Little Black Boy by Avion King

Little Black Boy

Avion King

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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Little Black Boy Avion King

It was the summer of 2005. Menia was pregnant with Shay-Shay and I was on the run for some hot shit. I was staying with Menia and her momma Christina on the northside of Chicago in Marshfield Gardens. One day in September I woke up and it was hot as hell. Menia wanted me to go get her an Italian beef, no hot peppers, dipped lightly, plus mild sauce on the fries with a peach Wildwood pop from Sammy’s Red Hot. I jumped up, got in the shower, got myself together and headed out the door to get her food. I told her I’ll be right back.

On the way to Sammy’s my Nextel rings, it was my big brother Anthony and my cousin Corey. They asked me “Is you coming on the westside today?” I told them I don’t know Menia tweakin plus I’m trying to lay low. Anthony said “stop being a pussy and come outside and spend some time with me.” Anthony lived in Kentucky at the time which was why he was on my ass. I told him I’m gonna grab her food then I’m gonna call you when I get back to the house.

Corey was laughing and said “it’s gon be a big party tonight by Rockwell.” We gon footwork against these niggas we been lookin for.” I asked “What niggas?”

He said “Hot boy Dave and nem.” He looked at me and said “I hope yo lil ass ready man.” It was about 5pm and the party would start in 4hrs. To kill some time Anthony said we gon go on Madison and makes some money hustlin. So we rode around on bikes trying to make some money.

After hours of riding around it finally came time for the party. We rode by Rockwell but the party ain’t started yet so we rode to Madison to hit one more lick. We get back on Madison and we seen this light skinned prostitute walking. I was on the handlebars of Corey's bike and we were trying to trick her to make her think we were trying to buy some, but the whole time she was an undercover police performing a sting operation.

Police cars flew from every direction you could think of. The lieutenant hopped out of the car and they surrounded us asking which one was orchestrating everything. She replied “the one with the long ponytail.” They took me to they command center and charged me with robbery. I went to the police station on Harrison and Kedzie for processing. After processing they took me to the Juvenile Detention Center on Hamilton.

The next morning I saw Judge Kelly. Judge Kelly was the same judge who put out the warrant on me for all that hot shit I was doing. She said that I was in trouble because I didn’t comply with the terms and conditions of probation. I caught several new cases. I spent 7 months in JDC waiting for her to figure everything out. Then one morning in July I was in court and Judge Kelly sentenced me to 6 months IYC in Murphysboro, Illinois.

I kept fuckin up and my 6 months turned into a 17 month sentence and I was transferred to IYC Joliet. When I arrived at IYC Joliet I was scared as fuck because all of the stories I had heard. Then I met my counselor Ms P. She was a short Polish lady in her 40’s. She informed me my stay at IYC was going to be what I made of it. She wanted me to get into school and read lots of books. She wanted me to stay out of trouble and get some time knocked off my sentence.

As I waited for school to start she handed me a book called Holes. I took the book not knowing how to read or write. A few weeks later I gave it back to her and told her I read it. As we sat in her office she asked me questions about the book and immediately knew I didn’t read it. “Do you know how to read, Avion?” she asked and I replied no. She stated “you will be starting school soon so I’m going to need you to pay attention.”

She looked down on the computer for some small assignments I could do. That’s when I noticed a children's dictionary on her desk. I asked her if I could read that.

That’s when days turn to weeks and weeks into months as I taught myself to read.

I remember when I wrote my first letter home. All it said was I love y’all and I miss y'all to Shay-Shay and Menia. After I sent it out I felt so proud of myself.

Now here I am all these years later in CCDOC writing this as a memoir and reading law books and understanding case law working my own case. As I look back at my 16 year old self I feel good and have a strong sense of accomplishment that I taught myself how to read and write. I look forward to reading new things, teaching and encouraging those who struggle to read and write that you can do it.

Look at me.

Where Am I Going What is something you always wanted to do? Why? I have always wanted to sky dive. I honestly believe it is exciting and I would be able to get a thrill.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why? I would like to go to Brazil. My reason of wanting to go is because of their women and culture.

What are you most looking forward to? Why? I’m most looking forward to getting married, and getting old.

What is a goal you have set for yourself?

To be an entrepreneur What is a change you want to see in the world, in your world? Why? A change I would like to see occur is the violence due to the deaths of many children and others.

What will be your legacy? What will you leave behind?

I will try to leave a business behind for my family and leave my legacy of alway keeping it real.

Avion King I Am From I am from the westside of Chicago, the slums.

From gangbanging and gun violence.

I am from the building on the corner Moms and pops crib.

I am from every gangway and alley.

I’m from Anthony and Val. From Saturday juke party’s, And from hard head makes a soft ass.

I’m from God and the land of keeping it 100.

I’m from Chicago, IL From fried chicken, pork chops, MAC, and cabbage.

From Johnny, Lisa, mom, dad, Zay Zay, and Rio. I am from strong, brave, and out spoken.

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

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