Cartoon by Suerynn Lee
Clark had known Floyd, and had looked up to him as a mentorââmy big homie,â he called him. They had often talked to each other at El Nuevo Rodeo, a club where Floyd had worked as a security guard. Clark told me that Floyd had urged him to be more involved in the neighborhood, and to more consciously exercise a positive influence on its youth: âHe used to tell me to use my voiceâthatâs what he always said. Having tattoos on my face, people get the wrong impression. Thatâs what I loved about George. He told me, âAs soon as you start talkingâthatâs when theyâre gonna see you.â People donât know George. I needed those talks he gave me.â