From Truth to Fiction: A Special Kind of Thief

As I sit here feeling like my lungs are trying to escape throught the ribs of my back and out of my throat, I have a 1:45 doctor appointment. So, since my energy level is well enough, I figured I discuss a little bit about a thief and a liar, which I have wanted to do since the story came out.

Margaret Seltzer using the pseudonym of Margaret B. Jones, tried to pass herself off as a part Indian who joined the Bloods in South Central LA. She wrote a book about her experiences called "Love and Consequences." She said she ran drugs for the bloods and received a gun for her 14th birthday. Come to find out, the thief and liar was actually raised in San Fernando Valley by her biological white family. Hmmm, whaddya know? She actually learned the stories she stole from her work at the Brother/SisterHood Foundation, where she came into contact with many gang members.

Now, it would be one thing if Margaret Seltzer interviewed these folks with their permission and put their stories in a book, because no doubt, they should be heard. But to say this is HER story makes her a liar and a thief. It is a different kind of rape. Let me give you some examples:

I, Shusli Baseler-Johnson, am writing a book called "Racism from all Sides" about my experiences with racism as a light skinned Indian from both whites and other Indians.

Or how about this:

I, Ridwan Laher, am writing a book called "My Apartheid," about MY experiences with apartheid South Africa, the consequences I faced struggling against apartheid, and my disappointment with the aftermath of the end of apartheid.

Sound compelling, don't they? Except one thing: Although I am familiar with these stories, I am NOT Shusli Baseler-Johnson nor am I Ridwan Laher. I am Eugene Johnson, sitting here possibly with pneumonia, waiting for my doctor appointment, getting pissed off about this story of a theif and liar.

How about this:

I [place your name here], wrote a book called [appropriate title here], about my experiences as [appropriate experiences here]...etc. Can I steal you story as well?

The other title that has come up in this discussion in the NY Times and Eugene Register Guard is "A Million Tiny Pieces," by James Frey. It is a partially fabricated memoire about his NOT experiences as a recovering junky. But let me tell you about another special fabricated lie of a book:

"The Education of Little Tree," by Forrest Carter, is what he described as a semi-autobiographical novel about his experiences with Cherokee life in the hills of the SE U.S. Turned out his actual name is Asa Carter. Then it came out that not only was Asa Carter not Indian, not only was he white as white can be, he was also a one time member of the KKK and participated along with 5 of his brethren in castrating a black man in 1956. But then come the worthless fucking apologists who say: "At least someone is telling your story." Uhhhh, yeah. Can I tell your story and make a lot of money off of it claiming it as my own? You wouldn't mind, would ya?

Besides, there is one helluva lot of Indians writing stories about Indians. Wouldn't you rather hear about it from Indians? Or does hearing stories about Indians from Indians stir up some of that worthless white guilt? I don't know. If you want to tell me, you are more than welcome to.

From my understanding, there are a lot of books out there about gang life by ACTUAL gang members. I haven't read any, but one that pops into mind is "Monster Cody," I believe that is the title. Or does it bother you reading about black male gang members from folks who have actually been black male gang members? Would you feel more comfortable if Margaret Seltzer wrote about it as her own experience?

You can write fiction. You can write other peoples stories as other peoples stories. There are many legitimate ways in which Margaret Seltzer could have handled this, but instead, she created a rather elaborate lie, bringing forth information and witnesses that all turned out to be lying for her as well. Maybe she was going to cut them in on the deal, I don't know.

So, Margaret Seltzer, you've earned one great big fat FUCK YOU from me and many others who hate story theives and liars. No doubt a lot of the ACTUAL Blood gang members are pissed off about this as well, though I can't speak for them nor do I know any. As well, all those assholes that participated with you in this elaborate lie have earned a great big fat FUCK YOU from me as well.