vid a D r Dea
Santos Chavez
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.
Dear David
Santos Chavez
It’s been a minute since I thought about you Bro. You been gone since ‘05.
I remember the good times we had being on the corner of Homan and 27th, at the water pump by the store. All our friends and families were enjoying the hot summer day, grabbing the back of the bed of the pick up truck so when they would take off we would hold on a bit and let go and slide a few feet. Run right back then see Ashley, Irene, Michell and Itzel. Me, you, Eric and Felipe would grab them and go into the water. Hahaha, fun times man.
You were always smiling no matter what you were going thru, like how your Dad wasn’t around because he was in jail. Mom was there but wasn’t there. You and your brother and sisters was staying with your grandma Maria. Y’all love her so much and she loved y’all. Even though you didn’t have much food, she always made something, and when y’all did have it, she would make some bomb ass food. Like one of my favorite dishes she made was sopes. Lord know I miss that woman.
I remember when you said you wanted to be an architect so you would be able to get your family a better life. Then one day at the pump on Homan everything changed.
Everyone was out there for the block party and that woman saw you and she was talking to the gang members and she said your father’s street name and all of them looked at you and stared. Then they got together in a circle and were talking. You had a bad feeling, so we left.
You didn’t know why she said that at that time. But from that day everything was down hill.
A few days later y’all didn’t have food at home and your mom ain’t been home for a couple of days. Your little brother and sisters were hungry, so me, you, Eric, and Felipe came up with a plan.
We called the pizza place and called for a delivery. We gave them a fake address that Felipe went and got for us. After that, they said it would be a 30 minute wait.
So we went home and got ready then went to the address. It was somewhat dark, but you stood at the gate waiting. When the pizza guy showed up, he didn’t even make it to the gate fully. We jumped him. We grabbed the food and ran to the house. The look they had when they saw the food they was happy and ate.
Man you did everything you could for them.
Family is everything to you.
s and we ere riding our bike w e w n he w u yo e I saw p of that is the last tim talking to the grou as w s nd ie fr r A few days after ou use one of alked tana and 26th ca oking a square, w sm le hi w u yo stopped on Chris at Jo looked who there. And then Jo you are and I know ho w ow kn I u. people that was yo ing for they was “just look up to you and said ” s not safe for you. it’ e, m ho o G . is your father
“They are going to kidnap you and your brother and your sisters because of who your father is.”
ow w h You didn’t kn something.
you kn hat to do but w r o to o g o to
ew you had to
do
Later that day you died.
It hurt me that you died. It made me look at the world different. It was cruel. How could it happ cold and en to this 11 year old bo y? That changed me fo rever.
Your family always wanted to know what happened to you. They was hurt in so many ways.
Just know my friend that they are doing great and they are in good hands. Your brother has two beautiful kids, one boy and one girl.
Your twin is doing good. She is working and doing some traveling right now. Your baby sister is doing good. She’s always with your mom.
Your mother is good, but sometimes she be sad thinking of you, missing you, but overall, they’re doing good. And when I get out, Ima continue watching over them.
Rest well my friend.
It’s crazy some roads we have to go thru, but it’s what makes us who we become.
If I could go back and change anything, I wouldn’t because I had to grow up and protect my family.
I AM DAVID.
Santos David Chavez
Santos Chavez I Am From I am from Little Village From sunny days and pump water falls I am from Abuelita’s house I’m from the lion’s den A ruler and protector of the family I’m from Santos and Isabel From dancing bachata with Grandma Maria And from humble and righteous I’m from learn from your mistakes And from know who you keep around you I’m from Chicago, IL From cookouts, tacos and family parties From being in class looking at everyone Wondering what type of normal life they live To after school holding a gun, Doing things normal 11 year olds don’t do I am from the darkside of Little Village
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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