Moments in Black History – Psycho
February 1960:
In lower eastside Manhattan, four a theater ushers, a concession worker, and several patrons were verbally and physically thrashed when a complaint was delivered to a heavy set black woman during an evening screening of Alfred Hitchcock's thriller, Psycho.
Reports indicate the individual, Ruth Walker, apparently became upset when a nervous theater usher asked her to keep quiet or leave the auditorium, following several anonymous complaints from white patrons. The usher made a mistake by threatening not to refund Walker's money for both admission and concession goods. An unknown white male stated Ms. Walker removed her house shoes and ear rings before she "went off" on the theater employee. He also stated she simply uttered "Ahh hell nah..." before flooring each employee confronting her and verbally chastising several interfering movie goers.
The incident began during the film when Walker screamed at the screen "Bitch, get yo white ass outta that shower! I know you be seein' that crazy ass mutha f*cka's shadow with the knife! Run, bitch, run! I know you can outrun that fool! Run!" Throughout the presentation, Walker hurled comments at the screen as if talking to the characters themselves, warning of trouble and/or giving various pieces of advice. The outbursts were disturbing to theater patrons attempting to enjoy the presentation then climaxed when Ms. Walker began directly talking to both the screen and patrons. When she grabbed the individual in front of her, Bob Johnson, and said "you white people is crazy", theater ushers were notified.
All employees were treated and released from a local hospital and psychologists.
Ruth Walker, however, finished watching the movie, afterwards commenting that Norman was straight up trippin'.
This is a Moment in Black History.
"You can kill a man but you can't kill an idea."
Medgar Evers
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