I caught up with Rose Wellington, one of Steppin’s most popular promoters to discuss a very frightening experience. For those of you who may not know, Rose was robbed at gun point while leaving the East of the Ryan nightclub on 79th street in Chicago.

I asked Rose how the robbery took place and Rose gives ChiStepper the scary details. She says, “I pulled into the parking lot and drove toward the back. The robbers must have jumped the wall and where lying on the ground. The newer cars’ doors automatically unlock when you put the car in park. So when I looked up, there’s a man with a gun in my face saying ‘this is a stick up.’ I immediately reach for the gun and push it up in the air away from my face. I hold the gun all the way until I’m standing outside of my car with both of us wrestling over the gun. A friend of the robber appears out of the blue. My purse was on my shoulder the whole time and by this time it slid down to my wrist. They snatched my purse from me and ran. They hopped the wall and were gone in two seconds. People were upset with me for grabbing the gun, but I was thinking that I just didn’t want to get shot in the face and killed. I feel that I really startled them by grabbing the gun.”

I asked if they got anything important. Rose responded, “They got about $80 and my cell phone. But they threw my cell phone to the ground and a Christian lady returned it to me the next day. I had my driver’s license and credit card in my car with me, so they didn’t get that.” I told Rose how dangerous that area of Chicago is and that I stopped going to “The East” about 4 years ago because of a similar incident (not because of the club). Rose responds, “While I love The East, I’m still shook up. I can’t see myself going back over there for some time. I know they know my face and my car. The thing is, they wrapped themselves up like Bin Laden. They had on full body wraps with only their eyes showing.”

Some have had the audacity to be angry with Rose for telling her story, suggesting that she would damage the club's reputation and cause harm to the popular sets held at “The East.” This is absolutely ridiculous if you ask me, as Rose’s safety and the future safety of the steppers who frequent this venue should be the REAL focus. As Rose would eloquently state at the end of our conversation, “People could have been attending my funeral instead of my party this past Saturday, so I’m thankful to God to be here.” Yes indeed Rose … and we are glad that your kind spirit, love for Steppin’, and popular 15 year old Paradise Production steppers sets at Mr. G’s will continue on. Check Rose out at Mr. G’s at the end of September – more details to come.

ChiStepper asked Rose for permission to tell this story because ultimately the purpose of bringing this story to the forefront is to tell my brothers and sisers to BE CAREFUL. We step in the hood, and many of us find ourselves in these types of positions (i.e. walking down a dark street or entering a dark parking lot by ourselves). Do your best to walk in groups, ask a gentlemen or group of friends to escort you and lastly, force these damns clubs to provide better security for their patrons. A number of these clubs have goon squads available to pat you down at the door, but what about coming and leaving?

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