University of Chicago Lab School- Ms. Jacobs' Page

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

LeAlan & Lloyd: An Update


Many of you may have questions about what happened to LeAlan and Lloyd after Our America and what they're up to today. Here is a link to an interview (The Changing World: Out of the Ghetto) that LeAlan gave in 2008 where he reflects on the Our America experience and shares his current interests and projects.

Listen to the interview and post a response with your comments, reactions, and questions to LeAlan's story.

Be sure to put your first name, teacher's name, and class period on your post.

posted by Charlotte Jacobs at 6:37 AM

8 Comments:

  • I was glad that Lealan had made something of his life. At the same time I feel sorry for him as he shows a lot more emotion in this broadcast. He describes his work with children in the high school where he works. He describes many of his amazing experiences involving awards and going to Hollywood. He shows his sadness about the situation he and Lloyd were raised in. He has a lot of faith in Obama fixing things in communities like the one he grew up in. He feels sympathy for people who were like him, but didn't quite make it. He remembers when he was 5 and his mom was taken to the hospital because of her mental illness. He was worried she would never come back. His old school has improved a lot and he thinks these kids will do well in life. The Ida B. Wells homes were destroyed. His old house is still there though. The recent recession has caused his family to lose their home. His Father was drug addict.

    Sam 3-4

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:23 PM  

  • Sabrina
    03/04/09
    Period 8-9

    I personally think LeAlan has done a job well done! I think that because LeAlan has come a long way and I'm sure Lloyd has too because they were both surrounded by some many bad influences like it was crazy, but they pulled through and that's really good! If I was in their position I would be proud of myself because when they asked that kid who was selling drugs he said he doesn't think he's going to be alive in 10 years because he is already selling drugs. So I think they came a long way.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:36 PM  

  • I thought it was interesting how LeAlan said there were two americas. the ghetto, where you have no chance, and the land of opportunity. LeAlan grew up in the ghetto but because he was very hopeful he followed his dream and became successful. In this documentary he says, "I have attained the happiness i pursued" Also, it seems like the area where LeAlan and Lloyd grew up has changed for the better. While LeAlan was in school, classes were wild, not much learning happened,and there was lots of exposure to drugs and guns. Now, the classrooms have rules on the walls about respect, raising your hand, etc. Also, the projects are no longer there, or atleast are all boarded up. some questions i had were, why he is still in the ghetto? and why arent he and Lloyd as close any more?

    Grace
    per. 8/9

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:41 PM  

  • The thing that shocked me the most was when LeAlan talked about seeing Lloyd on the street and being a busy guy, didn't have much time to talk to him, but said he didn't really want to stay and talk to him. I was a bit sad after hearing that because listening to them laugh and tell jokes, especially in "Ghetto 101", they seemed like they would be close till the end. It was also sad to hear about Sophia, Chill, and Lloyd's grandmother dying.
    Anyways, on a better note, it was great to hear about the accomplishments LeAlan has made and it really goes to show you can pull out a rough conditioned place and become extraordinary.
    In conclusion, hearing LeAlan's current doings was interesting and almost made me feel proud, despite the fact I don't know him and he never was a bad kid :). It is great to hear how he is reaching out to his community and I wish he and Lloyd only the best.

    Lindsey
    Ms. Jacobs
    Per. 8/9

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:46 PM  

  • I am very happy for LeAlan but not too surprised that LeAlan and Lloyd started going down seperate roads. I think that it is really sad that they don't hang out anymore, but from the begining you could tell that LeAlan was more likely to be successful. I feel bad for Lloyd because it sounds like he might not make it after the numerous trageties he has suffered. I am happy for LeAlan and what he has become. It feels right that he is helping to take care of the kids in his family. However, it kind of sounded like he has become a little bit of an outsider to the ghetto, because when he tried to get out of his car to talk to people in the ghetto he was stopped by someone and told that he didn't have to mingle with people from the ghetto. I am happy for LeAlan but kind of sense that he is lonely, since he is far, mentally, from the ghetto and the family home was taken from the family. He seemed happy with coaching though, and I guess he did get a job were he can run his mouth, to coach the kids, after all!
    A question I have is what Lloyd is doing right now, and whether he gets awards for the documentaries and gives speeches etc. like LeAlan does.

    Sonia
    8/9
    Ms. Jacobs

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:07 PM  

  • Period 8-9
    Jacobs

    I think that LeAlan has come very far. It is interesting that he had no father, and now his children have no mother. I feel horrible for Lloyd, because of all he has lost. LeAlan has a good job, and he is a good influence to all the young people living in the Ghetto and having the extra amount of hope that LeAlan and Lloyd had getting through the scary and dangerous life there. I dont think that people think about the south when they talk about how "amazing" Chicago is, maybe 95th street and north, just like the Red Line. Everyone does what they can to avoid any thoughts of the lifestyles of the people who live in the Ghetto. However, I never forget, with all LeAlan and Lloyd have been through, it is clear that NPR helped them most likely with security of some kind to make sue they were safe to the point that they weren't murdered. I wonder what would have happened to them and their families if NPR hadn't wanted their help.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 12:22 PM  

  • I always thought that LeAlan and Lloyd made something of themselves. Not all 13-year-olds can make there own documentaries, you know. That means that you have a good future ahead of you because you can do that. Also it is good that they got so far on so little money. But I also feel sorry for them because all the family members that died in their family. And I never thought LeAlan would be a sport coach, I thought he would be a reporter. Then again he is a lecturer... It is interesting how he can remember so many things from when he was a kid too. I don't know why they would kick LeAlan's family out of the house and then just leave it there. Anyway, I am happy for them and that they are successful.

    Leah Jo
    3-4

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:36 PM  

  • I think LeAlan has led a very good life compared to the other kids in his neighborhood in the ghetto.He had the opportunity to graduate and have an education whilst others didn't. He's appreciative of all the things thats happened. He currently has lower-middle class family and works two jobs i suppose at the same school and seems like he would enjoy it. LeAlan still observes everything around him and absorbs it to understand it. He drives a very-very good car(BMW with rims). He was going to be on a emotional rollarcoaster with his mother's problem. He is a very strong-minded person,whatever bad things emotional that come up he can deal with it. living in the ghetto made him the man he is today and the documentary helped him get out of it and actually live a life where its not always fear or suspicion of a neighbor.
    Jeff 8/9

    By Blogger Jeff, at 2:10 PM  

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