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Introduction

My story

South Central L.A.
SCLA Tour
SCLA Reputation

Role Models

Black People

Leadership

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Make the connection

Staring at the hills watching the clouds rollover them when I heard sirens. I said, "Hey, mommy I hear sirens." She said, "I hear them too...get away from the window." But being the bad little boy that I was I kept looking out of the window. What I saw next was unbelievable. 10 unmarked cop cars speed into "the jungle." Then another 10-15 until there were about 30 or 40 cop cars outside of the apartment complex across the street from ours. Police and people were everywhere. People were yelling at the police and the police were arresting people. The scene was out of control. It took a few hours to clear up all the mess, and for the police to finish their investigation. I don't remember too much else of the situation, but I'm glad I was inside.

When I was in preschool I remember one night when the police helicopter was hovering over the roof of our apartment. It may have even landed on the roof I don't quite remember. The cops were looking for some nigga. My mom, brother, and I were so scared because the noise was so loud, and we didn't know if someone was going to break into our place trying to escape from the police. That went on for a couple hours, and I guess they finally found whoever they were looking for. Shortly after the helicopter incident our apartment managers put security gates around the perimeter of our apartments. I was in 2nd grade when that happened. My mom and I always joked if the gates were put up to keep the nigga in or to keep the nigga out. After the gates went up we felt rather safe, but I was still scared.

I was always scared to go wash my clothes, take out the trash, or even check the mail. It was an awful way to life but that was life in the hood. It wasn't until I came to Berrien Springs that I realized I didn't have to live in fear. It was quiet, and white women felt safe walking at night. You definitely live in a safe neighborhood if you see white women walking outside at night. Anyway after the security gates went up around our apartment there was less crime involving our small area. However, in 1987 I started 5th grade, and that little bit of safest flew out of the window.

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