The speaker recounts their childhood experiences with physical abuse, witnessing parents hitting their children and other adults. They mention how seeing a grown adult being beaten like a child was a defining moment in their life. The speaker also talks about their own experiences with violence, including being hit by a father who made his son punch them.
They then shift to discussing famous athletes, such as Julius Erving and Pistol Pete Maravich, who were known for their skills on the court. The speaker attributes their success to the pressure and discipline imposed by their fathers.
The conversation also touches on the topic of Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, and how he pushed his children to succeed. The speaker acknowledges the allegations of abuse but also recognizes the results of Joe Jackson's methods.
The speaker reflects on how their own upbringing and experiences have shaped them into the person they are today. They acknowledge that not everyone will agree with the methods used by their parents or authority figures, but ultimately, it has made them who they are.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker's mom was not a hater, but their grandmother would sometimes crack them.
2. The speaker saw a lot of violence as a kid, including adults hitting children.
3. The speaker lived on 205 West 88th Street and had a beef with a kid named Rudy the Haitian.
4. The speaker learned karate and finally stood up to Rudy.
5. The speaker's mom would sometimes physically punish them, such as throwing a dish against the wall.
6. The speaker saw a kid get hit by their father in the hallway of their school.
7. The speaker mentions Julius Erving, a famous basketball player, and his switch from the ABA to the NBA.
8. The speaker talks about Pistol Pete Maravich, another famous basketball player, and how his father would beat him to push him to be better.
9. The speaker mentions Tiger Woods and how his father put a lot of pressure on him to succeed.
10. The speaker discusses Joe Jackson and the allegations of abuse against him, including sexual abuse allegations.
11. The speaker mentions that Joe Jackson's children, including Michael Jackson, had talent but were pushed hard by their father.
12. The speaker recalls a time when they saw a grown woman hit their cousin for no reason.