Hoping for a Better Tomorrow
Edgar Roman
The ConTextos Authors Circle was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of, or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017 this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible, high quality opportunities that nourish the minds,,expand the voices and share the personal truths of individuals who have long been underserved and underestimated. Through the process of drafting, revising and publishing memoirs, participants develop self-reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie and positive selfprojection to author new life narratives. Since January 2017 ConTextos has partnered with Cook County Sheriff's Office to implement Authors Circle in Cook County Department of Corrections as part of a vision for reform that recognizes the value of mental health, rehabilitation and reflection. These powerful memoirs complicate the narratives of violence and peace building, and help author a hopeful future for human beings behind walls, their families and our collective communities. While each author’s text is solely the work of the Author, the image used to create this book’s illustrations have been sourced by various print publications. Authors curate these images and then, using only their hands, manipulate the images through tearing, folding, layering and careful positioning. By applying these collage techniques, Authors transform their written memoirs into illustrated books. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Hoping for a Better Tomorrow Edgar Roman
Sirens, horns, children playing in the streets, gunshots, and more sirens are a very familiar cycle of sounds in an urban environment.
The City of Chicago, a beautiful city that’s very diverse, a safe haven for families that migrate from other countries chasing the American Dream and those that were already here from the past generations share different experiences depending what neighborhood you’re from.
My name is Edgar Roman. Born and raised in Chicago, IL in the northwest side neighborhood known as Albany park. A son to two parents that came from a small town in Mexico to give my sisters and I a better life.
My parents have always been honest, humble, and hard working people. I have two older sisters. One is six years older than me and the other is three years older than me. My mother and father taught us right from wrong, how to be clean, the importance of getting an education, and to work hard for what you want.
Growing up in the city was great. I’m very lucky to have parents that made sure we went to school everyday. It was not until I got older that I began to realize the importance of being able to read, write, and speak two languages, Spanish and English.
I went to a CPS school named Haugan for elementary school where I started to be around a lot of kids from the neighborhood. For middle school I went to Aspira Haugan where I was exposed to the real world. I went to Roosevelt High School but didn’t graduate due to a legal problem I had in my senior Year.
To break things down I was a good student in Elementary School and Middle School due to the support my parents and sisters gave me. Although I was a bit of a trouble maker I managed to get good grades. During High School I was always around the cool crowd having fun and being easily distracted.
I did not do too well in High School but I tried. My grades were up and down due to skipping classes. I had my first car sophomore year so that should explain. Around Senior Year I went to Cook County Jail for the first time charged with two felonies.
Drugs and Alcohol and I don’t mix well. I always seem to get in trouble when I drink too much. I was 18 and already I was in jail fighting a robbery and aggravated assault.
My father bonded me out after a little while and I still remember it was a Friday night in February of 2013 when the CO said pack it up your bond has been paid. My experience in the county jail wasn’t too bad. I was in Div.2, there was structure, and although I stood out the way us Hispanics always stick together.
I always had a job even before I went to jail. My father always set a good example and he taught me a lot of skills like working on cars, working on houses, and every position from the back of the house to the front of the house and restaurants. Because of my father I’ve always had a great work ethic and also because of my mother I’ve never been lazy.
All my life I’ve always wanted to do good. Although I grew up in a neighborhood that was infested with gangs, drugs, and violence. My father always kept me busy and taught me how to make money without breaking the law and my mother took me places where I could play sports and even got me a gym membership.
One of my sisters even paid for me to take swimming classes. Although I had a lot of friends from my neighborhood I tried to stay away from trouble, because when I was acting up doing things I knew weren’t right and it got back to my father, the whooping he would give me would make me get my act together.
I’ve always been well known, especially in my neighborhood. I was always known as a chil,l laid back guy, a neighborhood kid that doesn’t gang bang, always has a good looking girlfriend, and always out having a great time.
The thing is, I also started working long hours on the weekends. I would work private parties as support staff at a yacht club, I would do work on my father’s properties. Anything from demolishing apartments, painting walls, sanding and varnishing hardwood floors, landscaping, and even cleaning sewers.
I was also known for being in my garage with my father on summer days on his day off which was Monday. We used to service our cars, my mother’s, sister’s, his, and even my car when I got one. We would change breaks, oil, parts, tune ups, and a lot more. I acquired so many skills thanks to my dad that I’ve always had money.
As a young individual I always knew that certain lifestyles lead to disaster.
I saw a lot of my friends die young and some went to prison and haven’t been back since. I’ve made bad choices and gotten in trouble before but I’ve never meant to harm anyone.
At 18, I got convicted for a felony and got two years TASC probation and adult probation. I passed everything with flying colors, so it made me realize I was just easily influenced and easily distracted.
Ten years later I’m back in jail but if given the opportunity to get out in the near future I will use the opportunity to make the best of it. I also plan to attend AA meetings and let young people know the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
Throughout my incarceration I’ve changed my life from the way I think, the way I take care of my health, and the way I prioritize things.
With the mindset I have now I feel like I’ll contribute to society in many positive ways. Being detained in the Cook County Jail made me appreciate the small things in life.
I have a great family that helped me through all of this and I’m very grateful for that.
I also thank the CCDOC programs for allowing me to attend G.E.D classes, yoga, AA, financial literacy, Read between the lines, and Religious Services.
I’m ready to overcome every obstacle that comes my way and make the best of what life has in store for me.
Edgar Roman I Am I am from Chicago, IL From Albany Park 60625 I am from where in the summer the streets smell like everyone is grilling From where you hear the street vendors bells And horns a block away I am from where the parks are fun to chill. But there’s a chance you get robbed or killed. I am from a mother and father that set a good example. From where if you make a mistake, do better next time. I am from where the hospitality industry inspires you To learn about food and beverages I am from the city with the biggest court house in the nation.
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb Copyright
2023 ConTextos