chicago 1984 By Jorge Duarte

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Do you consider yourself a number, I do? My name is Jorge Duarte, and I was born and raised in Aurora illinois. I consider myself a statistical anomaly for several reasons. I'm technically not even supposed to be alive... or I wasn't supposed to be born in the first place. Before I release this piece of literature ahead of you I would like to ask yourself if you ever lost someone to substance abuse, gang violence, reckless driving? This personal piece of literature is written in my tears, written from my family's blood, and comes from my pain. I am a statistical anomaly because of those reasons. My parents both came from nothing but gave me everything. I am a second generation American-Mexican Male who considers himself a Chicano. I love the smell of hispanic food, I love seeing other people beat the odds, but I am a young man simply trying to help those in impoverished communities. To help them realize it is possible to be the person you want to be. Let's start with the numbers. My mother came from a place in Mexico where it had the highest femicide rate in the world.My father grew up in the projects and often saw trouble. Both my parents tried sheltering me from crime but I knew how deep the family and loved ones got into it. Though they tried protecting me I still became pretty knowledgeable about gangs in Chicago, New York, and Los angeles. I became knowledgeable and gathered intel about the streets through Family, Friends , or even the internet. I always studied crime because I always wondered about why a man would sell/push drugs? Could it be the lack of resources, or the lack of job opportunities? This is an interesting topic I see in the streets. My father always said '' in life we have a choice,whether you get money the fast way or the right way there's consequences to both. ''He has to put himself in a position where he would never have my family in harm's way and I thank him for that. I am older but I am only 19 and naive. I lost family through accidents in driving , I have had people I know personally in federal prison, state , or just in county jail. I don't want to get too specific but to any of my people, or folk reading here from Chicago, or my surenos and nortenos or any gangs out there just know I understand your struggle but I'll create a future where you don't have to resort to crime. I believe due to people's circumstances they have the choice to rather get money now or get money later. Unfortunately I believe they choose this route because they need money now or they won't live long. I will tell the unsung stories of humans who were good people but grew up in horrible situations. That's why I believe I suffer from some sort of imposters syndrome.No matter where I am, honors class, a high paying job it feels like I do not really belong there. 

I graduated with honors in Highschool, I worked since I was 13 cutting grass, I have hustle, I have ambition. I'm thankful for the opportunities that were handed to me. I still feel like I never do enough and to be honest I don't think that will ever go away. Constantly as i'm growing older and putting myself in opportunities. Im coming across that I am sometimes the only young hispanic in the room. It sometimes feels like i do not belong there . What helps me stay grounded is that if my grandfather had been granted an opportunity in my life I believe he would've been a millionaire by now.My grandfather who passed away before my mother was born met the president of Mexico in his adolescent years.I am forever grateful for my life and after hearing his story he passed away young before he even had the chance to do more for his family. It aches my heart, it shatters it into pieces even. At times I feel guilty for taking things for granted because I knew if he had my opportunities he would take advantage of them to the fullest extent. I know I could do a lot more but I have a lot of maturing and learning to do. Though I never met him, I thank him for what he did for my family.Everyday I open my eyes and thankful I wake up and have a loving family and a supportive one .I have entrepreneurship in my blood, doctors, drug dealers, anything legal or illegal. I am a statistical anomaly not because of the numbers, because I believe regardless life throws at me I will overcome. To the highest power I pray to, I believe I can overcome anything.I am a statistical anomaly because I can change the lives of others who have a low chance of changing it. No matter how unlikely you think you are to succeed. I believe as long as you remember your roots, remember what sacrifices were made to get you there I believe you will succeed in whatever you desire.If you have what you need to be successful then take it as an oppurtunity to be grateful to yourself and overcome those odds. To those reading this from a point in their life where they feel like giving up. If my family and I could beat the odds, so can you.