86 Oh please don't hesitate part one

So I did a lot of walking around one part of Berkeley. It was mostly up Telegraph Avenue. From the place that I did my pan-handling for the Free Clinic, I passed the Hare Krishna Church, People's Park and up to the University grounds. The church was a pretty big deal in the bay area. I don't know about the one that's there now. I don't really care about that history. What sect this or that. Locations or whatever. All I know is that they had colorful parades and were often chanting on the street.

I was gleeful taking in the sights on my walks, always absorbing the colors and the voices. Happy. La di dah.

 

Ginger in the Morning (1974)

I was a bit surprised in an unhappy way one afternoon though. It was the Mike Tyson guy with more muscles from People's Park. I was really surprised. He grabbed me from behind. Grabbed my arms and said "Remember I told you we were going to get you." I was very close to the Krishna Temple. He pushed me ahead and made me keep walking. I was a strong girl but this guy was super big and powerful. I couldn't escape his grasp. I wriggled and tried my hardest to free myself and I was yelling "Help!" I was doing every maneuver possible but he was forcing me into a direction I'm sure led to some hidden spot near People's Park. I really feared for my life. He was forceful and angry. 

 

I kept squirming and fighting and yelling. People were looking but did nothing. He finally picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. He was holding me in place with both arms while he was walking. I knew I was in serious trouble if I didn't get away. It was broad daylight and I couldn't believe that nobody was doing anything to help me. I was crying and screaming help at the top of my lungs. Some guy passed by and I looked right at him and begged for help, while I was squirming and fighting. He said "Hey man, put her down." The attacker looked at him and got closer in a jerky mad fashion and said "What are you going to do about it?" He said it in a really deep crazy way & the guy said "nothing." He backed away and kept walking. I had to get away somehow. This guy was even madder and crazier now.

 

I was screaming for help in front of the Krishna place... loud. I thought for sure someone would come out to help me but no one did. I thought they were about the good. All the while poor Zac was on the ground and I could see him in the distance just standing there helpless.

 

 

Nobody was helping. They just left me to my fate. I don't know, maybe someone called the cops but I don't think so. I was on his shoulder but I did my best to wriggle around and loosen his grip. He was getting madder because he was trying to walk at the same time and I was slowing him down. I knew I only had one chance. If I failed I was in real trouble. I couldn't fight him in overall strength or certainly couldn't use arm strength against him. I finally squirmed low enough to use my leg power. One chance. I better get it right. I felt the position of where my knee was. I pulled back with my leg and then I kneed him in the crotch like you wouldn't believe. My legs were super strong and this was my only way out. I felt it. I did real damage I'm sure, I could feel things separating. It was pretty gross but I had to do it. I bet he was never the same again, probably had to go the hospital. I'm not a vengeful person but I had to do it, I'm sure, to save my life.

 

He dropped to the ground, I ran as fast as I could away but yelled "Where's my cat?" Somebody pointed "Here." I ran around in the street. The big strong attacker was on the ground crying and yelling "You bitch." Crying bad.

 

I grabbed Zac and ran up the hill to the dorms.