Hustling Backwards — Ronald R. Hanna

“There was a time when we didn't shoot one another, but kept arms to protect the family from outside forces: The Klan, other racists, the errant, drug-crazed criminal invading ones home. A time when ‘hustlers' were fathers, holding down a day job, doing some side work weekends, even nights, to make ends meet. When a conflict between two MEN was settled with hands, hands not so weak that they were unable to pull anything but a trigger.

“These were MEN, not punks; little boys in essence, who run for guns at the sign of any impending ‘beef.' The head-up fight was nothing to be ashamed of. If you lost, you respected someone with better hands. Nobody had to have your back. For if God/Allah doesn't have your back, all the .38s, 9mms, Uzis, or AK-47s cannot assure your future.

“Now the so-called hustlers are only filling cemeteries…and jails! While Congress reviews reports showing that the nation's prison/industrial complex is 29.4 percent more profitable than slavery, the descendents of slaves in Washington seem to possess a mentality which would make their ancestors cringe in shame. Millions DIED so you can reach some semblance of freedom today. Yet you've turned on one another, little bitches with so-called beefs, taking lives and giving yours over to a prison/industrial complex which, like slavery, only serves the rich.

“You modern-day ‘hustlers' really don't have a clue….”