Stevion Davis
Letter to My Little Ones
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.
Letter to My Little Ones Stevion Davis
Dear Little Ones,
Skyler, I still remember the day you were born.
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We had a real bond; your first word was “Dada.” Your mommy was so jealous she kept trying to make you say mommy.
I remember the day I caught you, 1AM in the morning, standing on the chair in the cabinet, taking candy and cakes and I said, “Sky, what the hell you doing“? You told me “Daddy shhh you gone wake granny up.“
I told you to “get your ass down." You said, “Daddy, I just want a piece of candy.” I said “Just one” but you grabbed two pieces. I started laughing. You jumped off the chair and grabbed a juice. I said “No juice.” You said, “just one.” I said ”man, your lil ass crazy.”
You used to do all kinds of stuff. I never cared though, because I just know I was the same way as a kid growing up.
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I just wish you could've met your big sister and little brother. If I could trade places with you, I would. I just want you to know that we love and miss you so much!
“Sevyn, Boy you look just like your daddy” is all I hear your mommy say while I’m sitting in the day room of Cook County on the phone.
It’s crazy how I was stuck up in a cell while you were being born. I waited years for this moment to have a son, now I have one, but I gotta watch you grow up from a cell.
You being born, actually changed me. So many nights I wanted to give up, but I kept faith trying my best to get back home to watch you grow up and to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes that I did.
Daddy’s sorry.
I feel like I failed y’all. I should be with y’all, watching y’all grow, telling y’all right from wrong, but instead, I’m watching y’all grow from a cell.
I’m missing out on field trips, daddy and daughter day, birthdays, nights out, bedtime stories.
I chose to be in the streets, and that was one of my biggest mistakes.
Now I’m in jail fighting for my life.
They label me a menace. They label me a menace.
They got my mug shot all over the internet like I am a horrible person.
I just want y’all to know that I am not that evil person that they label me.
I got a message for all the fathers.
The things we do in the streets to survive is not worth losing our lives.
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Stevion Davis I Am I am from 3100 W Polk St From where we slang iron and sell dope I am from the trenches, where gunshots be heard I am from the ghetto and where dead bodies get left I’m from Skylar, Sevyen and Summer From road trips to the dells I’m from where trusting others is not a option And from where you got to stand on what you believe in I’m from where you never let nobody talk down on you I’m from the Raq From steak and loaded bake potatoes From Sky Sky, Sev and Dada I’m from emotionally scarred
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb Copyright
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