# Montgomery dock brawl **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 11, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380 "2023-08-11T01:37:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/1 "2023-08-11T01:37:32Z")
I saw a couple of minutes of [this story](https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/08/us/montgomery-boat-dock-fight/index.html) on TV a couple of evenings ago, but then it seemed to disappear. I haven’t seen anything on here about it. Is it at all remarkable, or is it just another example of white racists feeling more empowered to express their fear and hatred with violence? Is it nuanced at all, or completely straightforward? Apparently three white men are being charged with a Class A misdemeanor, third degree assault. The maximum penalty for that is one year in prison. They are the three men from the small private boat. I find myself pleased that they apparently aren’t going to get away with behaving like violent assholes. I read [this interesting opinion piece](https://www.npr.org/2023/08/10/1193091939/montgomery-brawl-memes) by a Black commentator on NPR. It’s sort of a secondary reflection on the reactions to the brawl, especially on Black social media. I liked the image of the MLK Jr statue holding a folding chair. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/2 "2023-08-11T03:13:10Z")
I don’t understand why the men on the tour boat didn’t back the crew. It should have been a short discussion on docking etiquette. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/3 "2023-08-11T03:18:32Z")
Huh? Who do you think the tour boat and the crew were? There were guys who left their pontoon boat where they weren’t supposed to, and the guy trying to get them to move. I’ve heard the latter described as a security guard and as a co-captain. The rest of the tour boat’s crew were stuck on the boat that couldn’t dock ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/4 "2023-08-11T03:21:07Z")
How did the co-captain get on the dock? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2023, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/5 "2023-08-11T04:07:49Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > How did the co-captain get on the dock According to [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/us/montgomery-boat-dock-fight-what-we-know/index.html) > The victims in the assaults were identified as Damien Pickett, the co-captain, and a 16-year-old White boy who had transported Pickett to the dock in a small boat. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/6 "2023-08-12T15:40:46Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > The victims in the assaults were identified as Damien Pickett, the co-captain, and a 16-year-old White boy who had transported Pickett to the dock in a small boat. It looks like the video was shot from the cruise ship but there were people on an upper level above the dock and there were people who eventually joined in. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/7 "2023-08-12T15:51:54Z")
It is reflection on our racist society. It should be a story about drunks brawling with a boat crew and bystanders jumping in to help. Instead we are forced to see this through the lens of racism and categorize the people involved according to the color of their skin. Racism pervades our society so it’s not surprising when people who who have ordinary problems with those they perceive as belonging to a different race demonstrate their racism in their actions, but that doesn’t mean that racism caused the problem, but it will certainly exacerbate it. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/8 "2023-08-12T16:18:59Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > It should be a story about drunks brawling with a boat crew and bystanders jumping in to help. Instead we are forced to see this through the lens of racism and categorize the people involved according to the color of their skin. Yes, it’s so sad that a man can’t even yell [“f\*\*K that \*\*\*\*\*\*”](https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/witness-racist-language-was-used-before-assault-at-montgomery-dock-court-document-shows/) before starting a fight with a Black man, without everyone jumping to the conclusion that he’s a racist. > The mother of one of the victims in the altercation alleged in a sworn statement to police that “you could hear men yelling ‘f\*\*k that \*\*\*\*\*\*’” as the Black co-captain of a riverboat tried to move a pontoon boat occupying the riverboat’s docking location. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/9 "2023-08-12T16:24:00Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Yes, it’s so sad that a man can’t even yell [“f\*\*K that \*\*\*\*\*\*”](https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/witness-racist-language-was-used-before-assault-at-montgomery-dock-court-document-shows/) before starting a fight with a Black man, without everyone jumping to the conclusion that he’s a racist. I don’t think there’s any doubt the man is a racist. He could have started a fight with anyone and he’d still be a racist. And it’s no surprise to find outspoken racism in Alabama. I cite Captain Obvious for my statements above. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/10 "2023-08-12T16:33:25Z")
Folding chair guy > **[Why Are People Making Memes About Folding Chairs? The Alabama River Brawl And...](https://knowyourmeme.com/editorials/guides/why-are-people-making-memes-about-folding-chairs-the-alabama-river-brawl-and-its-infamous-folding-chair-meme-explained)** > > How a simple white folding chair became the viral subject of memes and was transformed into a symbol of resistance and empowerment for the Black community. has turned himself in. > **[‘Chair wielding’ suspect charged in Montgomery riverfront brawl](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/montgomery-riverfront-brawl-fifth-suspect-b2391828.html)** > > The police chief previously described Reggie Gray as the man seen ‘wielding that folding chair’ in footage of the incident ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/11 "2023-08-12T16:40:36Z")
Beau had something to say on this incident. [Montgomery Dock Brawl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mor6PhzE4NE) The docks are from the slave trading era and that’s where people were brought in. There are even pens still there for holding people being sold. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/12 "2023-08-12T17:00:06Z")
Why do people here constantly post links saying “Beau says this” about some topic. Why do we care about some random YouTuber? ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/13 "2023-08-12T17:04:27Z")
Well howdy there, internet person, we’re talking about Beau again. So today, we’re going to talk about him being frequently cogent about these things. He consumes and distills from a lot of different sources and brings up angles I never would have considered. It’s just a thought; you have a good day. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/14 "2023-08-12T17:24:15Z")
“Images dubbing the young swimmer Black Aquaman, Aquamayne and Blaquaman.” I like “Scuba Gooding Jr.” myself. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/15 "2023-08-12T17:37:16Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Yes, it’s so sad that a man can’t even yell [“f\*\*K that \*\*\*\*\*\*”](https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/witness-racist-language-was-used-before-assault-at-montgomery-dock-court-document-shows/) before starting a fight with a Black man, without everyone jumping to the conclusion that he’s a racist. Its wokeism run amuck. The correct response to racism is to do nothing and hope it just goes away, talking about it is very upsetting to us white people. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/16 "2023-08-12T18:51:43Z")
> [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](#): > > There are even pens still there for holding people being sold. Are you sure there are currently slave pens on the Montgomery riverfront dock? Maybe you’re thinking of the museum? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/17 "2023-08-12T20:24:25Z")
I watched a long you tube video by a Black guy with a panel of guests analyzing and commenting on the brawl. It was pointed out as a final point of fact that the folding chair was originally patented by a Black man. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/18 "2023-08-12T23:55:16Z")
Here’s the video I watched. It’s 48 minutes long. It’s an interesting take on a Black perspective of the situation. > **[WILD Alabama Riverfront BRAWL! Black People DEFEND Worker Against White...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Fj3ALsVhw%2F)** > > A black Alabama dock worker was trying to do his job when several white men brutally attacked him Saturday night. One of the white men owned the pontoon boat... ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/19 "2023-08-13T00:44:27Z")
I preferred Michael B. Phelps. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380/20 "2023-08-13T02:49:08Z")
Reggie Gray should have gotten a key to the city for his actions and not jail time. The captain was sucker punched and then ganged up on. They represented a clear and present danger. They should be grateful it was a chair and not a 9mm. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/montgomery-dock-brawl/988380.md?page=2)