Chicago…
A Beautiful yet violent city...
Story by: Entonce
(who also shares some of his story)
First of all thank you for tuning into Entonce and visiting www.entonce.com
I want to discuss an important topic that has recently been on my mind
and in the national news headlines: the violence in Chicago!
Unfortunately, violence happens everyday in Chicago!
We are already at war!
Some wars are against men!
Some wars are against ourselves!
Some wars are against injustices!
Some wars are against evil pathogens and
that’s why we are wearing face masks in Chicago...
to protect us. However, it feels like sometimes you need a tank, bullet proof vest, helmet, and even a chastity belt when you live in Chicago!
As a hispanic male, who grew up in the barrio, I can personally identify with the type of environment in which many are growing up in. With that being said, I was born and raised in Chicago and grew up in the Humboldt Park area way before gentrification took place. I grew up in a working class community; however, it was also a gang infested warzone with shootings occurring every night.
And as many of you know this country is more divided than ever
politically, racially, and economically, and especially in Chicago where every community is different financially and culturally.
Let’s talk about what causes most of the violence in Chicago...
Gang culture.
Gang culture in Chicago isn't a fashion statement.
Our murder count equals that of New York and L.A. and sometimes beats both cities put together. Unfortunately, gang culture is a way of life for some.
So with that being said some neighborhoods in Chicago are war zones.
A few weeks ago an innocent mother of five was shot in the head on her way back home from church and just a few days ago a seven year old was shot six times.
Both were innocent bystanders.
Our death toll in the last ten years in Chicago is almost half that of the Ukraine and Russia conflict!
Some Chicagoans are growing up in an incredibly violent city much like I was.
Here is some of my story………...
When I was growing up, my parents were about to buy a huge house;
however, things changed when they got divorced.
So in total I had four parents: my mom, dad, and sometimes my grandparents.
No... I was not a perfect child! However my mom kept me in line and my dad kept me busy. I was able to stay on the straight and narrow path because I was blessed with constant guidance and leadership and for the most part I actually listened.
When I was outside one day, walking in my Humboldt Park neighborhood with my new Jordans and sunglasses on (that my dad bought for me). Let me tell you, my dad was not rich but wanted to show me that he loved me. As a kid my dad had holes in his shoes so he wanted to provide a better life for me.
I love you dad.
Needless to say, I got my ass kicked for no reason at all other than me being the flyest kid on the block. My mom noticed that I got my ass kicked and sent me right back outside to fight the kid again and I got my ass kicked again. My mom said in order to be a real man you have to learn how to protect yourself. After that my mom sent me to karate class in Logan Square, Mr. Perez Hapkido. I fought every day and that prepared me for life. Everyday is a battle mentally and spiritually. My dad wanted to send me to an all boy private school that some of my cousins on my dad's side went to. I told him no way JOSE. My dad gave me the freedom of choice. But it was a structured choice. He was trying to keep me safe and knowing that, I stayed out of trouble.
A few years later with all the violence going on in the community, my mom was scared and wanted to send me to the army. She had the army in my house making me do push ups. My mom was going to send me to the Army! I told her, “No mom, I will make something of myself!” And I did. I love you mom, unconditionally, I love you.
All I know is that nothing good comes from being in the Chicago streets, especially at night and nothing good comes from being in a gang, which often leads to drug use, joblessness, homelessness and jail time or even being shot and killed!
Yet for some sick reason this life is glamorized on the radio, the internet and on tv.
And that's the main light in which Hollywood portrays brown and black people.
I am not sure what leads kids away from home and to find love in the streets?
But If you love guns, why not be a marine or a stressed out cop? They really run the streets. The C.P.D. runs the streets of Chicago. Last year, they confiscated over ten thousand illegal firearms on these apocalyptic Chicago streets! Don't give the police or any one a reason to shoot you. These guys are marksman and play video games all the time. As a matter of fact brown on brown and black on black violence is NEARLY 99% times higher than police violence against us. So all we can do is educate these kids to not give the police or other people a reason to kill you and avoid bad influences.
What I am saying is there is a war between good and bad forces going on mentally and spiritually in Chicago and in the world. And as parents we need to push our kids and keep them active with positivity and righteousness. Be real with them and lead by example. How are you going to be a drug addict and tell your kids, don’t do drugs. What we need is more thinkers, more people willing to fight these negative stereotypes, and study harder. Or at least at the bare minimum, try your best to get into these big schools, land the big jobs, come back to the hood, and say look it is possible and while you're at it do not forget who you are and where you come from.
Not everyone is growing up in Naperville, Winnetka, or Skokie (Chicago suburbs).
Nor does everyone have piano class on Monday, ACT test prep on Tuesday, Mandarin on Wednesday, and bible study on Friday.
What kept me out of trouble is that I had God in my life, four parents, and some great teachers. R.I.P. Ms. Grinage, a high school teacher who wrote in my yearbook
“Robert, wake up before it is too late!”
God bless her soul.
I am woke….
The news is not easy to watch.
A whole lot of stupidity and ignorance is going on which is affecting the innocent.!
Stay away from bad influences and put God first! Hopefully these tragic deaths are not in vain and this horrible news shines a light on to what it is like growing up in the war zones of Chicago. These wicked streets want your child's soul! You can still be a real man without having to succumb to the peer pressures of getting high or joining a gang.
Do right in life!
We all know right from wrong!
God Bless!
Prayers to everyone who lost a life for nothing in Chicago and in the world!