Now on to scary business. . .
Per Marc Jacobson, "Ever think we'd go down in the history books?"
I mean have we truly folded into the American experience? The Irish did a la Kennedys, the Italians did too evident by their Godfather trilogies, and now us?
Ever since BET launched their second season of American Gangster -- I'm like whoa-- they really found more black folks lives to chronicle on television -- it's amazing and baffling all at the same time. Last season, "Mr. Untouchable" aka Leroy Barnes was featured on the series debut.
This season we have New York's Finest part deux: Frank Lucas.
BET gives love to B-more with Melvin Williams; and even Chocolate City (although 10 years from now we'll be calling it cafe au lait -- more about how that came about another day) gets some action too. So, D.C. has Rayful Edmonds III and the snipers???
I'm still debating whether I agree with the series assertion that the snipers are gangsters. BET's series features the D.C. snipers, which means the pair or more so John Muhammed could very well go down in the American lexicon as gangsters -- huh??
Hmmm. . . interesting if you ask me.
I have to admit to you all I'm already biased when it comes to my opinion on black folks being "American Gangsters" -- I'm like Whitney -- "hell to the naw". My whole outlook on those who dwell in the underground is more like American dummy, but that's just me. Folks who empathize with the underworld, tend to only consider them dummies when they get caught. In my mind a dummy is a dummy, there are no clauses.
The New York Magazine recently featured an interview moderated by Marc Jacobson, Lords of Dopetown. This article provides an exchange between Leroy Barnes and Frank Lucas -- its downright creepy if you ask me. The Harlem duo discuss street code of conduct, "the good ol' days", and their outlook on the new cats. Retrospectively, Barnes sounds very disturbed -- as if he understands now that his crime wasted his life. Au contraire, Lucas sounds like he is stone-cold chilling, assessed his past life and accepted it for what it's worth and is keeping it movin'.
"Ever think you'd go down in the history books?" will ring true some day for these guys. . .
Not sure what the verdict is on black folks being American Gangsters, but with an Academy Award winning actor (Denzel Washington) playing that very role, knowing his performance is sure to bring all the depth and drama needed to portray such role -- November 2nd may just change my mind.
Stay tuned. . .
Cheers,
Bellini
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