Chapter 12: From Unseen to Seen: The Power of Significant Others

My neighborhoods were challenging. They were isolated and isolating. I lived in three of the four roughest neighborhoods in my area: (a) Southern Manor apartments, (b) Janna Lee Apartments, and (c) Gum Springs Apartments. My mom and I finally settled in Gum Springs when I entered fifth grade. To the outside world, we were unseen, voiceless, and neglected. I developed a core group of friends there: Kirk, nicknamed Spike; Karston, nicknamed Kooley; Mike, nicknamed Old Face; and Reggie, nicknamed Lil’ Reg. We formed a singing group and did talent shows at school and in the community recreation center, called The Gym. However, our divide began around middle school. Spike, Kooley, and Mike began the dropping out process around the seventh grade. It started with skipping a day, then two, then a week, and more. By ninth grade, it was clear that we were not the same anymore. I became invisible to my core friends.