2012 was the year. It was the year I graduated from high school and the year I made the decision to attend the illustrious Hampton University for the next four years of my life. That year was also the year when the violence in Chicago increased.
If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked, "how did you avoid getting shot?" or "Do you feel scared when you go home?" I would have Donald Trump's fortune. There are huge misconceptions about how Chicago really is, but in no way does it excuse all of the violence that takes place in the city that I call home.
Growing up on the south side of Chicago was certainly an experience, but I never felt afraid or uneasy about living there. But as I reflect in the present day, I am not so sure that I feel the same way. It seems as though the increase of violence began once I left. No, I am not saying that Chicago was similar to the "Little House on the Prairie" while I was there, but I did feel free.
I honestly don't know how or why the violence took a turn for the worst, but I do have an idea. The music. Music has such a major influence on today's generation. From what we choose to wear to how we behave, the lyrics in a song are very capable of becoming our lifestyle. This generation looks up to artists in many which can be positive thing, but unfortunately for Chicago, it had a negative outcome.
I would never blame any rapper or singer for decisions that people make, but they have to know that they an impressionable influence in our community. During my freshman year at Hampton, I didn't know that as soon as I said where I was from, people would immediately ask me questions about the violence or if I personally knew any of their favorite rappers. Never in a million years did I think that coming from Chicago, people would automatically associate my city with negativity. I don't know when the shootings will let up or what it will take to stop the violence all together, but I pray that people will soon see the Chicago that I grew up in and love dearly. So, now when people say to me, "h, you're from Chicago?" I proudly answer, "Yes."
