“Human Earthquake” For Steppers Seeking to Understand

I have traveled to Chicago several times in the last two years yet I believe I have only scratched the surface of learning to step Chicago style. In all of my relationships in the Chicago community I feel the code of loyalty, respect and the need to know balance between ego “self-esteem” and humility. As a Jamaican, these are sentiments of the customs I live by. Understanding steppin’ Chicago style is to understand these ideas and to know the roots and culture of the people.

I interviewed Ramon Darnell from Chicago who is the author of the book, Human Earthquake – a story about Chicago. This book is a view of Chicago, the way of life, the culture – the roots of steppin’. After reading this book I realized deeper layers to steppin’ that you don’t see unless you know what to look for. I see how steppin’ is Chicago. Steppers seeking to understand steppin’ should take the time to talk to older steppers in Chicago, do research and read the book Human Earthquake. Now the interview.

Why did you write the book Human Earthquake?

I wanted people to learn from my experiences, my triumphs and my trials; to be able to understand and use that in a positive way. In the streets among playas, hustlers, gangsters, and pimps, we coined the spirit of hustling. I say don’t kill the instinct but redirect it to do something positive with it.

Do you believe Human Earthquake tells the story of someone growing up in Chicago today?

Yes. It connects very well, because there are so many dynamics to this book.  Not only does it talk about hustling but it talks about growing up as a child with a single mom, the grandparents raising the grand children, an absentee father and stepfather. It talks about the style of dancing and music and the male female relationship. You can understand the different facets of the American male in America and the struggles we face in education, housing, job market and even the military. There are so many life lessons in this book.

Do you believe this story will stand the test of time?

Yes it will. There is always a foundation and people should never lose their foundation.  They should build upon their foundation. The story tells where steppin’ comes from. If you don’t know where this dance came from then you don’t really know anything about steppin’. Well, I wouldn’t really consider it stepping. Once you understand and know the foundation of steppin’ then you can build upon it and have a better understanding.

Do you believe that at times in this book you would be misunderstood?

I think I was so transparent in the book. The book is not only about pimpin’ and hustling. I talk about the joy of life, the misfortunes, and the pain and people can connect to that. The missed opportunities are connectors.  I talk about child abuse, spousal abuse, and police brutality. These are things in the urban community that people may not understand. I want readers to see it through my eyes so they gain a better understanding. Everybody may not understand it because of different customs and a lot of times people don’t like to go outside of their customs. I tried to be as transparent as possible so that people would get a better understanding.

How is this story different from other books we have read or movies we have watched?

Most books tell a story. I show a story through detail. This book is so transparent and real that when you read it, it’s like watching a movie. I share all the events of my life in a vivid, descriptive and colorful way for readers to see it all.

Would you consider making this book a movie?

I believe it should be a movie so that it can last from generation to generation. I am inviting people to read the book and into my life to share my world and my struggles that I faced until I found my place in the world that had limited opportunities for me and the Black American in the United States.

Who should read this book and how is it relatable?

Everybody should read the book to have a better understanding of black people and the urban community. Once someone really understands us then they can relate. Human Earthquake shows how black people fall into that life or how they get pulled that way because of the missed opportunities. We don’t have those resources that were taken out of the neighborhood and still had the hustle but didn’t have the opportunity. We have talent but no resources. We did in the best way we knew how with the hand we were dealt.

What do you hope for readers to walk away with after reading this book?

Readers will understand there is nothing new under the sun. The mainstream and urban community do the same things.  There are hustlers in the urban community and there are slick politicians. There are gang members, but there are gang members in police departments. There are thugs and killers in the police and thugs and killers in gangs as well. We are no different than anyone else. Just because you grow up in an urban community you don’t have to stay there. I want to be a living example that you can do something and be successful and it just doesn’t stop right there.

Why is steppin’ mentioned in Human Earthquake?

Steppin’ originated with gangstas, playas and hustlers and people who were around those type of people. It was an underground dance because we did underground things. When you were a hustler and a stepper then you danced. Dancing had an influence on how we dressed, our style, and our verbal “rapability.” All played a key role in being a hustler and steppin’ was a part of that. That’s how it started.

Has sharing your truth publicly in Human Earthquake changed you in any way?

No it didn’t. It just let people know how I became the person I am today.

Was there any feedback from readers that surprised you?

Yes. A lady who gave me a review on Amazon said she doesn’t believe my story, because she grew up in Chicago in Chatham. You can grow up in the same neighborhood and not experience the same thing. It all depends on who you hang with, and what you do and what your customs are. If you go to work everyday, we are out hustling just like you are. You go to bed at night and we come out and we hustle at night. What I wrote about really happened and is real.