Tuesday, July 19, 2011
THE DEATH OF LOYALTY: The "Jersey" Auletta Story
We have all heard the adage "Don't just a book by its cover," but sometimes we find that following that is easier said than done. Who among us haven't done something we aren't proud of yet for others that becomes the very image that defines us?
For me I always try to look past what is said about a person and get to know them for who they are. That is why when I first heard about John "Jersey" Auletta I didn't form any opinions about who he was or even what was in his heart. The internet told me one side of the 25 year old Bronx native that was raised in New Jersey and was sentenced on November 5, 2010 to three life sentences for murder and other charges. I knew, though, that there was more to his story.
I was more interested in getting him to tell me and the rest of the world directly about his journey. Thanks to the advancements in technology, "Jersey" was able to allow me that opportunity. Here is his story in his own words.
"I was the only son and the youngest child. My mother is black, father is Italian, and even though he wasn't always around one thing he taught me was the importance of loyalty. My mother never did anything bad. She was just doing her own thing. In the home she did alot of what my father was supposed to do. Today we look at each other as friends.
"Since I wasn't getting the love and attention I wanted from home, I started to look for it in the streets. That was my introduction to the Bloods. They were there to help me out. To me, the way I saw it, they were the only people who cared.
"I picked up a gun for the first time when I was just twelve years old, was locked up the first time when I was thirteen. I did it willingly, knowing the consequences. I knew that if I chose gangbanging that when I picked up the flag, you either die in the streets or in the prison.
"The reason I became hard and lived hard was because I had to. I had to show them that I wasn't going to be run over or disrespected like others. It was a matter of survival.
"To be honest with you there is no loyalty in gangbanging anymore. When I got locked up I wanted those coming after me like my nephew to know the truth about life on the streets. That's why I am writing the book of my life. I want to explain to my nephew and the other youth of the world that this is what happens when you are loyal to something that doesn't give loyalty in return. Loyalty to me is dead.
"I saw the death of loyalty firsthand. Of the thirty-seven (37) people who testified against me half were those who had swore to be there for me. Now look at me. Look at where I am. I'm not there to take care of my family, so I have to do something for them. That's what I hope this story and my experiences will do for them. Believe me, I'm not glorifying what i did, but it's who I am. This is hard, but I've been through hard times before. I always knew there was snakes in the grass. My mother told me that loyalty was going to be my downfall. I really believed, though, that God would bless me for my loyalty. In the end the loyalty I showed was to the wrong people.
"Where did I get the idea about writing a book? I read and re-read C-Murder's book DEATH AROUND THE CORNER. I knew of his life and what he has been through and the changes he has made. I know that he is real, what he talks about is real. That inspired me. I wrote to him so that he would know that his book and his example inspired me. Through that I saw what I would be able to do to make a difference.
"How do I feel about God now? I don't see myself as a religious person, but I am a person that has faith. I feel like God put me through hell. At times I felt like He wasn't there. I know that He took me through this for a purpose. All of this is for a reason. People are not going to listen to someone who is fake and phony try to tell them about a life they don't know. I'm trying to show them that people are willing to die for the life they live. For us this is serious.
"For me loyalty is everything. I knew the code of loyalty before I became a part of this world. I knew that if I took up the red flag I would have to die for it.
"Everybody is going to judge me for what I am convicted for. I'm not mad about that. I'm going to accept my punishment. I'm more than what you see. I am signed with a record label called Serious Muzik out of Chicago, IL. Shout-out to the CEO Deboski Gunnz. Also want to show love to my family and a special shout-out to my sister Lady Tye.
"Some people look at the street life as something fun, something to be glorified. I want the youth to know that this isn't something you just wake up and do. I want them to know this is something real. People will kill you for this life if you are not right about it. I want the world to see that you can't judge me off of this. Look at what I have been through. Know my life before you judge me."
What did I learn from "Jersey" Auletta's story? Something that I hope we will all remember as we are dealing with each other. Whatever you have done in the past or what someone has done to you has no power over you unless you give it that power. No matter what is said about us--and there will be no shortage of naysayers--we have to move forward and make the most out of each and every day that we are given. That is the gift we have. It's something that no one can take away from us.
Like "Jersey" we just have to make the decision that we are ready to use that gift to help others. Only then can we say we are living the life that was meant for us. And no matter what, that is something no one can take away.
