would look like the end for the caterpillar was just the beginning for
caterpillar was just the beginning for
caterpillar was just the beginning for the butterfly I was born in 1946 in the
the butterfly I was born in 1946 in the
the butterfly I was born in 1946 in the northeast section of Washington DC right
northeast section of Washington DC right
northeast section of Washington DC right across the district line at Maryland a
across the district line at Maryland a
across the district line at Maryland a little town called family Heights
little town called family Heights
little town called family Heights Maryland which was really a subdivision
Maryland which was really a subdivision
Maryland which was really a subdivision because it was close to third world
because it was close to third world
because it was close to third world it was houses dead I didn’t have indoor
it was houses dead I didn’t have indoor
it was houses dead I didn’t have indoor plumbing people had to use outhouses a
plumbing people had to use outhouses a
plumbing people had to use outhouses a lot of people had to draw water from the
lot of people had to draw water from the
lot of people had to draw water from the wells we live modestly at 7:09 59th
wells we live modestly at 7:09 59th
wells we live modestly at 7:09 59th Avenue Family Heights Maryland my mother
Avenue Family Heights Maryland my mother
Avenue Family Heights Maryland my mother worked for the Department of Interior
worked for the Department of Interior
worked for the Department of Interior federal government my father come from a
federal government my father come from a
federal government my father come from a two-parent family my father worked at
two-parent family my father worked at
two-parent family my father worked at the naval gun Factory and he had a
the naval gun Factory and he had a
the naval gun Factory and he had a part-time job in a liquor store and from
part-time job in a liquor store and from
part-time job in a liquor store and from that liquor store it really impacted our
that liquor store it really impacted our
that liquor store it really impacted our family because we were exposed to a lot
family because we were exposed to a lot
family because we were exposed to a lot of abuse at an early age and I was
of abuse at an early age and I was
of abuse at an early age and I was getting good grades in school but there
getting good grades in school but there
getting good grades in school but there was always comments on my report cards
was always comments on my report cards
was always comments on my report cards where my parents had to come up to see
where my parents had to come up to see
where my parents had to come up to see about me because I had a bad attitude I
about me because I had a bad attitude I
about me because I had a bad attitude I had to behavior problem but one thing I
had to behavior problem but one thing I
had to behavior problem but one thing I remember has a kid born in 1946 around
remember has a kid born in 1946 around
remember has a kid born in 1946 around 1956 66 46 56 there were guys in our
1956 66 46 56 there were guys in our
1956 66 46 56 there were guys in our neighborhood that drove Cadillacs had
neighborhood that drove Cadillacs had
neighborhood that drove Cadillacs had the pretty women
the pretty women
the pretty women and on surgeries they just go to the
and on surgeries they just go to the
and on surgeries they just go to the Elks home and we used to see their cars
Elks home and we used to see their cars
Elks home and we used to see their cars coming through the neighborhood and we’d
coming through the neighborhood and we’d
coming through the neighborhood and we’d be playing calling hot skies to get to
be playing calling hot skies to get to
be playing calling hot skies to get to their car doors would be the first one
their car doors would be the first one
their car doors would be the first one to open it and whoever got there first
to open it and whoever got there first
to open it and whoever got there first they would throw a corner up in the air
they would throw a corner up in the air
they would throw a corner up in the air and grab it out
and grab it out
and grab it out and one day Weesa play that’s my car and
and one day Weesa play that’s my car and
and one day Weesa play that’s my car and I claimed a Cadillac probably in 1957
I claimed a Cadillac probably in 1957
I claimed a Cadillac probably in 1957 but one thing
but one thing
but one thing that caught me the driver had a diamond
that caught me the driver had a diamond
that caught me the driver had a diamond ring over and looked like that Sparkle
ring over and looked like that Sparkle
ring over and looked like that Sparkle burst right in my psychic and I was
burst right in my psychic and I was
burst right in my psychic and I was consumed the power of fascination we
consumed the power of fascination we
consumed the power of fascination we moved from that community because my
moved from that community because my
moved from that community because my parents had hit my father had hit a
parents had hit my father had hit a
parents had hit my father had hit a street lottery number they call it
street lottery number they call it
street lottery number they call it hitting it never hit the lottery and we
hitting it never hit the lottery and we
hitting it never hit the lottery and we moved to a subdivision and Fort DuPont
moved to a subdivision and Fort DuPont
moved to a subdivision and Fort DuPont Southeast Washington DC it was a
Southeast Washington DC it was a
Southeast Washington DC it was a somewhat middle-class neighborhood and I
somewhat middle-class neighborhood and I
somewhat middle-class neighborhood and I went to an elementary school I got put
went to an elementary school I got put
went to an elementary school I got put back from them the 7th grade to the 6th
back from them the 7th grade to the 6th
back from them the 7th grade to the 6th grade because leaving Maryland going to
grade because leaving Maryland going to
grade because leaving Maryland going to the district with the test out to I
the district with the test out to I
the district with the test out to I wasn’t really qualified for the 7th
wasn’t really qualified for the 7th
wasn’t really qualified for the 7th grade so I had to repeat the 6th grade
grade so I had to repeat the 6th grade
grade so I had to repeat the 6th grade and I was the only black
and I was the only black
and I was the only black african-american Negro at that time in
african-american Negro at that time in
african-american Negro at that time in my classroom one thing I didn’t suffer
my classroom one thing I didn’t suffer
my classroom one thing I didn’t suffer was from the pins of inferiority because
was from the pins of inferiority because
was from the pins of inferiority because the school teaches that I came up with
the school teaches that I came up with
the school teaches that I came up with most of my siblings I was the youngest
most of my siblings I was the youngest
most of my siblings I was the youngest of four kids and most of us went through
of four kids and most of us went through
of four kids and most of us went through elementary school with most of the same
elementary school with most of the same
elementary school with most of the same teachers and they didn’t just teach
teachers and they didn’t just teach
teachers and they didn’t just teach Negro History once a week back then it
Negro History once a week back then it
Negro History once a week back then it was only for a week they taught it all
was only for a week they taught it all
was only for a week they taught it all year long so when I went to this
year long so when I went to this
year long so when I went to this predominantly white school I kind of
predominantly white school I kind of
predominantly white school I kind of knew who I was and from there but the
knew who I was and from there but the
knew who I was and from there but the same thing that I found out and I looked
same thing that I found out and I looked
same thing that I found out and I looked back and noticed about those people that
back and noticed about those people that
back and noticed about those people that used to have the wells what’s in the
used to have the wells what’s in the
used to have the wells what’s in the well will come up in the bucket and we
well will come up in the bucket and we
well will come up in the bucket and we carried ourselves with uh when we moved
carried ourselves with uh when we moved
carried ourselves with uh when we moved to that new location same behavior same
to that new location same behavior same
to that new location same behavior same morals same values nothing changed only
morals same values nothing changed only
morals same values nothing changed only thing change locate one of the fun
thing change locate one of the fun
thing change locate one of the fun things that struck me was the fact when
things that struck me was the fact when
things that struck me was the fact when we left that house we had moved like
we left that house we had moved like
we left that house we had moved like clothes all that week and on the last
clothes all that week and on the last
clothes all that week and on the last movement they asked my mother I said
movement they asked my mother I said
movement they asked my mother I said where’s the truck for the furniture she
where’s the truck for the furniture she
where’s the truck for the furniture she said we’re getting a car we leaving that
said we’re getting a car we leaving that
said we’re getting a car we leaving that junk here
junk here
junk here and so going through sixth grade went
and so going through sixth grade went
and so going through sixth grade went through the seventh grade and when I
through the seventh grade and when I
through the seventh grade and when I went to the seventh grade the same thing
went to the seventh grade the same thing
went to the seventh grade the same thing a bad attitude behavior problem I went
a bad attitude behavior problem I went
a bad attitude behavior problem I went through a social adjustment class the
through a social adjustment class the
through a social adjustment class the day I think they would call that that
day I think they would call that that
day I think they would call that that social adjustment class or alternative
social adjustment class or alternative
social adjustment class or alternative school and one of the things about in
school and one of the things about in
school and one of the things about in that social adjustment class
one of the things about that social
one of the things about that social adjustment class all of us suffer from
adjustment class all of us suffer from
adjustment class all of us suffer from this and this is what this new study has
this and this is what this new study has
this and this is what this new study has revealed in the last couple of years
revealed in the last couple of years
revealed in the last couple of years Harvard doctors have calling the term
Harvard doctors have calling the term
Harvard doctors have calling the term hood disease to describe a complex form
hood disease to describe a complex form
hood disease to describe a complex form of post-traumatic stress syndrome
of post-traumatic stress syndrome
of post-traumatic stress syndrome threatening the well-being of inner-city
threatening the well-being of inner-city
threatening the well-being of inner-city youth report the root the center of
youth report the root the center of
youth report the root the center of Disease Control and Prevention estimated
Disease Control and Prevention estimated
Disease Control and Prevention estimated at nearly three percent of the u.s. in a
at nearly three percent of the u.s. in a
at nearly three percent of the u.s. in a city you 550 by this disorder which
city you 550 by this disorder which
city you 550 by this disorder which makes it difficult for them to learn
makes it difficult for them to learn
makes it difficult for them to learn those who exhibit this disorder often
those who exhibit this disorder often
those who exhibit this disorder often live in virtual war zones the city
live in virtual war zones the city
live in virtual war zones the city center of Disease Control said the
center of Disease Control said the
center of Disease Control said the doctors at Harvard recently coined in
doctors at Harvard recently coined in
doctors at Harvard recently coined in the name hood disease a term for a more
the name hood disease a term for a more
the name hood disease a term for a more complex form of PhD the new sites report
complex form of PhD the new sites report
complex form of PhD the new sites report and since the youthful really escaped
and since the youthful really escaped
and since the youthful really escaped their communities unlike soldiers who
their communities unlike soldiers who
their communities unlike soldiers who officially returned leave a war zone
officially returned leave a war zone
officially returned leave a war zone they are repeatedly exposed to trauma
they are repeatedly exposed to trauma
they are repeatedly exposed to trauma and I say that because when we hit a
and I say that because when we hit a
and I say that because when we hit a term hood itself coupled with for who a
term hood itself coupled with for who a
term hood itself coupled with for who a disease and I’m so real estate I’ll get
disease and I’m so real estate I’ll get
disease and I’m so real estate I’ll get back to that part what do you think
back to that part what do you think
back to that part what do you think happens to the property value there so
happens to the property value there so
happens to the property value there so I’m in a social adjustment class all of
I’m in a social adjustment class all of
I’m in a social adjustment class all of us had the same commonality of
us had the same commonality of
us had the same commonality of experiences behavior problems bad
experiences behavior problems bad
experiences behavior problems bad attitude and not long after that I start
attitude and not long after that I start
attitude and not long after that I start going into juvenile institutions and in
going into juvenile institutions and in
going into juvenile institutions and in my ninth grade year I didn’t manage to
my ninth grade year I didn’t manage to
my ninth grade year I didn’t manage to graduate with my my dress to my class
graduate with my my dress to my class
graduate with my my dress to my class because my academics was never that far
because my academics was never that far
because my academics was never that far off and one thing another thing that
off and one thing another thing that
off and one thing another thing that happen you know my father was an
happen you know my father was an
happen you know my father was an alcoholic he was a functionary halt
alcoholic he was a functionary halt
alcoholic he was a functionary halt it was still a lot of love there and
it was still a lot of love there and
it was still a lot of love there and I’ll never forget he changed the course
I’ll never forget he changed the course
I’ll never forget he changed the course of my life he asked me he said what do
of my life he asked me he said what do
of my life he asked me he said what do you want to be when you grow up and I
you want to be when you grow up and I
you want to be when you grow up and I told him I said I want to be a barber he
told him I said I want to be a barber he
told him I said I want to be a barber he said why do you want to be a barber I
said why do you want to be a barber I
said why do you want to be a barber I said because I think barbers are some
said because I think barbers are some
said because I think barbers are some real cool guys I mean they got their
real cool guys I mean they got their
real cool guys I mean they got their white jack is
white jack is
white jack is and they hang out washing their car and
and they hang out washing their car and
and they hang out washing their car and they ladies men so about two weeks later
they ladies men so about two weeks later
they ladies men so about two weeks later he brought home a home barbering kit he
he brought home a home barbering kit he
he brought home a home barbering kit he asked me to cut his hair I said alright
asked me to cut his hair I said alright
asked me to cut his hair I said alright I could he said here to go to plays I’m
I could he said here to go to plays I’m
I could he said here to go to plays I’m going to show you how to do it and what
going to show you how to do it and what
going to show you how to do it and what blades is used and I cut his head and he
blades is used and I cut his head and he
blades is used and I cut his head and he looked in the mirror and like I said
looked in the mirror and like I said
looked in the mirror and like I said with his incongruent behavior I was kind
with his incongruent behavior I was kind
with his incongruent behavior I was kind of frightened he looked back at me he
of frightened he looked back at me he
of frightened he looked back at me he said boy you can’t cut hair he said
said boy you can’t cut hair he said
said boy you can’t cut hair he said we’ll make you my bob and if I was you I
we’ll make you my bob and if I was you I
we’ll make you my bob and if I was you I end up making all my friends all your
end up making all my friends all your
end up making all my friends all your friends and customers and I went on to
friends and customers and I went on to
friends and customers and I went on to do that and end up going to a vocational
do that and end up going to a vocational
do that and end up going to a vocational high school fellow catching the high
high school fellow catching the high
high school fellow catching the high school enter into the barbering class
school enter into the barbering class
school enter into the barbering class the next year all that guys was driving
the next year all that guys was driving
the next year all that guys was driving pretty cars and their families cars and
pretty cars and their families cars and
pretty cars and their families cars and their fathers I asked my father and said
their fathers I asked my father and said
their fathers I asked my father and said him I said dad let me use your car so
him I said dad let me use your car so
him I said dad let me use your car so you can’t use my car I said why not
you can’t use my car I said why not
you can’t use my car I said why not he said no dude he said I’ll tell you
he said no dude he said I’ll tell you
he said no dude he said I’ll tell you what if you pass your barbers test I’ll
what if you pass your barbers test I’ll
what if you pass your barbers test I’ll sign for you a car and right today I
sign for you a car and right today I
sign for you a car and right today I knew that had Anatomy under all the
knew that had Anatomy under all the
knew that had Anatomy under all the nervous system when I took that book
nervous system when I took that book
nervous system when I took that book home and I became the youngest licensed
home and I became the youngest licensed
home and I became the youngest licensed barber in Washington DC and now so now
barber in Washington DC and now so now
barber in Washington DC and now so now you’re looking at a behavior problem a
you’re looking at a behavior problem a
you’re looking at a behavior problem a bad attitude and now Mogel
so the crimes escalated from petty
so the crimes escalated from petty larceny through larceny to grand larceny
larceny through larceny to grand larceny
larceny through larceny to grand larceny to checks to all way it mentally ended
to checks to all way it mentally ended
to checks to all way it mentally ended up – I entered a bank with a note and
up – I entered a bank with a note and
up – I entered a bank with a note and stuff to tell up screaming about $3,500
stuff to tell up screaming about $3,500
stuff to tell up screaming about $3,500 in 1969
in 1969
in 1969 I’m a born decision the district Jail
I’m a born decision the district Jail
I’m a born decision the district Jail was so crowded that they were you know
was so crowded that they were you know
was so crowded that they were you know people with they didn’t even consider it
people with they didn’t even consider it
people with they didn’t even consider it a non-violent crime at that time because
a non-violent crime at that time because
a non-violent crime at that time because it wasn’t a weapon never shown so I
it wasn’t a weapon never shown so I
it wasn’t a weapon never shown so I ended up making bond but I had to go to
ended up making bond but I had to go to
ended up making bond but I had to go to a halfway house I end up leaving a
a halfway house I end up leaving a
a halfway house I end up leaving a halfway house and went on the road I
halfway house and went on the road I
halfway house and went on the road I took my show on the road ended up in
took my show on the road ended up in
took my show on the road ended up in Paterson New Jersey in a street robbery
Paterson New Jersey in a street robbery
Paterson New Jersey in a street robbery and I got sentenced to seven years there
and I got sentenced to seven years there
and I got sentenced to seven years there and I came back to the district for
and I came back to the district for
and I came back to the district for citizen so the Fotolia I had over 20
citizen so the Fotolia I had over 20
citizen so the Fotolia I had over 20 years sentence and my Barber’s license
years sentence and my Barber’s license
years sentence and my Barber’s license was an escort because when I got to
was an escort because when I got to
was an escort because when I got to Trenton state prison I ended up with a
Trenton state prison I ended up with a
Trenton state prison I ended up with a job in quarantine where all who ever
job in quarantine where all who ever
job in quarantine where all who ever came into that prison at the time had to
came into that prison at the time had to
came into that prison at the time had to get a ball head and all of the facial
get a ball head and all of the facial
get a ball head and all of the facial hair cut off of him and I was the
hair cut off of him and I was the
hair cut off of him and I was the Barbara that for years that cut
Barbara that for years that cut
Barbara that for years that cut everyone’s head a step cross that
everyone’s head a step cross that
everyone’s head a step cross that threshold in Trenton state prison I’m
threshold in Trenton state prison I’m
threshold in Trenton state prison I’m talking about corrupt mare’s he had
talking about corrupt mare’s he had
talking about corrupt mare’s he had mafia guys and not only was the barber’s
mafia guys and not only was the barber’s
mafia guys and not only was the barber’s license and my barbers trade my escort
license and my barbers trade my escort
license and my barbers trade my escort it allowed me to get around the prison
it allowed me to get around the prison
it allowed me to get around the prison and one day I was up trading books with
and one day I was up trading books with
and one day I was up trading books with some friends on 7up 7up is a wing where
some friends on 7up 7up is a wing where
some friends on 7up 7up is a wing where all of the real gangster type guys I
all of the real gangster type guys I
all of the real gangster type guys I mean this is just 7up you just if you
mean this is just 7up you just if you
mean this is just 7up you just if you don’t know nobody up there you don’t
don’t know nobody up there you don’t
don’t know nobody up there you don’t even go up did 7up is where hurricane
even go up did 7up is where hurricane
even go up did 7up is where hurricane group and caught it locked I came from I
group and caught it locked I came from I
group and caught it locked I came from I was arrested in the same town that he
was arrested in the same town that he
was arrested in the same town that he came out of so I’m trading books and on
came out of so I’m trading books and on
came out of so I’m trading books and on my way down and tear
my way down and tear
my way down and tear I see a guy having and looking at a guy
I see a guy having and looking at a guy
I see a guy having and looking at a guy cell because I thought I heard someone
cell because I thought I heard someone
cell because I thought I heard someone called me and I looked in his cell and
called me and I looked in his cell and
called me and I looked in his cell and he had three chest boys set up and I’m
he had three chest boys set up and I’m
he had three chest boys set up and I’m staring looking in the cell and he must
staring looking in the cell and he must
staring looking in the cell and he must have heard me and he turned around he
have heard me and he turned around he
have heard me and he turned around he said well you kind of problem looking in
said well you kind of problem looking in
said well you kind of problem looking in a guy’s cell in prison is like home
a guy’s cell in prison is like home
a guy’s cell in prison is like home invasion I said brother forgive me I
invasion I said brother forgive me I
invasion I said brother forgive me I said I’m just wondering why you need
said I’m just wondering why you need
said I’m just wondering why you need three chess boards set up he said do you
three chess boards set up he said do you
three chess boards set up he said do you play I said yes yes I play he said well
play I said yes yes I play he said well
play I said yes yes I play he said well what opening do you use I said not just
what opening do you use I said not just
what opening do you use I said not just playing so he kind of looked at me he
playing so he kind of looked at me he
playing so he kind of looked at me he said he said no the reason why I got
said he said no the reason why I got
said he said no the reason why I got three chess boards set up is because
three chess boards set up is because
three chess boards set up is because what I’m doing is I’m going through my
what I’m doing is I’m going through my
what I’m doing is I’m going through my chest and repertoire you know he said
chest and repertoire you know he said
chest and repertoire you know he said see one thing you got to understand
see one thing you got to understand
see one thing you got to understand about chess that it has a lot to do with
about chess that it has a lot to do with
about chess that it has a lot to do with life the parallels life
life the parallels life
life the parallels life he said he’s three chess boys he said
he said he’s three chess boys he said
he said he’s three chess boys he said chess is a game of three stages there’s
chess is a game of three stages there’s
chess is a game of three stages there’s an opening there’s a middle and there’s
an opening there’s a middle and there’s
an opening there’s a middle and there’s the endgame he said the best players see
the endgame he said the best players see
the endgame he said the best players see their endgame while they’re in the open
their endgame while they’re in the open
their endgame while they’re in the open air he said the same thing about kids
air he said the same thing about kids
air he said the same thing about kids that see they’re in game while they’re
that see they’re in game while they’re
that see they’re in game while they’re in their young age some kids already
in their young age some kids already
in their young age some kids already know that they’re gonna take over their
know that they’re gonna take over their
know that they’re gonna take over their printers business that errore you very
printers business that errore you very
printers business that errore you very seldom see them kids get off track he
seldom see them kids get off track he
seldom see them kids get off track he said what you need to understand is just
said what you need to understand is just
said what you need to understand is just as a game that can’t be look you don’t
as a game that can’t be look you don’t
as a game that can’t be look you don’t win or lose and chess all you do is
win or lose and chess all you do is
win or lose and chess all you do is learn lessons or you’re teasing us he
learn lessons or you’re teasing us he
learn lessons or you’re teasing us he turned that cell into a classroom that
turned that cell into a classroom that
turned that cell into a classroom that brother embraced me he gave me so much
brother embraced me he gave me so much
brother embraced me he gave me so much knowledge and understanding about the
knowledge and understanding about the
knowledge and understanding about the game that it changed my whole worldview
game that it changed my whole worldview
game that it changed my whole worldview and before I left that prison he was my
and before I left that prison he was my
and before I left that prison he was my mentor I end up from from Trenton I
mentor I end up from from Trenton I
mentor I end up from from Trenton I ain’t up going to Lewisburg federal
ain’t up going to Lewisburg federal
ain’t up going to Lewisburg federal prison to federal prison they finished
prison to federal prison they finished
prison to federal prison they finished the sentence for the bank robbery I was
the sentence for the bank robbery I was
the sentence for the bank robbery I was probably the best chess player there
probably the best chess player there
probably the best chess player there everybody that came in that we could
everybody that came in that we could
everybody that came in that we could even think about playing they sent them
even think about playing they sent them
even think about playing they sent them to me I want a lot of cigarettes for the
to me I want a lot of cigarettes for the
to me I want a lot of cigarettes for the DC guys so what happened when I came
DC guys so what happened when I came
DC guys so what happened when I came home
home
home I ended up really getting my life
I ended up really getting my life
I ended up really getting my life together I had a one thing to happen and
together I had a one thing to happen and
together I had a one thing to happen and I’m gonna go back over this real fence
I’m gonna go back over this real fence
I’m gonna go back over this real fence well I was in the barber shop here’s
well I was in the barber shop here’s
well I was in the barber shop here’s what a lot of people don’t understand
what a lot of people don’t understand
what a lot of people don’t understand while I was in that barber shop during
while I was in that barber shop during
while I was in that barber shop during the civil rights movement which was a
the civil rights movement which was a
the civil rights movement which was a big time in african-american community
big time in african-american community
big time in african-american community no one never thought about what happened
no one never thought about what happened
no one never thought about what happened to the barbers when everybody was trying
to the barbers when everybody was trying
to the barbers when everybody was trying to grow afro this was one of the bad
to grow afro this was one of the bad
to grow afro this was one of the bad decisions that I made instead of going
decisions that I made instead of going
decisions that I made instead of going instead of taking the knowledge wisdom
instead of taking the knowledge wisdom
instead of taking the knowledge wisdom understanding I had about passing tests
understanding I had about passing tests
understanding I had about passing tests because the barbers test was one of the
because the barbers test was one of the
because the barbers test was one of the most difficult tests you could pay I
most difficult tests you could pay I
most difficult tests you could pay I could have went to the fire department I
could have went to the fire department I
could have went to the fire department I could have went to Amtrak I could have
could have went to Amtrak I could have
could have went to Amtrak I could have passed about any test there was but I
passed about any test there was but I
passed about any test there was but I chose to go to the street I’ve made a
chose to go to the street I’ve made a
chose to go to the street I’ve made a bad decision that caused me a lot of
bad decision that caused me a lot of
bad decision that caused me a lot of time so when I when I end up leaving
time so when I when I end up leaving
time so when I when I end up leaving Lewisburg and at that time that’s when
Lewisburg and at that time that’s when
Lewisburg and at that time that’s when drugs and alcohol that was a gateway for
drugs and alcohol that was a gateway for
drugs and alcohol that was a gateway for the drugs and alcohol and over 30 years
the drugs and alcohol and over 30 years
the drugs and alcohol and over 30 years of addiction when I came out I end up
of addiction when I came out I end up
of addiction when I came out I end up going to a 12-step program and I kind of
going to a 12-step program and I kind of
going to a 12-step program and I kind of really got my life together to the point
really got my life together to the point
really got my life together to the point where I became responsible and one of
where I became responsible and one of
where I became responsible and one of the things that really helped me was
the things that really helped me was
the things that really helped me was this guy in prison he told me he asked
this guy in prison he told me he asked
this guy in prison he told me he asked me he said who are you
me he said who are you
me he said who are you I said I’m Eugene brown the bottom one
I said I’m Eugene brown the bottom one
I said I’m Eugene brown the bottom one right he said no but who are you I said
right he said no but who are you I said
right he said no but who are you I said what do you mean he held up a king he
what do you mean he held up a king he
what do you mean he held up a king he said I’m gonna tell you something you’ll
said I’m gonna tell you something you’ll
said I’m gonna tell you something you’ll be king
be king
be king until you accept your kingship you won’t
until you accept your kingship you won’t
until you accept your kingship you won’t keep coming back your prison and that
keep coming back your prison and that
keep coming back your prison and that was a startling statement that echoed in
was a startling statement that echoed in
was a startling statement that echoed in my mind for years and years and years a
my mind for years and years and years a
my mind for years and years and years a lot of things a lot of decision that I
lot of things a lot of decision that I
lot of things a lot of decision that I thought I was making them please other
thought I was making them please other
thought I was making them please other people I felt like that I learned
people I felt like that I learned
people I felt like that I learned responsibility from that one statement
responsibility from that one statement
responsibility from that one statement and I want to want to teach kids just
so from the statement that he made and
so from the statement that he made and from the parallels that I’ve been able
from the parallels that I’ve been able
from the parallels that I’ve been able to put together I have a program now
to put together I have a program now
to put together I have a program now Raleigh Central Prison North Carolina on
Raleigh Central Prison North Carolina on
Raleigh Central Prison North Carolina on death row
death row
death row these guys said that if chess can help
these guys said that if chess can help
these guys said that if chess can help them in the position that they’re in it
them in the position that they’re in it
them in the position that they’re in it could it should be everywhere they said
could it should be everywhere they said
could it should be everywhere they said why don’t you take this message and take
why don’t you take this message and take
why don’t you take this message and take it to men in prison as you can and this
it to men in prison as you can and this
it to men in prison as you can and this is what I’ve been doing for the last
is what I’ve been doing for the last
is what I’ve been doing for the last couple of years I’ve taught kids from in
couple of years I’ve taught kids from in
couple of years I’ve taught kids from in juvenile institutions Central Prison
juvenile institutions Central Prison
juvenile institutions Central Prison have program now and full federal prison
have program now and full federal prison
have program now and full federal prison with a curriculum that’s usually chess
with a curriculum that’s usually chess
with a curriculum that’s usually chess as one of the main modules for decision
as one of the main modules for decision
as one of the main modules for decision making this is the chess house that I
making this is the chess house that I
making this is the chess house that I have invested in when I came home I got
have invested in when I came home I got
have invested in when I came home I got put out of the school system because
put out of the school system because
put out of the school system because after we won a full year City champion
after we won a full year City champion
after we won a full year City champion and they was trying to give me a job and
and they was trying to give me a job and
and they was trying to give me a job and I put have you ever been arrested I said
I put have you ever been arrested I said
I put have you ever been arrested I said no and finally when they wanted to pay
no and finally when they wanted to pay
no and finally when they wanted to pay me and I went downtown they took my
me and I went downtown they took my
me and I went downtown they took my fingerprints they fell on a habit every
fingerprints they fell on a habit every
fingerprints they fell on a habit every day escorted me out and as a direct
day escorted me out and as a direct
day escorted me out and as a direct result of that they say well no longer
result of that they say well no longer
result of that they say well no longer work here and I ended up buying this
work here and I ended up buying this
work here and I ended up buying this house I was a real estate agent I was
house I was a real estate agent I was
house I was a real estate agent I was gonna flip it but the parents wouldn’t
gonna flip it but the parents wouldn’t
gonna flip it but the parents wouldn’t let me they said mr. Brown these kids
let me they said mr. Brown these kids
let me they said mr. Brown these kids depending on you what are you going to
depending on you what are you going to
depending on you what are you going to do I said I’ll tell you what we won’t
do I said I’ll tell you what we won’t
do I said I’ll tell you what we won’t make this out of their chest house I
make this out of their chest house I
make this out of their chest house I would direct result of that chest house
would direct result of that chest house
would direct result of that chest house we want full year City champions took
we want full year City champions took
we want full year City champions took kids to the Nationals five times and
kids to the Nationals five times and
kids to the Nationals five times and these kids right today some of them we
these kids right today some of them we
these kids right today some of them we started in 1991-92 some of these kids
started in 1991-92 some of these kids
started in 1991-92 some of these kids right today are in college out of
right today are in college out of
right today are in college out of college one of the things that I use for
college one of the things that I use for
college one of the things that I use for a paradigm shift is to let them know say
a paradigm shift is to let them know say
a paradigm shift is to let them know say you could be anything that you want to
you could be anything that you want to
you could be anything that you want to be ask me say what do you want to be
be ask me say what do you want to be
be ask me say what do you want to be much
much
much right mr. burr I said well how I can
right mr. burr I said well how I can
right mr. burr I said well how I can sell drugs what living they say what I
sell drugs what living they say what I
sell drugs what living they say what I said yeah I can sell hook we talking
said yeah I can sell hook we talking
said yeah I can sell hook we talking about a paradigm shift they said how can
about a paradigm shift they said how can
about a paradigm shift they said how can you do that mr. Brown I said let me tell
you do that mr. Brown I said let me tell
you do that mr. Brown I said let me tell you one thing you can go to school and
you one thing you can go to school and
you one thing you can go to school and be a pharmacist and sell drugs all day
be a pharmacist and sell drugs all day
be a pharmacist and sell drugs all day long and that was the first time they
long and that was the first time they
long and that was the first time they ever heard anything like that they think
ever heard anything like that they think
ever heard anything like that they think before you move comes from a brother no
before you move comes from a brother no
before you move comes from a brother no that’s a leading port in Washington and
that’s a leading port in Washington and
that’s a leading port in Washington and he’s seeing what I was doing and he saw
he’s seeing what I was doing and he saw
he’s seeing what I was doing and he saw that motto and I heard his model with me
that motto and I heard his model with me
that motto and I heard his model with me everywhere I go and he gave me a pawn
everywhere I go and he gave me a pawn
everywhere I go and he gave me a pawn that I embellished and it makes so much
that I embellished and it makes so much
that I embellished and it makes so much sense that I put it to memory and it
sense that I put it to memory and it
sense that I put it to memory and it goes like this this is the story of a
goes like this this is the story of a
goes like this this is the story of a chess club found it for inner-city youth
chess club found it for inner-city youth
chess club found it for inner-city youth is different from most is distinguished
is different from most is distinguished
is different from most is distinguished in both of not just teaching chess but
in both of not just teaching chess but
in both of not just teaching chess but Ruth it teaches young children to reason
Ruth it teaches young children to reason
Ruth it teaches young children to reason to rationalize to use good sense and
to rationalize to use good sense and
to rationalize to use good sense and intelligence against deception treachery
intelligence against deception treachery
intelligence against deception treachery and lies so at the big chair chess club
and lies so at the big chair chess club
and lies so at the big chair chess club we’re on a mission to save the lives of
we’re on a mission to save the lives of
we’re on a mission to save the lives of our children to teach the unteachable
our children to teach the unteachable
our children to teach the unteachable reach the unreachable and always think
reach the unreachable and always think
reach the unreachable and always think before you move thank you
before you move thank you
before you move thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] you
”
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