1
00:00:04,637 --> 00:00:06,773
[***]
2
00:00:06,806 --> 00:00:09,542
NARRATOR:
Since I was the only black kid
at my school,
3
00:00:09,576 --> 00:00:11,578
I thought people stared at me
all the time
4
00:00:11,611 --> 00:00:13,646
because they were fascinated
with me.
5
00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:14,848
Check it out.
His skin.
6
00:00:14,881 --> 00:00:16,349
Was your hair
always like this?
7
00:00:16,383 --> 00:00:17,717
Do you know
Gary Coleman?
8
00:00:17,751 --> 00:00:19,652
[STUDENTS CHATTERING]
9
00:00:19,686 --> 00:00:22,589
NARRATOR:
But I found out they were
just scared of me.
10
00:00:22,622 --> 00:00:24,691
[LOCK CLICKS]
11
00:00:24,724 --> 00:00:28,361
NARRATOR:
She didn't come out of that
classroom for a whole week.
12
00:00:28,395 --> 00:00:31,231
Can you tell me
what's going on?
13
00:00:31,264 --> 00:00:33,833
There's a rumor
about the fight.
14
00:00:33,867 --> 00:00:36,603
NARRATOR:
I had a fight with Caruso,
the school bully.
15
00:00:36,636 --> 00:00:38,338
He beat me so bad,
I had to take
16
00:00:38,371 --> 00:00:39,639
the Underground Railroad
home.
17
00:00:39,673 --> 00:00:41,641
STUDENTS [CHANTING]:
Fight! Fight!
18
00:00:41,675 --> 00:00:44,444
NARRATOR:
But somehow that story
turned into this story:
19
00:00:44,477 --> 00:00:47,580
Chris hit him in the jaw
so hard, my tooth fell out.
20
00:00:47,614 --> 00:00:49,249
Chris knocked
Caruso's eye out,
21
00:00:49,282 --> 00:00:51,317
put it back,
and then knocked it out again.
22
00:00:51,351 --> 00:00:53,253
Chris beat the snot
out of him.
23
00:00:53,286 --> 00:00:55,655
You can check his nose!
No snot!
24
00:00:55,689 --> 00:00:58,191
Chris chased him home,
knocked out his family,
25
00:00:58,224 --> 00:00:59,726
then took their house.
26
00:00:59,759 --> 00:01:02,295
NARRATOR:
When a rumor like this
gets started,
27
00:01:02,328 --> 00:01:04,297
you never know where it's going
to end up.
28
00:01:04,330 --> 00:01:05,732
Are you sure about this?
29
00:01:05,765 --> 00:01:08,468
Yes, sir. After Chris kicked
his teeth out, he said,
30
00:01:08,501 --> 00:01:11,438
"And I better not see you
trying to smile, cracker."
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00:01:11,471 --> 00:01:12,605
Cracker...
32
00:01:12,639 --> 00:01:14,174
Yes, sir. Cracker.
33
00:01:14,207 --> 00:01:15,875
NARRATOR:
Dr. Raymond
was the principal,
34
00:01:15,909 --> 00:01:18,178
and the last thing I needed
was for him
35
00:01:18,211 --> 00:01:19,612
to think
I was making trouble.
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00:01:19,646 --> 00:01:21,214
Thanks, kid.
37
00:01:21,247 --> 00:01:22,716
NARRATOR:
That kid snitched so much,
38
00:01:22,749 --> 00:01:24,751
he made more money
than the teachers.
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00:01:24,784 --> 00:01:27,120
[***]
40
00:01:32,659 --> 00:01:35,729
* Aw, make it funky now
41
00:02:00,653 --> 00:02:02,589
[***]
42
00:02:03,757 --> 00:02:05,692
[HUMMING]
43
00:02:09,829 --> 00:02:11,231
Raise it up.
44
00:02:11,264 --> 00:02:12,932
Higher. Higher!
45
00:02:12,966 --> 00:02:15,835
Right there. That's good.
All right.
46
00:02:15,869 --> 00:02:19,572
NARRATOR:
My brother Drew loved karate,
and he didn't take lessons.
47
00:02:19,606 --> 00:02:22,375
All he had to do was see
somebody do something,
48
00:02:22,409 --> 00:02:23,777
and then he could copy it.
49
00:02:23,810 --> 00:02:26,312
Today, you'd call that
a music producer.
50
00:02:26,346 --> 00:02:28,548
[KARATE YELL]
51
00:02:29,883 --> 00:02:34,254
Chris! Breathe, breathe!
52
00:02:34,287 --> 00:02:36,423
Ah...
What are you doing?
53
00:02:36,456 --> 00:02:38,324
Practicing karate.
54
00:02:38,358 --> 00:02:40,293
What are you going
to do with karate?
55
00:02:40,326 --> 00:02:43,396
NARRATOR:
My father didn't see the reason
of learning anything
56
00:02:43,430 --> 00:02:45,565
that didn't get you a job.
57
00:02:51,504 --> 00:02:53,273
So how's school, Chris?
58
00:02:53,306 --> 00:02:56,276
You working on anthropology
or paleontology,
59
00:02:56,309 --> 00:02:58,278
something complicated, I bet.
60
00:02:58,311 --> 00:03:00,613
NARRATOR:
My mother thought I was
learning all kinds of things
61
00:03:00,647 --> 00:03:02,349
'cause I went
to a white school.
62
00:03:02,382 --> 00:03:03,850
Nope, it's just
regular arithmetic.
63
00:03:03,883 --> 00:03:06,586
Y'all hear that? White kids
are working on arithmetic.
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00:03:06,619 --> 00:03:08,855
Around here,
they're still doing math.
65
00:03:08,888 --> 00:03:12,425
NARRATOR:
My mother always thought bigger
words meant something better.
66
00:03:12,459 --> 00:03:13,960
Okay, say the blessing, baby.
67
00:03:13,993 --> 00:03:15,495
Where's the meat?
68
00:03:16,996 --> 00:03:18,465
We don't have any.
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00:03:18,498 --> 00:03:20,400
JULIUS:
Didn't you buy
some pork chops?
70
00:03:20,433 --> 00:03:22,302
No, that meat
was too expensive.
71
00:03:22,335 --> 00:03:26,373
JULIUS:
I know we got some canned Spam
or some Vienna sausage
72
00:03:26,406 --> 00:03:29,509
or bacon...
or beef jerky. Some...
73
00:03:29,542 --> 00:03:31,911
I mean, what kind of meal
is that without meat?
74
00:03:31,945 --> 00:03:33,480
It's a vegetarian meal.
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00:03:35,615 --> 00:03:37,717
Do I look like
a vegetarian to you?
76
00:03:37,751 --> 00:03:39,452
I work 60 hours a week.
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00:03:39,486 --> 00:03:41,588
I lift papers and boxes
all night.
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00:03:41,621 --> 00:03:43,490
I don't want vegetables.
I need meat.
79
00:03:43,523 --> 00:03:45,492
Didn't you get paid today?
80
00:03:45,525 --> 00:03:47,494
I quit my job yesterday.
81
00:03:48,361 --> 00:03:50,030
Oh, I need you to be home
82
00:03:50,063 --> 00:03:51,398
early on Thursday
83
00:03:51,431 --> 00:03:53,066
so I can pick up
my check.
84
00:03:53,099 --> 00:03:54,601
How come you quit?
85
00:03:54,634 --> 00:03:56,903
They were disrespecting me,
Julius.
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00:03:56,936 --> 00:03:59,773
NARRATOR:
My father always
worked two jobs,
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00:03:59,806 --> 00:04:01,841
which made my mother
so comfortable,
88
00:04:01,875 --> 00:04:03,843
she'd quit her job
over anything.
89
00:04:03,877 --> 00:04:05,311
Check, please?
90
00:04:05,345 --> 00:04:06,613
NARRATOR:
And I mean anything.
91
00:04:06,646 --> 00:04:08,515
Now, do I look like I have
your check?
92
00:04:08,548 --> 00:04:10,450
All that hollering.
I don't need this.
93
00:04:10,483 --> 00:04:11,618
My husband has two jobs.
94
00:04:11,651 --> 00:04:13,386
I don't need to be here
right now.
95
00:04:13,420 --> 00:04:14,387
Hold my calls.
96
00:04:14,421 --> 00:04:15,889
Who are you hollering at?
97
00:04:15,922 --> 00:04:17,023
"Hold my calls."
98
00:04:17,057 --> 00:04:18,625
Hold your own damn call!
99
00:04:18,658 --> 00:04:20,727
I do not need this!
My man has two jobs!
100
00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,595
NARRATOR:
My mother seemed to always
101
00:04:22,629 --> 00:04:23,997
find work when she needed it,
102
00:04:24,030 --> 00:04:26,099
so my father didn't complain
that much.
103
00:04:26,132 --> 00:04:27,767
That's okay, baby.
104
00:04:27,801 --> 00:04:30,437
I guess all those other people
are just crazy.
105
00:04:32,038 --> 00:04:34,441
NARRATOR:
That look means
"I know I'm wrong,
106
00:04:34,474 --> 00:04:36,676
but I'll be damned
if I'll admit it."
107
00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:41,481
How about steak sauce?
108
00:04:41,514 --> 00:04:43,049
We got steak sauce?
109
00:04:43,083 --> 00:04:44,651
Hey, killer.
110
00:04:44,684 --> 00:04:47,687
[GRUNTING]
111
00:04:47,721 --> 00:04:48,688
Help me!
112
00:04:48,722 --> 00:04:51,458
I've heard what you've
been saying, Meadowlark.
113
00:04:51,491 --> 00:04:53,126
What? I haven't
been saying anything!
114
00:04:53,159 --> 00:04:55,762
You don't think I have enough
problems without people thinking
115
00:04:55,795 --> 00:04:58,431
I'm going around stomping
other people's teeth out?
116
00:04:58,465 --> 00:05:00,500
Do I need that?
Then who's been saying it then?
117
00:05:00,533 --> 00:05:04,471
NARRATOR:
There's "Got your back" guys,
and "I'll be back" guys.
118
00:05:04,504 --> 00:05:06,072
CHRIS:
Greg!
119
00:05:06,106 --> 00:05:09,642
NARRATOR:
Greg was a "I'm running
like a bitch" guy.
120
00:05:13,146 --> 00:05:15,849
You two,
in my office now.
121
00:05:15,882 --> 00:05:17,851
[BANGING]
122
00:05:17,884 --> 00:05:20,687
NARRATOR:
Dr. Raymond hated his job
123
00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:22,589
because he didn't
get paid enough.
124
00:05:22,622 --> 00:05:25,158
[DISCO SONG PLAYING]
125
00:05:25,191 --> 00:05:28,595
NARRATOR:
So he blew off steam
by dancing the nights away
126
00:05:28,628 --> 00:05:31,364
with a few close friends.
127
00:05:37,937 --> 00:05:39,572
[***]
128
00:05:39,606 --> 00:05:42,676
You think I like calling you
into my office?
129
00:05:46,146 --> 00:05:48,615
That's not
a rhetorical question.
130
00:05:48,648 --> 00:05:50,016
What's a rhetorical question?
131
00:05:50,050 --> 00:05:51,818
It's a question
that doesn't need an answer
132
00:05:51,851 --> 00:05:53,620
because you already know
the answer when you ask it.
133
00:05:53,653 --> 00:05:55,889
Who asked you?
Exactly.
134
00:05:59,459 --> 00:06:00,827
Now let me be clear.
135
00:06:00,860 --> 00:06:03,129
If I have any more trouble
from either of you,
136
00:06:03,163 --> 00:06:05,031
you're going to detention.
137
00:06:05,065 --> 00:06:07,667
NARRATOR:
Detention was a step up
from my old school.
138
00:06:07,701 --> 00:06:09,969
In my old school,
if you did something wrong,
139
00:06:10,003 --> 00:06:11,538
you had to fight the principal.
140
00:06:11,571 --> 00:06:13,006
You want to fight so bad?
Fight me!
141
00:06:13,039 --> 00:06:15,975
I ain't scared of you!
Well, bring it! Bring it!
142
00:06:16,009 --> 00:06:18,044
Oh, no, you didn't!
You, you, you--
Come on!
143
00:06:18,078 --> 00:06:19,879
NARRATOR:
You should have seen
what happened
144
00:06:19,913 --> 00:06:21,514
when he tried to suspend her.
145
00:06:21,548 --> 00:06:23,850
Why am I in trouble?
You heard.
146
00:06:23,883 --> 00:06:25,485
He beat me up.
147
00:06:25,518 --> 00:06:26,753
No, I didn't.
148
00:06:26,786 --> 00:06:28,755
And he called me
a white cracker.
149
00:06:28,788 --> 00:06:31,157
NARRATOR:
Can you believe this cracker?
150
00:06:31,191 --> 00:06:32,625
You got a point, son.
151
00:06:32,659 --> 00:06:35,428
Any more trouble,
that's detention.
152
00:06:36,663 --> 00:06:38,932
NARRATOR:
Ain't this about a bitch?
153
00:06:41,634 --> 00:06:43,603
What's this?
Meat.
154
00:06:43,636 --> 00:06:45,238
Fresh sausage links.
155
00:06:45,271 --> 00:06:47,040
I got a deal from the meat man.
156
00:06:47,073 --> 00:06:48,775
[***]
157
00:06:48,808 --> 00:06:50,643
NARRATOR:
In Bed-Stuy,
"getting a deal"
158
00:06:50,677 --> 00:06:53,046
meant you bought something
that was stolen.
159
00:06:53,079 --> 00:06:56,049
Now, everybody knew the stuff
was stolen, which was cool,
160
00:06:56,082 --> 00:06:59,552
as long as it wasn't stolen
from you.
161
00:06:59,586 --> 00:07:02,689
Hey! This is mine!
162
00:07:05,225 --> 00:07:07,027
MAN:
You better keep running, boy!
163
00:07:07,060 --> 00:07:09,195
Julius, look at all of this.
164
00:07:09,229 --> 00:07:12,966
We'll be eating sausage
every meal for a whole week.
165
00:07:12,999 --> 00:07:14,868
[SOFTLY]
If you hadn't quit your job,
166
00:07:14,901 --> 00:07:16,803
maybe we'd have variety.
Huh?
167
00:07:16,836 --> 00:07:20,206
Meat is good for society.
168
00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:22,108
[***]
169
00:07:22,142 --> 00:07:24,844
He said you
beat him up?
170
00:07:24,878 --> 00:07:27,681
Yeah, and I mean, like,
Raymond believed it.
171
00:07:27,714 --> 00:07:29,816
A hundred kids saw me
getting chased home.
172
00:07:29,849 --> 00:07:32,218
And now, everyone's
afraid of me.
173
00:07:32,252 --> 00:07:34,954
Caruso's already beaten
the heck out of me every day,
174
00:07:34,988 --> 00:07:36,956
and I can't even try
to defend myself
175
00:07:36,990 --> 00:07:39,059
without getting sent
to detention.
176
00:07:39,092 --> 00:07:40,860
You know, I can't take this.
177
00:07:40,894 --> 00:07:43,229
Well, why don't you
just punch him in the face?
178
00:07:43,263 --> 00:07:44,964
You did do it before.
179
00:07:44,998 --> 00:07:47,300
I didn't just walk up there
and pow, punch him in the face.
180
00:07:47,334 --> 00:07:48,735
I had a plan...
181
00:07:48,768 --> 00:07:50,637
which didn't include
getting beat down,
182
00:07:50,670 --> 00:07:52,305
chased home
and sent to detention.
183
00:07:52,339 --> 00:07:54,841
NARRATOR:
It was like I was getting
my ass kicked
184
00:07:54,874 --> 00:07:57,077
for getting my ass kicked.
185
00:07:57,110 --> 00:07:59,212
Back at home,
my mother was cooking.
186
00:07:59,245 --> 00:08:02,315
I never knew how many meals
you could make with sausage.
187
00:08:02,349 --> 00:08:04,017
Chicken-fried sausage,
188
00:08:04,050 --> 00:08:05,719
sausage on a stick,
189
00:08:05,752 --> 00:08:09,022
kung-pao sausage.
But there was only one problem.
190
00:08:09,055 --> 00:08:10,290
I hate sausage.
191
00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:12,726
Oh, come on, baby.
You haven't even tried it.
192
00:08:12,759 --> 00:08:14,861
That's 'cause
I hate sausage.
193
00:08:14,894 --> 00:08:16,329
NARRATOR:
That look means
194
00:08:16,363 --> 00:08:18,865
"There's a smack over here,
if you want it."
195
00:08:18,898 --> 00:08:21,568
Can she just eat
her vegetables?
196
00:08:21,601 --> 00:08:24,304
I thought vegetables
wasn't a meal.
197
00:08:25,839 --> 00:08:27,574
Now, I should send you
to Africa,
198
00:08:27,607 --> 00:08:29,275
since you don't want to eat.
199
00:08:29,309 --> 00:08:31,911
NARRATOR:
My mother could deal
with a lot of things,
200
00:08:31,945 --> 00:08:34,781
but a child who wouldn't eat
was not one of them.
201
00:08:34,814 --> 00:08:37,650
You're gonna sit there
until you eat that sausage.
202
00:08:39,252 --> 00:08:41,888
NARRATOR:
That look means
"I'm still thinking about
203
00:08:41,921 --> 00:08:44,124
knocking you
out of that chair."
204
00:08:49,062 --> 00:08:50,730
Go to bed, girl.
205
00:08:50,764 --> 00:08:53,233
NARRATOR:
People go to war
over a lot of things:
206
00:08:53,266 --> 00:08:58,805
oil, land, lies, but this one
started over sausage.
207
00:08:58,838 --> 00:09:01,274
[STUDENTS CHATTERING
INDISTINCTLY]
208
00:09:01,307 --> 00:09:03,643
[GRUNTS]
Jeez, what was that?
209
00:09:03,677 --> 00:09:06,980
NARRATOR:
At school, Caruso tortured me
every chance he got.
210
00:09:07,013 --> 00:09:08,014
A battery!
211
00:09:08,048 --> 00:09:10,884
A D.
They're packing heavy.
212
00:09:10,917 --> 00:09:11,918
[SNICKERING]
213
00:09:11,951 --> 00:09:13,386
Come on, man.
Let's just go.
214
00:09:13,420 --> 00:09:15,355
No, no!
215
00:09:16,690 --> 00:09:18,992
I'm getting tired of him.
216
00:09:19,025 --> 00:09:20,960
[***]
217
00:09:23,363 --> 00:09:25,365
Look out!
218
00:09:30,437 --> 00:09:33,373
NARRATOR:
If I'd have had a brick,
I'd have hit him.
219
00:09:36,710 --> 00:09:39,346
Maybe he didn't see
who threw it.
220
00:09:39,379 --> 00:09:42,716
Now, where were these guys
when Tupac got shot?
221
00:09:45,118 --> 00:09:49,923
* Everybody hates Chris
222
00:09:54,794 --> 00:09:57,330
NARRATOR:
After being beat down
and set up by Caruso,
223
00:09:57,364 --> 00:09:59,933
detention was about
the safest place I could be,
224
00:09:59,966 --> 00:10:01,434
as long I followed the rules.
225
00:10:01,468 --> 00:10:03,837
The rules are clearly posted.
I suggest you read them.
226
00:10:03,870 --> 00:10:06,206
NARRATOR:
The rules were simple:
you talk...
227
00:10:06,239 --> 00:10:07,841
Ten minutes of detention.
228
00:10:07,874 --> 00:10:10,110
NARRATOR:If you eat...
Ten minutes of detention.
229
00:10:10,143 --> 00:10:12,445
NARRATOR:If you sleep...
Ten minutes of detention.
230
00:10:12,479 --> 00:10:14,814
NARRATOR:
If you did anything
in detention
231
00:10:14,848 --> 00:10:16,449
other than sit down
and shut up...
232
00:10:16,483 --> 00:10:18,218
Ten minutes of detention.
233
00:10:18,251 --> 00:10:20,353
NARRATOR:
Since I was the new guy
in detention,
234
00:10:20,387 --> 00:10:23,890
everybody tried to get me
in more trouble.
235
00:10:23,923 --> 00:10:26,359
What?
Ten minutes.
236
00:10:26,393 --> 00:10:27,727
But for what?
237
00:10:27,761 --> 00:10:29,963
Twenty minutes.
238
00:10:29,996 --> 00:10:32,132
[SNICKERING]
239
00:10:35,502 --> 00:10:38,204
NARRATOR:
I didn't tell my mother
I was in detention,
240
00:10:38,238 --> 00:10:40,206
because then she'd come
up to school.
241
00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:43,176
And there's nothing worse
than a mad black woman
242
00:10:43,209 --> 00:10:44,878
at an all-white school.
243
00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:47,480
I thought I told you to be here
so I pick up my check.
244
00:10:47,514 --> 00:10:49,015
I missed my bus.
245
00:10:49,049 --> 00:10:51,451
What were you doing
that you missed your bus?
246
00:10:51,484 --> 00:10:53,720
Uh, I...
uh, I just forgot?
247
00:10:53,753 --> 00:10:56,423
Oh. So you forgot
to come home?
248
00:10:56,456 --> 00:11:00,060
NARRATOR:
I'll look pathetic
and she'll take pity.
249
00:11:00,093 --> 00:11:00,927
Uh-uh.
250
00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:03,496
What's this?
It's a bucket and a mop...
251
00:11:03,530 --> 00:11:04,998
for mopping.
252
00:11:05,031 --> 00:11:07,000
Do the steps,
the bathroom and the hall.
253
00:11:07,033 --> 00:11:09,869
This'll help you to remember
to get your butt home on time.
254
00:11:09,903 --> 00:11:12,138
I'm going to pick up my check.
255
00:11:12,172 --> 00:11:14,007
[***]
256
00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:17,143
NARRATOR:
After two days, Tanya hadn't
taken a bite of sausage.
257
00:11:17,177 --> 00:11:19,879
And after having it for
breakfast, lunch and dinner,
258
00:11:19,913 --> 00:11:21,748
she wasn't the only one
who hated it.
259
00:11:21,781 --> 00:11:25,285
Mm...mm!
Now, this is good.
260
00:11:25,318 --> 00:11:27,120
Isn't it good, baby?
261
00:11:29,189 --> 00:11:31,925
Yeah. Yeah, it's good.
262
00:11:31,958 --> 00:11:33,059
Mmm!
263
00:11:33,093 --> 00:11:36,162
It's better than those
sausage-o's we had this morning,
264
00:11:36,196 --> 00:11:37,397
I'll tell you that.
265
00:11:37,430 --> 00:11:40,767
Well, anybody
want some cake?
266
00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,135
Does it have sausage in it?
267
00:11:42,168 --> 00:11:44,037
NARRATOR:
We didn't usually have cake,
268
00:11:44,070 --> 00:11:46,039
but my mother was trying
to get at Tanya.
269
00:11:46,072 --> 00:11:48,441
Can I have some cake?
You can have some sausage.
270
00:11:48,475 --> 00:11:50,477
NARRATOR:
I told you.
271
00:11:52,345 --> 00:11:54,981
Sausage.
272
00:11:55,015 --> 00:11:58,251
NARRATOR:
Another day, another sausage.
273
00:11:58,284 --> 00:12:00,353
Look, Tonya, if you
don't want sausage,
274
00:12:00,387 --> 00:12:03,523
then you're probably better off
eating lunch at school, then.
275
00:12:03,556 --> 00:12:05,558
I hate school lunch.
276
00:12:05,592 --> 00:12:07,927
You want some sausage?
277
00:12:07,961 --> 00:12:10,296
Xie xie nin,Mama.
What?
278
00:12:10,330 --> 00:12:12,465
It's "Thank you, Mom"
in Chinese.
279
00:12:12,499 --> 00:12:15,335
NARRATOR:
When my brother got into
something, he got into it.
280
00:12:15,368 --> 00:12:19,005
You know, he's getting
Asian girls to this very day.
281
00:12:19,039 --> 00:12:21,474
ROCHELLE:
Eh! Chris. I didn't get
my check yesterday
282
00:12:21,508 --> 00:12:23,309
because I was late
getting over there.
283
00:12:23,343 --> 00:12:25,845
I need you to have
your behind home on time.
284
00:12:25,879 --> 00:12:28,515
Do you understand me, boy?
Yes, ma'am.
285
00:12:28,548 --> 00:12:30,116
How many days
did you get?
286
00:12:30,150 --> 00:12:31,384
Three.
287
00:12:31,418 --> 00:12:32,585
[BELL RINGS]
288
00:12:32,619 --> 00:12:33,987
Ooh, I better
get in there.
289
00:12:34,020 --> 00:12:35,822
I can't be late
getting home today.
290
00:12:35,855 --> 00:12:37,057
You're late.
Ten minutes.
291
00:12:37,090 --> 00:12:38,825
But I was right
outside the door.
292
00:12:38,858 --> 00:12:40,260
Outside is not inside.
20 minutes.
293
00:12:40,293 --> 00:12:42,328
But--
Would you like
to try for 30 minutes?
294
00:12:42,362 --> 00:12:44,364
NARRATOR:
I wonder how many
minutes I'd get
295
00:12:44,397 --> 00:12:47,133
for knocking her upside
the head with this book.
296
00:12:50,103 --> 00:12:53,340
Mom-- School-- But--
No! Eh! Don't!
297
00:12:53,373 --> 00:12:55,442
NARRATOR:
That look means,
"Get in this house
298
00:12:55,475 --> 00:12:58,545
before I smack the wax
out your ears."
299
00:13:00,547 --> 00:13:02,582
[***]
300
00:13:06,152 --> 00:13:09,956
Baby, just try it.
It's good.
301
00:13:18,631 --> 00:13:22,235
NARRATOR:
After a few days of sausage for
breakfast, lunch and dinner,
302
00:13:22,268 --> 00:13:25,138
would you believe my mother
started running out of ideas?
303
00:13:25,171 --> 00:13:28,208
Mmm! Sausage and Pop-Tarts.
304
00:13:35,582 --> 00:13:38,585
You're eating the sausage.
305
00:13:46,159 --> 00:13:47,927
Can I talk to you
for a minute?
306
00:13:50,563 --> 00:13:53,199
Well, excuse me, children.
307
00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:55,402
Your father would like
to talk to me.
308
00:13:57,570 --> 00:13:58,972
Let's talk.
309
00:14:02,542 --> 00:14:04,077
Baby, if she doesn't eat,
310
00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:05,578
they could call
child welfare on us.
311
00:14:05,612 --> 00:14:08,181
Mm-mm, Julius, that
little girl is testing me.
312
00:14:08,214 --> 00:14:10,450
If I let her tell me
what she will and won't eat,
313
00:14:10,483 --> 00:14:12,485
the next thing you know,
she'll be telling me
314
00:14:12,519 --> 00:14:14,020
what she will
and won't wear.
315
00:14:14,054 --> 00:14:15,255
Next thing you know,
she'll be telling me
316
00:14:15,288 --> 00:14:17,090
when she will
and won't come home!
317
00:14:17,123 --> 00:14:19,192
The next thing you know,
she's going to end up pregnant,
318
00:14:19,225 --> 00:14:21,327
and I ain't taking care
of no babies.
319
00:14:21,361 --> 00:14:24,197
NARRATOR:
My mother thought anything
that Tanya did wrong
320
00:14:24,230 --> 00:14:25,598
would eventually
get her pregnant.
321
00:14:25,632 --> 00:14:27,934
And she ain't taking care
of no babies.
322
00:14:27,967 --> 00:14:29,202
But it's been two days.
323
00:14:29,235 --> 00:14:31,071
Oh, Julius,
it's been three days.
324
00:14:31,104 --> 00:14:33,973
Right. Three days.
325
00:14:34,507 --> 00:14:36,643
[***]
326
00:14:40,246 --> 00:14:42,949
Did you feed
her something?
327
00:14:48,688 --> 00:14:50,223
Here's a peanut
butter sandwich.
328
00:14:50,256 --> 00:14:52,359
When your mama comes down,
talk to the side,
329
00:14:52,392 --> 00:14:54,027
so she can't smell
your breath.
330
00:14:54,060 --> 00:14:55,962
And eat the crust.
I don't like crust!
331
00:14:55,995 --> 00:14:57,630
[SOFTLY]
I don't like crust.
332
00:14:57,664 --> 00:15:00,433
Just eat it, girl.
333
00:15:00,467 --> 00:15:03,203
NARRATOR:
Would you believe my father
had to come back
334
00:15:03,236 --> 00:15:05,071
and finish the crust?
335
00:15:05,105 --> 00:15:07,073
I'm sorry, baby.
Julius!
336
00:15:07,107 --> 00:15:08,742
I understand
what you're trying to do.
337
00:15:08,775 --> 00:15:11,277
[SIGHS]
We can put her on punishment.
338
00:15:11,311 --> 00:15:12,412
Whatever.
339
00:15:12,445 --> 00:15:14,214
I mean...
But we have to feed her.
340
00:15:14,247 --> 00:15:17,384
The next time, why don't you
let somebody know
341
00:15:17,417 --> 00:15:20,653
before you buy
a whole crate of sausage?
342
00:15:20,687 --> 00:15:22,422
Thank you!
343
00:15:24,357 --> 00:15:26,760
[SOFTLY]
Next time why don't you
let somebody know
344
00:15:26,793 --> 00:15:28,261
when you quit your job?
345
00:15:29,029 --> 00:15:30,030
I'm sorry?
346
00:15:30,063 --> 00:15:31,564
Hey, uh...
347
00:15:31,598 --> 00:15:33,133
I-I was going tell you...
348
00:15:33,166 --> 00:15:35,101
I'm-I'm going to get
chicken next time.
349
00:15:35,135 --> 00:15:36,736
My man got some hook-up
on the chicken.
350
00:15:36,770 --> 00:15:39,272
NARRATOR:
Dr. Raymond pulled me
out of detention
351
00:15:39,305 --> 00:15:41,007
because he thought
talking to me
352
00:15:41,041 --> 00:15:44,044
would keep me out of trouble.
353
00:15:44,077 --> 00:15:47,013
Son, I know things are rough
for you here.
354
00:15:47,047 --> 00:15:51,151
But just because
you don't have a father...
355
00:15:51,184 --> 00:15:53,687
But I do have a father.
356
00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:55,689
Well, when your mother
is on drugs...
357
00:15:55,722 --> 00:15:58,158
My mom's not on drugs.
358
00:15:58,191 --> 00:16:01,061
I understand, but being born
a crack baby is no excuse.
359
00:16:01,094 --> 00:16:03,563
I wasn't born a crack baby.
Look, son.
360
00:16:03,596 --> 00:16:05,498
I'm trying to help you.
361
00:16:05,532 --> 00:16:09,102
I know it's rough,
but I suggest you try to fit in.
362
00:16:09,135 --> 00:16:12,105
And the next time
you throw a battery,
363
00:16:12,138 --> 00:16:13,707
that's an automatic
suspension.
364
00:16:13,740 --> 00:16:15,275
Why do I have to get suspended?
365
00:16:15,308 --> 00:16:17,043
Caruso's the one
that started it.
366
00:16:17,077 --> 00:16:19,045
He's calling me names
and beating my butt
367
00:16:19,079 --> 00:16:20,280
every chance he gets.
368
00:16:20,313 --> 00:16:22,649
And I never called him
a cracker.
369
00:16:22,682 --> 00:16:24,284
[***]
370
00:16:24,317 --> 00:16:26,353
Are you sure about this?
Yeah.
371
00:16:26,820 --> 00:16:28,722
Good.
372
00:16:28,755 --> 00:16:31,391
NARRATOR:
To this day, I don't know
if he believed me
373
00:16:31,424 --> 00:16:33,093
or he thought I was packing.
374
00:16:33,126 --> 00:16:35,328
Stay out of trouble.
375
00:16:36,863 --> 00:16:38,198
So, what happened?
376
00:16:38,231 --> 00:16:40,166
Oh. Raymond let me go.
377
00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:41,735
But he thinks
I'm a crack baby.
378
00:16:41,768 --> 00:16:43,336
Listen, I just want
to get home.
379
00:16:43,370 --> 00:16:45,271
My mother is making
spaghetti tonight.
380
00:16:45,305 --> 00:16:48,208
NARRATOR:
It was the only time
that week she made a meal
381
00:16:48,241 --> 00:16:50,343
that actually
went with sausage.
382
00:16:50,377 --> 00:16:52,746
Hey, it's Tenspeed
and Brownshoe.
383
00:16:52,779 --> 00:16:56,082
What, no detention today?
384
00:16:56,116 --> 00:16:58,218
Look, why don't you
just leave me alone?
385
00:16:58,251 --> 00:16:59,853
I mean, what do
you want me to do?
386
00:16:59,886 --> 00:17:01,354
Go around
and tell everybody
387
00:17:01,388 --> 00:17:03,189
you beat the heck out of me?
Yeah.
388
00:17:03,223 --> 00:17:05,558
Fine. I'm just getting tired
of you messing with me.
389
00:17:05,592 --> 00:17:08,361
Oh, "I'm just getting tired
of you messing with me."
390
00:17:08,395 --> 00:17:11,097
NARRATOR:
You just can't reason
with a bully.
391
00:17:11,131 --> 00:17:13,500
I don't care.
392
00:17:13,533 --> 00:17:15,402
Greg...
393
00:17:15,435 --> 00:17:17,470
NARRATOR:
I told you,
running like a bitch.
394
00:17:17,504 --> 00:17:20,540
I know it looks like
I'm taking the high road,
395
00:17:20,573 --> 00:17:22,642
but all I'm doing
is buying time.
396
00:17:22,676 --> 00:17:24,844
Remember, bullies
are kind of like dogs.
397
00:17:24,878 --> 00:17:29,115
They usually don't chase you
unless you run.
398
00:17:29,149 --> 00:17:31,251
[***]
399
00:17:32,919 --> 00:17:34,254
What are you doing?
400
00:17:34,287 --> 00:17:36,256
I'm getting revenge.
401
00:17:36,289 --> 00:17:38,158
* You can't hide
402
00:17:38,191 --> 00:17:39,626
BOY:
Think he went outside?
403
00:17:45,165 --> 00:17:47,300
[NECK CRACKING]
404
00:17:49,169 --> 00:17:51,271
[YELLING]
405
00:17:54,708 --> 00:17:58,178
NARRATOR:
Just how long is he going
to wait to stop this?
406
00:18:01,815 --> 00:18:03,249
All of you.
407
00:18:03,283 --> 00:18:04,551
In my office.
408
00:18:04,584 --> 00:18:06,686
Now.
409
00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:09,322
[***]
410
00:18:09,356 --> 00:18:11,191
Pick that stuff up.
411
00:18:12,592 --> 00:18:14,694
NARRATOR:
Despite numerous
internal injuries,
412
00:18:14,728 --> 00:18:19,199
seeing Caruso go to detention
still felt good.
413
00:18:23,536 --> 00:18:25,805
That night,
I got home on time,
414
00:18:25,839 --> 00:18:27,440
my mother got her check,
415
00:18:27,474 --> 00:18:29,843
but Tanya still wouldn't
eat her sausage.
416
00:18:29,876 --> 00:18:34,314
[SIGHS]
Baby, just try it, okay?
417
00:18:34,347 --> 00:18:35,882
But I don't like it.
418
00:18:35,915 --> 00:18:38,818
ROCHELLE:
But if you don't try it,
you'll never know.
419
00:18:38,852 --> 00:18:42,589
I didn't used to like
your father, and now I do.
420
00:18:42,622 --> 00:18:44,491
And I definitely
didn't like you, Tanya.
421
00:18:44,524 --> 00:18:45,725
[CHUCKLES]
422
00:18:45,759 --> 00:18:46,893
I never liked Drew.
423
00:18:46,926 --> 00:18:48,261
And I hated your mother.
424
00:18:48,294 --> 00:18:50,430
[ALL LAUGHING]
425
00:18:50,463 --> 00:18:51,898
Come on, baby,
you can do it.
426
00:18:51,931 --> 00:18:54,601
Just try it.
A little bit.
427
00:18:54,634 --> 00:18:56,336
Okay.
428
00:18:56,369 --> 00:18:58,571
[***]
429
00:19:07,714 --> 00:19:08,882
It's good.
430
00:19:08,915 --> 00:19:11,618
[ALL CHEER]
431
00:19:11,651 --> 00:19:13,787
NARRATOR:
Now I'd love to sit here
and tell you
432
00:19:13,820 --> 00:19:15,689
that we had the sort of
loving family
433
00:19:15,722 --> 00:19:17,457
that worked out all
its problems
434
00:19:17,490 --> 00:19:19,559
with love, compassion
and patience,
435
00:19:19,592 --> 00:19:22,328
that we ended every day
with hugs and laughter,
436
00:19:22,362 --> 00:19:25,398
but here's what really
happened that night...
437
00:19:28,535 --> 00:19:32,806
[SIGHS]
Baby, just try it, okay?
438
00:19:32,839 --> 00:19:34,407
But I don't like it.
439
00:19:34,441 --> 00:19:35,975
You're going to eat
this sausage!
440
00:19:36,009 --> 00:19:37,777
Do you hear me?
Girl, do you think
441
00:19:37,811 --> 00:19:39,379
I'm playing with you?
442
00:19:39,412 --> 00:19:41,247
JULIUS:
Oh, no! No! Rochelle!
443
00:19:41,281 --> 00:19:42,916
No! Rochelle!
[TONYA SCREAMING]
444
00:19:42,949 --> 00:19:45,251
Rochelle, no,
no, no, no!
445
00:19:45,285 --> 00:19:47,554
NARRATOR:
It took us about an hour
to get my mother off
446
00:19:47,587 --> 00:19:49,556
of Tanya's behind,
but eventually,
447
00:19:49,589 --> 00:19:51,458
Tanya did eat her sausage.
448
00:19:51,491 --> 00:19:53,793
And as for my mother,
well, to this very day,
449
00:19:53,827 --> 00:19:57,364
she still ain't raising
no babies.
450
00:19:57,397 --> 00:19:59,966
* A dream come true
451
00:20:01,768 --> 00:20:03,703
[***]
452
00:20:05,305 --> 00:20:08,508
* Aw, make it funky now