Literary Interview

Good morning, Mr. Carter. I'm Franxene Pajaro. It was a pleasure to meet you. Please have a seat.

Good morning, ma'am.

So, I asked you here today because I wanted to know more about your life and past experiences.

I'm more than willing to share my story about the past, so that anyone can learn from me.

So let's begin, Mr. Carter. Can you tell me about your life before you leave the gang?

My father went to prison when I was eight, and I became a King Lord at twelve. I had to be “king” since childhood as a means to survive.

My father was a gang leader and one of the biggest drug dealers in Garden Heights.

When and why did you decided to leave the gang?

I realized that it won't do me good, especially my family. I didn't wanna cause them harm and trouble.

It was after the birth of my second child. I decided to leave because I realized being a King Lord isn't worth dying for.

I took the charge for King which made him indebted to me. So I used that leverage to leave the King Lords. I served 3 years in prison.

I haven't been able to witness her journey and 'firsts', but I'm glad someone is there to be a father for her as she grew up.

Since I sacrificed my freedom, I wasn't able to take care of my daughter. I haven't been a father to her at all.

You said that you wanted to keep you family safe but why do you still want to stay at Garden Heights despite all the violence?

But now, I fully understood the danger my children face in Garden Heights. So I give in to my wife and decided to move. But my business will still continue to operate at Garden Heights.

I didn't want to move because I didn't want to teach my children to abandon their neighborhood instead I want them to fight for change.

If you could say something for the people of Garden Heights what would it be?

In all “the Gardens” of the world: your voices matter, your dreams matter, your lives matter. Be roses that grow in the concrete.

That was a powerful statement and that marks the end of our interview. Thank you for your time and consideration, Mr. Carter. It was an honor to know more about you.

Thank you, ma'am. It was a pleasure to share my story.

But according to what I know, you are not allowed to leave the gang. How did you do it?

Well, honestly I just got lucky. That time King and I were arrested by the police for weapons possession.

Well you sure got lucky Mr. Carter! But you said that your second child was just born when you went to prison.

How did that impacted your relationship with her?