I don’t understand. I really don’t. If you don’t want to be confounded like me, don’t look at this video.
The video apparently shows two young women fighting. Punching. Kicking. Hair-pulling. Really down and dirty. And the setting appears to be Hillcrest Pisgah View Apartments. There’s no explanation posted with the video, so all we have to go on is what we see.
The violence is disturbing. The fact that a crowd is standing by and watching – and videotaping – the violence may be even more disturbing.
Is this what life is like in Asheville’s public housing complexes? Is this gang-related? Does anyone think this show of violence will solve anything? Why would someone post this video?
I don’t get it. I really don’t.
18 Comments
I fail to see what assumptions have been made. This clearly takes place in a "hood" and the participants are clearly of a certain race. To pretend like that doesn’t matter at all is shortsighted. I agree there is a very insular community involved here and a LOT of questions need to be asked, chief among them being what role race and economic status played in precipitating, encouraging, and permitting this event to happen. I think the answer lies in the culture that we ALL live in, regardless of whether our communities are self-isolated or not.
As far as why this video was posted, someone wanted a laugh and some props, end of story. Should we ask why people post videos of dogs taking a dump? The motivations are probably similar if not identical, and to waste time trying to find meaning in what is obviously an immature act is pointless.
Video removed due to violation of terms of service.
I did watch the video before it was removed. I fail to see how it is any better, worse or very much different at all than say, Kimbo Slice finding some bum to beat up to promote his UFC career.
I am not at all condoning this behavior, but both of the women had chances to walk away from the fight. I would dare say that this whole thing was planned from the get go. How else do you explain the crowd of onlookers not to mention the "videographer?" I seriously doubt all these people were just passing by as this situation unfolded. It was planned. Many people knew this would happen before it did. These situations are often hyped and talked about long before they happen. Do the onlookers really condone this type of stuff? Is it ok to them to raise their children around that?
I live in an apt complex near downtown. I’ve been bitten by a neighbor’s dog, the person above me was arrested for dealing drugs, and I constantly have to be on the lookout for neighbors who don’t clean up their pet’s mess right in front of my apt. Everyone of these situations was made immediately aware to the apt. managers. Partially for my own benefit and partially for the benefit of the community. I’m not sure exactly where I’m going with this but I think, in part, it is the COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS TO POLICE ITSELF FIRST. If that doesn’t work or is inappropriate given the circumstances then get the authorities involved. I wonder if the group of onlookers views themselves as a community (as opposed to individuals, every man, woman, and child for themselves) and that the witnessed behavior is just part of life that they are ok with? It’s kinda sad if you ask me.
Sean, I wasn’t referring directly to you, but I’ll answer you directly. Yes, this is evidence of systemic problems. One is lack of trust. Beyond that, owing to possible misinterpretation, I cannot and will not further share my opinions on a matter this sensitive in a forum like this.
And guess what what it, this took place in WEST ASHEVILLE . . . . How does Asheville recognize this by doing nothing, most of Asheville pretends these places don’t exist because it gets in the way of the fake warm and fuzzies it tryes to portray.
You can paint all the buses you want, you can put all the rust art on the streets of downtown Asheville, win all the lame online beer polls and you know what Asheville has its problem, not until its addressed this community remains, VERY non-Deverse.
I still think its funny that people think West Asheville is just Haywood road, thats a hoot right there.
I assume, Leigh, that I am one the people to which you are referring. I am very familiar with ALL of the areas you described, and more. I have been for going on 12 years now, and I’m not "assuming" anything. I am also not "afraid", and I understand the history and cultural dynamics.
With all that being said, I stand behind my comment. I don’t think historical struggles or cultural dynamics have anything to do with a large group of people, young and old, supporting this type of uncivilized (yeah I said it) behavior. I again state that this is evidence of systemic problems within this community. The question is, should we, or can we do anything about it?
Listen to yourself. Hoodrats? That, in itself, is a derogatory, short-sighted comment. First of all, using ‘hood versus neighborhood carries an implied connotation all its own. All sorts of assumptions have been made by commentors, essentially resulting in blowing off the situation instead of exploring the reasons more deeply. Why? Because it doesn’t directly involve them, their neighborhood, or (I’m saying it) their race.
People are afraid of what they don’t know and what they don’t understand.
Many Asheville residents do not understand the history of certain neighborhoods, or the cultural dynamics of those neighborhoods, or know about the current, regular strife that occurs beyond the fact that it’s a place you don’t want to be near after dark.
This is not the only video of this kind out there. Search for Klondike. Search for Hillcrest. Search for PVA.
Think about your own assumptions. Why do you hold them?
Yep….that’s definately beautiful PVA, North Carolina. I have often wondered why a trip through there isn’t included on the trolley tours. JBo said it best; it is not always beer and bicycles here.
I’d like to know though Jen, what needs are not being addressed that would prevent hood rats from fisticuffs? Look at the ages on the crowd……they range from small children to the elderly. This is evidence of systemic problems in an insular community. I have no doubt in my mind that no one called the police, because there would be video of their response.
That’s actually Pisgah View, not Hill Crest
COME ON. There is absolutely no deeper meaning whatsovever Being "hood" in Asheville is hardly an accomplishment or an urban housing dilemma. As the one user said, hoodrats fight. Those hoodrats would get their ass kicked by real chickenheads in 1 minutes flat.
What’s really hood bitch??
http://www.dumpalink.com/videos/Comedy-When-Keeping-it-Real-goes-Wrong-bcb2.html
Well said, JBo. Well said.
-=WL=-
Asheville isn’t all just beers & bicycles.
There are always undercurrents of day-to-day struggles that need to be recognized & addressed.
I like to do hoodrat stuff with my friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcqOgnQyXp4&feature=related
And I smoke widt cigawettes.
-=WL=-
If it were gang-related, there’d be more involvement. I personally think the dude in the red shirt should be getting beat down by both of these broads. That’d be worth watching. I really don’t think that but it’s the instigating and lack of people breaking it up that fuels the fearless videographer. Let’s send John Le in there for and investigative report.
All of you trying to read a deeper meaning into this are really wasting your time. Hoodrats fight. It’s just what they do.
Is Asheville trying to obtain a #1 ranking as "Best Hood Fight City?" Is there some online poll I can vote in to make that happen? Didn’t see anything listed in Mountain eXcess, so maybe not…
I think the post is put there for recognition…besides it wasn’t a very good fight as far as fights go..
I think the post is put there for recognition…besides it wasn’t a very good fight as far as fights go..
While I maybe, just maybe, can explain the rationale behind posting it, I won’t be able to ever explain why it is fit for exhibition.
People post whatever they find notable. With the instant global publication that the internet provides, the temptation to showcase these things is often the justification to do so, in itself. In this case, someone believes that this is notable in that it: is amusing to watch and posits you should probably be amused to; fulfills a vital function for a group of people and this is an ideal to strive for; or is a document on "how it is" and that the subject is worthy of study, preservation, or viewing.
Of course, various other blatant things aside, the poster of this video does not have qualms with the exploitation of both the fight participants, even if either of them consented to filming. The divisive culture it helps perpetuate is very disgusting as well.
Certainly, not a good face of Asheville (or anywhere else, for that matter) to present to the world, the poster of this video probably obviously did not consider anything in particular.