Life For A Young Black Boy In Colombia
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June 5, 2017
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June 14, 2017
Make sure you get photos of me smiling…I prefer to smile in pictures these days.
Before meeting Esteban Perez, I didn’t know much of his story. I knew he left home at age 13 to join Colombia’s rebel group FARC (The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People’s Army). And I knew he had a passion for music. Other than that, I had no idea what to expect…but that all changed one Sunday morning.
How did we meet?
While studying at Whee Institute, during one of our weekly outings, I engaged a fellow student, Danny, in conversation. He was a director doing a documentary on the life of Esteban and I informed him that I was a writer—that was the point of discovery. Seeing that Danny was leaving the country in less than a week, I had to work fast to arrange an introduction.
That same day, Danny informed Esteban that a writer, me, wanted to conduct an interview with him and Esteban agreed. In the days leading up to meeting him, I somewhat imagined I’d encounter a hardened, embittered, military-minded soul. Dually, I’m sure he had similar reservations of what kind of individual I would be—being a writer. As I waited for Danny and Esteban to meet me and my translator at our rendezvous point, once they approached, I locked eyes with Esteban and I’m certain the same thought simultaneously went through both of our heads: “Oh s#it…he’s Black!” We smiled, I dapped him up, and instantly our apprehensions were eased.
It’s the Black upon each other that we love so much
Wonder how many of us, these drugs gonna touch
Used to gang bang, ain’t really thug that much
-Common, It’s Your World
Life for a young Black boy in Colombia
“Well son, I’ll tell you…Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” -Langston Hughes
Growing up, bouncing from neighborhood to neighborhood, young Esteban had seen more displacement before the age of 10 than most see in a lifetime. On top of the racism he encountered as a young Black boy in school, he was forced to return home daily to a region overrun with gang violence. As his teenage years approached, he sought a way out. The discovery that his very own mother served as a FARC Rebel solidified his next move. Much to her dismay, at age 13, Esteban packed up his bags and decided to leave home.
What happened after that? Stayed tuned for part 2 of Esteban’s story next week!
In the comments below, share an experience where you have seen or encountered racism while abroad.
32 Comments
It sounds like an interesting story! Such a great post! Can’t read a part two as well! Have a nice day!
You’ve got me hooked! Looking forward to the restof the story…
Look no further…part 2 is out now 🙂
Now that is a cliff hanger…I cant wait…how much longer?
Part 2 is published now!
I am looking forward to more of his story. We take for granted our privilege here and I can’t imagine children having to travel and join forces.
So young to leave home on his own. The teen years are really an age to be nurtured even more because youth are trying to find themselves at that age.
Can’t wait to read more of Esteban’s story. It saddens me that he had seen/experienced more displacement by the age of 10 than most in a lifetime. But, his smile tells me he’s in a happy place now.
This is such a great interview and feature.
Sounds like an interesting story. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
now you got me into the good vibe of reading this, hopefully more of it comes out for more read, our experiences they say help mould us into the man and woman we all become in the future.
Looking forward to part two of this series. I know that so many people are often written off if they experience 1/10 of what Esteban has. And given that his mother did it, much to her chagrin, and he still followed in her footsteps? WOW!
It sounds like it must have been hard for him travelling so much as a child. I hope this story has a happy ending!
What a heartbreaking story for such a young man to have to go through so much while other’s at his age are still playing and having so much fun. Can’t wait for the next part of your writing.
I feel blessed for so many loving people in my life. I feel so sad reading about this kind of story. But I couldn’t understand the introduction properly. Maybe you could have elaborated it further! Looking forward to your part 2!
Wow what a start. Looking forward to reading part 2. Being displaced and all, rough.
I am so sorry that this young man has gone through so much turmoil at such a young age. Seeing his smile lets me know that his resilient attitude is going to take him far in life. I can’t wait to read part two.
Wow, to go through something such as this so young I’m sure is confusing. Being displaced that much at a young age, I can see someone being that bitter. I can’t wait to read part 2. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t imagine growing up in this kind of violence. its really heart breaking 🙁
I have a simple life but i am contented with it. And reading this is breaking my heart for him. Hope his life will be better someday.
I feel fortunate for the life that I had. It’s tough to live life without proper guidance, not knowing where you’ll be the next year or what will happen. What more if it’s a child a deals with that kind of ordeal. I admire him for his strength.
I definitely agree. It takes a special type of courage to be able to continuously rise when it seems as if the whole world is against you.
It’s tough for a child not to have one constant thing in his or her life. I can only imagine the childhood that the had. It’s amazing that he remains to be cheerful and positive. These are the kind of people that you want to have in your life, full of scars but still fighting.
Absolutely. The power of positivity is truly a beautiful thing.
What a cliffhanger! He sounds like a neat boy. Can’t wait for week 2.
how dare u leave us hanging on an intake of breath!!! next please
🙂
Whenever I read stories like this I always say a little thank-you to God for giving me to a wonderful family. I can’t imagine growing up surrounded by gang violence and going from one neighborhood to the next. I can’t wait for your next post to find out what happens next!
Wonderfully written! Look forward to week 2!
This was a bit short intro but I am looking towards part 2. Haha keeps me curious because you just cut off at that part where we want to know what happened. I believe it’s a positive story tho.
Gosh it’s heartbreaking to think of such a young boy going through so much displacement, I forget just how lucky we are. I can’t wait to read part two and hopefully hear a happy ending.
“Smile” is a Pearl Jam song. Looking forward to part 2. Never been to Colombia before, but love Colombian restaurants!