Blaxpride

There’s a darkness, a darkness that tells you how to live. A darkness that selects when to be politically “correct” and “incorrect.” It has its own energy, an energy that some can read right through. A dark energy that tells you how to live the life you chose, how to be, what is right, and what is wrong. Are you going to give into that darkness? Or are you going to control that darkness? Let’s find out...

Hong Kong, 2019.

It’s a dark and stormy night at a warehouse loading dock in the middle of nowhere. Four gang members, a repulsive and irresponsible bunch, are transporting cargo from an abandoned warehouse. Loading into the van; unorganized with an unorthodox way of stacking materials, the reckless crew were dropping boxes all over the place, making a mess on the way out. Time passes, and the crew has robbed the warehouse of its valuable merchandise. Doors locked prepared to hit the road, the savages are done clearing the building and ready to take off until –

BOOM!

The immature crew hears a sudden noise coming from the in skirts of the warehouse. Not prepared to face what may be the cause of the havoc, one of the gang members, possibly the oldest but the dumbest, signals for another gang member, a bird chested young man with no kind of experience in this line of work, to cover him as he re-enters the warehouse. The first two gang members open the warehouse door and enter. Pawing through boxes, like a rat in a barnyard, the first two gang members look for their prey. Slowly. Slowly moving around like landmines are in their presence.

Nobody is in sight. Nothing can be heard. But they have yet to check the second floor, where a masked vigilante in a Kevlar body suit, wielding a quarterstaff, jumps down and attacks. The masked vigilante breaks one of the gang member’s arms. The menace screams in agony as he crumbles to the ground. Gun in hand, the second gang member begins to shoot at the masked vigilante who’s running away, shuffling behind boxes like a bad game of paintball.

The gun shooting gang member runs to the same boxes, there’s no one there. Confused, heart racing like John Wall on a fastbreak, he glances up just in time to see the masked vigilante strike him across the face with the kick of perfection. A kick perfect enough that it breaks the young member’s nose, he’s drenched in a pool of blood grabbing his face.

Hearing the commotion, the last two gang members, brothers with matching haircuts, crowd into the room. The masked vigilante charges at the two gang members, catching them off guard. The vigilante uppercuts one of the brothers and then trips him with his quarterstaff. The other brother reaches for his gun and prepares to shoot, but not before the masked vigilante uses his quarterstaff to knock it out of his hand and disarm the terribly trained criminal.

The oldest gang member – as he gets up from the floor – reaches for his gun and begins to unload his rounds on the masked vigilante. The masked vigilante moves fast -- avoiding the gunfire. He runs towards the staircase as fast as he can like a kid about to miss curfew. The fight escalates to the second floor.

All four gang members charge upstairs towards the masked vigilante to meet him at eye level. The masked vigilante takes them all on. Get ready to rumble, the masked vigilante punches one of the gang members into the nearby wall. In agony, the stupid thug tumbles and trips right back down the staircase. As the uncoordinated gang member avalanches down the stairs, he accidentally pulls the fire alarm.

The youngest gang member becomes frantic, he was not expecting so much action in one night. He pulls out a knife and charges at the masked vigilante. The masked vigilante kicks one of the brothers into the knife-wielding thug which causes the two gang members to tumble down the stairs knocking the oldest gang member all the way down the staircase. Colliding at a rapid pace, like a game of janga, they are losing this round. Knocked unconscious like a round with Mike Tyson. But do the tables turn?!

Forgotten, the fourth gang member grabs the masked vigilante from behind. Slightly overpowered, the masked vigilante counters the submissive hold with a reverse Sumi-Gaeshi – a Judo move he’s obviously practiced in repetition. The last gang member is finally on the floor. The masked vigilante attempts to open a closed office door until the gang member leaps for his leg and holds onto it for all its worth. The masked vigilante is tripped and forced to place this gang member into a chokehold. The other three gang members woke up from their quick slumber and were running up the stairs. The masked vigilante must think fast.

From the second floor, the masked vigilante throws a custom-made shuriken, what most know as a ninja star, at a box on the first floor that is marked “Hazardous,” which causes an explosion. Within seconds, police officers and firefighters are arriving at the burning warehouse as the masked vigilante sneaks out of the warehouse through a broken window on the second floor. Whose man is this? What is he here for? How did he know about the repulsive crew? What was he looking for?

About an hour after the brawl, we enter an apartment which obviously belongs to a nerdy bachelor. Entering the room, with a slight limp, and sliding into a desk chair is a young and battered Chinese man. He is Infamous computer’s expert Kai Wu. Kai sits at his desk, staring at a computer monitor with the television playing in the background. The vigilante enters the room through an open window. Kai doesn’t flinch, he obviously knows this menace. Kai rotates his chair to speak to the vigilante, “Did you get it?” he states with concern.

The masked vigilante speaks, “...Not quite...”

He takes off his mask to reveal that he is Larry Lee, a young African American and one of the richest bachelors originally from Oakland, California. A town that means something to the people and a place he takes pride in being from. Larry’s Oakland swagger is recognizable even overseas. Larry explains, “These clowns beat me there. I guess I’ll have to get another lead.” Kai, sighs filled with disappointed, “Didn’t think so.” Kai points at the television with a focus, “That warehouse has been on the news for the last hour now with no mention of you. Good job.” Kai sarcastically claps and says, “So what’s next for Blaxpride?”

That is the big question. It’s an even bigger question than what has already happened to Larry. Those are questions for Larry to answer to not only those rooting for him but for those aware of his darkness.

“I don’t know.”

That’s all Larry had to say. Kai knows his friend well and knows Larry has way more than that to say. Larry sits down on the opposite side of the room. Kai turns to stare at Larry. Larry returns the favor. They’re mad dogging, having a staring contest and then suddenly Larry speaks again, “I got another eviction notice today.” Full of distraught, Kai turns his full attention to Larry, who continues to stretch on the floor as if his last few words displayed complete normalcy. Kai is frustrated, “Again Larry?! What happened to that gig I got you?” Larry replies, “Let’s be honest.” Now staring at Kai with a serious look. “I couldn’t work for that guy. He’s a racist, and he’s part of the problem.” Kai responds with anger, “Forget the problem. You got bills! If you’re not going to use your assets, you have to keep a job!” Larry yells back, “I’m not going to let some racist fuck call me Jigaboo!”

Jigaboo is a term that refers to a black person with stereotypical black features such as full lips and a wide nose. Larry loves his features, and he will not tolerate anyone insulting them. Over the years, he has become proud of the skin he lives in, and he wants everyone to reflect the same self-confidence. So of course, he won’t sell out and accept the insults even for a payday, at least not anymore.

An awkward silence.

Kai turns red from embarrassment. It’s so silent. You can hear a pin drop. Matter of fact, you can hear the police sirens and firefighters from the warehouse down the way. Kai responds, “Sorry.” Larry accepts his apology, “You didn’t know. It’s all good bro.” Larry walks towards Kai with a smile and sits in the nearby chair, “Can I stay here for a few days, bruh?” Kai returns the smile, “You know I would, but I’m getting evicted too.” Larry and Kai exchange a few generous and hysterical laughs, “(Laughing) And you’re trying to judge me. It’s all good. I have a plan anyways,” stated Larry.

Kai has a confused glare, he’s concerned for his friend, “What’s that? Are you actually going to start spending your fortune?” Larry’s father is the co-founder and CEO of Lee Fusion, a global manufacturer of sports-themed apparel and various sports nutrition products. Over the years, Lee Fusion has rapidly become a diversified multinational conglomerate with Larry next in line to watch the throne, if he wants it that is.

Mr. Lee was sending Larry money to cover majority of his living expenses, but Larry did not spend any of it. Larry decided to live dangerously and relied on other resources to survive in a somewhat foreign country. Now he has an enormous saving and has not given any indication on how he plans to use it.

Larry ignores Kai’s question about his fortune, and instead, he leans back to reach for his backpack – pulls out a crumpled envelope and hands it to Kai, who pulls out a letter. As Kai is reading the letter, Larry makes his case, “I got some mail from my mom the other day. She knows I graduated and wants to know what my plans are now. She claims my dad is asking for me too, but I doubt it. I can’t ask for money because they’ll ask even more questions. It’s time for me to head back to the Bay while they’re asking for me.”

Kai looks up from the letter with slight tears coming from his eyes. He’s hurt, “With everything we’ve done here, you think it’s smart to go back now? Like now?” Larry is straight and to the point, “Yeah. I graduated from college months ago, and if I don’t show up soon, my parents will figure out what I’ve been up to.” Kai continues reading the letter with a sign of confusion all over his face. Larry continues, “I think it’s best to go home and relax when they’re asking for me and not unexpectedly. It’ll help me keep Blaxpride a secret.”

Kai hands the letter back to Larry. Larry puts the letter back into his backpack and finally stands up to sit in the chair next to Kai. Larry knows that Kai does not want him to leave. “But what about the problem? Aren’t we going to finish what we started? I can’t do it alone, I’m barely walking again”, Kai is looking for a direct answer and none of the sugar coating he’s received from his heroic friend. Kai was injured by the triads while defending the city in a turf war, but luckily for him, Larry was around to rescue him.

Larry smiles, “Who said I’m not coming back?” Kai stands up to look out the window. From the window, he catches an inferno view of the burning warehouse. From afar, it seems like an extreme fireworks show. As he glares out the window, “It’s only going to get worse from here. You know I can’t do this without you.” Larry mimics the Chinese vigilante and walks towards the window, he relaxes his masculine hands on Kai’s shoulder. Larry with a crackling voice counters, “I’ll be back one day. I promise.” Kai looks him dead in his eyes, “When are you planning to leave?” Larry replies, “Tomorrow.”

Kai is confused, “Tomorrow? Why would you ask me for a place to stay then?” Larry laughs, “I don’t know, bruh, just go with it.” Kai laughs hysterically for what seems like the first time in a long time. Kai sits down in his desk chair and begins to work on his laptop again. Larry sits right next to him. Kai stops for a second to ask Larry, “So are you ready to talk to your dad again? It’s been six years?” Larry pauses, thinks about his answer and then says, “I’ll get to that when it happens. I just really want to see my siblings. However, I am going to need a favor from you.” Kai, as he turns around from his computer screen, “What is it?” Before Larry can ask the question, we go elsewhere…

Leaving the Oakland International Airport, Larry is in the backseat of a cab heading to his parent’s house in Piedmont. Larry stares out the window the entire time. The cab driver, a mid-30’s Middle Eastern man with the strong stench of Nanban Eau de Parfum, notices and continues to look in the rearview mirror while driving. Larry is staring him dead in the eye via the mirror. Larry is fed up with the staring and puts on his headphones while using his phone.

Unnerved by the silence, the cab driver decides to speak, “So who are you visiting?” Larry continues to stare at the cab driver through the same mirror but says nothing and continues to look out the window. The cab driver is now curious, “Look kid, I’m not trying to bug you. I just never see your type come up to these parts of town.” Larry looks up in disgust, and now he’s ready to have a little chit chat with this “curious” cab driver. He takes off his headphones. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Larry questions with an overboiled frustration. The cab driver replies, “I mean kid, look at us. Nobody of our complexion owns anything over here. I just want to know who you’re coming to see in case the cops start asking questions. I don’t want any problems.” Larry shakes his head, “It’s a shame someone as old as you can be so dense to think that way.” Larry and the cab driver continue to look at each other through the mirror as he drives Larry to his destination.

The cab driver wants to get his point across, as stubborn as a newborn goat, “Look kid, if you walk down these streets, people will stare at you like a hound, and you want to know why?” Larry rolls his eyes, “Try to tell me.” Larry folds his arms anticipating the ridiculous response he’s about to get. Cab driver proclaims, “Because we don’t belong here. All you got is boujee rich people who would rather take an Uber or Lyft before they ride in a cab with someone like me.” Confused, Larry questions, “Like you?” “Look at how the media portrays my religion, my people, and my culture. I can’t even go inside an airport without them thinking I have a bomb,” states the cab driver.

Larry is disgusted, sighs in disbelief of the ridiculous notions carried on by this cab driver. He’s given up and is ready to submit to society’s negativity. Larry has a final question. “And what have you done to correct those views?” The cab driver shrugs his shoulders and continues to drive without giving a response. Irritation is now on Larry’s side. Larry wants answers, Larry gets answers. He yells, “What have you done to correct those views besides harassing young brothers like myself who just want a simple ride to his parents’ house because he’s been away for a few years.” The cab driver ignores the questions and counterstrikes, “Your parents live here?” Larry answers, “(Sighing) Yes, they do.”

The Cab Driver pauses. He was only looking out for Larry, “Look kid, I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m looking out for you. There have been a few instances of people calling cops and crying wolf. It’s causing friction in these streets.” Larry, still staring at the Cab Driver, he asks, “What are you talking about?” The Cab Driver continues, “For example, there was this lady the streets called Prank Call Phoebe causing problems. She’s a young white woman who was deliberately calling 9-1-1 on black families barbequing in a park not too far from her house in North Oakland. She was doing it for months until she was finally captured on video calling the police on this interracial couple who were only having a picnic in the park with their kids. Memes were hilarious but still – people are looking to cause problems for people like us, kid.”

Larry is pissed. Prank Call Phoebe is more than just a damn household name or even an Internet meme for children of this generation to enjoy. She’s one of the multiple universal symbols of white fears of anything a minority, better yet a black man does. From being successful entrepreneurs giving back to the community to graduating from college, every little step is monitored under a designated lens. It has become utterly obvious to Larry Lee that nothing is scarier than a black man who isn’t afraid to create change.

Larry looks astonished by what he just heard and questions, “So what happened to Prank Call Phoebe? Did she get any jail time for abusing the emergency line?” The Cab Driver answers, “Man, you must not be on social media a lot. The police showed up, realized what she was doing was unjust and let it go. They basically let the internet destroy her. She lost her job and was taunted by every single person who ran across her on the streets. Rumor has it, she moved back to the South to be with her parents.” The Cab Driver is smiling, but Larry is not. Larry asks, “So no jail time for her actions? You find this funny and you’re worried about why I’m heading to Montclair? You don’t think you are also part of the problem with what’s going on?” The Cab Driver quickly answers, “No, kid, no jail time.” He partially answers Larry’s question.

Larry pauses. Shakes his head at the disgust and says, “Sounds like she got off easy, if it was someone like me or you, they’d be behind bars right about now.” The cab driver is dazed by Larry’s remark. He cannot believe this young man wants justice and is not into the memes or social media embarrassment. He sincerely wants real justice. As a young African American, Larry is tired of this ridiculous epidemic of calling law enforcement on black people for simply minding their own business. Larry knows this reoccurrence needs to be stopped as it’s only happening to scare them from residing in specific areas.

The cab driver continues to look at Larry, but it is quite apparent Larry is done with the conversation. Larry looks out the window to see a street sign that brings familiarity to him. He has a genuine concern look, yet a smirk. It’s different.

“You know what, let me out here if you don’t mind. I want to walk a little bit.” The cab driver pulls over, unlocking the back door for Larry. The cab driver has no idea if he’s done anything wrong, just stares at Larry with disbelief. He can’t believe the stoic demeanor of this young African American man who is confident in himself to believe he can make a difference.

The cab slowly pulls to the side. The cab driver lets Larry know, “That will be $69.” Larry goes into his backpack, pulls out a hundred-dollar bill, and hands it to the cab driver. Larry smiles, “Keep the change.”

Larry gets out of the cab and begins walking down the street. The cab driver stares at the hundred-dollar bill with amazement. Shaken, he doesn’t know what to say next. The cab driver rolls his passenger side window down and drives towards Larry. “By the way, my name’s Fadel. What’s your name, kid?” asked Fadel. Larry stares into the car and directly at Fadel. Larry gives Fadel an eyebrow raise so sharp, he’s completely impersonating Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. In deep thought, while placing his backpack over his shoulders. He speaks with confidence.

“It’s Larry. Larry Lee.”