-Josiah, California Medical Facility in Vacaville, CA
“You don’t have to be a product of your environment. You can be what you want to be.” Lisa Ling
I was raised in an environment filled with gangs, violence, drugs, alcohol and unhealthy relationships. My whole life I felt I was destined to be a part of my hood. When I was growing up and putting in work, I felt like this was what I was destined for. I felt like I wanted to die for this because I was brainwashed to believe. But never was I told, “You have a chance to be something better.”
I see people I grew up around not in a gang and I’m like, damn, look at them living life and I’m stuck in prison. That could’ve been me. I get out in sixty days and I’m different. I’m nervous but today I know I am not a product of my environment.
I have the power over my life. Can’t no one be me but me. To all the young people trying to find themselves, you don’t have to worry about what they say about you. Just be you and learn how to love yourself. Just because you live in the hood doesn’t mean you have to be a part of it.