Here's one to file under "Perverse Irony." Durhamites will recall this weekend's police interception of an armed robbery in progress on Holloway St. in East Durham, in which the D.P.D. stopped one man on his way out of a home (who surrendered) but saw two individuals flee the scene in a Ford Taurus.
Officers fired upon the Taurus when it allegedly attempted to run down the police; the car's driver was later found dead, with the gunshot wound listed as the cause of death.
However, the driver was apparently still alive enough as he fled the scene to race down Holloway St., where he caused a three-car accident on Morgan St. near the downtown McDonald's.
The Taurus struck an Isuzu SUV, causing it to flip over. The driver who was hit and injured?
According to the N&O, it was Christopher Martin -- AKA "Play" of the rap group Kid 'n Play, now a lecturer at NCCU -- and the producer of "Welcome to Durham, USA," a re-edit of an earlier version of the documentary.
"Welcome to Durham, USA"'s theme, in case you missed it, was gang violence in the Bull City.
Ironically, the movie has come under fire (see John Schwade's The Durham News op-ed for an example) for sensationalizing the gang picture in Durham -- a charge I can't comment on, having not seen the movie, though I generally trust John's instincts on such matters.
Still, it doesn't help the cred of that argument when the producer of a film about Durham crime becomes, well, a bystander victim of Durham crime.
Folks, you can't make this stuff up some days.
Wow, now that's what I call a healthy dose of irony, indeed. I'm pretty sure Christopher is also behind the site www.brandnewz.com. I haven't seen the documentary he made either, but would like to check it out and judge for myself. Any word on his condition? On a lighter note, well-chosen subject line.
Posted by: Ginny | January 02, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Ooo, BrandNewz... best button mouseovers ever! I hope Mr. Martin is okay.
Posted by: Valerie | January 03, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I hope Play is okay as well...he has done a lot to promote more positive lyrics in rap music.
Honestly, the media does more to sensationalize gangs in Durham than "Welcome 2 Durham" did. I wish they would have chosen a different name but it catches your attention.
The movie was a DOCUMENTARY...you can't make this stuff up. Really...watching it would probably assuage the fears of many about Durham's murder rate. People would also be able to better understand the mentality of the perpetrators of these crimes. The value of life and true self-respect is extremely low among these individuals.
The non-newsmaking part of the movie is the discussion of Tobacco's rise and fall in Durham and its corresponding effect on the local economy. The movie also touched on the history and Hayti. The end of movie concentrated on efforts being made to correct this complicated problem which will NOT be accomplished by police efforts alone. They also interviewed a couple of former gang members who have changed either as a result of going to jail or losing their sight or activity of limbs.
In essence, the documentary serves its purpose...check it out!
Posted by: KH | January 03, 2008 at 06:53 AM
that story is too hype.
Posted by: playswithkids | January 03, 2008 at 07:51 AM
This is the first time I've seen that it was Kid. Interesting and ironic indeed.
Related to this story too is how the communications are going with our rather freshly hired Police Chief:
http://durhambullpen.blogspot.com/2008/01/durhams-new-police-chief-is-quite-diva.html
Posted by: DBP | January 07, 2008 at 10:24 AM