Fwd: ATDTDA (12) - More NYC Stuff

[David Morris]

http://www.amazon.com/Tongs-Gangs-Triads-Chinese-America/dp/0595187544

Tongs, Gangs, and Triads: Chinese Crime Groups in North America

The so-called "Chinese Mafia" has earned a reputation as one of the
fiercest and most brutal in the seedy underworld of organized crime.
Yet does such an organization even exist? Or is there instead a wide
variety of "Tongs, Gangs, and Triads" stretching across not just Asia
and North America, but the globe?

Although such groups are most notorious, perhaps, for their control of
the lucrative Southeast Asian drug trade, they are also known for
involvement in illegal immigration, smuggling, extortion, kidnapping,
home invasions and crimes of all sorts.

How much of this is Hollywood hype and how much is reality? And how
can law enforcement and other interested parties overcome cultural
barriers and gain an understanding of a criminal element that shrouds
itself in secrecy – a secrecy that has proved to be its strength for
centuries?

This book explores the rich Chinese tradition of tongs, gangs, triads
and secret societies and their frequent involvement in organized
crime, as well as their more recent and growing collusion with
Chinatown street gangs. The result is a work that provides an
excellent introduction to not just Chinese crime groups, but Chinese
culture and history in general.
---------------

Tongs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triad

Tongs are similar to triads except that they originated among the
early immigrant Chinatown communities rather than an extension of a
modern triad in China. The first tongs formed in the second half of
the 19th century among the more marginalized members of early
immigrant Chinese American communities for mutual support and
protection from white racists. These first tongs modeled themselves
upon triads. However, unlike the triads, the tongs formed without
clear political motives and soon found themselves involved in criminal
activities, including extortion, gambling, human trafficking, murder,
and prostitution.[1]

Many traditional tongs in USA Chinatowns have been replaced by recent
immigrants from China, especially from Fuqing City, Fujian Province.

---------------

Mock Duck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mock_duck

Mock duck, like seitan, is a gluten-based vegetarian food. It is
generally made from wheat gluten and is thus high in protein. Its
distinctive flavor and artificial "plucked duck" texture distinguish
it from other forms of commercially available seitan. Mock duck can be
found in some Chinese grocery stores.

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RW's production "African Antics" a "coon revue" modeled after Williams & Walker

Williams & Walker

http://www.si.umich.edu/chico/Harlem/text/williams_walker.html

Bert Williams (1874-1922); George Walker (1873-1911); and Aida Overton
Walker (1870-1914)

George Walker and Egbert Austin Williams were a vaudeville comedy team
and had one of the most renowned and successful stage partnerships in
American theatrical history. They started in separate careers and
decided to team up when they met in San Francisco in the early 1890s.
Their first success came when they billed themselves "The Two Real
Coons." This was at a time when minstrel shows featuring white actors
in black face were popular. Williams and Walker pioneered a new kind
of "black" humor and eventually developed their own company. With
musicals shows such as "Clorindy, the Origin of the Cakewalk," "Sons
of Ham," "Bandana Land," and "In Dahomey," they opened the door for
other African-American actors, singers, dancers and musicians and
redefined the boundaries of legitimate Negro theater. Additionally,
their efforts were a big influence on the development of American
musical comedy theater.


>From AtD Wiki:
Courage, Camille
345; "Courage Camille" is a game in which three players are required.
Two of the players face each other and lock hands. The third person
stiffens and falls backwards into their arms. This should be done
several times, with the person falling farther backwards each time
(the players locking their hands should lower them each time). Other
players can then try.

-------------------

Does Lillian Russel like hats?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Russell

Lillian Russell (December 4, 1860 – June 6, 1922) was an American
actress and singer.

Lillian RussellBorn Helen Louise Leonard in Clinton, Iowa, Lillian
Russell became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the
late 19th century and early 20th century, known for her beauty and
style, as well as for her voice and stage presence.
[...]
For forty years, Russell was also the companion of businessman
"Diamond Jim" Brady, who showered her with extravagant gifts of
diamonds and gemstones and supported her extravagant lifestyle.