The Awakening Experience J.E #8

Journal Entry#8 5-29-07

“Soaking up the game that the OG’s sold to me”, Tupac Shakur: Hell Razor. I start this entry off with a verse from Tupac’s song Hell Razor for a very valid reason; that being the highlight of my day. Today, I spent a large portion conversing with a double OG name Larry Williams BKA Sapp. Mr. Williams as I called him is a well known ex-pimp, hustler, and gangster: All of the above. We met a couple days ago while waiting breakfast one morning; I was sitting the table talking about working out, staying healthy, or something of the sort; Diabetes that was it! He assumed I had the disease because most inmates at Butler are suffering from some type of illness. After all this is a medical camp. Anyhow, He told me a story about how dangerous it is to work out in the hot sun for long periods of time; while drinking an excessive amount of cold water afterwards. He explained how a friend of his died like that. So, later on that day we ended up eating lunch at the same table. Him, and some other guy from Jacksonville was talking about another O.G. I knew personally name Jedi. During their convo I stayed silent; not letting on that I knew who they were speaking of; I just sat and listened. For one you never know who knows who in the chain gang; so, it’s always wise to sit back and listen before talking openly about anyone. So, after chow when we got back to the dorm: I made him aware of the fact that I knew Jedi. We sat in on his bunk for about an hour; as I explained how I knew of Jedi. He then gave me a rundown on how he knew Jedi, along with the street version off Jedi’s rise in rank. See Jedi and I met while I was in Liberty C.I during my previous stint in prison. We maintained a close relationship for 6yrs; where we made a vow that we’d link up on the outs. Now in prison; the Jedi I knew was the money man. I really didn’t care about his status one way or another; but he had this aura about himself. The closer friends we became; the more of himself he exposed. Rumor was he was a big gambler, before he caught his 12yrs bid. Of course I’d put in the phone call to the streets, to follow up; to which he checked out. It was said that he rolled with a click of made guys that were real big in the local J-ville gambling circuit. Now, I am not at all naïve to believe all that I hear in the joint; sense dudes can be who they want to be in here, of course til someone from there hood comes in to exposed them, lol! Anyway, Sap gave me his version of this guy, which was more conclusive than the version Jedi gave me. Although he did gamble and hang with the hustlers, even had a lil money: He was far from the bonified husler he portrayed himself to be. Not in the same breath with Mr Williams/ Sap by no means. Sap and I sat a talked for almost two hours. We exposed a little about one another. I even told him about how I ended up compromising my G landing me my 1st 7yr bid- and for some shit that I didn’t do at that. We spoke about the state of mind of the youth coming up in the streets versus the old days. We even spoke about politics and strategy on surviving the game. It felt as if I was getting a lesson from Machiavelli or some modern day philosopher. I won’t say that I was intrigued, however the topic did hold my attention; which is hard to achieve- even in prison. It’s amazing how there is truly nothing new under the sun. Receiving such historical facts from Mr. Williams dating from the 70’s- 90’s; I wanted to know how could the game be manipulated or even maintained in this present day and age: Which I call the snitch era. And what methods would Mr. Williams go about doing so? One of the tactics we spoke about was the use of violence; taking down a list of the most heard about informants and displaying the killings so vicious that it would set an example for the rest. He compared it to how the Mafia of old handled informants. We spoke briefly on other tactics like maneuvering of working behind pawns. He stated; that if you are able to hand pick your clientele based on the quality of the product; You’d stand a better chance at surviving; Because when you can hand pick stand up guys out of working class citizens that have more to lose than the average street smoker, and build a relationship with them you are positioned to pen point a potential trader. However, there are draw backs from that as well; because most people who get set up are by someone that they trusted. So, in essence that’s a judgment call. In the end it’s truly everyman for himself and God for us all. We conversed a bit about woman; How to gain their loyalty and trust on down to choosing your wife. He shared with me the story how he met his wife. He said that he knew once he laid eyes on her that she was gonna be his wife. To me that’s powerful! Dude said he gave up his flock of hoes for her. Told her he didn’t need her to do nothing but raise his children. Thirty three years and seven kids later; they’re still together. She knew what type of man he was from the stories and rumor she heard in the street; but knew that he would become a completely different man with her love. The vicious man, with the hardened heart that the streets would depict him as; was the complete opposite with her. He did everything he told her he would do in protecting her and raising their kids’ family. She submitted, followed, and allowed him to lead as the king; having his back to the death. We spoke about some legitimate business endeavors; He shared my vision, even added to it. Before the day ended he gave me his personal info to contact him once I got to my permanent camp; and upon release. I never did ask what he was in for, or how much time he had; But I have a feeling it isn’t much………….
If it’s meant for us to meet again under different circumstances; what can I do to stop it? Til then, I will savor the conversation; and soak up the game. My journey continues…
-Banditti the don