By Sean Alday
Recently, I was punched in the back of the head by a teenager. This kind of punch is commonly called a “Rabbit Punch” in reference to a hunting technique for killing rabbits. This kid was with a group and upon asking around, I’m concluding that this punch was a sort of initiation between them.
It’s also possible that if I had passed out I would have been kicked and stomped and I would have definitely been robbed. This has happened to a few friends of mine, it’s likely that someone stronger punched them. They awoke with their items gone and a headache or worse. As though the theft isn’t affecting enough, one may be left with a concussion following such a punch.
The interesting thing about the human brain is how fragile it is even inside that skull. Every concussion increases susceptibility to future concussions, and in the event of brain bruising one may begin having epileptic seizures, every seizure has a negative effect on the brain. Going to the hospital is highly recommended by the internet.
What did I do wrong that night?
-I walked slower than normal that night.
-I walked right through the group of teenagers as opposed to going around them. Even if going around them added 15 minutes to my walk, I should have done so.
-I had headphones sticking out of my bag.
-I went toward a darker street (it was a shorter route) as opposed to the more lit up street.
What did I do right?
-I didn’t attempt to fight back nor pull out a weapon after being punched.
That’s about it. I’m lucky that I didn’t pass out. Upon turning around, I discovered the kid who punched me was walking backwards. His five friends were still on the other side of the street waiting to see what would happen.
As soon as it happened, a fire engine blew past with the lights going. I turned around and kept going on my way. Again I was lucky in that they didn’t follow me. But I checked over my shoulder the whole way home.
Be aware and be safe out there.
[What About Bushwick Muggings? 2010 - Word On The Street]
[Morgan Avenue Subway Stop - Brooklyn Paper]
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About Sean Alday
Sean Alday is a writer originally from the Florida Keys and now residing in Bushwick. He is the co-director at 950 Hart where he curates art shows in his home and asks you to come in and see. He can usually be found talking to someone. Some of those conversations appear here > http://56bogart.tumblr.com/.
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where were u, exactly. they probally walk by their often..
i wonder which street you were on? how late at night was it?
i hope your brain is perfect.
sorry that happened.
bess
I was walking on Central between Hart and Dekalb at around 11pm. Brains are strange.
Yeah, this happened to me once a few years back on Broadway. Only difference was, when I turned around, he had a few of his buddies running up behind him to get his back. I tried to run up the block but they caught up and kicked me around for a little while, took my wallet. I’m kind of a big guy but not much of a fighter. Kids can be real shitty. I think if it were to happen to me again, I might try to throw a couple of punches, even though it’s probably not worth it. The kids will probably end up in jail or dead by the time they’re adults anyway.
I think it’s pointless to throw punches back. The thing that gets me is that a kid can be peer pressured into hitting someone that they don’t know.
As I (sort of) stated in the article, I asked Brooklynites and transplants alike about similar incidents. No one likes it, but it still happens.
My hope is that someone who can make a difference in these kids’ lives will read this. Or better yet, a younger person will read it.
Its pointless, if u dont think u can win..adrenaline will make u ten times stronger than u percieve, a precision shot to someones nose, will instantly blind them for a couple of minutes(thier eyes-fill with blood). These kids need to be taught humility and respect to their elders. The only way to make these kid respect you, is a proper beatdown..
2 young gangmembers (neck tats)walked behind me in 2010 late in the evening, down an almost dead end block in sunnyside, where i was subletting a buddys place. I had just got off an 10 hour work day in scorching non stop shit talking ticket priting plate smashing chaoatic kitchen. me or any of my co-workers are not to be fucked with, after one of these bouts…. I always carry my collapsible smith n wesson baton. I knew what they were doing, I could have stopped and looked them in the eyes at about 20 feet, prob would have diverted them, however I waited till one started to step faster behind me about to swing. I had my baton extended gripped tightly in my right hand, I almost felt sorry for these 2, hoping they werent too young.. I racked him in the face, his body went limp, twisted and dropped with a cold thud on the gritty concrete, his arm he threw at me was going into spasms..his buddy had frosted over in shock, I thought i might have killed the 1st kid, so body shots insued to the second until he was having trouble breathing an attempting to squirm away.. I got a good look at both their faces, making sure they were going to survive an for future possible run ins..no police report,,, i told them both to stay in school and get a fucking job(both late teens)..my baton was stuck, so i smashed the lenghty end on concrete next to their faces, so it would collapse back into a short handle…then walked away..justice served bitches.
This makes me sad. I walk that way a lot have not seen a pack of teens.
I have not been hit but shouted ‘FU’ by group of teens. No surprise, that’s how american families raise their kids, they dont have time to teach discipline. Kids growing up shooting guns in video games cannot be expected to behave normally. Expect more wars in future.
God Save America…….err..God Bless America…
Sagar, it’s not because of video games. But that’s an entirely different debate.
Sean, hope all is well.
When I walk home late at night i never have my phone out or headphones in. You’ve got to be alert in this part of Brooklyn.
I’m so glad you are okay. I moved away from the horrid world of Flatbush to get away from the constant, invasive violence that is a foundation for even the most basic exchanges and communication over there. I’ve been so happy over here in Bushwick, so far. This sounds very different, but it’s still disheartening. I hope you don’t experience it again.
This makes me want to carry a chain. I think I could work pretty well with a chain. It’d be more fun than pepper spray and would keep him at arm’s length. A chain with a fat Master padlock at the end of it that’ll send teeth to concrete. Not one of those fat Kryptonite chains for bikes – those are too heavy to get adequate velocity. But then I’d have to carry a bag and a bag doesn’t always work with my look.
very unhappy to hear this! if you could identify them, you should report this: I don’t get the precinct here in Bushwick too much, but sooner or later if there are lots of these crimes, maybe they will pay attention and try to do something about it.