Emmanuel Zavala (23)

Using one word, what comes to mind when you hear “Little Village”?
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Childhood in  Little Village
Lived in the same house since he was born
Childhood was “really fun” and so “different” than everybody else’s
Loved the community
Aunt took him everywhere
Beautiful colors
“Las Tres Caidas”- Good Friday 
In his eyes the community was so friendly but in reality it was probably dangerous
It was weird seeing someone that wasn’t Mexican in the community but he didn't see them as different because we were so enclosed in the neighborhood
Didn’t give mom papers from school because they would be in all English so parents weren't able to understand.
We were taught to not interfere with “grown people business”

Young adult
Lived with a gang member his whole life, never once saw a gun or someone dying although people assumed that.
Never once seen something that was extremely dangerous.
Was able to go out with friends without any care
Can’t see his son doing stuff that he was doing like walking  to the mall or to the movies (most adventurous memories he ever had).
So easy to get drugs and alcohol at a young age and it’s kind of embarrassing now 
Going to teach his kid to be able to speak up 
Participating in neighborhood activities in the plaza on 26th street, got to show his kid the art he made when he was young 
Corner stores in Little Village (corner store on Kostner and 28th)

Adult
Looking for a house with his family but it is no where near here
Somewhere free where he can go in PJs to Target
Want to see something different, travel outside of the neighborhood, Chicago and Illinois.
His kid wants to ride his bike everywhere and he finds himself walking around everywhere to his aunt’s house, mom’s house, etc.
Feeling vulnerable around white people and he doesn’t want his kid to feel that way ever and in the neighborhood everybody looks like him so he doesn’t feel left out 
I like the neighborhood because of its character 

Change in Little Village?
The weirdos and the bad people
There shouldn't be as much freedom for kids to roam around as there is.