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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The Big House Reggie McCune
I was born and raised in Cabrini Green housing. Later in life I moved to the West Englewood/Chicago lawn areas.
My granddad died back in 1997 due to complications from diabetes. He was the glue to my family. My granddad bought a house for 10K back in 1980, then built additions to the house. 2324 W. Warren Blvd. Granddaddy‘s house was known to everyone as The Big House.
Public Facts for 2324 W Warren Blvd. Beds 3 Bath 1 Finished Sq. Ft. 1,470
Lot Size Style Year Built
2,250 Sq. Ft. Townhouse 1887
Every summer I went to The Big House. I ran back and forth from the house to McDonalds, from the house to the gas station, up and down the stairs inside the house. I loved the summers because I ripped and ran in and out of The Big House.
My granddad was in a wheelchair and he was partially blind, but he knew who I was whenever he saw me. Richard Brown Sr. sat in his wheelchair and watched the whole block and he saw everyth ing from his bedroom window.
My granddaddy represented The Big House, and once he passed, The Big House represented my granddaddy. The Big House was home base; this was headquarters for my family. At some point in life every single person in my family has lived in The Big House, them and they kids and some completely for free.
I was blessed to live in The Big House with my immediate family in 2018, for a short period of time. My kids ripped and ran throughout The Big House as I did when I was a kid.
Living there full time I learned a lot about The Big House; everything wasn’t all peaches and cream at The Big House. This place that I loved since I was a kid was ran down and full of baggage. The Big House had so many issues that it hadn’t passed a single inspection in over a decade. The roof had major leaks, the stairs from the top of the house to the bottom were expected to collapse at any moment. My granddad built an attachment to the back of the house, and over the years the attachment that he built was separating from the house causing structural damage to the house.
At the end of the day The Big House was deemed unlivable and I saw this in writing with my own eyes. On top of that they was on the verge of taking the house for failure to pay taxes and abandonment. I learned all of this simply because I moved in just to say I was finally back home at The Big House. I learned everything I just stated above simply by opening mail and then doing research on the house from beginning to end. I was blue—mad would be an understatement.
I'd like to know more about 2324 W. Warren Blvd.
The Big House was about to die right before my eyes, so I called a family meeting to discuss the future of The Big House. Very few attended this meeting and the few that did looked at me like I was crazy for even raising any concern about a house that was once all of our home. I single handedly reached out to every single member of my family that was legally attached to The Big House, those who attended the meeting and also those who didn’t. Nobody wanted any part of this, not even a conversation or even an explanation or nothing. I couldn’t believe this. They all was literally letting my grandaddy’s house go without putting up a fight.
I was mad and confused at the same time.
Due to the unsafe conditions I moved my kids out and I pretty much lived there alone for about a month. I drank Remy and smoked weed as I talked to God, my granddad and to myself as I came up with a plan to save The Big House.
I lacked the knowledge I needed to do this alone and this shit was much deeper than just money issues.
Seeking help I learned that there was a person set to buy the house but it wasn’t final and I could prevent them from taking the house. My family basically abandoned the house by failing to respond back to different legal paperwork pertaining to the house.
Frequently Asked Questions for 2324 W Warren Blvd What is 2334 W Warren Blvd? When was this home built and last sold?
They was about to auction the house off to the highest bidder and the highest bidder was only gonna knock the house down and build a new house. I was trying to interfere with these plans any type of way I could.
I went back and forth to court to claim ownership and prove that the house is not being abandoned.
I put $7,000 worth of work into the house because the courts needed to see proof that I was doing something to improve the dying conditions of the house.
After a hard fight, eventually I was awarded the house. I won the battle and I own my granddaddy‘s house but it’s still not livable and it’s still basically run down to the ground, but it’s mine though.
I felt like I went to war for the house and I couldn’t move forward with it, so basically I won a failed fight if that makes sense.
What happens next was so unexpected, I began to get offer after offer for the house. Low offers, I’m talking very low offers but I remember being so happy that someone else other than myself saw value in this house.
The offers ranged from $50K to $125K. My next door neighbor’s house was worth $375K, next door to them was $400K, the building across the street was worth $1.3 M but they trying to lowball me probably because I’m black huh?
Nearby Recently Sold Homes Nearby homes similar to 2324 W. Warren Blvd have recently sold between $215k to $1,105K at an average of $255 per square foot.
After so many different offers I just came to terms with the fact that it’s time to let The Big House go. I was holding on to something that has long expired. I loved this house that held so many memories and represents a great man: Richard Brown Sr.
The offer that I took was $145K.
Before I signed the paperwork I was told that it could take from 1 to 3 years before that offer was actually translated to cash but I could work a deal out with the realtor that was behind the deal. I ended up working out a deal for another fully functional house, that was livable and didn't fail no inspections. For $185K I walked away a new home owner and I only owed less than $50K. Four bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, 2 1/2 car garage, driveway and a concrete backyard.
This was a humbling experience to say the least but I walked away with my own home. A place where my kids and they kids can rip and run. I’m not sure if it will ever live up to The Big House, but it’s here for the generations to enjoy and run to the ground just like we all did at The Big House. Maybe we can call it The Little House.
The moral of it all is the fact that I fought a failed figh t but still came out a winner in the end, simply because I didn’t give up on something that meant everything to me.
On 8-16-2022, as I researched what I knew as The Big House, I learned that 2324 W. Warren Blvd. was for sale for over 700K. I don’t know how to feel about that but it’s definitely not the Big House anymore. Rest in Peace to The Big House, you stood tall for over 40 years. I Love You granddaddy and I know you see me down here.
I always used to tell my granddad, “granddaddy, I’m coming over your house” and his response was always the same, “mann this is your house and you know you can come home any time.” I smiled as usual.
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb Copyright
2022 ConTextos
Reggie McCune
Since you asked, my nickname is Mann, with two N’s and I’m 38 year old. People call me Reggie. Since you asked I’m born and raised in Chicago’s Cabrini Green housing projects. I grew up in the Chicago Lawn area, 6300 that is. Since you asked I’m a proud father of 11 kids and 1 grandson. I’ve always wanted to get a Sprinter and take all of my kids on a roadtrip to 102 McCune St. which is in Union, MS. My family owns this house and the land it sits on. McCune St. was named after my late great grandfather. So far I’ve seen my oldest 6 kids graduate from high school successfully and 3 of the 6 attend college. I loaok forward to seeing my youngest 5 kids graduate as well, simply because it’s easy for kids not to finish high school. I’m 6-0 right now. Since you asked I’m very loyal to the people I love and care for. Patrice is the love of my life and one day her last name will be McCune. My goals today as a 38 year old have nothing to do with money or the things money can buy. My goal is to get out of Chicago and show my kids that it’s more to life than the everyday BS that we see and hear on these streets. My goal is to start family reunion events for my family that carry on until the end of times. Since you asked I dedicate this memoir to the G.O.A.T. Richard Brown Sr.