West Englewood

For many parents, the birth of a new child brings joy and glee. However for my father, I was a burden made by his late-night illegal activities. West Englewood is an area many people have not heard of - it’s tucked inside the southwest side of Chicago. During the day, the people of Englewood would wake up to the smell and sound of gunshots and burning tyres. Police officers would parade the streets in their well-ironed uniforms and the alleys would be covered with bright and colourful graffiti of sayings and images, which I didn’t understand at the time. When night came, Englewood was almost non-existent submerged in darkness with signs of light through the flickering street lamps. Many residents locked their doors and stayed at home, afraid of the evil the dark brought. Amongst this, I was born. I was born on 31st of December 1984 at exactly 11:59 pm, my mother died immediately after my birth. I was named after the notorious ‘ Baby Face Nelson’- Papa said, “even though Nelson was part of “the Crackers”, he had done enough crime to be considered part of us, the “Niggers”. After Mama died, there were only three of us left: me, Daniel and Papa. Papa was the wingman to the infamous “ Kevin “, whatever Kevin said Papa was known to do. Together they controlled the gang, “ Black P Stoners”. There were almost 40…

I am a 16 year old female growing up in Englewood, New Jersey. I enjoy programing, creative writing, and music. I spend a lot of time listening and playing music. I play the drums and I also enjoy singing. I have spent a lot of time doing community service and working around the school and the library. Starting at an early age I realized that I have a passion for learning, beginning in Kindergarten, at Englewood On the Palisades a Charter School. My teacher, asked me could I spell, write my…

The reason for this would have been the same as those in migratory societies, practicality. Although the women were no longer restrained by the need to carry infants long distances, and the presence of a crying child would not have had the same effect on domesticated animals as on the hunted prey, they still had to be concerned about the safety of the toddler. Any task taking place while caring for children also had to be interruptible. Men and women had to spend the majority of their time…

around one of the major events of the twentieth century: The fall of the Berlin Wall which marked the end of the Cold War and hastened the downfall of communism in Eastern Europe. The year is 1990. Forty years of the German Democratic Republic have inevitably come to an end. Capitalist West Germany and socialist East Germany have been reunified. Our setting is the post-socialist East Germany. “The winds of change blew on the ruins of our republic”, Alex recounts. The separation between the…

The Gullahs, also referred to as the Geechee in some parts of the south, are West African slaves that were brought to the New World to work on the plantations in the lowcountry along the southeastern coast of the United States, from the Cape Fear River in North Carolina to the St. John 's River in Florida. This coastal region with its many barrier islands is separated from the mainland by creeks, rivers, and marshes. The islands were accessible only by boat until the first bridges were built…

high school. They also have higher risk of teenage delinquency and pregnancy. This is due to the fact that both parents are not there to guide them the right way. Less than half (46%) of U.S. kids younger than 18 years of age are living in a home with two married heterosexual parents in their first marriage (Pew Research). If the child is raised by a single parent that happens to be more lenient and laidback, these children tend to take advantage and this leads to troublemaking children. They…

Nigeria, a country with over 140 million people is located in West Africa. Nigeria has over 270 ethnic groups, each group has its custom, tradition and dialect. Although diverse in their way of live, Nigerians are unified by the language of death. For the sake of understanding, there are three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, they are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Although rural-urban migration has caused us to live together, each ethnic group has its designated primary location. Although death…

After the Six Days War ended in 1967, the Israeli began establishing a settlement in Gaza Strip and West Bank. Almost four decades later, an increase terrorist threat to Israel, protecting the interest and security of the Israeli at two fronts was putting many strains on the government’s national security. In 2003, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon officially announced that he was pulling out his people from Gaza Strip and northern West Bank . The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and national police would…

This time period is between 2000 and 2015; giving us iconic figures such as 50 Cent, Ja rule, Eminem, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Drake. Of course out of a generation of rap, there is always extremely influential rappers that has revolutionized the “game” for everyone. For the early 2000’s that person would Jay Z, one of the singles from Jay-Z 's now classic debut album, Reasonable Doubt, was a song called "Can 't Knock The Hustle." Though there are many interpretations about…

When I ask someone if they like Kanye West music? They respond he’s an “asshole”. They don’t even bother to listen to his music. Kanye gets a bad reputation for being outspoken. I’m here to tell you that should give him a chance and let his music convince you that he’s the greatest of all time. Although his name gives him a bad reputation, due to his controversial actions, Kanye should be heard around the world with an open smile. Kanye West makes a great music. Now let’s talk about his…