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Knowing each other since the first grade has been the best thing that happen to them. Drugs, guns, money, sex and beer is what lies in the filthy streets and even homes of Chicago's projects. Seeing this kind of stuff could really hurt someone and their family. Living in a world no different from mines but a lot more struggling from LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman. Ida B. Wells projects is home for Lloyd Newman and LeAlan Jones. The long life struggle that goes around in South Side Chicago has a huge affect on all America even you. The life that these people live are horrible and this story that is about to be told is not for the young of hart. In this day and age many young people don't make enough of their lives, but for Lloyd and LeAlan dreams may come true. Writing this book is a big hope for them and life looks very long for them. LeAlan and Lloyd have lots of stories to tell just by walking through the local playground. One time they were both walking through a baseball field and they heard POP, POP!! (gun shots) and they both looked at each other and kept on walking. The reason why they just kept on walking was because they are used to this kind of living. Right now I have a true story to tell about this book that is very touching and sad. One day three boys were playing in a fourteenth floor abandoned apartment and two of the boys Tyrone and Johnny (10 years old at the time) asked Eric Morse (5 years old at the time) to go to the corner store and steal some candy. When Eric said no they tried to throw him out the window. At that point, little Eric called for his brother, Derrick (8 years old at the time) who was standing outside the door. When Derrick saw what was happening, he pulled his brother back inside. After Derrick helped out his brother, Tyrone and Johnny took Eric again and tried one more time. This time, when Derrick tried to save his brother, he was bit by Tyrone - and Eric was gone, forever. This tragedy brought many TV viewers and media to the poor town and project, Ida B. Wells. Many important people said they were going to help this place out and help the people out that live there but of course nothing happened. People that live in Ida B. Wells say they are use to broken promises but I don't know why they sit around and let people do this to them. The only thing that their city has done for them was just knock down the building Eric was thrown from. WOW!!. Tragedy's like this some times people can't believe what happened but for Ida B. Wells projects this happens all the time. LeAlan said when stuff like this happen at first some parents don't let their children out but maybe a day or two the children are back out playing in these abandon buildings again. People who know little Tyrone and Johnny say "Yes they were bad kids and when you saw Johnny, you saw Tyrone. They were always together doing bad stuff". But one lady that used to live in the building where Ty and Johnny lived also said "Yes they did bad stuff but who hasn't done bad stuff as a kid? But Ty and Johnny would never do something like that to a five year old boy. Once you got to know them two they seem like angels". Lloyd and LeAlan spoke to two of Chicago's finest about these two kids and the story they tell you are good. LeAlan is now in his senior year at High School and he would be attending College next year. |
A long time friendship
between 13 year old LeAlan Jones (now 17) and 13 year old Lloyd Newman
(now 17) is one filled of sadness, happiness, and anger. Lloyd lives
in the projects with his two younger sisters and his two older sisters
take care of the three of them after their mother passed away. Lloyd's
father, Michael Williams, a.k.a Chill, is a victim of the "Drinking
Problem". He claims he drinks only because his family has problems but
to me he is just bringing more problems (he does not live with Lloyd
but he comes over to see his kids). LeAlan lives around the corner from
the projects with his mother, Grandmother, Grandfather, older sister
and her baby daughter.