A backward look will give us something to look forward to.
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by De’Jon Jones
18 Your youngest child. Your only boy. Your baby. Our bond is now stronger than ever. I wouldn’t trade you for the world. You’re my mom, my creator. You made me.
17 Kicked out for the second time in the cold. Wandered the streets of Inglewood alone. Fearless ‘cause I had a gun and I thought I’d make it on my own.
16 Snatched out of the house by the police at 4 a.m., wearing just some boxers and a tee. They separated you from me. Your panicky, concerned voice became distant. Thinking to myself that I’d become another black statistic. Murdered by the police. With all the assault rifles and beams aimed at my back as I stood face to wall.
We’re like Clash of the Titans verbally with the words we’re exchanging…“I didn’t ask to be here. You should’ve gotten an abortion and this burden would be unheard.”
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16 We’re like Clash of the Titans verbally with the words we’re exchanging. Or maybe you were Zeus, ‘cause I was always Hades. Kicked out for the first time. I know I hurt your feelings ‘cause you hurt mine. As we argued, and I told you, “I didn’t ask to be here. You should’ve gotten an abortion and this burden would be unheard.”
16 Worried for me after I got jumped by some enemies. Knowing my attitude is f___ed. You knew I’d call my brothers and some ShoLines and go out on a manhunt.
15 Two of my Zoo members went to juvenile hall for being caught with firearms. You asked me if I had one. Lied and said no. You searched my room anyway and found nothing. It was tucked away in the wash house.
14 You liked to talk about my nostrils and how they’d flare up when I got upset. Just like yours. I’m your son and we’ve got the same flat nose.
13 I never banged. At school it was just Black vs. Mexican. Better yet, ShoLine vs. Trece. I didn’t get it. Both sets were from Venice. You prayed every morning, hoping it’d end. But I was too deep in it.
12 Stuck at home. More like confinement or prison. Wouldn’t leave my room ‘cause it was me, you, and my three sisters. Y’all did hair, nails, gossiped, and had periods. Prisoner in my own home. Wanted nothing to do with it.
11 Told me ever since you and my dad split and he moved out, I went angry. That I was trying to grow up too fast. That I should enjoy being a kid, while childhood lasts.
10 We got evicted. My siblings and I slept in a crowded space at Grandmother’s house. You slept in your car. I thought it was my fault and didn’t get it. You had to work harder and make sacrifices to make a living.
9 You and my dad taught me how to ride a bike. You woke up a few days later heartbroken, and didn’t know how to tell me. My bike was stolen.
8 You would buy me all the wrestler action figures. I still have all of them. In a green crate stored in my closet. They’re useless to me, but my nephew plays with them.
7 You knew I was a daredevil. Told me not to jump off my bunk bed but I did anyway. Knocked one tooth out and the front two turned brown. Good thing I was young, and they fell out.
6 Made me grow my hair back out. I hated it. I was mistaken for a “pretty little girl” every time we stepped out.
5 I hated getting my hair braided. I was tender-headed. I told Keyona to cut my hair, and she did.
4 You always remind me about the time when I jumped over our balcony to play when I wasn’t supposed to. Our neighbor Beverly brought me back home. The next day you two were laughing at me because she said hi. I ignored her until you told me to speak. Instead I said, “She talks too much.” You two laughed even harder and called me crazy.
3 I loved LegoLand. No idea how, but I vividly remember the time we went. I loved the little roller coasters, the Lego people, and the play pen.
2 Just a happy, carefree, chunky redheaded baby. Always had new Jordans on. Sixteen years later and now I’m addicted.
1 You couldn’t get enough of me. You never got an ultrasound to determine the sex of any of your babies.
0 After 9 long months of pregnancy, I was born. On March 22, 1997 you finally got your son. I was the greatest gift and surprise as you thought you would be having another baby girl.
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Photo: Jesse Acosta
There’s definately a great deal to learn about this subject.
I really like all the points you made.