MY NAME IS OMAR TURCIOS
Written by Omar Turcios in dialogue with Keith. Omar begins to tell this story several times but is interrupted or silenced by others. When he finally gets to tell it, he follows a mic held by April. She then drags it on the ground as Omar crawls after it, humiliated but determined. He finally grabs the mic, stands and delivers the final lines.
Uno. I was born in Managua, Nicaragua, in 1985 during a civil war.
Dos. It might have been my uncle who was a high ranking general for the military.
Tres. My mom left my dad and Nicaragua to come to the U.S. for a better life.
Cuatro. I arrived in San Francisco in ’89. I was four years old. I learned to speak English.
Five. In 1991 my sister Karla was born.
Six. I used to play baseball for ten years.
Seven. I was labeled a gang member before I actually became one.
Eight. I was totally against gangs and then I joined.
Nine. My family was always complaining about bills and money.
Ten. I started working at the age of 15.
Eleven. I worked at a Taqueri· for a year and pretty much managed it.
Twelve. I didn’t know that wearing my 49er’s jersey would almost get me killed.
Thirteen. When I first met my blood cousin, who I hadn’t seen since we were little in Nicaragua, we thought we were from opposite gangs.
Fourteen. I was charged with Assault & Battery even though the alleged victim hit me first. He was an adult and I was a minor.
Fifteen. I missed my last year of school, graduation, and prom due to incarceration.
Sixteen. My 14 months in the system got me deeper into the gang life.
Seventeen. When I got out two weeks later I got beat up by the police and robbed of my money and jewelry. Nobody believed me but my P.O. Mr. Robinson.
Eighteen. I didn’t care about anything and then I got shot.
Nineteen. First time I held a gun I was eight years old. My step-dad let me hold it
Twenty. My favorite rapper is Tupac because he was a revolutionary.
Twenty One. If I was allowed to vote I would of voted for Obama.
Twenty Two. One of my favorite movies is Bad Boys because I like the action and comedy together.
Twenty Three. If I had 20$ for a dinner right now I would go to OyÈ Managua.
Twenty Four. I started working at The Beat Within since I had first got out of juvie, and I have been there ever since.
Twenty Five. I have twin daughters, named Mariellena and Esella.
Twenty Six. My name is Omar Turcios.