Public Enemy (1990)

I was a sophomore at the University of Michigan School of Art in 1990. My best friend, Andrew, and I were seriously bummed when word came around that the much-anticipated (for us, at least) “Sisters of Mercy and Public Enemy” tour was announced… then quickly canceled.

Rumor was that promoters feared a a clash between white fans of “Sisters…” and PE’s predominantly black following.

So I was really excited to learn that Public Enemy opted to stay on tour. Sadly, the closest venue to my boys and me? Windsor.

As in ONTARIO.

As in CANADA.

Sigh. No matter. We were determined to see PE live, so we got tickets and went to the show. I think the memory that sticks out the most, to me, is my memory-visual of the U.S./Canada border. I recall our car, filled with college-aged white boys, breezed through, while every car pulled off to the side… yeah, of course. “Brothuhs and Sistuhs.”

Hmmmph.

“I got a right to be hostile! My people been persecuted!”

Effin’ show was brilliant. I’m so glad I left the country to see Public Enemy in their heyday.