Ain't No Half-Steppin'

“[Bed Stuy] is not changing. It’s already completely changed. I’m not a big fan of a lot of that. I feel like they’re erasing history. If you renovate apartments and if you have nicer stores that’s cool. But when you get rid of historic places or things that mean a lot to the people from there I think that’s wrong. I can’t take my kids back and show them certain things because they’re gone.” -Big Daddy Kane

Words: Village Voice interview, 2103

Photograph: Catherine McGann, 1988

Sunday Routine

“I worked last night slinging drinks to entitled douchebags, getting out of the bar at like 5am, so I woke up feeling like shit at around noon. Made myself a pot of Bustelo, turned on the TV to NY1, zoned out and thought about what I wanted for breakfast. Seeing as I was pretty hungover, I decided on Chinese from the spot up the block with the bulletproof glass. Walking back home I picked up the Daily News and a bottle of Manhattan Special (on Sundays I figure I deserve a treat). Back home to the couch to eat my food out of the carton and read the sports pages. Napped for a while. Woke up, counted my tips, and watched a western on TCM. I skipped lunch, napped some more, and ate what was left of my Chinese for dinner. I read the book I've been trying to finish for six months, showered, and crawled into bed... That's my Sunday Routine™." -bartender Marco Floyd, 47

Blood On The Streets

We Fight Fascists: The 43 Group And Their Forgotten Battle For Post-War Britain (Verso) is the story of the Jewish World War II veterans (and their allies) who took to the streets to fight the resurgent fascist movement led by Oswald Mosley and others. This is a lovingly researched book (going back to pre-war UK), peppered with fantastic stories of espionage and violent direct action. Still a timely read, and a must for anyone who questions the use of violence against fascist scum. It's also interesting to note how The 43 Group were labeled as "political" (i.e. reds) as a way to tarnish and weaken their public support, when in fact their one unifying trait was being anti-fascist. (Sound familiar?) Also, who knew Vidal Sassoon was a total bad-ass?

Pictured: two original members of The 43 Group