I Went to Jail
The author of this story has created the collage seen above. (Click to see the full-sized image.)
On Thursday, it was a very sunny day with clear skies. It happened in the neighborhood, with a park nearby. I was outside my house, just taking my jacket off when all of a sudden I see two dudes running in my direction with a gun or some drugs in a bag.
If you knew me, you would know I am a cool, kindhearted person, truthful and respectful to my elders. I talk smacking my hands together, and I walk on my tiptoes fast and with a little drag. I believe in God and feel he is blessing me everyday. I will sometimes let someone get into my head by talking nonsense about me.
That night, the Police circled the block about 10 times before they saw me coming off the front porch. Then they made it seem as if I was serving out of my house. I told the officer that my Mon had just left, and he started searching me for drugs. I realized that I was in a bad situation because I had about $200 in my pocket and white cops who look very young and very racist.
I ended up being arrested for something I had no fault in.
They couldn’t get any information from me, and the next thing I know, I am surrounded by the smell of fear and abandonment in the Harrison St. bullpen.
While I was in there, I start to shake like chills are in my spine. I suffered many losses as a result of being a black male in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The Police didn’t give my money back that had been in my pocket. My mother stopped giving me money once the idea I had been hustling came to her head. After a while, my Auntie stopped coming around to take me out on the weekends. My Father just gave me man-to-man advice about life in the ghetto. Still, he was upset because he thought it would lead to me making bad choices.
My father and I had long talks about bad habits. My father is my mentor, and helps me because he is smart and honest and tries to help people work things out. He will rub his chin like Malcolm X while thinking about something. My dad is always encouraging me to think upward during bad times and to work for your dreams.
My Grandmother and I had more connection to each other.
I got to come back to school. I learned that I am free in America. I started staying on my focus in school, and started taking life more seriously. My mom and dad started putting faith in me and some money in my pocket.
I was taken to jail and confused about how life operates in a bad environment. I built my self-esteem back so I can handle my responsibilities.
