There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America
Encyclopedia
There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America is a 1991 biography by Alex Kotlowitz
that describes the experiences of two brothers growing up in Chicago's Henry Horner Homes
. It won the Carl Sandburg
award.
, one of Chicago's subsidized housing projects in the inner city. Lafeyette and Pharoah, aged 11 and 9 years at the start of the book in 1987, come from a lower-class family headed mainly by their mother, who rely on welfare and Federal assistance. They are deprived of many necessities, most luxuries, and are in constant struggle just to survive. The burden of their struggle falls on Lafeyette's shoulders as he tries to protect his family and to help his mother in their daily needs. The family lives in the midst of the violence wrought by local gangs who control the entire housing project. The gangs sell drugs, hire residents to keep and store drugs and weapons, and even lure children to sell drugs in the neighborhood. Children living in the projects seem to have a bleak future awaiting them if they manage to survive to adulthood.
LaShawn and Weasel are not close with their family (despite living with them), and are mentioned very little in the book. The triplets occupy most of Lafayette's time, as he watches out for them when his mother cannot. Though most members of the family are close, they each have different ways of expressing their love.
Apart from a playground and a few arcades, there are few safe spaces within the Homes.
Gangs figure prominently in the neighborhood, and many youths work as drug or gun runners. Though neither Lafayette nor Pharoah join official gangs, Lafayette occasionally finds himself in a group of sketchy neighborhood boys, and is caught doing several petty crimes. He is prosecuted for one in which he did not partake in, a robbery which he happened to pass by with a friend when police arrived. Pharoah steers completely clear of trouble throughout the book, as he has no interest in violating the law.
First, the story explores the causes of domestic violence
. Kotlowitz points out that the young people are robbed of their innocence by their dysfunctional social environments. Their attitudes are molded by the violence that they encounter day to day and the kind of life they are born into in the projects. Any fear of committing violent actions is replaced by their desire to maintain their own safety and fulfill their own needs.
Secondly, the story presents the idea that the children could succeed if given a chance. Pharaoh exemplifies this by excelling when given the chance to study.
The story also reveals a gross violations of human rights
, depriving most of the youths of chances of successful futures. The city officials who are supposed to maintain peace and order as well as look after the welfare of the people in the project are the ones who corrupted the budget intended for the betterment of the building occupants. The Chicago Housing Authority personnel are depicted as largely responsible for the horrendous living conditions
in the housing project, particularly in the Rivers' building.
- Lajoe Rivers, 1988
Alex Kotlowitz
-Biography:Kotlowitz received his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and is an alumnus of the Ragdale Foundation. He currently lives with his family just outside Chicago in the suburb of Oak Park.-Writing:...
that describes the experiences of two brothers growing up in Chicago's Henry Horner Homes
Henry Horner Homes
Henry Horner Homes was a Chicago Housing Authority public housing development. The development is located in Chicago's Near West Side at Damen Avenue and Lake Street near the United Center. The homes are named after former Illinois Governor Henry Horner...
. It won the Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg was an American writer and editor, best known for his poetry. He won three Pulitzer Prizes, two for his poetry and another for a biography of Abraham Lincoln. H. L. Mencken called Carl Sandburg "indubitably an American in every pulse-beat."-Biography:Sandburg was born in Galesburg,...
award.
Overview
There are No Children Here follows the lives of two young brothers, Lafeyette and Pharoah Rivers, who live in the Henry Horner HomesHenry Horner Homes
Henry Horner Homes was a Chicago Housing Authority public housing development. The development is located in Chicago's Near West Side at Damen Avenue and Lake Street near the United Center. The homes are named after former Illinois Governor Henry Horner...
, one of Chicago's subsidized housing projects in the inner city. Lafeyette and Pharoah, aged 11 and 9 years at the start of the book in 1987, come from a lower-class family headed mainly by their mother, who rely on welfare and Federal assistance. They are deprived of many necessities, most luxuries, and are in constant struggle just to survive. The burden of their struggle falls on Lafeyette's shoulders as he tries to protect his family and to help his mother in their daily needs. The family lives in the midst of the violence wrought by local gangs who control the entire housing project. The gangs sell drugs, hire residents to keep and store drugs and weapons, and even lure children to sell drugs in the neighborhood. Children living in the projects seem to have a bleak future awaiting them if they manage to survive to adulthood.
Rivers family structure
The Rivers family, like many in the Henry Horner Homes, are headed by their mother, LaJoe. The boys' father, Paul, drifts in and out of the apartment, however his income mostly supports his drug habit and alcoholism. Though Paul and LaJoe have unofficially separated, he still takes shelter in their apartment occasionally. Together, they have eight children.- LaShawn, the oldest, who financially supports her drug addiction with prostitutionProstitutionProstitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
. - Paul, (named after his father) the oldest boy.
- Terrence, Lafayette and Pharoah's favorite brother. Terrence often supports his little brothers with advice to stay away from gangs and drugs. Terrence, however, winds up in prison by 1990, for his involvement in two robberies; he only participated in one, but was convicted of both.
- Lafeyette, who is the most dependable child, helps his mother care for the younger children. He and Lajoe have an exceptional bond, one LaJoe originally found in Terrence. Terrence faded from the family, and lost his bond with his mother; LaJoe worries the same may happen between her and Lafeyette. Much of the her story revolves around her work to salvage and sustain their relationship.
- Pharoah, the most precocious boy, who finds solace in literature and spelling. An extremely sensitive and reflective child, Pharoah often shields himself from his unstable environment by refusing to acknowledge it. Pharoah is by far the most successful student of the children; he participated in spelling bees and is honored with multiple awards. He develops a stutter, which he spends most of his time trying to defeat, due to his stress.
- The Triplets, Timothy, Tammie, and Tiffanie, who are only four at the beginning of the book.
LaShawn and Weasel are not close with their family (despite living with them), and are mentioned very little in the book. The triplets occupy most of Lafayette's time, as he watches out for them when his mother cannot. Though most members of the family are close, they each have different ways of expressing their love.
Neighborhood environment
The projects offer few productive activities for Lafayette and Pharoah. A Boy's Club offers summer programs for troubled youths, but space and funding are extremely limited.Apart from a playground and a few arcades, there are few safe spaces within the Homes.
Gangs figure prominently in the neighborhood, and many youths work as drug or gun runners. Though neither Lafayette nor Pharoah join official gangs, Lafayette occasionally finds himself in a group of sketchy neighborhood boys, and is caught doing several petty crimes. He is prosecuted for one in which he did not partake in, a robbery which he happened to pass by with a friend when police arrived. Pharoah steers completely clear of trouble throughout the book, as he has no interest in violating the law.
Themes
The story presents a dark part of American society. The story mentions that children as young as thirteen years old are already engaged in violence, gang membership, and drugs dealing. There are several points that are useful in understanding the social context of the urban youth in American society.First, the story explores the causes of domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
. Kotlowitz points out that the young people are robbed of their innocence by their dysfunctional social environments. Their attitudes are molded by the violence that they encounter day to day and the kind of life they are born into in the projects. Any fear of committing violent actions is replaced by their desire to maintain their own safety and fulfill their own needs.
Secondly, the story presents the idea that the children could succeed if given a chance. Pharaoh exemplifies this by excelling when given the chance to study.
The story also reveals a gross violations of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, depriving most of the youths of chances of successful futures. The city officials who are supposed to maintain peace and order as well as look after the welfare of the people in the project are the ones who corrupted the budget intended for the betterment of the building occupants. The Chicago Housing Authority personnel are depicted as largely responsible for the horrendous living conditions
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
in the housing project, particularly in the Rivers' building.
Research and writing process
Kotlowitz spent three years spending time with Lafayette and Pharoah and their family and friends. Through numerous interviews, discussion, and reflections he compiled, There Are No Children Here brings the different views, worries, and opinions from the members of the Rivers family. There Are No Children Here is a combination of reporting, urban nonfiction, and biographical writing.Title
The title comes from a quote by LaJoe Rivers commenting on the bleakness of her children's livelihood.- Lajoe Rivers, 1988
Awards
Alex Kotlowitz was recognized for his work on the book, which was universally praised. The book won the following awards:- The Helen Bernstein Award for Excellence in Journalism
- The Christopher Award
- The Carl Sandburg Award