The Usual Suspects

Black Male, 6.2”, 28, wearing drooping baggy jeans,
patterned boxers, tan work boots. May be carrying
a gun
Black Male, 16, dark blue sweats and skullcap. Last seen running
south on Main.
Black Male, 30, red Chicago Bulls tank top and matching
shorts. Arrested on the corner with other Black Males ages
32, 27, 19, 12
Black Male, 42, unkempt beard, dirty clothes, no
permanent address. Has not bathed in weeks.
Black Male, driving late model car. Reason for detention:
Busted tail light, weaving/unsure driving, possible expired
tags or license, no reason for him to be in this neighborhood
at this hour anyway
Black Male, 19, dreadlocks, oversized clothes
claims to be a “rapper”
Black Male, 30, says he is “a poet.” Beat him into
silence. Rap them blind
Black Man, 50, says he is a college professor. See
how well he grades papers handcuffed in a cell
Black Man, 57. Occupation: jazz musician. Has clippings
in pocket as quote-unquote proof. Burn them
Black Man, 39. Protests he has no interest in, would never rape
a woman. Says he’s gay. Mention this when throwing him
in cell with other inmates. If not one now, he will be
once they’re done
Black Man, height 5’8”, 5’7”, 4’9”, 6’1”, 6’3”, 6’5”, 7’4” –
A 6’9” Senior from the University of North Carolina
Black Man, weight 150, 195, 210, 200, 260, 190, 300 –
Weighing in at two twenty-five, pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world
Black Man, age 27, 32, 48, 73, 16, 17, 18, 8 –
aged 13 and 9 respectively, under arrest for attempted murder,
have been charged as adults (charges later dropped)
Black Man Black Man Black Man Black Man Black Man
Black
Man

By Reginald Harris (Baltimore)
Source: Bum Rush the Page Edited by Tony Medina and Louis Reyes Rivera (2001).