situation. Additionally, the statement you made about how police deal with young adults really resonated with me. I believe that the police should change the way that they take action. Simply incarcerating people does not cause people to realize their wrongdoings, even the rapist in the article continued to rape regardless of his time in jail. Police are not protecting people or helping maintain corruption in society; they should be trained to treat people of all colors equally.
Although it must have been frustrating for those who had their car consistently broken into, I understand that the people who commit these crimes are doing it for survival. One can easily look down upon a drug dealer or thief for their acts, but fail to realize they need as much help as the people they are selling to. If more money was put into rehabilitation programs for those who are in or at risk for prison, as opposed to funding more and more prisons being built, people would get the help they need in terms of emotional support and career skills so they don’t feel like they need to commit crimes in order to make it another day. Police always seem to dwell in neighborhoods of the poor so they can find their next person of color to put in the jail system, but I’m sure if they were to begin stop and frisk operations in predominantly white neighborhoods or focus on the crimes in white collar professions, minorities wouldn’t feel so targeted and oppressed by the system.
The main attention in this part 3 tale is the part where shaw stands up the policeman. A man is robbing his car, not for the first time, it has happened numerous times before, but this time someone was caught redhanded. As he was leaving the gym he came across the policemen and the robber on the ground. As shaw approached them he asked the robber what happened. The robber said one thing and shifted to something else leaving the story to be fishy. The cops asked shaw to come down to the station to press charges but he said “This brother is in obvious trouble. He doesn’t need a jail cell. He needs rehabilitation. Earn your salary by helping people, not just locking them up in unforgiving dungeons. Get a real, productive job.” With much adrenaline rush inside shaw, he ran back into the gym and took on the pads and bag releasing his anger and stress on how idiotic the policemen can be. Yelling at someone because they refuse to press charges just goes to show policemen are only running after one thing; recognition. Why recognition? Because the more recognized they are in their precinct the more they’ll rank up, so they think it’s best to lock up and give written tickets for unnecessary things meanwhile they’re not doing their job as an honest person with a good heart. Having the guts to telling a police officer to find a productive real job really is intense to shout to an officer. Much respect for that especially during those harsh times.
As I read this section of the story, it surprised me how many members of the gym were not startled by the fact that some would come in who were suspicious. As one is training in the gym, someone could be committing a crime on the outside. I find it unbelievable how much crime in the streets happens. The best part is how the police rather than coming up with a way to help the community with this issue, they decide to incarcerate everybody. Since all they know is how to make money by hustling, once they are out they go back to their usual ways. In the end, boxing may save people from causing harm on the outside but it all comes down to what that individual does to obtain the necessities to live.
The authority has not changed over the years they are always looking for someone to arrest even if they are innocent to receive a raise or go up on rank. What Shaw did was amazing not a lot of people stand up to police officers, especially nowadays as we have seen deaths occur from police officers hands. Not complying with what the officers were asking was a failure as no charges were gonna be pressed. Taking people to jail instead of handing them a hand gives them a reason to come after the law, but this doesn’t only happen here in the Bronx this is world wide individuals have to notice that mistakes that we make affect our community and that is how our communities have gone to hell. I dislike the fact that Shaw’s friend took out his phone to record I understand it’s to show the world how the mistreatment of the authorities are but nowadays people record to put it up on social media and get a couple of likes, but do we really want to keep other entertained by others mistakes or abuse?
In part three of the article, it shows the time of environment that these boxers are around. One might ask if this environment makes them the boxer they portray themselves as ? With the authorities not progressing , and not trying to change a man’s life in a positive way we will go nowhere. Although the article talks only about the Bronx we must understand that this is happening all around the world. It also shows how dangerous our surrounding are with people stealing cars , breaking car windows , and stealing things like radios. We must be aware of our surroundings but also understand who are we to judge the person who committed this crime? There must be a reason that this person tried to do this crime and although it is not right we do not know what this person is going through.
After reading this article, I was astonished at the number of vehicles being vandalized. We live in such a cruel and corrupt society. I believe I can speak for many when I say: I’m not surprised to hear about police brutality anymore. It’s a shame how the ones who are supposed to protect our community, can’t do their jobs right but instead, they take advantage of it. It’s sad to say we often come across injustice in our own community, but we even more appalling to say that it has become something so consistent so we become accustomed.
“Oppressed people specialize in killing one another” I agree with this statement. Moving into a housing complex in the south Bronx I quickly realized the violence was overwhelming. It’s to the point that I refuse to even take my daughter to our neighborhood park because of a possible shoot out that seems to happen when everyone is having a good time. Although Parkinson’s Disease and other health problems may occur I believe programs such as boxing is a great way to keep young men out of the streets being violent.
As I read this article and the responses, I start to realize that so many people who are growing up in these “Hoods” see this injustice as the normal. Everyone sees vandalization, brutality, and racism as the normal. There is a higher chance of young people getting arrested then there is them graduating from High School. I agree because unfortunately, equality in this country has never existed, we have been just given the very few rights that we deserved. However, along with those rights, we have also received the brutal beatings that our ancestors have received. The only difference is that it was legal for the “authority” to beat our ancestors, and even though it is illegal for “authority” to beat their citizens, there is no justice for being done. The government likes to believe that jail cells are how people will be controlled, they are not looking to help but instead to tame.
Something that was rather interesting about this post was the term “ Hood Tours” I found this to be a bit degrading in the sense that when I also have friends that come out to visit they are begging to visit the “bad” parts of the city. Till this day it sill boggles my mind simply because this is not a museum but more so people lives. People live in these neighborhoods, kids that are trying to make it to the next day. It should not be something that is ever glorified.
About the part of “Break in the city”, I was little bit shocked, but at the same time some how understand the situation. I feel like people are trying to steal other people’s properties because they can’t earn money from some where else. Although cops are recording their history with full of criminal convictions numerous times, their behavior cycle will never change at the end. They will end up doing same mistakes that they don’t really want to make again. Indeed, it is hard to solve the problems because there will be another problems pop up every time previous problems are solved. Like a Möbius strip. I found very upset, but I really wish they were able to do more productive stuff rather than committing crimes endlessly.
Police brutality has been something that has been going on for decades. it is now that the rest of the world is witnessing that they are too in fact going through similar things. Boxing centers make a lot of money because they have all these individuals who live off the streets that will drop thousands of dollars like it is nothing. Think their money will be turned down? NEVER. These owners know exactly which areas to target but unfortunately so do thieves and robbers. Everyone is trying to make a living whether it is legally or illegally.
As I read on, what resonated with me was how being in the hood and witnessing all the crime can be perceived as usual, nothing more than a regular afternoon shenanigan. How can people feel as this way of living is comfort, being at an environment where it’s okay and normal steal, to kill, to fight, to be surround by convicts and criminals. At this point they don’t live in fear because they have learn to accept it. It’s wrong, it sets up low exceptions for the youth, they won’t have the motivation to strive, to be better, they will just settle or fall short and become another statistic. How can education and hard work be valued if they are surrounded by people who have no ambition or drive to be someone important, to do something of importance with their time and lives.
They can’t just accept that for what it is. It’s okay if they all come together for a common goal in the gym, because that brings forth unity for that moment they are fighting but what’s going on outside is unjustifiable. We cant accept corruption and evil as a normality, we must fight against it. It’s devastating knowing this is our reality, that the events going in such as police brutality, school shootings, terrorist attacks etc is okay, cause it’s not okay, it’s not normal, is should not be happening so frequently. How will we keep our children safe and out crime? They see this and after time they are okay with it and next thing you know they are also behind the same acts. We cannot progress as a nation if things aren’t going to change. This is unfolding right before our eyes and we are being oblivious and passive which makes matters worse for ourselves and families.
“This brother is in obvious trouble. He doesn’t need a jail cell. He needs rehabilitation.” An all too common statement that is less heard than spoken. So many addicts fall victim to the rush they get from the drugs they abuse, and are unaware of who they become when they try to attain it. It is amazing the feats an addict will go to just to get another hit. It is even sadder how little help they are given to avoid the vicious cycle they live in. Many of us are oblivious as we walk by noticing a minority being taken down and handcuffed without knowing the possible addiction they have. Although there are centers to help these individuals, they are often forgotten with no family to support them like the boxers that can no longer face Ol Red instead of trying to get him into a rehab center to help him. A better system than “treat and release” is needed.
When people have power, they ultimately abuse it. Its the same for police officers, lawmakers and anyone else involved. Society sometimes praises us for doing such things and not getting caught.
I feel like there need to a center where boxer can go after their retirement, or a group where they can teach them after retirement so like the they can’t be one dimension.
Our society is broken, we don’t need jail. We need more rehab Center.
After reading this articles I fount it si interesting, but the part the I like was where he went down to ask the black men if he really took his things. Most all the time us like human don’t believe and others and always try to take the True from the polices. People need to be in others people shoes.
It was interesting to me that the boxing gym was a sort of refuge for many people despite some of the deplorable conditions. No matter who they were, or where they came from, everyone was on common ground there. All your problems and worries would disappear during their time there. It was sad to know that for some this would be there only escape. That some of them would end up either back in jail or dead.
This is real life situations that go on in the Bronx. Getting your car stolen numerous times and police not helping out makes you wonder who is really protecting you. And the thing I like about the boxing centers is that they people relieve stress and giving them something to do to keep them off the streets. But having weapons there is really not necessary because it gives out the wrong message. But overall the article reveals the truth behind boxing.
This is raw.it doesn’t sugar coat anything. Y ou speak the truth about the realities of the life you been through and grew up around. Showing that even when have been a victim of the horrors, you still can understand that people around you need help and not just to get tossed into jail. You never know who’s around you when you are in the boxing gym because people are just trying to escape from whatever life they have outside the gym. You didn’t even get a chance to judge your opponent because you both just need to fight because it was a necesitty
There has always been a fascination with people trying to understands what causes an individual to do the things that they when it comes to people trying to survive poverty and the excuses of why people commit horrible crimes. Obviously of course a large part of that has to do with the want and need to reduce crime, but Boxing brings a relief to some of the peoples realities that poverty brings . I like how the you still finds some good out of the bad in people
This article makes you think of the evils people do out in the world, they have no consideration for other peoples values, lifestyle, or possessions. These crack addicts, need the proper treatment to battle their demons with these harmful and dangerous drugs, instead of jail which they will soon return back to like a revolving door, they need the help instead.
We all know that they are certain sports that is not convenient to certain people no matter the time and effort they put in. Boxing is a difficult sport with an unknown underground which is the locker room that is becoming the transaction of drug dealers. Our city is now destroy due to those addiction to those drugs and for the police to help us they just put them in prison without no reason. Instead of constructing prison every where, rehabilitation centers will be the best.Get a “real and productive” that is the word that every cops should pose them selves each time they want to do their work
With the level of depravity seen in this community caused by an addiction of one sort or another. It is not surprising the number of times your car and others have been robbed and vandalized. It is a known fact that the police do not care about the well being of the people in neighborhoods like this or others, known as “the hood,” because to them we are the scum of society and they paint us all with one brush. They are quick to make an arrest because they have a quota to fill for the day and the quicker they can get it done, the better. So that they can go back to where the air is not so harsh and the people are easier to deal with. You have also enlightened me on the locker room happenings and the protection that it gives to its users. You have to live in the South Bronx to understand the happenings in the area, some outsiders will never get it as to why it is the way it is. Thanks again for sharing.
I cant believe the amount of times your car has gotten broken into, that’s crazy! I notice that a lot of the people you know in the boxing industries are pretty troubled. But I think I get it, boxing to them, seem as if it were a side hustle or just a hobby, I don’t thinks any of them were ever planning to make a career out of it. I can be wrong but just like other careers, to get to the top one must go through some obstacles and a career like boxing I can only imagine the type of obstacles one can come across.
The system is definitely corrupt and police brutality has been a target for centuries. Its sad to know that people had to utilize the gym as refuge to feel secure because injustice and criminalization continues to be a torment for the people. I guess the hood will always be the hood, but with unity we can make it a better place.
The car vandalism it’s still a very Hot Topic in the South Bronx I moved here over 5 years ago and still is certain parts of the of my block that you still can’t park for fear that someone will break into your car often some of my neighbors will send an email saying to come out and check your cars because some cars have been broken into. Since living here I have seen several cars with all for wheels stolen and the car lefted on crates, which is a practice that I thought that had been abandoned some time ago. Living in the South Bronx is just well known not to park your car in certain dark areas where there’s no buildings or possibly someone near to be able to hear the noise once the alarm goes off. When my car was broken into we didn’t even bother to make a police report as we know that the cops just takes hours to arrive so we just took the car up to Hunts Point to have the glass replaced. It’s funny that this article brings up the fact that Hunts Point profits off of the fact that these vehicles are being broken into as sometimes I’ll come out and a string of cars or glass are broken so I believe that this practice is still going on today.
Even when you’re on the 4 or 6 line going from Manhattan to the Bronx you see more homeless people that are on some sort of drug, have mental issues or passed out on a seat. Sometimes they get aggressive with passengers and you have to move to the other side of the train. The mayor or the governor still hasn’t addressed this issue of the homeless rate going up and finding a solution which is surprising. Vandalism still occurs in the South Bronx when cars are left in shady lonesome neighborhoods. Whatever is found ends up at a pawn shop, or sold to a nearby mechanic. You can look at it as a cycle just thief’s stealing from each others neighborhoods benefiting businesses profit off stolen merchandise only for that merchandise to be sold at a higher rate. For some people this type of lifestyle and environment is normal which makes it worst. Which leads to destruction to communities by theft, addicts and dealers. All three articles of your point of view in boxing were interesting because you really dont get a choice on the people who come towards your path and witnessing the struggles of other boxers. As well how the environment and social issues plays a factor in it.
Professor Shaw, your response to the cops is the absolute truth.. There are answers and solutions to these everyday problems that occur. Like the example of the guy steeling cars.. there’s a reason why this things are done. They do it for money so they can survive out there, feed their family or for there drug habits. These people need help such as rehabilitation programs, counseling, parenting programs and so on. But they things are done in this society is that a bandage is always put over the cut instead of letting if heal first. Unfortunately, because of the oppression and poverty of this society and they way this system run, they don’t now what to do. They become so immune to this everyday life that they actually think there’s no way out or that nothing better exist out there.
It always great to meet people, and make friend in real life. Your friend Jamil is a brave man. Lots of us are afraid of boxing. We can get our self knocked out by the opponent that we face in boxing. It’s kind of silly to sell weapons in the gym locker room. In my experience, I remembered in high school gym class locker room. When I had gym class in high school, I went to the locker room, where there wasn’t any security guard. I saw Spanish boys were smoking weed. That was silly to remember. It is so awful Professor. Shaw that your car got stolen twice, and destroyed, it makes me think of my country car. In my country Bangladesh. If I park my Outside on the street. Someone would steal the car right away. Because lot of people don’t have money to get what they need, and it is an easy target that your property can be stolen in Bangladesh. One thing I hate about cops is that they assault colored people. Black, Hispanic or other color people can be easy target for cops to brutal. Cops have been beating black, and Hispanic people for long time, due to the skin color and race.
You changed all the guys names in the article, but people who knows the scene and situations will start to put things together. How do you feel about that? The south Bronx is rough when it comes to violance and drugs, but can be beautiful as well. Sometimes you have to let friends go because they’re on drugs, but I wouldn’t judge them. They are very intelligent. Boxing life seems really rough it’s like another world. You don’t make good money unless you’re at the top, and it’s a mixed crowd of boxers, criminals and addicts, who have to fight each other for money. It’s the only life they know…..
It is difficult to imagine another revelation in this blog, but sure enough professor Shaw manages to shock and awe with this part of the blog as well. To learn that there was drug and gun peddling at a gym is a bit of a paradox, it is unbelievable while sort of expected. Just another example of how much the young fighters must endure for the love of their sport. The judgement is not on the guys who do the peddling, surely, they have their struggles as well, but more on the corrupt and oppressive system that continues to create these environments for the disenfranchised Hispanics and Blacks who only wish to survive and rise above humble beginnings.
I think that what you said to the police officers was very bold and true. It’s crazy that the police are supposed to protect us, and they end up being who we run from and worry about. If you aren’t making a situation better, you’re enabling it. When the police officer said, “Film away brother.You better keep your iPhone out because this is all day. Every day,” he wasn’t making the situation better. He was just making a mockery of the type of behavior that is causing society to downfall, and showing poor character. Where is the line drawn?
In my opinion, this post was an honest portrayal of what it takes to survive and the lengths that a person would go through to provide for themselves and their family. The break in incident was brutal because the police were aggressive to that person when they were already handcuffed. Often, people don’t want to steal but they are forced to in order to have something for their family. I felt that the response was justified because it happens everyday in the prison system. In the prison system, people are sent to serve life sentences for petty crimes instead of being in rehabilitation centers to help them get back on their feet. It’s the same for people who are homeless. In Old Red’s case, he’s forced to beg on the trains with his wife because that’s the only thing that’s left for him to do because he’s not a champion anymore. My mom’s friend and her husband live in a homeless shelter. They came to visit us once last year. She told us that they ride the trains and walk everywhere because they can’t stand being inside there. Also, that some of the people who are there are drug addicts or criminals.
I don’t think anything has changed in the South Bronnx at all. Its like you said you these men don’t need to be locked up and put away, they need help, and that’s why i think we continuously have these problems especially with the new generation all they know or may see is the street life and the consequence which is jail time. What if society took the time and really helped these people and got them help. That’s why I think boxing was and is big, because again the boxing gym is a place where a lot of stuff is done and feelings released. I think that what these young faces need now and days is a place to unwind and speak and let out what’s going on in their life. Reading your story Professor made me see boxing more in a deeper light, in a more positive way.
Like I said in the first part of this stories, I could continue stating the same about how gyms could offer a way out of many negative things to those who does not many options in the street, but seeing it the way that people is using them for dealing drugs and weapons, then there will be a little bit more to do about it. Like installing surveillance cameras in specific spaces and somebody who stay alert about anything wrong happening in the area. Also it will be needed to equip cars with alarm system and do not leave any values inside the car, just because that is something which could happen to any one, so we have to make things a little bit harder for those antisocial breaking in somebody else car.
Going to the 149, Melrose streets, and 3rd. Ave. interception, I will use the same expression of the visitor from St. Petersburg. I have never seen so many drug addicts, homeless and panhandlers in the same place and at the same time, that is something that really scares any newcomer to the area or is uncomfortable and disgusting to take any body to as a visitor in case we live around or near there, which is my case, now they are always blocking the way or simply has all of their furniture’s (garbage) all around the sidewalks. Usually police try to take them away of the sidewalk and the entire area, the get away for a few minutes, but come back as soon as they notice the police car is gone.
These articles basically sum up everything my father taught me about the boxing culture. My father loves boxing and was close with Mike Tyson when he began fighting. The boxing culture is nitty and gritty in the beginning as still can be once you make it. These articles are a true testimony to how the boxing culture really is.
its like you try to get away from the bad and the ugly yet it is every where and a little within everyone. I really like how you handled the situation with the cops because it is very true that instead of locking up people with petty crimes in a cage they should lock them up into programs that will help them become employed, less hungry and more determined to do positive things. some people cannot handle too much stress and anger so they begin to act out in ways that will get them in jail or 10 feet under ground. for me it seems embarrassing to have visitors so happy to be visit New York because its known as a beautiful place yet the first thing they see is poverty, drug abuse, drug dealers, and police brutality. I feel that it is also the peoples fault that the communities are as bad as they are because we do not come together as much as we should to make it a safer environment.
This third part focuses more on the environment around the boxing gym than the actual gym itself. The environment I believe is the most important aspect of boxing because the people that come into the gym are those that have been brought up and have experienced the challenges of their environment. The unforgiving and unrelenting nature of the cops. But on the flip side it seems almost necessary when you mention how many times cars have been broken into in the area. However just throwing the perpetrator in jail is obviously not helping the cause. there is a need of some sort of rehabilitation program and/or a program in which incarcerated people can assimilate back into society.
This article is again referring to oppression but this time in a different manner. Oppression by those who live under the same circumstances as some of theses boxers. I believe it’s this way because the outsiders to the boxing world see how these boxers rely on their sport as well as one another. We can see how this affects boxers as many times their cars are vandalized and are again oppressed by the police.
I live in the South Bronx, zip code 10459 which is exactly by Hunts Point Ave. Since I moved to here, I have experienced and heard awful situations in my neighborhood. From violence, police brutality to murders, as well as drugs use and dealers. Fortunately, today it is not as bad as it was ten years ago. But I dislike the fact that police men keep mistreating their recluses after they have been caught. You addressed to the police that the guy was obviously mentally challenge, and still they did not even second guessed on getting him lacked up. We usually judge people for being drug dealers or doing unlawful stuff. But most of us take mental illness for granted and do not take the time to get some help for these individuals who clearly cannot help themselves.
Sometimes the path of boxing could be very dangerous, and you don’t really know the people that you meet at the gym, at first it is risky because you don’t know for sure if they can change their personalities and impulses. those areas where these gyms are located at are dangerous, there you can find a lot of people trying to fool you. I know all the stories about the cars because I am from that area and I ‘ve heard stories on how the owners of the glass companies pay to some people to break the glasses of others so that they could get more clients and money. Not only the glass but I’ve also heard about the wheels of the cars and my aunt had an experience with it. This is how those people who want peace loss patients because they are looking for peace and they got robbed or something happens to their cars just like the guys who were in the army, with all the trauma that he may be had been through in war, he could had reacted another way like killing the people who did this to his car.
You would think that those who are going through almost the same difficulties would respect each other, but I guess not. The vandalism that occurred is disappointing, because I am guessing a lot of the men at the boxing gym were there trying to make some money to take care of their families. I find it pretty crazy, how it was so easy to just walk around with weapons like that and how the boxing gym was respected by the police. Weird how they get to choose the places they respect and don’t respect. Police will always do what they want and what is easier and better for themselves. This 3 part article was very interesting to learn the reality the men in a boxing ring face.
As to people comments and talks about the bronx i was always told the bronx was the worst borrow in New York City. This was not because of the people that live in it, but because of all the violence a brutality that went in there. I know these are old stories of when you were younger, but honestly police brutality and robbery still goes on today. They abuse of their power to get what they want and to let out their angers on certain civilians. The vandelism that goes on is also nothing new, stolen qnd broken cars are actually still very popular based on where you park ypur car and I’ve honestly heard some of my co-workers complain about it specifically in the bronx. But even though all of this occured around the gym, no one ever stopped going. These guys were dedicated and commited to going to make little money for their families. Its a bit hard to believe the gym was so respected by police, I would think it would be the opposite and cops will be popping up in that place all the time. I can relate to the drug dealers and police brutality, even though I dont live in the south bronx this happens in harlem too. But police will never change, their power will always be above us and its not surprising what the do because they are trained to “protect us” and defend themselves from any dangerous targets. They are always going to use that as an excuse to help them commit the murders they desire.
I get why so many people recruited to crime, especially back in the 90”s. I got to experience part of the poverty and violence as a very young kid in Brooklyn, therefore I have an understanding on why people commit certain acts. I just want to point out that I am not agreeing that it is okay to commit crimes, just that I understand it. It is true that incarceration does not fix the problem, it just puts on hold the problem. Rehabilitation seems like only a dream because big companies make it seem that way to keep the flow of profits that come with mass incarceration. We have to educate each other and wake us up from this stage of playing the oppressors game.Also I still can’t believe how many times your car was broken into! I kinda laughed. It’s alright though as long as no one got hurt. I think you were just being targetted by a certain individual. Once again thank you for sharing your experiences. Not only is it is a great way to learn more about you but also to relate to you.
This series really exposes the story behind the gloves, the different perspectives both negative and positive enables us to capture the reality of people participating in the sport.To many boxing creates a great outlet to discipline your mind, body, and soul. Boxing also has its downsides, it could also be a way to feel negatively entitled to feel like the world owes you something and can drag you to the wrong places.It is interesting to see that everyone has a story to tell. Much like the sport, the battle with oppression seems to always reach those who are destined to fall under the system.The issue is with oppression is that it continues into today’s age, where our children seem to be the ones to pay the price. They are growing up on streets that are no friend to them.If we want to see a different future that is where we begin teaching our children that they have the power to a brighter fuller future with opportunities beyond their reach.
It’s interesting to see the types of people who indulged in the world of boxing; heroin addicts, convicted criminals, etc because it shows that boxing, especially back in the day, was more than just a sport, but an entire subculture. Boxers who had just come off addiction, who grew up in poverty and have dealt with oppression first handedly, and who have even been surrounded by violence for most of their lives. There is also a notion that in certain areas “oppressed people specialize in killing one another”. I feel like if there is a constant wall between the rich and the poor, and that the government continues to show how much disregard they have for oppressed communities, they turn violent against one another. A young adult growing up in these oppressed communities are more likely to be arrested than to graduate high school. There is a sense of hopelessness within these communities, and for some boxers who came from these places, they manifest their anger and trauma into their craft when they step into the gym. It’s interesting to see boxing in this light because many people just see it as a sport and cheer on their favorite boxers, but there is a history behind it, an entire subculture to understand. Many of these people came from close to nothing, have come from dark backgrounds, and used boxing as a gateway to persevere, and instead of using violence on the streets, they do so in the gym and in the ring.
With part three, this goes to show of how not only people who viewed the individuals who lived in the projects, but the people who lived in there themselves. And I can see the similarities. Seeing that’s no opportunities, no values, no light on the other side of the tunnel. And that alone is a sad truth. But in reality, there are ways to get out of those situations. But sometimes it’s not that easy to begin with. I, myself felt like one of the lucky ones. Being a child from the 90s living in the Lower East Side which is known to be a Puerto Rican-esque type of neighborhood which is of course not diverse. A lot of people I know have taken the wrong paths. Some live in good lives now, and some don’t. For myself, both my parents didn’t finish their education due to having to provide for their families growing up. My mother dropped out of high school, whereas my father dropped out of the eighth grade in Puerto Rico before moving to the US in the 70s. in my mother’s side there are people who have been successful due to education or careers, but when it comes to my father’s side, I am the first to do college and still till this day. I know my parents are still and always will be proud of me all the way.
This blog post shows again more of the people that you have been with. It opens the mind of the reader of how cops have been the same throughout the years, it a never ending fight with the police. Ironically enough the post being about boxing, it wasn’t only the fighting in the ring that was happening, but the fighting to keep yourself alive, in front of the police, and sometimes just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The story of your car being stolen explains how the cops were quick to take this man to his knees without hearing the story first. If you had just accompanied the cops to the precinct maybe this man would have been arrested and taken in for maybe a crime he didn’t commit. This still holds true today with all the disasters that are happening, and the violence against Blacks by cops. The post helps relate the present with your past.
It is interesting to see how the world of boxing can be an escape from what is really a messed up world. The city is dangerous, this everyone knows. The severity of the danger is only made apparent though when someone experiences things firsthand. I agree that with the window break ins on cars, it was a deliberate move to promote business. Sadly, in our world we have people who will do anything to break down the people who are already down. One of our basic needs as humans is the need to survive, so when someone finds a subordinate person from them, they become an easy target. One of our basic wants as humans is to have power and establish dominance. It is easier to fight the man who already has nothing, then fight someone who has everything and the means to fight back fairly. This is why it is so important to remember what was said in part 2, about oppressed people killing each other. In such dangerous cities, it is easier for those who are already going through hardships to murder/fight those they see as a threat because they do not have the means to fight back in manners other than aggressive.
Have you ever heard of the saying “Fool me once, shame on you, Fool me twice, shame on me”? After your car was stolen the first time, it was time to walk to the gym, and leave the car behind, considering the break-ins and stealing in the neighborhood happened frequently.
“Break-In City”, people steal enough to sell and get them enough money for food or for a living, and during the experienced mentioned you learned there was something more to the situation than just bad behavior.
The sport of boxing also serves as a way to meet people that will impact your life. The things seen around the locker rooms show how impactful boxing could be. It is a way to get together with people from different nationalities and finding a way to coexist. The hustling going on around the boxing atmosphere and the violence reminds one of the oppression existing around the community. The boxing community represents hard times and just wanting to have a chance in life. All you need is a fair chance.
Reading part three, it made me realized that everyone deserves a second chance. It
is important not only to punish those who did wrong but also help them. Mass
incarceration in this country is expanding, most of the people in jail are either latinos or
blacks. They come from poor communities where the state doesn’t provide a good
This section brings out the natural truth on how life is and what we see around us, It is sad and bizarre to know how the people in this world is what makes the world go round. From police brutality, to drug dealing and the vandilization of vehicles, people start to question what is this world coming to. Cops arent doing their jobs the right way, there isn’t enough money being made in glass businesses, so individuals are going around like if its a 9-5 breaking car windows, and using something positive such as boxing bringing drugs into a gym where other selected individuals are trying prevail in life its sad.
I find it interesting that your first reaction to having your car broken into its to get down to the level of the men underneath the police officers grip and asking him why he stole your stuff instead of the typical response that a human being would have. Most people would automatically assume that he was guilty but you actually tried to give him a chance to explain why he had done what he had done. Too many people don’t have an escape from reality or way to express their frustrations. Also too many people get caught up in the glorification of boxing and the promise of getting to make it big time. Once they realized that dream may never come true, they lose the only good thing they had going for them. Others lose more then just faith but the exact thing that defines them. They may go back to old habits and addictions in search of the euphoria they had training in the gym.
Part three has some little dark side of the story of what was happening with Boxing and their weapon transaction and City thieves that were breaking cars windows so other company can generate more business, but there’s also a good side too, I like the part where Professor saved the guy from going to jail and told the authority what was right thing to do, you sure do have a good heart and the love for people, we need more people like you in this humanity. Thanks for sharing!
This was a very interesting read on your days in the boxing world. Fighting for a lot of young men is a way out or an escape from things they struggle with from day to day. I personally know a few people that have been boxing for years and the way they fight is incredible. I respect the amount of discipline and hard work boxers put into their craft. The negative to that is men who tend to box or fight in general are usually more aggressive with others. Whether it be slap boxing, pushing, or playing physically with others can be much for the ordinary person. A perfect example of this would be your friend Larceny. When you talked about “This is all I know” I agreed with that. People become so addicted to the sport that its apart of them and they cannot just walk away from it.
agree with your on your agrument regarding Police Officers. Every criminal has a reason to do the things they do. Sometimes they have no ther choice but to turn to crime and drugs. They have no support system or someone with the right values to lead them in the right direction and so they have no other choice. Especially, in the way society is formed with all the different social classes. It is not easy if you were not born with the right family values, a good stable economic status and living in a dangerous neighborhood. Sadly, not everyone can understand the struggles they can go through. The way this system is run and it is structured, there is still conflicts such as racism, poverty, and class systems that do not let everyone be equal. The exposure an individual gets is based on what they are surrounded with and who they surround themselves with.
This part of the article shows a different analysis of the every day life of a boxer at a gym. Many boxers lost their personal items by parking their cars near the street by the gym. Others also use the gym locker room as their holy ground for their own personal and dangerous activities since the locker room is beyond bond even to the cops. The argument about the police officers is a strong argument. The police officers always see a person of color as an interesting criminal to arrest. When ever they see a black person commting a crim, all they’re interest will focus on how to make an arrest in order for them to get that big bonus. i totally agreed with you when you told the police officer to “Ear his salary by helping people , not buy just locking the up in unforgiving dungeons”. If all police officers will take their time to understand the criminals they come across everyday instead of just focusing on making an arrest, I think most of the criminals will get the help that they need and will probably change their lives.
That would be a crazy conspiracy to think hunts point glass companies were smashing windows to consume business. It’s crazy but I can definitely see that happening, simply because hunts point is a terrible area to be around. It’s a very dangerous site when it comes to crimes. But knowing it was an individual who broke into your car and took your gloves and other belonging shows how messed up that neighborhood is. My pops used to work at a supermarket there and saw prostitution and people trying to rob his supermarket so I can relate. They need to provide more police officers to work in these messed up neighborhoods to make it a safer place.
In my childhood neighborhood, many vehicles were being vandalized for many months. I would hear the owners yelling, verbalizing their deflated feelings because the vandalism created an unplanned expense. I must agree with your conspiracy theory about Hunt Point Glass companies breaking car windows in order to generate business. Hipolito would pay drug junkies to break these car windows. Yet, Hiploito didn’t realize he was creating opportunities for these same junkies to steal car radios and other valuables from the car. The residents from my neighborhood would get suspicious because Hipolito would have his employees give out advertising flyers after the vandalism. Locally owned businesses had to create trust by practicing fair business transactions that would make people feel they were given a fair deal and not feel cheated. What Hipolito created was a feeling of mistrust and doubt, which made the residents in my neighborhood felt they were being cheated out of their hard-earned money.
This article is very interesting. While I was reading part of the article, or even when I read the title, makes me think that I always want to do boxing. I would like to do boxing as a sport, not as a job. In my opinion, this is a very interesting sport to do. When I see someone practicing boxing, it makes me to feel the emotion as if it was me the one that was practicing at that time. This article makes me to think of one of the dreams that I have, to do it in my free time. Also, this article, even though it only talk about boxing, but is connected to life. The connection that exist is that when you want something you should fight for it, and do all you can to obtain it. The professor, Danny Shaw, was in battle with gigans and he continue the battle. It was a battle he either lose or win. This is the same thing in life, you need to fight and prepared for battle. Each situation in life is like a battle with have to fight no matter who is our enemy. If we don’t swing, we will sank.
The mention of your long term Jamil is great, we all need to meet one great partner who can motivate us, who gets us and simply a great friend. The part of the article were you mention the truth behind the scenes in the boxing locker rooms is quite interesting. It makes completely sense for the escape of a young black or brown man to have. The boxing gym was all in all a safe place. Except in the portion of the article were you tend to refer to the many breaks outside the boxing gym and along in the neighborhood. I agree with the way you tried to handle the situation when you walked out of the gym and saw the gentlmen whom had stolen or “saw” the incident occur. I would have wanted to also just to get and find my things also. The way you responded to the officers was great! Hopefully the officers in uniform on that day took a bit from the words you shared with them and used them wisely for their future in their careers. The structure of the system is not built for us but built to set us apart and is against us. Hopefully, the incoming generation of officers can have a different perspective in our future communities.