A DEAD MAN WALKING
Risking His Life to Protect the Children from Violence, and Rising as a Leader
He is an energizing ingredient within the swirling mix of Black social media
He enlightens, entertains and proudly causes good and bad trouble.
He’s a fatherly and fierce child protection advocate who has singlehandedly created a new genre of cultural criticism centered around the safety of children.
He’s a provocative leader who’s become a folk hero by urging people to report crime, and doing community work (such as feeding and teaching at-risk kids)
He’s also a master of contradiction, which has stupefied some observers, who complain about his often-undecipherable tirades.
Part 1: A Very, Very Brave Man
His name is Charleston White, a 46-year-old, brash and quick-witted Black Texan with a glass left eye, teeth covered with vvs diamonds, and a smile as wide as the Joker’s.
But, it’s no joke that Charleston White could be murdered any day now.
What would you expect to happen to someone who has repeatedly and viciously disrespected, chided and sarcastically bashed some of the most violent and corrupt men in America? I’m talking about men who are so dangerous that they beat, stab and kill at will — including defenseless children, if they get in their way.
The evil activities of these men make Charleston White so incensed that he boldly shames them publicly online, using a conglomeration of powerful in-your-face taunts, foulmouthed wit and shock jock theatrics.
Every day since 2020, this thin, 5-foot-5 Fort Worth, Texas native has primarily used Instagram, YouTube and TikTok to denounce and insult the evil doers. Figuratively, he pokes his finger into their eyes, kicks their butts, belittles their gangsterish kids and spits on the graves of their fallen compatriots.
He calls them foul names (e.g., “bitches”) and vociferously accuses some of them of orchestrating or carrying out specific murders.
His electric personality, Southern vernacular and charisma have enthralled millions of Black people (and apparently a strong contingent of whites), most of whom seem to absolutely love this man and respect what he is doing to protect children.
He certainly has his haters — hell, who doesn’t ?— yet comments to his social media postings and interviews commonly include adoring statements like these gems:
“Salute to you, Charleston White … You speak nothing but the truth … Keep doing good things.”
(Corey King)
“We love you CW!”
(White Boi Tactics)
“… I’ve never heard him say anything that I can’t agree with.”
(pvillethrill86)
“Damn this dude … too real, I stand with him.”
(@reddj002)
His haters call him a clown and say such things as:
“We are working on a petition to get him canceled.”
(Mrs. Lycan)
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In an interview with Charleston White in Fort Worth in February 2023, he told me: “Violent men are terrorizing communities and endangering the lives of children. I’m speaking out against them as boldly and disrespectfully as I can . . . I’m destroying their image.”
White, who some of his fans and supporters call “C.W.,” added: “They and their misguided supporters have threatened to kill me so many times, I’ve lost count.”
Who’s Threatening to Kill Charleston White?
The fearsome men that Charleston White has repeatedly disrespected are Black and powerful. They are arguably the most powerful men in many Black communities.
Some of them roam from coast to coast in private jets and first-class seats; and carry weapons, to include semi-automatic guns.
They swear allegiance to gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, Gangsta Disciples (GDs) and Vice Lords. (Note: Some gang members are also talented rappers.)
According to law enforcement officials, there are tens of thousands of gang members in the United States. Thanks to Charleston White’s crusade against them, police report that they have been able to identify and arrest many of them.
You see, some of the criminals are so bold that they threaten C.W. via emails and online, which helps police gang units track them down and lock them up.
Under the threat of gang retaliation, C.W. remains unafraid, by and large. He’s armored himself in a Bible verse that he recites every day: Psalm 23:4. He elaborates:
“When I lay down at night and when I travel, I say: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil. I’m speaking against evil. Gangsta rappers are evil.”
Down Goes a Gangsta
Quick Flip Vino, from Atlanta, Georgia, is one such gangsta.
According to reports, in August 2022, federal gang taskforce agents raided Quick Flip Vino’s home and arrested him after he allegedly threatened C.W. on TikTok.
As the rapper stared into his camera, he moved a finger near his neck, suggesting that he would cut off C.W.’s head, if the child protection advocate visited Atlanta. “… Charleston White better not step foot in Atlanta. Boy, I better not catch you … I promise you. I promise you.”
An FBI report stated that gangstas like Quick Flip Vino “use violence to control neighborhoods and boost their illegal money-making activities, which include robbery, drug and gun trafficking, (and) prostitution . . . Many gang members continue to commit crimes even after being sent to jail.”
It is not uncommon for a gangsta rapper to become a millionaire by creating and selling captivating music that glorifies murders and mayhem.
Part 2: The Notorious “O Block” Gangsta Rappers
Some of these rich rappers, such as King Von, from Chicago, Illinois’ notorious “O Block” public housing project (“da ‘hood”), have created “Drill” music, which is the hardest of hardcore gangsta rap.
I’m sure you’re aware that in Chicago, ugly gun battles and homicides occur on a regular basis. But did you know that in “da hoods” of that great city, some gangstas kill to the sound of Drill music? When they conduct drive-by executions, they groove to pounding beats and lyrics like these:
Up and shoot the bitch, then jump the fence … Show you how to dirty work ’em off the bench … Fuck it, want that nigga head, leave that bitch for dead, hah! . . . Thug life, bitch, you a gangster . . . Your life in danger … Adrenaline runnin’, I’m ready to kill him. [I] don’t show no fear . . .
- Excerpted from Never Broke Again by NBA YoungBoy/featuring Hitman
Killing Each Other
Black gangstas are known to talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to destroying men who look like themselves. (Interestingly, though they represent an underclass of people severely oppressed by racism, they rarely, if ever, rap about killing racists.)
Black ganstas kill each other at the slightest slight. For instance, King Von, who called himself a “demon” and “the king of Drill” bragged about “the bodies” he had put down.
Then, he was put down — six feet underground.
Part 3: “They Wanna See Me Dead”
Many gang members and gang sympathizers have threatened Charleston White for ridiculing King Von and many others of his ilk. “They wanna see me dead,” he says, and he wears hoodies and hats emblazoned with that statement.
More than 300 threats have been made against him as of March 2023, according to my research. The threats don’t make him flinch, however he admits that he does get scared sometimes. That’s why he carries weapons and mace and uses them to gain tactical advantage when someone makes him feel intimidated.
Such was the case in 2022, when the famed rapper Soulja Boy, flanked by multiple muscle-bound men, approached him unannounced in an Atlanta, Georgia parking lot. The rapper claimed that he just wanted to talk to him, but C.W. stopped Soulja Boy in his tracks by macing him.
He explains why he maced Soulja Boy: “He scared me! Once you scare me, you can’t un-scare me. So, I maced him. I used military grade mace on him. It shot straight at him and stuck to his skin. I got him good. He ran away and his friends left with him. Let that be a warning to everyone else who tries to get at me. And don’t forget I got guns, too.”
In addition, he boasts that he has superb, bare-knuckle street fighting skills, which he frequently displays during his online performances. Throwing a variety of rapid and synchronized jabs towards his camera phone, he does indeed look impressive.
When he’s not antagonizing gangstas over the Internet and in person, C.W. passionately urges members of the Black community to truthfully “snitch” on them.
He says ganstas should be incarcerated so that they will have opportunities to evolve into responsible men. He adds: Prisons are controlled environments where some prisoners actually do “rehabilitate and re-socialize themselves” with the help of effective correctional programs and dedicated advocates.
Growing Up in Gangland
“Gangstas are not born gangstas,” C.W. says. “They are normal kids. They love to play and learn. Like all kids, they do what they see and say what they hear. A lot of Black communities groom and encourage them to admire, love, respect and desire to become gangstas. Some of their parents were gang bangers, drug dealers, drug addicts and killers themselves.
“Typically, they’re undereducated and quick to anger. They’ve been abused.”
He says that more likely than not, children who join gangs are raised in rugged “’hoods” that are poisoned and bloodied by the vengeful rage of gangs at war against each other.
According to C.W., “The good people in the community who have managed to stay out of gang life must stop being afraid of gangs. We need to come together to destroy gang culture and build a healthy and vibrant community. We must protect our children and prepare them to resist the colorful lures of gang life.”
A Productive Former Gang Member
Charleston White, who has attended Texas Wesleyan University (majoring in criminal justice) is a well-informed gang expert. He’s been recognized by national organizations, such as the American Bar Association. He says he’s been to the White House advocating changes in laws that will stop cities and states from prosecuting children under the age of 17 for murders and other felonies.
The foundation of his gang intervention expertise was laid when he was a Crip. He joined the gang in 1991 when he was incarcerated in a juvenile facility operated by the Texas Youth Commission. He was just 14 years old.
His crime was murder. The circumstance was not premeditated. He did not know his victim. The incident was triggered when a white Good Samaritan named Michael Leavey was shot while trying to stop him and his fellow delinquents from shoplifting at a mall in Fort Worth.
C.W. was incarcerated for seven years.
A natural leader, he became a “shot caller” and a “tank boss.” The cocky youngster garnered the respect of other gang members. They did whatever he told them to do, he says.
Though he immersed himself in gang culture while incarcerated and during many years after release, he seems to have forgotten that in gang culture, there are two things you must never, ever do, lest you prompt fellow gang members to beat the hell out of you, stab you or shoot and kill you:
- Never say or do anything disrespectful towards them.
- Never, ever, ever snitch on them. (“Snitches get stitches!”)
In spite of those gangster rules, C.W. has made a career of calling out gangstas by name for being predators and child molesters.
“I’m beyond a snitch,” he unabashedly declares. “I’m a tattle teller.”
Part 4: An Unmuzzled Character Named “Ratt Williams”
If this article is giving you the impression that Charleston White is a serious community activist, you’re correct. However, he did not gain Internet fame by being serious all the time.
He’s become popular by acting like a stone-cold fool — a smart, witty, wise and compelling fool, but a clownish fool who won’t shut up, nevertheless.
And he has a good reason for being so clownish. His entertaining antics have stimulated boatloads of viewers to closely watch and study him for extended periods of time — long enough to receive his pearls of wisdom about gang life and the necessity to disrupt their kingdoms.
After observing Facebook and other venues for several years, he realized that devoted social media audiences religiously follow people doing silly and foolish things. “But they don’t learn anything they can use to help their communities.
“I created a wild-natured persona who says whatever he wants — a character fashioned after famous comedians like Kat Williams. And people watched me and gave me the name Ratt Williams.”
He admits that he sometimes goes “too far” with his harsh viral criticisms and he has on occasion apologized. However, he says that overall, the overwhelming majority of viewers “rock with me and support me despite my crazy tirades.”
(Truth be told, in old footage of him before he became an Internet sensation via his Ratt Williams character, C.W. can be seen flailing at members of the Fort Worth city council during their meetings, and cantankerously interacting with the city cops who he insists are oppressive and racist. Thus, there certainly was a solid foundation upon which he built his fictitious and unmuzzled character.)
According to official social media statistics, C.W.’s TikTok videos have amassed nearly 1 billion views. He has an estimated 260,000 verified followers on YouTube.
The following is a sample of a sneering Ratt Williams during one his famous rants. WARNING: When the character berates gangstas he often uses tidal waves of slang and profanity, exactly like gangsta rappers, who’ve used profane and disturbing lyrics for decades — even as far back as the 1980s, when Tupac Shakur, a member of the Bloods gang, reigned supreme.
“Them pussy-ass rappers bettah keep they motherfuckin’ mouths closed . . . . You niggas ain’t took care of your community … You bitch ass rappin’ niggas …” (Ratt Williams)
White says his fans are moved by his rants and they “find my antics extremely funny. In their comments, a whole lot of them say they see through my act.
“They realize that I am simply a community activist making a fool of himself on the Internet to get attention and shed the light of truth.
“The real Charleston White only makes rare appearances on the Internet — usually when I am being interviewed by someone who can draw out that side of me.”
“You may not like him, but he sure comes across like he got heart!”
(wendellbarry938)
He uses Ratt Williams like a puppeteer uses a dummy. The puppet says outrageous and stupid things that are illogical and contradictory, and then the puppeteer makes logical and intelligent statements to iron out the wrinkles in the puppet’s tirades. Over the past year, Charleston White and his Ratt Williams character have taken their popular show on the road, giving comedy appearances and serious talks in various cities, such as Washington, D.C., Atlantic City, NJ, and Nashville, TN.
“I’ve been using the Internet as my stage. Now, I am taking my show to the real stage. My ultimate goal is to be in a Hollywood movie, playing a villain — attacking gangstas and gangsta rappers,” he said.
Part 5: Meeting Charleston White
I am an independent journalist, formerly with the Washington. D.C. Capital Spotlight, Washington Informer, St. Louis American and Washington Post. I met Charleston White on January 9, 2023 in D.C. after his performance at a comedy club called The Loft. Eventually, he invited me to visit him in Fort Worth to shadow him for this article.
During my four days in Fort Worth, he showed me the utmost Southern Hospitality and introduced me to some very nice people who’ve known him for most of his life. Everyone had good things to say about him — without hesitation and often with a sense of admiration and love.
The Charleston White I met was a knowledgeable, intellectual and caring gentleman. He impressed me as being a very opinionated and deep thinker who discusses a wide range of topics with ease.
He was most passionate when he explained why his commentaries about ganstas — and the culture that fears and tolerates their bullying—are so provocative:
“I’m using shock jock tactics — shock and awe. These tactics have been used for decades, mainly on the radio by successful people like Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, Petey Greene, Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and Andrew Dice Clay. Like those guys, I say things that most people won’t say in public. It takes a lot of gall to say what I say. That’s what I got: a lot of gall. A whole lot of gall.
“I’ve disrespected everything I can about gangstas … their physical features, their economic status … Their irresponsible behavior. The way they dress . . . Most gangstas are fake. They don’t live the glamorous life portrayed in the videos.
“They don’t have a lot of money. They’re broke. They’re ignorant. They don’t have cars or homes of their own. They live with their mothers. They don’t take care of their kids. They’re behind on their child support; and yet they’re spending their money in strip clubs and they’re on the Internet watching me instead of taking care of the important things in their lives — like their families.
“When I say these things, it shocks and mesmerizes people. That’s why I get millions of views. It’s also why gangstas hate me and want to see me dead. But I’m not afraid to die for what I say. I stand on my word.”
He explained that he is amazed that some famous gangsta rappers have paid attention to him, including a very famous rapper called T.I., whose real name is Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., 43.
C.W. harshly criticized T.I.’s son, named King, for pretending to be a hardened gangsta, though he’s actually a softy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The multimillion dollar rap star defended King by dropping acid-tongue lyrics about White in a song called “Step.”
T.I. is featured on the song, which is performed by female rapper Jucee Froot (real name, Terrica Shanice Alexander).
On the song, T.I. speaks of “consequences” and “retribution.” Speaking directly to C.W., he says White is “gonna need more mace when I see your face.” The irritated poppa predicts that the shock jock will eventually “hang his self” with his own words.
C.W. says, that the meanspirited “dis track” went viral and quickly lifted him from being an obscure guy on the Internet to being a full-fledged Internet sensation.
A Surprise from a Man of Many Surprises
As I was leaving his quiet hometown, Charleston White surprised me with a small, bright and colorful book featuring the art and prose of young children. The book is entitled “The Heart of the Community: Messages of Love and Hope from Stop Six.”
Stop Six is the name of an underserved Fort Worth community .
One of the youthful contributors to the book, “Jace,” drew a cute heart that was painted red, green and yellow. Under it, Jace wrote about love for Stop Six. Jace wrote:
Stop Six: The raw heart, unabandoned passion for a better community. I live in Arlington, but I have a heart for Fort Worth.
Published by the Tarrant County Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Task force, the charming little book seemed to be a sincere extension of the raw heart of The Real Charleston White.
I left Fort Worth with the sense that I had been in the presence of a sincere guardian with the energy and intensity of a strong father — a fierce lion doing all within his power to keep his cubs away from the rapping hyenas of gangland.
As the hilarious trickster named Ratt Williams, he declares in his trademark quip: “Yeah, yeah, yeah — nah, nah . . . I want you to understand, I will die, kill or go to jail for what I stand for — I stand for these kids, homie.” He says the same thing when he’s not in character.
Part 6: Shadowing Ends and Reflection Begins
As the American airplane I passengered lifted from the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport tarmac, I reflected on my four days in Fort Worth interviewing Charleston White. I pondered the big picture of what I had observed and experienced while shadowing him. I thought, perhaps I had been in the presence of a truly fearless and self-made man.
A man who’s a street fighter and a former violent gang leader.
A man who is profanely channeling the spirit of C. Delores Tucker, a Black civil rights activist who in 1993 railed against gangsta music.
A man who killers want to execute.
A man who’s declared his willingness to die for his convictions.
A man who says he knows exactly what he is doing and the potential cost he may have to pay for provocatively speaking to gangstas like no one has ever done before.
A man who declares that he has already accomplished a grand mission, built a legacy and “overcome every obstacle” that he’s faced in life.
A man who is traveling haphazardly, yet steadily towards his ultimate fate.
A man unfettered by social norms and mores.
A successful man.
A champion of a man.
A warrior type of man.
A man’s man.
A dead man . . . walking.
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Carla D. Williams Boyd, Frederick Bridges and Vanessa Hill contributed to this article.
FUTURE ARTICLES RELATED TO MR. WHITE
Why Forth Worth, Texas Locked Charleston White in the Psych Ward: “They Locked Me Up Because of the Sandra Bland Act”
What Did that Crazy-like-a-Fox Fool Just Say? | Tracking Charleston White
Charleston Whites’ Funniest Videos: The Hits Just Keep on Coming
Provocative Comments: Charleston White Triggers a Range of Reactions Online
T.I., Math Hoffa & China Mac: Pussy Cat Gangstas
Why Does He Say “NIGGA” so often?
He’s Teaching Black People To Not Fear Violent Gangstas: There’s One Problem Though: He’s Scaring the Hell Out of a Lot of the People He’s Trying to Reach
Why You Need to Know More about Gangs
How to Tell the Difference Between The Real Charleston White and His Fictional Character, Ratt Williams
The Charleston White Effect: Are His Sarcasm and Satire Helping
or Hurting People — Or Simply Mesmerizing Them
BONUS INFO: WATCH CHARLESTON WHITE EXPLAIN HIS HIDDEN AGENDA
On the RealLyfe Productions YouTube channel (460K+ subscribers), C.W. explains that through his Ratt Williams character, he advances a sincere hidden agenda that he hopes will help the Black community. The interview, which was posted in early 2023, according to the channel, was headlined: “I want to SHAME you!” Charleston White explains his AGENDA and why he acts out.
HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT TO THIS ARTICLE
Also, in mid-March 2023, on RealLyfe Productions, White appeared humbled when he described A Dead Man Walking article a “powerful piece.” The title of the episode was: “Im Willin To Die, Kill, Go To Jail for My Beliefs”
Note: This article was written by a former reporter for the Washington Post who edited Dr. Claud Anderson’s book, PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America.
Other channels circulated the RealLyfe video, such as MySocialTV:
CREDITS FOR IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE
The following lists credit for images published in this article:
. First image of man walking: Clker-Free-Vector-Images
. Image of Charleston White poster: https://charlestonwhiteonline.com/
. Charleston White pointing: © 2023 Edward D. Sargent
. Image of King Von: “Demon” YouTube.com video screenshot
. Boosie Acting Tough: Charleston White
. Ratt Williams Sneering: Charleston White
. New Black Community Leader: Charleston White
. Charleston White in deep thought: © 2023 Edward D. Sargent
CHARLESTON WHITE’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE/TIKTOK: https://charlestonwhiteonline.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/tag/charlestonwhite
To receive notices of future articles, email: truthunitesus@gmail.com. In subject line, write CW. Thank you. Stay careful out there!
