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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHurricane
Yesterday, my Very Good Friend -- known on this forum as "malaise" from Jamaica -- posted an article about Dr. Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. The article told how Carter, the former middleweight boxer who was incarcerated for 20 years for a crime he did not commit, is in the final days of his life. Though battling cancer, Rubin's primary focus remains his attempt to get justice for David McCallum.
In the near future, I will post more about David's case. I hope that some from the DU community will take an interest -- an active interest, at that -- in this case of injustice. Until then, people can either "google," or, better yet, get a copy of Rubin's 2011 book, "Eye of the Hurricane: My Path from Darkness to Freedom." It contains a great deal of information on David's case, as well as a foreword by Nelson Mandela.
When I was a little boy, my two older brothers introduced me to the sport of boxing. The first bout I watched on television was the Hurricane knocking welterweight champion Emile Griffith -- who had just been named "Fighter of the Year" -- out in one round.
My family was dirt poor; we knew poverty in ways that few people in this country actually do. About the only "recreation" we could afford was arguing and fighting. And, as we lived on a small farm, the work we did each and every day prepared us for fighting! Now, being the youngest of five kids (two brothers and two sisters), the hand-me-down hand-me-downs I wore to school made me the target of other children's often cruel jokes. Plus, as a result of being poor, I had lost a lot of teeth to an infection, and couldn't talk right, those few times I did try to speak.
Now, you take a strong kid, wearing worn-out, way out of style clothes, who can't talk, but can fight, and who doesn't like being picked on .....and, you guessed it: in my childhood, I got into lots of fights outside of just boxing.
By the time I was 13, I was good enough that Lee Kerr, a British writer for Boxing Illustrated, did a feature article on me, predicting that I was a sure bet to win a world's title when I was in my twenties. Now, I was still a poor kid, and unable to wash that distinct smell of "farm" from my clothing. And although I got very good grades in school, my anti-social circle of friends were what could best be described as inhabiting the margins. But no one picked on me, at least not to my face.
about Rubin Carter's case always interested me. It just didn't make sense that he would have committed the crimes he had been convicted of. This was, of course, long before the internet -- in fact, it was before he published his first book, "The Sixteenth Round," which would gain the interest and support of Bob Dylan, Muhammad Ali, and many other celebrities. Thus, there wasn't a lot of information available on Carter.
So what is a poor farm boy to do? What else: I wrote to Carter, and told him that I thought he was innocent. I figured that I could get him released, and, in return, he could manage my professional boxing career. This made perfect sense to me at the time.
He wrote back. And soon, we were writing to each other frequently. I have all of the letters, cassette tapes, photographs, and documents that he sent me. In time, Rubin convinced to to quit boxing, and go to college. I was a volunteer worker with his defense committee. And since his eventual release, we have remained good friends. I'm proud to say that all four of my children know Rubin.
I've known about the cancer for a long time now. It had been his choice to keep it private. Rubin doesn't want anyone feeling sorry for him -- he's not that way. On one hand, I had hoped that somehow, this most powerful of men would pull through. On the other hand, I know that in order to advance in our knowledge of life, we must learn to die.
Over the 40-plus years I've known Rubin, we've had some amazing experiences. Maybe I'll write some more about them sometime soon. But for now, I'm looking through some of the letters and court documents that I've collected over the years.
Peace,
H2O Man
11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 27, 2014, 12:39 PM - Edit history (1)
Kick.
aikoaiko
(34,165 posts)It was a great day. They feared riots in the prison, but none occurred, of course.
BBR Esq
(87 posts)I didn't know that.
aikoaiko
(34,165 posts)And they called off all visitors.
BelgianMadCow
(5,379 posts)to you and to Carter, H2O Man.
Spirits never die.
tea and oranges
(396 posts)this quite moving post. I haven't thought about Hurricane Carter in years. May he have a peaceful passage. May we stop incarcerating innocent black people. May we stop all institutionalized racism.
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)God bless Rubin "Hurricane" Carter on his journey home. I'm going to purchase his book.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)FourScore
(9,704 posts)Mira
(22,380 posts)I have just pulled the movie off my shelves and will watch it for the first time, and therefore learn. Thank you very much also for telling about your own history. Honest self-disclosure is freeing but not at all easy.
(I just, in honor of MalcolmX's day of death, re-read most of Manning Marable's book on his life)
lastlib
(23,203 posts)He was an inspiration to me even though I was following him second- and third-hand, and I have always hoped for his vindication. Thank you for your efforts and all of your contributions to justice in the world, H2O Man!! Your story inspires me too!!
Beringia
(4,316 posts)very interesting to read about this unique relationship. I never got into any fights, though I lived in an all black neighborhood for a few years or so, and had to be driven to and from school or would get harrassed. My father said when he was in the service, he took on a few bullies, one of them was a sexual predator I think. He and my father fought and my dad knocked him out. He underestimated my dad because he was very skinny, but he was strong.
Very sad that your friend is dying. I don't understand how that disease hits some people.
zeemike
(18,998 posts)i saw one of his fights on TV...don't remember which one it was, but there was no doubt he would be the next champ.
And all of that was taken from him by a corrupt system...the tragedy of that just pisses me off.
hfojvt
(37,573 posts)brings up a lot of pages for "Duckie"
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Questions-1985-Murder-Confession-Queens-David-McCallum-I-Team-216239471.html
The rather shocking thing about McCallum is that two sixteen year olds confessed to this crime. One has already died in prison. McCallum is "only" 44. Stuckey died in prison - under the age of 44.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)I remember from your past posts what an incredible influence he has been in your life.
Those special people who meant so much to many of us growing up who served as mentors when we had some difficult times in our young years deserve a special place. Heaven or wherever their good spirits go to rest. And, examples they set live on in those of us who were fortunate enough to have them come into our lives just when it mattered most. So, in a way they never die...because what they passed on still lives within us. In my experience, anyway. I suspect it is and will be the same with you..
Lochloosa
(16,062 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)Wile Bob Dylan wrote the first line and the music, it was actually friend Jacques Levy who authored the rest of the lyrics. I haven't seen Levy in years. The last time I saw him, he was teaching at Colgate. It was actually on this date, back in 2001.
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)for a couple of reasons. First, I think the legal case of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is hugely important. F. Lee Bailey called it the most important habeas corpus case of the 20th century. It documents how the misdeeds of two police investigators -- who may have believed Carter was involved, though they knew he was not a gunman -- can infect the entire legal process. Also, it shows how the human spirit can overcome injustice and hatred.
Second, of course, are the less objective reasons: it involves a close friend.
Thanks to everyone who has responded thus far. I appreciate it.