Dearest Thugs,
...Gangstas, Hustlas, Bustas...
The other day while spending some time with the family, we came across the biography of Tupac Shakur's stepfather,
Mutulu Shakur. I know I might be a little delayed, but I never heard of dude until that moment.
According to Biography.com,
"On October of 1981, members of the Weather Underground, in conjunction with The Black Panthers and members of the RNA, held up a Brinks bank truck. Armed with illegal weapons, including M-16s, they shot and killed a Brinks guard. The incident led to a shootout with police, which ended with the death of two police officers and the wounding of another. Most of the perpetrators escaped, and Mutulu Shakur went into hiding. With the help of underground revolutionaries, Shakur evaded authorities for nearly five years.
Shakur remained No. 1 on the FBI's Most Wanted list until his arrest on February 12, 1986. According to law enforcement agents, Shakur was involved in 12 robberies, held between December 1976 and October 1981. In addition, he was charged with participating in the 1979 prison escape of activist Assata Shakur, who had been indicted on murder charges after a gun battle with police. Assata fled to Cuba, where she continues to live in exile to this day."
During the episode, there was one topic that caught my interest.
'The Code of Thug Life', a list of do's & don'ts of being a righeous thug & banger. Created by both Mutulu, Tupac & other 'OGs' at a "Truce Picnic" held in California [1992].
The Code of Thug Life:
1. All new Jacks to the game must know:
a) He’s going to get rich. b) He’s going to jail. c) He’s going to die.
2. Crew Leaders: You are responsible for legal/financial payment commitments to crew members;
your word must be your bond.
3. One crew’s rat is every crew’s rat.
Rats are now like a disease; sooner or later we all get it; and they should too.
4. Crew leader and posse should select a diplomat, and should work ways to settle disputes.
In unity, there is strength!
5. Car jacking in our Hood is against the Code.
6. Slinging to children is against the Code.
7. Having children slinging is against the Code.
8. No slinging in schools.
9. Since the rat Nicky Barnes opened his mouth; ratting has become accepted by some.
We’re not having it.
10. Snitches is outta here.
11. The Boys in Blue don’t run nothing; we do.
Control the Hood, and make it safe for squares.
12. No slinging to pregnant Sisters.
That’s baby killing; that’s genocide!
13. Know your target, who’s the real enemy.
14. Civilians are not a target and should be spared.
15. Harm to children will not be forgiven.
16. Attacking someone’s home where their family is known to reside, must be altered or checked.
17. Senseless brutality and rape must stop.
18. Our old folks must not be abused.
19. Respect our Sisters. Respect our Brothers.
20. Sisters in the Life must be respected if they respect themselves.
21. Military disputes concerning business areas within the community must be handled professionally and not on the block.
22. No shooting at parties.
23. Concerts and parties are neutral territories; no shooting!
24. Know the Code; it’s for everyone.
25. Be a real ruff neck. Be down with the code of the Thug Life.
26. Protect yourself at all times..
