Material Judgements by Nicholas "Boone" Harris

Material Judgements

by Nicholas “Boone” Harris

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.

Material Judgements Nicholas “Boone” Harris

Growing up I was actually a good child. A Granny’s boy. I would do anything to be by her side, like going to church or helping her cook.

I even stayed away from the streets because I know that’s not what she wanted for me.

Sadly, that didn’t last long.

My sixth grade year, my grandmother could not afford to send me to school in the latest fashions. Everyone had on Jordans, Nike or the latest Adidas.

and s e o . s sh p out s e l ro ay s P t to d a an hw h ic m e w w e rd ffo t mad a a ld c o u a n d th e h a t s o f me h n nw o l i d e fu o h a c to s o n e m e y nt m . Ev e r e s s nny a nt G ra uro y p d co r

G ir l n o s la u s u b g h in sta g nce , b o y s to m e y e l l in to d g , “ a y. He b ro

ke

as

he

l l ,”

as

we

ll a

so

th e

rh

urt

f ul

th i

ng

s th

at ha ve

If it were not for my big brother, he’s seven years older than me, I probably would have. He bought me some dickie pants, Lacoste polos and white Nike Air Force Ones.

When I went back to school, everyone who made fun of me was all in my face like “Ok, I see.” I realized then that we live in a materialistic world and vowed to myself to always keep up with the newest trends.

My grandmother could not do that for me. My brother did his best being so young himself.

Somehow, the allure of the streets wound up pulling me in. Whatever my granny and brother could not do for me, I saw that the streets could get it for me.

Whether they knew it or not, I was always watching my big cousins do their dirt with their friends and they had what I wanted: money, girls and nice things. That being said, whether I hustled, stole or robbed, I got what I felt like I needed but now I see I just wanted.

With the idols I grew to have by my eighth grade year, I became a Mafia Insane Vicelord. Gone was the good kid content with Granny’s affection, now replaced by what society calls a no good hoodlum.

One day in my ninth grade year, I wa s on the porch with a couple of the guy s, when I saw some old homies from elementa ry school. Dallo, the one closest to my age, said, “Damn, wassup bro, you don’t fuck wit h us no more huh.” I replied, “Naw, it ain’t like that broski, we just on different kinds of tim e.”

, rho o d he r, o b h t g r ne i t o ge u g o n i f so r y th fa c e rift. d ev e g i n d i my d e e b h W c p . t ca du me e nd e th a n f you i l l , e r a n o o m We n ti th e m o me t e t b o y n ma er I p ref s g n th i

Since my 6th grade year, I have been on a downward spiral, unable to fix my course.

Maybe because I didn’t have my mother earlier in my life or never really had my father.

If I knew then though, what I know now, I would have stayed on the righteous path.

Knowing that most people don’t have your best interest at heart. And a lot of people are just temporary in your life.

Due to the decisions I’ve made, I’ve been in and out of jail since childhood. I now think to myself, was what others thought of me really worth all the hardships I’ve put myself through? I think not.

I would r a th e r b e m a d e fu no w he re n o f a nd in life. M b e su c c aybe if I g e t o ne essful th would h life sonn a n to b e ave just y b o y , so cool and listened live it we to make t o G ra nny w h ll,” who it k no w s w e n sh e sa h er e I w id , “You o ould be nly no w .

I w a s su c h a hard headed li it crazy th ttle kid th at it took ough, alw until now ays thinkin , a t 2 8 ye g th a t I k n ars of ag ew every e, to fina thing. I fin lly see the d error of m y ways.

The streets have beaten me down and taken so many years of my life that I’ll never get back. Never again will I let what others think of me influence me to make life altering decisions.

As a father and uncle now, I try to make sure the children in my life don’t make the same mistakes I did. I promise to be a better father than my father was to me. I will be a better son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, etc.

thin autiful e b a h uc d.

Life is s promise t o n is and it

g to b e

c

you h d while e h is r e h

av

v not fore ’s it e s au e it bec

er

Don’t make material judgements based upon clothing, cars, or jewelry etc. Use logic because the mind is a powerful thing.

So many youth fall victim to the streets for the exact same or for similar reasons as me.

That being said, I hope my little short memoir, if rea d, gives some type of gu someone who feels like I idance to did.

Nicholas “Boone” Harris I Am From I am from the Woodlawn area, 62nd and Stony Island From Hyde Park High School and Boo Boo’s corner store I am from Sunday family dinners, grannie’s house Wash them dishes and take out that trash I am from the Chi, 57th and 63rd St beach Sand, water, and pretty females I’m from my mother and my grandmother From watching old tv shows with granny And from I love you but I can’t live for you I’m from “I brought you in this world, I’ll take you out” And from your ass is grass I’m from Islam From Alhamdulillah I’m from the University of Chicago From fried chicken and home cooked macaroni From Peaches and Red, Scan and Zetta I am from the love of the hood

Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb Copyright

2023 ConTextos