The Bronx, N. Korea

They called themselves the 7 Saints. We were proud to have them in our neighborhood. This celebrity gang was known throughout the Bronx even if a mere 7 members barely qualified as a gang. Unlike the other gangs they wore no identifying jackets. When not in their cellar clubroom or around their windowless van they’d blend into their surroundings despite the halo we younger wannabes saw glowing around them.

Although not particularly friendly, no one feared them. They were neither aggressive or provocative, but everyone knew not to threaten or attack them. Training daily in collective self-defense coupled to a steeled determination to eliminate any attack by any means available proved to be a formidable force. The two times they were put to the test, by bullies with superior numbers, their devastating victory sent news throughout the hoods like extraordinary battles that find their way into the chronicles of history.

The 7 Saints were bully opposites. Everyone loved or at least respected them whereas everyone hated bullies. Even a bully’s friends hate him (or her). The friendship is a security tactic.

My experience from the Bronx is not unique. We’ve all experienced bullies and ”saints”.

Everyone knows who bullies the world today. This bully is now threatening and provoking a not particularly friendly, but definitely determined nation that neither threatens or provokes anyone. I don’t know how this confrontation will play out, but one thing is certain, the bully always, eventually, picks on the wrong person and gets what he (or she) deserves. They never recover.

*

”A big mouth is often powered by a small brain.”
Dartwill Aquila

*

The West Bank is now the Judea-Samaria area.