Amplified Agitation

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) The amplified fellows from the Israeli School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) seemed especially defensive Saturday, March 4, about my photographing them. At one point, the ISUPK yellers became so agitated that one of the camouflage-clad dudes carrying a big stick walked over and stood between me and the fellow I dubbed “The Hurler.” (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

Windy, cold days result in two factors that reduce the amplified noise impact for those living in and around the 700 block of 8th Street NE:

1. Depending on the wind direction, sound waves are blown and scattered, and
2. Fewer people congregate on the corner and at the bus stop, which means fewer screaming matches occur between passersby and the amplified preachers.

(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Saturday’s wind blew posters and upended the 13 pound amplifier—also used as a paperweight—several times. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)

The blustery weather also apparently put the amplified fellows of the Israeli School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) in a foul mood, because they were overly agitated about my photographing them yesterday. Or maybe these fellows simply lacked adult supervision—their apparent leader, Yohanna, with whom I’ve had on occasion somewhat cordial conversations—was nowhere to be seen.

Besides the usual spoonfuls of rhetoric flung at people walking past or waiting for the bus, the ISUPK fellows were extraordinarily generous in their flailing of insults my way—the usual “cracker,” “faggot,” and “white devil.” I would be remiss if I did not report a new, devious word bestowed upon me by one of the yellers: “Blogger” for their apparent displeasure about their amplified noise being the focus of “Quest for Quiet.”

But I certainly am not the only person subject to their diatribes.

One young girl reading a book near the bus stop became a target of the verbal abuse after she apparently looked up at the word “lesbian.” Instantly, she was the center of his amplified rant.

He asked if she was a lesbian. She didn’t answer immediately. And then he went into a barrage of words about how all the “faggots” and “lesbians” would be killed—by God, of course. He told her she could still change. She finally yelled at him to “fuck off!”

And they seemed especially defensive about my photographing them. At one point, the ISUPK yellers became so agitated that one of the camouflage-clad dudes carrying a big stick walked over and stood between me and the fellow I dubbed “The Hurler.” (“Hurler” represents the fellow’s extreme talent for hurling extreme words via the amplifier at passersby and, of course, yours truly.)

After they were finished preaching, around 6:30 p.m., Hurler said I was too close with my camera making photographs. He said I was rude, lacked manners and was invading his personal space. Wow—that’s coming from a fellow whose group routinely uses an amplifier every Saturday without regard to disrupt the neighborhood’s peace and quiet.

It’s also ironic coming from a group which every Saturday assembles a stage and amplifier on a public sidewalk to yell insults and slander people walking past on the sidewalk or waiting for the bus.

I replied to him that the neighbors feel the same way about the ISUPK’s use of the amplifier. I told him I would make a deal: I would stop photographing them so close if they would stop using the amplifier. He said no and that they would continue to use the amplifier.

See you next Saturday, I replied.
(CLICK TO ENLARGE) After the ISUPK’s amplified yelling session Saturday, a discussion about manners. (Copyright © 2006. David Klavitter)