Welcome to my block. Would you like to take a walk with me?
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I come from a block where I saw paramedics helping a guy who was stabbed in his back.
I come from a block that is in South Central.
I come from a block that is an hour away from school by car and two hours away on the Metro.
I come from a block where every time I get off the bus, coming from school, I’m afraid of being robbed while walking home.
I come from a block where the cops cruise by the front of my house.
I come from a block where I hear gunshots at 12:30 at night on 96th and Budlong. I live on 97th.
I come from a block where I hear arguing and screaming in the middle of the night.
I come from a block where a girl was killed on July fourth, just because she was wearing blue.
I come from a block where our house has an alarm so people won’t break in.
I come from a block where my parents installed a metal gate, so people couldn’t hop over it.
I come from a block where my dad was arrested in front of our own house because our alarm went off; the police thought he was the intruder.
I come from a block where I was accused of something I didn’t do by my own “friends.”
I come from a block where I don’t trust anyone, not even my so called friends.
I come from a block in South Central where I’m afraid to stay.
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Photo: Getty Images