Last Tuesday, my friend "Lala" was murdered here in Phoenix. I still don't think it's really sunk in. First and only time, I hope, that I say a friend of mine was killed. I didn't know much about Lala, that's how it goes with your friends sometimes. While we only hung out about a dozen or so times over the 1 1/2 yrs i knew him...I knew his character. A stand up guy. To me anyways.
A little background. Lala was a former neighbor of mine. He stuck up for me when he didn't have to. Not that I need it, but its appreciated nonetheless. Side Note: It's REALLY hard to tell a bad area from a good area in Phx. Its not like back East. Back East, you might say "I'm White, I shouldn't go there" but out here it blends a bit more. So.......Last year, I lived in the apt complex directly next to his. Separated by a gate. My complex was very mixed, as far as race is concerned. Lala's complex was about 10% Mexican and 90% Black. It was kind of back in the cut and formed a corner that allowed various criminal activity. I had a friend who lived in the apts across the street where i would have to walk through Lala's complex parking lot to get to my boy's spot. That's how I met Lala. One day I'm walking through the parking lot and two kids about 17 or 18 roll up on me. Asking questions. Name? Why are you here? They were not receptive to a white face. Typical Ashby, I told them to fuck off and kept walking. I have no intention of beating a minors ass, no matter how tough he thinks he is.
Side Note: Racism against White people is not isolated in Phx. I have experienced it at LEAST 10 times the last 2 1/2 yrs. And I'm sure dozens of other times I am not aware of. So it goes.
The next day, Lala comes to my spot. He knew my roommate "PR" and had seen us walk through his parking lot before. "PR" is Black/Puerto Rican from NY. A NewRican if ya don't know the term. Lala didn't say anything about the incident but just hung out and smoked a fattie. Gettin a feel for me I guess. He told me that the only white dudes to come to his complex were usually cops. An interesting fact of culture but something that's not gonna stop me from doing me. I decided that from now on when I walk to my boys spot, I will carry my roomie's 9. In AZ, it is legal for ANYONE to carry a handgun without a permit.
Two days later, I start walking through the complex. A stoop kid whistles like a freakin bird. Kid must've been 12 or so. Before I get through the parking lot, 5 young punks cut me off. Probably between the ages of 16-20. They are within 10 ft and I wonder if I should reach for the 9. But then....I hear a whistle. They all look up. Lala is on the 3rd floor balcony. He gives them the NO sign with his hand waiving back and forth under his neck. They just start walking backwards and let me pass. A seminal moment in my life. Something I will never forget. Lala controlled that complex. I am not here to say that Lala was a great guy. I don't know. But I KNOW he was a great guy to me. And that's what matters to me.
Btw, the person who killed Lala is in jail and awaiting trial.
RIP Lala
