Problem
Child of the Ghetto
Larry Scott
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 self-projection 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.
Problem child of the ghetto
Larry Scott
Growing up on the southside of Chicago, it was three bullies named Jamal, Lavel, and Da-Da. They kicked my butt all over the hood. One day it was very hot outside. I’m talking everybody was out, and they mom. We was all kicking it at the park so out of nowhere I saw Lavel, Da- Da and Jamal out the corner of my eye. So I walked up to someone ’ s porch and started acting like I was ringing the doorbell.
Punches, kicks, knees, feet were coming so fast all I can do is just ball up at the time, hoping and praying the bullies would just go away.
I plotted on all three of them for days, weeks and months to get them back one by one. So I finally saw Jamal at the ice cream truck. I crept up from the back, hit him with one of them broomsticks I got from a hardware store. So me and my brother Skeeter was going at it with Da-Da.
I broke loose and ran and got a can off my back porch and smacked him clean in the eye with it. I peeped Lavel getting out his car, he did not look around one bit. He did not see me at all so I slid smooth on the side of the gas station. I grab the red smoothest, biggest brick I could could’ve found and bust his head to the white meat. All I can see is his blood rolling down his face, now I knew it was on from that day forward. So what I have learned, bullies hate when you take up for yourself.
I was scared from even hearing their name. I was brave whatever I went through. What I can tell you ladies and gentlemen, I was the one who did not even go to the back door when my mother told me to walk with her. I was so scary I did not take the same route to school anymore. Mello was a hero, a hustler, a brother and a leader. We grew a strong bond over the years as time went on. I was under him all day long as much as I could. He was the one who told me all the bullying days were over. I respect him like a grown man. He was so smart in so many ways. It's like he’s been here before he was only 16 years old at the time but he acted like he was 50 years old.
Big bro had an old soul. 8357 S Hermitage where we post up all day all night. We never worried about nothing. We can walk around at 2 or 3 in the morning and won’t nothing happen to us. Mello was one of the funniest dudes around. I love his drive.
It was a different way of living in the ghetto he pushed me so hard in life it made me into the man I am today. Mello made a way for everyone of us to come up. Every time he saw me on the corners he always gave me a pull up. Get your head in the game and out of the gutter. I was the real problem child of the hood. I did not want to listen to nobody, always thinking I knew everything and thought Mello was gonna save me. I guess I was wrong. He put me in my place whenever I got out my body.
Jamal, I miss you with every breath in my body. I feel like I let you down in so many ways. I never said my goodbyes, you left this earth in the blink of an eye. I wish I could turn back the hands of Time, but I can only leave that to the man upstairs. Maybe we lost the battle, but we won the war. That knowledge you gave me pouring out my veins. Every time I think of your voice my brain switches lanes. Don't ever lose yourself just gain.
Man Mello I miss them days when we were ages 7 and up to 14 years old splashing water on each other running around getting are new shoes and clothes dirty. We had a ball playing point them out knock em out. After that we grew into grown men ditching school from Foster Park lying to our parents like we going to the after school program but really going up to the field house with the big guys for hours. After hours the street lights are already on walking 2 blocks over to the crib we just knowing we in trouble cause we are extra late now.
I’m watching you walk to the house and I know you watching me as well both our moms on 10. We live on the same block that’s the messed up part. Anytime I had a chance I hurry up and ran to your spot. We went from not liking each other to right hand man ’ s. We kick it and I mean we kick it hard. Jamal I’m gone pick back up where you left off at Big homie. I’m gone see you on the other side sooner than later.
I love you always with open arms. So my angel fly high and always be there when I need you the most. Late nights I break down but still stand stronger than the world trade center that went down Sept. 11, 2001. Now the last 7 years been the biggest blessing of all times from the feds to the county. It look very bad at first in the beginning but I had to put my boxing gloves on with the states. They act like they did not want to lay down until June 3rd, I heard my first 2 motion and I won both of them. I went round after round they were upset 1 goal down 1 more to go and...
that’s all she wrote. I’m very proud of myself. 1 day the Lord will bless you guys in here with me. I know I’m going home to touch the streets again.
It's gone shock people. All they gone say is he is the same old dude when he left. I have something up my sleeve for them type of people, kill them with kindness. And that’s how you win every time.
My life went completely downhill after we all know we was never gonna get Jamall back. That put a great impact on my life now I’m talking facts. No more hoodnic’s or basketball tournaments. You want to know what messed my head up, thinking about that jumping bean we used to jump in with our brothers and little sisters.
Every hood in the city had one and they was very fun. All fun days faded right away at the breaking point I just started giving up on my life and really stuck between a rock and a hard place until 2007 after Jamal Yhatt death date.
I was arrested and charged with armed robbery and carjacking. Both of them cases carry up to 6 to 30 years in prison so now I was shipped from 111th & Ellis to Cook County jail.
Waiting in back in a dirty holding cell for my lawyer pacing back-and-forth hoping and praying my lawyer don’t come back there and tell me no bad news. It's been like two hours since I’ve been waiting on this lady just talking to myself.
Where can she be? So finally here she comes with her heels clicking together. Hello guys, Hi. Do I have a Larry Scott in here that’s present for court today? I put my right hand up so she can know who I was. At the moment at that time I was talking under my breath.
So she says “Sir, just give me one second” now she just fumbled her papers. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Scott.” Take your time. “It looks like you are charged with 6 counts of armed robbery and six counts of carjackings.” Right then in there my heart just skipped a beat.
“Mr. Scott today’s date is 5/19/2012 and the state is offering you six years at 50%. Are you willing to take it or leave it? It's your choice or we can just set for trial.”
No thanks can you hurry up go in there and get those papers so I can plead guilty.
Now I’m worried because I know the state attorneys play a very dirty game. Sorry, I almost forgot your case will be called next so good luck.
Two minutes tops, after my lawyer left and headed to the courtroom, my name is being called by the officer, Mr. Scott. On my way out I shot out that door so fast the officers did not even get a chance to unlock the bullpen walking right in the court room.
I saw my whole family, waving and saying we love you Shug. It made me feel good for the support.
Now here comes the judge, state your name for the record “Larry Scott.”
“Do you have anything to say before I sentence you?” Yes, judge.
“And what’s that young man?” This is a life lesson learned and I will never joke or play with this justice system again.
But anyways, I still end up, getting dressed in dressed out and I end up going to Stateville. So now I’m in the bullpen, thanking the Lord for the biggest blessing he just gave me.
Larry Scott
I Am From
I am from Auburn Gresham
From bricks and fun
I am from cornbread ribs and cakes
I am from streets
85th P Streets
I’m from Betty and Larry
From Granny crib
And from Foster Park school
I’m from the Side walk
And from a ruff city Chi-town
I’m from Mello city
I’m from Allah
From Remy and having fun with family
Until the lion learns to write their own story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter - African Proverb
