When I was in high school, musical collective Wu-Tang Clan released one of the most historically significant hip hop anthologies to date when they dropped their debut studio album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993). However, I didn’t hear the album until years later.
Regarding this matter, I stated in a blogpost entitled The Proverbial “They”, “Admittedly, I was a little late subscribing to the Wu-Tang Clan fandom of the ‘90s. I was introduced to the group’s music in 1997, when stationed overseas and the Wu-Tang Forever album dropped.”
Nevertheless, when I attended United States Marine Corps Recruit Training (“boot camp”) in 1996, I learned that Marines were once bestowed the moniker “Leatherneck(s).” Concerning this nickname, one source states:
Now accepted by Webster as a synonym for Marine, the term “Leatherneck” was derived from a leather stock once worn around the neck by both American and British Marines—and soldiers also. Beginning in 1798, “one stock of black leather and clasp” was issued to each U. S. Marine annually.
This stiff leather collar, fastened by two buckles at the back, measured nearly three and a half inches high, and was practical only for full-dress wear. It could hardly be worn in battle as it prevented the neck movement necessary for sighting along a barrel.
When in boot camp, I was told that leather worn around the neck was originally thought to protect one’s neck from attacks by the blade of a sword, information which is supported by one source. Still, a separate source maintains in regard to the Marine dress blue uniform:
The standing collar—worn by both officers and enlisted—represents the high, leather stock, or collar, worn by Marines throughout the early 19th century. This stock did inspire the nickname “leatherneck,” but despite what Marines are taught at the depot, it was never worn to fend off sword assaults.
While in boot camp, Marine recruits were required to sit for an official photo wearing the dress blue coat. I recall the moment my photo was taken was immediately after returning from the “field,” which is essentially a term that relates to outdoor environment duties. I wasn’t happy.
When stationed in Okinawa, Japan (1997-1999), I began listening to Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) which featured the track “Protect Ya Neck,” a term that served as a warning to other emcees in the industry. Describing the phrase “protect ya neck,” one source states:
1. Keep your head down. Keep [your] eyes, ears, and mind open/sharp.
2. Respect/Re-examine your vulnerability and that of other people.
3. You’re not as tough as you think you are.
4. Ask yourself “Is (this) conflict really worth the risk of death/significant damage? Is there a better/safer/more humane way to solve this problem?
“Protect ya neck, kid.”
I appreciated the track for its lyricism, grittiness, and for the new phrase I added to my repertoire that could be used for intimidation. For example, “I’m comin’ for you, so protect ya neck!” Marines with whom I served began using the term when preparing for violence interactions.
Alternatively, versatility of the expression afforded me an opportunity to express concern, similar to telling a person to “take care”—to be careful or watchful: to exercise caution or prudence. For instance, “I don’t know when I’ll be back, so protect ya neck while I’m away.”
All these years later, I frequently think of “Protect Ya Neck” at the end of my psychotherapeutic sessions with clients. Generally, I’ll tell the people with whom I work, “Take care of yourself” before terminating a teletherapy session.
This is done in the interest of attempting to influence my clients to (1) use self-care and (2) practice the techniques of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Self-care is performed as a holistic approach to care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health.
Practice of REBT relates to use of the ABC model and unconditional acceptance. Although not all of my clients make use of my advocacy for prudence in regard to their physiological and psychological health, my sole responsibility is to try to influence them to improve their lives.
Therefore, not everyone with whom I work in psychotherapeutic sessions will protect their necks. That’s okay, because these fallible human beings are self-determined and autonomous individuals who may do or not do as they please. “Do or don’t protect ya neck, kid.”
With regard to what it means to protect ya neck, concerning a healthy measure to take for improving your level of functioning and quality of life, what will you do? I protect my neck and I hope you take care by doing the same. Wu-Tang!!
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Historical Branch, G-3 Division Headquarters. (1960). Marine Corps lore. U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved from https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/Marine%20Corps%20Lore.pdf
Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Fallible human being. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fallible-human-being
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (2022, May 31). Holistic approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/holistic-approach-to-mental-health
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2024, December 9). I tried. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/i-tried
Hollings, D. (2025, January 14). Level of functioning and quality of life. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/level-of-functioning-and-quality-of-life
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2022, November 7). Personal ownership. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/personal-ownership
Hollings, D. (2023, March 20). Practice. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/practice
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2024, May 6). Self-care. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-care
Hollings, D. (2024, May 26). Self-determination and autonomy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-determination-and-autonomy
Hollings, D. (2022, June 20). Teletherapy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/teletherapy
Hollings, D. (2022, July 1). The proverbial “they.” Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-proverbial-they
Hollings, D. (2025, January 16). The words we use matter. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-words-we-use-matter
Hollings, D. (2025, January 9). Traditional ABC model. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/traditional-abc-model
Hollings, D. (2024, October 20). Unconditional acceptance redux. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance-redux
Lee, J. A. (2013, April 5). The real story of the Marine Corps blues. USO. Retrieved from https://www.uso.org/stories/1796-the-real-story-of-the-marine-corps-blues
Officialblackperson. (2010, May 16). Protect ya neck. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=protect%20ya%20neck
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enter_the_Wu-Tang_(36_Chambers)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Leatherneck. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherneck
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wu-Tang Clan. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu-Tang_Clan
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wu-Tang Forever. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu-Tang_Forever
Wu-Tang Clan. (2013, March 10). Wu-Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck (Official HD video) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/R0IUR4gkPIE?si=7COA_M92RppFcIGY
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