A little history/geography quiz

[CGM]

Well, seeing as how you put it that way, I guess I do know the answer. It's a place in New Jersey where, if you're black, you better not show up on the street, lest you wanna draw the heat.

Ya New Jersey is correct, but I was looking for specifically Paterson, New Jersey, as I figured enough people have read about Ruben Carter and likely someone would either know it by that, or live in close proximity.

I never really had an inclination one way or another to his guilt or innocence, as i didn't know much regarding it..only saw the movie. So I did some researching on it last night and I think it is fair to say that the movie was not a very good factual interpretation of the events and life of the Hurricane. It would seem Norman Jewison used more then a little creative licence to portray Ruben Carter as a man falsely persecuted.

I found this an interesting read.

The Hurricane Hoax by Lona Manning

Yeah, I knew it was Paterson. I've listen to the song so many times, I pretty much have it memorized. btw, if you remember the bald black man with the beard that was my previous av, that was Carter.

Dylan's version of the story takes a few liberties with the facts also.

Anyways, here's the full verse...

Meanwhile far away in another part of town
Ruben Carter and a couple of friends are drivin round
The number one contender for the middleweight crown
Had no idea what kind of shit was about to go down
When a cop pulled him over to the side of the road
Just like the time before and the time before that
In Paterson, that's just the way things go
If your black, you better not show up on the street
Lest you wanna draw the heat.

And the complete lyrics...

Home Page | Bob Dylan

good question.