Daishaun Burns

DAISHAUNDAISHAUN BURNSBURNS

Changed My Life

A time that changed my life was when I moved out of town and went to a private school. I was doing good, getting good grades and playing sports I never played before, like baseball and track. I thought I was going to live there for a long time, but I was mistaken because little did I know my time was coming very soon.

So, shortly after that I got into an altercation with a guy about a girl. It was his girlfriend, but I didn’t know at the time, so he wanted to fight me about her because he seen her kiss me. I didn’t know she had a man cause she didn’t let me know anything.

But anyway, we had a little scuffle, and I won. We ended up being cool after that because he seen how real I was. I wasn’t no phony person, but it changed me because now I see not to get into it over no female.

In the end, it’s not worth it. In the end, we became best friends.

Second Chance

I got a second chance when I got out of jail to become a better person and get my life together. While I was in there, I had nothing but time to think about my next move. I promised myself when I got out of there, that I’d never come back, ever in my life.

I really wanted to focus on staying out the streets and getting a job to do that. I feel like I’ve been doing good so far, but I'm not fully there yet. It’s just going to take a little more time first, but this is my second chance. This time I’m going to take advantage of it cause I feel like this my last one.

I’ve been doing good so far. I found a little job to go to so I can stay out the streets. So, now it’s just time to get to it and stay focused so I won’t fall off my square. I hope this really work out for me cause it’s making me become a peaceful man and I love the person I’m becoming.

That goes to show you, you know no matter what you do, whether it’s bad in life, it’s always a good side to the bad side.

So to all the people who feel like life is just all bad, it’s not. It actually has some good ups and downs to it. So never give up.

Grandma: Sankofa Story

The world should know my Grandma, Mrs. Odessa Butler. She was sweet as pie, but she could be mean like the devil if you made her mad enough, but that was rarely. Shit, she was so sweet to the point that I stopped bringing friends around because she would give me money, and tell me to split it with whoever I brung. I stopped bringing people with me when I wanted to ask for something cause I felt like they in the way. Cause that’s really taking from my pockets. But other than that, my grandma was as sweet as pie.

One thing my grandma always told me was to stay in school and keep you some money. Now I see why she always told me that “it’s a cold world out there,” and “money makes the world go around.” Another thing she told me was that “them friends are not really your friends.” I really see what she was saying because a lot of my friends that she knew ain’t my friends anymore.

Grandma, and elders, really know what they be talking about. So y’all should really listen, because if you don’t listen it might be too late. That’s the wisdom that I got from my grandma and elders.

JAKIEJAKIE RIDLEYRIDLEY

I Am From

I am from the Southside of Chicago. From non-glamorous and unfiltered. I am from the Blacktown house. Dangerous, Uninviting, Sense of the matter. I am from uncut grass and weeds, Magical urban jungle. I’m from Cookout and Stocky. From Alberta and Eddie. I’m from street fights and BBQ. From “beat him, or you’ll get a whooping too” and “stay true to yourself.” I’m from Islamic, hum to Allah. I’m from Holy Cross and down South. Collard Greens, Macaroni From play fighting with all my cousins. The late nights cooking with my Mother. Teaching my little brother to ride a bike, All at my mother’s house.

My Thoughts

Good afternoon, to whomever may be reading. I love you and God bless your soul. I have had a very positive turnover in my life due to my surroundings which have recently displayed so much positive energy.

Now, I’m empty of negativeness.

A meaningful conversation that is important in life is this. Things are set in place for a reason. Just go with the flow like a river.

An important experience that I had is most definitely knowing that the Great God Almighty has my back on the journey and I thank Him for that.

The trip I recently took to Washington D.C. was full of knowledge and was a learning experience. I also am grateful for ConTextos giving me the opportunity to further develop my writing.

I gain more confidence the more I write.