Hard Times Don’t Last
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.
Hard Times Don’t Last
S. Allen
Yo! Wassup people this Stan. I was born and raised in Altgeld Gardens Block 7, granny crib. A lot of good childhood memories there, man man man.
Being that I was the only child, you would assume I am a mama ' s boy, but I'm a Grandmama's boy. Me and my granny always had a close relationship. She is the one I talk to about everything. My mom, Auntie and Granny, that's the Big 3. But I got to tilt my hat to Granny she's #1.
Even though we stayed in the projects we had the best of everything. I was blessed to leave the hood at a young age, and go stay with my auntie and uncle.
Man I ain't gonna lie, those were some of the best times in my life. We lived everywhere. Merrillville Indiana, Schererville Indiana, Crown Point Indiana, Valparaiso Indiana, Steger out there by Matteson, LBVS, where they had a Nextel phone store in the Lincoln mall.
I used to love going up there just to talk to the girls. It was easy, all I told ‘ em was my family owned the phone store and they was gon LOL. I always had a hustle in me.
Me and the guys started selling candy when we were like 14 years old. It was a good hustle, and all profit because the candy was basically free. We would get candy off of somebodys’ link card.
A box of candy was like $10. We started off going downtown selling the candy 1 for $3 or 2 for $5. So off of one $10 box of candy you make $300. So if you go down there and sell 3 or 4 boxes that's $900 to $1200 in one day. We messed off a lot of money at a young age.
We called our gang The White Tee Boys. If you was around us it was mandatory you had to have a new white tee on everyday and stay fresh.
We hustle just to spend it on getting fresh and smoking backwoods. Speaking of backwoods, it's crazy because the gardens really put the city on woods. We've been anti swisher LBVS.
Growing up I loved playing basketball and I was cold. Every team I played for I got that MVP trophy no bs. When I got to high school I just lost love for it. RIP Kobe you gon always be my fav player broski.
My daughter into hooping, na I gotta stay on her. I aint seen her play yet but I know she is nice. It's in her DNA, LBVS. But it aint a lot of pages so I’ma fast forward.
I was locked up at 25 years old and a couple of years after that I was wrongfully convicted for something I didn't do but I’m a strong believer in “everything happens for a reason ” .
Me being locked up grew me into a man, and opened my eyes to a lot of things. I was blind to the people that were in my life, my friends and family.
Being locked up, fighting that drama gon show you who really loves you and who don't.
Most people hear stories of Cook County and think it's just over crazy really not this kiddie land compared to Menard, that's a real jail forget 23hrs and 1, try 24 hours in a cell 6 months str8.
A lot of people ask me how I was so cool with a life sentence. I always told em it's my support system. I aint gon lie, my granny, mama and auntie held it down. Outta them I gotta talk to granny everyday she is the only one that can keep me cool.
It's a real jail when everywhere you go you look up and a man is holding that gun. I don't want to see a shotgun or mini 14 ever. They used to lose their mind shooting that gun. It can be two people arguing, shooting, shaking my head.
I don't wish that I don't know one, it's real misery. I learned misery loves company. The same people I was eating with and drinking with they found out I want my appeal. I saw it in body language and in their eyes that they was mad that I won my appeal. But me being a good person I am still showing love before I left.
I got a lot out of being in Menard, a lot of self discipline, knowledge and most importantly I met my wife while I was down there, she has been my rock ever since.
Shorty, is my Beyonce, I feel like he made that song for me and my wifey LOL. I feel like that about every song that's raw ‘especially Ella Mai, I feel like she writes all her hits for us LOL but that's how you know you ' re in love. I love this girl with all my heart.
She is the real definition of a ride or die. I came in a father of one, I'm leaving out a father of 4. They think they are crazy, we gon have a lot of fun when I touch down.
One of my proudest moments from behind the wall was being able to help my mother get a crib, but I still owe you mama, I made a promise to you when I was a shorty that I was gone buy you that big stupid crib I aint break that promise watch. That takes me back to me saying I’m a big believer of “everything happens for a reason ” . I made the best out of a crazy situation.
Out of the 11 years I have been gone, I got my GED, I’m taking college classes and I met some good people I can call my brothas. The love I got for them is more than my 20yr niggas. We built a real bond over a state try. I love em as if my O.G had em herself.
One still with me and one not B.I.P Broski. My advice to anybody that gotta go through this, don't lose hope, stay prayed up and stay in that law library. I don't care if Johnny came back from the dead and took your case.
S. Allen
I Am From
II am from Altgeld Gardens, Block 7, Granny's crib
From basketball and selling candy
I am from the projects, trench baby fr fr
I am from the wildlife
Where only the strong survive
I am from Talesha Jordan and Stanley Allen
From hooping and fishing in the back of the hood
And from smoking backwoods with foenem
I am from a loving family
I am from Chicago
I am from where Only the strong survive
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb
