Breaking the Barriers: How a young man strives to see a change in Chicago’s West side Community.

By: Robyn Meurkson

Growing up in Chicago’s west side neighborhood of Austin, 22-year-old Ladarius Tunstall is not just your average typical guy, but a young man who is striving to make a change within his neighborhood community.

Currently a junior at Roosevelt University, pursuing a career in business management, Ladarius spends his daily life at the gym’s basketball court, playing against his neighborhood friends. He often finds time to spend with his girlfriend Myesha, which of whom he cares about deeply, and after, working as a part-time store clerk at Jewel-Osco.

Living a daily life on the west side of Chicago can be tough as Ladarius continues to experience the violence that goes on in his neighborhood. “Kids outside playin around gang activities, and shootings.” “I want to see the gang violence, murders, and killings cease,” said Tunstall. He also sees the injustice in our law enforcement. “Living it up and seeing police officers killing young black men, or black men period is completely unacceptable,” said Tunstall.

Tunstall also believes that growing up as an African-American in the United States, many African-Americans today experience the challenges and obstacles of equal opportunity. “People are going to jail for petty little things," said Tunstall. "People whose crimes are more high degree than others are not staying in jail long enough, in reference to black males in our prisons.”

When we see the stereotypical views of black individuals; we see poor, uneducated, lazy, violent, and the list goes on. To say the least, Ladarius believes that the stereotypes among African-Americans has been negatively taken too far in our culture. He wants a change, and he wants peace within the American people and in the African-American community.

There are many African-Americans like Ladarius trying to make a difference in their communities to eliminate the disparities that are being placed upon black America. As for Ladarius, he continues to create a positive role amongst his family and friends, and community. “The ultimate goal is reach out to our brothers and sisters, by getting involved in community activities, encouraging them to stay in school, and having the greater discipline to learn is what would help restore the black community.”