Jazmine Harper's Short Story: Chicago Gang Violence

On the streets of Chicago gang violence is common. 72% of people who die are murdered. Children everyday are affected by this atrocity. Schools are filled with drugs and violence. This was the everyday life of me, Jazmine Harper. My 18 year old brother Demaris was in a gang, the Reds. My mother was a construction worker and my dad left me the day I was born. My family resided in Riverdale, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. Life there hasn’t really changed since I left. “JAZMINE!” Mom screamed from her bathroom. My eyes slowly cracked open. The shower could be heard slowly turning on as my mother got ready for the day. The sun was shinning through my curtains. Why didn’t I shut them the night before? I glanced over to my nightstand, …show more content…

The dynamic duo, they called us. They couldn’t have been more wrong. I came home that day to see my mother crying in the living room. I looked around the room. Dutch was there. The ringleader of the Reds. The most popular gang in Chicago. The gang my brother was in. “Jazmine,” He looked sympathetic.
“Get away from me!” I knew what he was going to say. I didn't want it to be real. A single tear ran down my face. “Demaris was shot.” He stopped. “I’m sorry.” Then he left without saying anything else. After we heard the slam of the door, I fell to the ground. My mother and I laid there the rest of the night and cried ourselves to sleep. At school, I still walked the halls with confidence, but every chance I got, I hid in the bathroom. Everyone knew what happened, but no one said anything. Even teachers stared.
“He got what he deserved.” I could hear them say. They didn’t know him like I did. As I was leaving school that day, Dutch was standing next to his flaming red convertible. “Jazmine.” I kept my head low and continued walking. He started a slow jog after me. “Jaz?” He reached out and grabbed my hand. “Want a ride?” I shook my head. Dutch gave me a cheeky smile. “Get in the car. We need to talk.” He tapped the gun on his hip. At this point I remember being absolutely …show more content…

“I need to go.” He smiled and nodded. I quickly got up and left. I was still up when my mother got home late that night. “Mom? Can we talk?” I asked.
“Whats this about?” She sounded exhausted. “I need to get to bed. I have an early morning tomorrow.” She said between gulps of water. “Dutch asked me to join the Reds.” My mother dropped her glass. It shattered on the floor. She didn't care. “How dare he try to take my last child away from me too!” She searched my face for any sign of a decision. “The school track coach talked to me today. He wants me to join the team.” I grabbed a broom and started sweeping up the glass. She smiled. “What do you want to do?” She clearly wanted me to join the team, but tried to act supportive for any choice I made. “I don’t want to fail, but I don’t want you to have to lose me like you lost Demaris.” We threw away the glass and sat down at the table. “You know I don’t want you to join the Reds, but I can't stop you if that's what you choose to do.” She yawned. It was 2am. “I think I just need to sleep on it. Good night.” I didn’t sleep the rest of the night. I laid in bed tossing and turning,