This article, part of the BlackOut series, captures a personal narrative from Chris, who recounts his experiences growing up as a Black man in Portland. He reflects on the pervasive issues of violence, drugs, and systemic neglect that affected his community. The author emphasizes that the struggle for Black youth often remains invisible until a tragedy strikes. His transformative journey during incarceration, spurred by educational opportunities, illustrates resilience and the desire for deeper understanding and change within society.
How do I explain what it means to be Black in America to someone who isn't? Because there's a difference between feeling and understanding.
Most of the time, I feel like people only pay attention when the cameras are rolling. But what about when the smoke clears?
Gang violence, drugs, broken homes, underfunded schools, over-policed neighborhoods; a system that saw us as numbers, not names.
It was during my incarceration that I was encouraged to take college courses that played a huge role in my overall rehabilitation.
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