Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb 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.
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Day Angel Deangelo W.
Hi, my name is Deangelo, Latin for day angel! I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and grew up on the city's West side, in the Austin community. My mother raised 4 siblin gs and I'm the 3rd child out of my mother's kids loved all of us and I can . My mother honestly even say though my childhood was roug great. h, it was still
My mother was a single parent an d we all had diffe us with some hel rent fathers. So o p from my grand ur mother raised parents and also my godfather. My little sister's father was in our life, somewhat, but it was only off and on. He let drugs get the best of him but we'll get back to that in a few pages.
I was born February 27, 2001 and I'm a Pisces. If you read up on Pisces, we're great dreamers and lovers. I'm very outgoing but sometimes I can be a bit antisocial. Growing up on the West side was very rough for a young black male who didn't have his biological father to help raise him.Thank God for my grandfather, he was a very strong and wise man. He helped shape me to be the man I am today. Whenever I was wrong he would always help me get to the right direction. He would always say, "you gotta have God son. This world has a lot of evil, but nothing is too hard for God." Granddad showed me how men carried themselves. Men don't sag their pants. That was a no no. Also when talking to elders it was yes sir, no sir or yes ma'am, no ma'am.
Growing up, every Sunday me and my brothers would go to granddad's house and he would always cook for us like the great father we never had. He would fry chicken, fish, and sometimes frog legs or pig feet. He was old school and full of soul like none other, that's what I loved about my grandfather. We would always watch VHS movies on his VCR. My grandfather had every movie that came out before I was born. May God rest his soul. He went on to the afterlife in September 2020. He died from cancer but he is still with me in my life here on Earth.
He will always be someone close and very dear to my heart.
When I was 10 years old I was playing street football and basketball. Street basketball is when you play in the backyard or in my area it was in the alley, in the back of the buildings. We'd grab a milk crate and rip the bottom out of the crate then nail it to a pole. Boom you gotta rim.
Now for street football, we played like it was real football except we didn't have shoulder pads or helmets. So it was like rugby in a way. We actually played full on tackle football.
My Big Brother Jeremiah, who is the 2nd oldest of my mother's kids, was like my twin and he always had my back, even though we're not twins. That's how strong our bond was, out of all my siblings. We were the Men in Black. Jeremiah was 2 years older than me and he was very strong. Everywhere we went everyone knew that he was my right hand man. I'm my brother's keeper. From Pre-K all the way up to 12 grade when he passed away, he always had my back.
He was such a good football player and he was on his way to the NFL to play for the Chicago Bears. He would always say he was gonna bring the old Bears back.
Jeremiah was running back for the Roosevelt Rough Riders. We both went to high school at Albany Park on the North side of Chicago and we both played together. As you can see I always looked up to my Big Brother and we went to the ends of the Earth for each other.No one ever messed with me because of the fact that I was JP's brother, which is short for Jeremiah Parker. On November 7th, 2016 Jeremiah got shot and lost his life. From that day on as a result of losing my twin, I started to go down hill from there.
The night he passed away was a dark one. At first the doctor said he may pull through, but after just 2 hours of surgery, around 10:30 PM, he went to heaven where God called him to be. It broke my heart.
As time went on I still wi ll never forget my brothe r. I tried to learn to live wi that he's gone from this Ea th the fact rth. I know Jeremiah is in a better place.
. rth ht. a n E taug o ell was h e I lik ow t l h e it f d on t tha base t oin ren't p the g we o t t kin ur a h as ion m w s l ou deci s y M and . lly ions a u ct it a r i y p I s l. M d i il o d wnh s , eft o do l r g the n to o br ega y m sb tf er rade A yg M
This is what the loss of a loved one can do to a child at the age of 15 years old. My family and I miss my brother, but we all overcame these sad times in our lives together.
Me on the other hand, I was just a young black male trying to get me and my family out the hood. In school I always had dreams of going to the military. I was in the JROTC class where I learned some concepts from the armed forces. I always felt like fighting for my country was very patriotic at its best. God had other plans for me though.
I have come to terms with things that happen in my life and I'd like to think that everything happens for a reason.
After my brother's passing, I used to hear his voice throughout the school. This eventually became too much for me. I transferred to another school to escape the heartbroken pain of life without my brother. I miss you big bro . . .
e un J . ars om, e y le y m b ra . M o e em tsid m st y ou o m nn es. y m d su liv f r n e o m a f ou n s o war e o a m 3 w very st ti 1 e 0 , 2 was he b e f li t. It ad t y u h n m ok o we i d o es it m big c d an t e rea ad a ook g c h the ily a all l l f a fam ndm o y t a Ou 13 m d gr 20 nt an au
After the cookout we went back out West and I went outside with my people. This day was one to remember because I had sex for the 1st time in my life. We played house. I'm sure you all played house before. lol. I was the dad and she was the mother and I remember it was like yesterday. I had to be 12-13 years old at the time.
High school was rough for me but I had some great years. I went to a few different schools from 2015 through 2020 and I finally got my high school diploma in June 2020.
In 2008 my little sister Felicia was born. She was named after my mother. My mom married my sister's dad. My stepfather. I mentioned him earlier on. My stepfather was on drugs. Crack had got the best of him and began to control his life. He began to look bad, smell bad and his actions were just as bad.
Through it all my stepfather still taught me that human beings are just that, humans. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone's mistakes can be corrected. One can learn from these mistakes and turn them into life lessons that we've overcome. I thank God for my stepfather, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
and I’m t woman and person ea gr a is om M y m at the I can honestly say th e is the best mom in Sh r. he ot m y m is e cause sh ank God not just saying that be ological mother. I th bi y m as r he ve ha to d ll world and I’m blesse and she will go to he e m ith w m or st e th through t, my for her. She has been ds. So long story shor ki r he l al h uc m ty et pr y mom and back for me and sister’s dad see her. M y m t le ill st e sh t bu mom moved on an African Queen. is e Sh it. s ow kn e sh deserves the best and
My godfather's niece invited us to a wedding. The wedding was in Minnesota in the southern part by the Mississippi river. It was a very big wedding with lots of good music inside a barn. Lol. I was blessed with being able to leave Chicago to attend a wedding in another state. It felt good to get out the hood. It was something I'll never forget. Thanks to God my childhood was great.
Before football, I played baseball in high school. I had to be 13-14 years old. I literally played every position in baseball from pitcher to catcher. June 2014 I won my 1st championship versus the South side team. After winning we got the chance to travel to Galena, Illinois at a retired MLB player’s house, which was 3 hours away from where we stayed. It was more like a mansion than a house. He welcomed my whole team with open arms. During my time there we had the best food and fun. Time to remember.
One of the best times over the years was when I was in my teens. Going back thinking about my life up until now, I see how I was shaped and became a young man with help from my grandfather, godfather, et cetera. They were my help from God. Even though my father wasn't there, I promised myself that whenever I have some kids I will be there for them and be the best father I can be. Be great for them and show them how great God is and how great their father is.
I want to travel more when I have more time. I had a dream that I went to Tokyo, Japan and found my soulmate. She's a very beautiful Japanese woman, and we have more than one kid together. She's the woman of my dreams. The world is beautiful. It is what you make of life and how you open your mind. My grandfather used to say, “dream big son, God can do anything for you. You just have to have faith in him.” God is good to me and over time I have come to realize that and I’m just so thankful to know that.
I keep up the good faith and blessings keep coming my way. As I stayed faithful I remember a lot of times I thought God wasn't there but he was. One time I felt like nothing was going to break, then all of a sudden God came through and showed out. He saved my life a dozen times. I've been stabbed, shot and almost burnt alive. All of this happened when I was young, in my teen years. Once again God saved me. I went from being 15 years old thinking I was not going to make it another day after my brother died, but I guess God has something different planned for me.
A lot of people co unted me out, but by the grace of God and I. After I left , I got it done for high school I was my family getting ready to go cannot enlist, due to th e Army but unfort to me being arrest unately I ed and charged fo 2021 I was on my r a cr im e I did not do. In May way to Cook Cou of nty Jail, on May 11 knows I'm still his to be exact. Wow, but G day angel. od
I dedicate this memoir to JP. He will always be loved and missed until we see him again. Love you Big Bro. See you when it’s time. Tell God He knows me already. In loving memory of Jeremiah Lee Parker. “Never Give Up” March 27, 1999—November 7, 2016
Deangelo W. I Am From I am from the westside of Chicago, Austin. From Lockwood and Congress. I am from one bedroom apartments. I am from God’s earth, Mother nature. I’m from Felicia and John. From playing football together, And from love and passion. I’m from strong and great, And from God fearing. I’m from God first of all. I’m from Chicago, IL. From fried fish, chicken, and soda pops. From Jeremiah, he my blood. I am from love and pain, also faith.
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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