The Horrors of Reality
By Karan Daryanani
People disrespect others every day. It is appalling. When we see people bullying others, most would act as a spectator. When one is on the other end of that bullying, they want support. They want nothing more than the backup of their friends. The reasons behind bullying are naive and unjust. “Give me your lunch money,” “Get away from Planned Parenthood, they kill babies.” The atrocities that go on in today’s world lie within the government. There can never be enough support for third party organizations that promote a more efficient health care system. This is the story of a health center that has seen the bad and the good, the violence and the peace, and ultimately the better side of every person.
The Planned Parenthood health centers are the government’s tentative solution to health issues in the United States. On a brisk Sunday afternoon, three African American women entered the center seeking help. They have no idea what the mission statement of Planned Parenthood is; they just needed immediate medical attention. The girls had been victim to a sexual assault led by a gang. The girls were worried. They had never been in this sort of situation and based on their financial background they would never be able to afford health care.
Imagine being a part of such a vicious crime. Their adolescence is gone; the minds of people will be filled with gruesome memories of a tragic event. Not knowing how to cope with society, the girls turned to the nearest form of help they could think of, Planned Parenthood.
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It was dark. There was nothing to be seen throughout the whole park. All that could be heard was crickets chirping, dogs barking, and gangsters prowling. The moon was at its brightest, lighting up the whole path through Sindred Park. It was a typical night for Shandra, Kendra and Lafia.
They have grown up poor; they work in a diner and are trying to make it in this hard-knock life. After working an eighteen-hour shift, the three sisters headed home. With their hardships only making them stronger, they weren’t afraid of anything.
“Bring it on!” Lafia the youngest of the three sisters claimed. Lafia’s father left when she was just a little girl. She needed a protective figure that her drugged out mother couldn’t provide. She was a persistent child, always wanting the best for her family. She never complained, just brought in the bacon and hoped for the best.
Shandra, on the other hand, is more cautious. The three girls share the same mother, but each a different father. The age is not a factor between the girls. They are all best friends and they fend for each other. Sandra always prepares herself for the task at hand and is never too quick to jump into any situation.
Kendra is the complete opposite of the other two. Some would jump to the conclusion that she is simply suffering from middle child syndrome and is compensating for her sisters quietness by rebelling.
The girls act as one. They work together, live together, and enjoy the simple things in life together. Ever since Shandra was five years old, she has been fending for herself. At the mere age of twelve she came to the realization that her mother would be incapable to properly provide for the girls as they age and try to cope with society. Shandra’s first job was delivering food to apartments in the most dangerous neighborhood in Mississippi. Clarksdale is no place for a young girl to find her place in life. Imagine having to support yourself and your two sisters while trying to learn long division. A burden of such importance should not be left to a young girl. At the age of twenty-one she got her and her sisters a steady job at a local diner.
Through many encounters with strange people, Shandra has built a tolerance to the basic principles of men. Over the years she has done everything possible to prevent her sisters from experiencing the pessimistic world they really live in.
“What are we having for dinner?” Kendra asked not realizing the stress it puts on Shandra.
“We should try that new burrito place down the road” Lafia jumped to the idea. Little did she know, the “road” she referred to is the most dangerous road in all of Mississippi and was full of pimps and prostitutes.
“I think we’ll just have dinner with the Mclacks’ tonight, they invited us last week and they are only looking out for us”, Shandra proposed in order to keep the safety of the girls in mind.
The Mclacks live in a two-bedroom apartment, which is right above theirs. They have two young boys, Johnny and Freddy, and one newborn girl. Johnny and Freddy’s parents, Mo'Nique and Devonte, have been living in the same building for over twenty years. They understand the area, especially how the area can have a negative effect on residents.
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On Tuesday evening the girls ended their shift, stamped their time cards, and headed home. The most efficient way home for them is through Sindred Park. Normally, the park is functional twenty four-seven. The flow of people never stops which is why Shandra trusts the park to deliver them home safely.
Unable to keep track of the date, let alone their schoolwork, the girls proceed with their day as normal. They work a normal shift and head home. Little did they know it was September 11th, and most people were indoors with their families’, morning the death of those whom we lost.
Oblivious to this fact, Shandra, Kendra and Lafia proceed home through the park with little caution.
“How come there are no people in the park tonight Kendra?” Lafia innocently asked.
“There is probably just some special event nearby that attracted all the people” Kendra responded hoping that her fabrication reflected the truth.
“I don’t know why there aren’t any people in the park right now but I have a bad feeling. We need to hurry home” Shandra responded while her motherly instincts came about.
“How you ladies doin’ tonight?” Latrel, a member of the local 6 Feet Under Prison gang, asked while approaching the girls with his crew.
The 6 Feet Under Prison gang is the only gang around for miles. They run the streets like they own the place. They are known for their low tolerance to challenges and their abuse of innocent women. Mississippi Police Department has opened many cases against the gang but because of their efficiency and clean up crew, evidence is nearly impossible to find, let alone link to them.
“We are just on our way home, we don’t want any trouble” Shandra stated as she stepped in front of her sisters.
“We ain’t lookin’ for any trouble little Miss, we just wanna have a little fun” another gang member shouted as he grabbed Lafia’s arm.
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Waking up behind an alley, the girls were terrified. After a night of pain and torture the girls were scared for life. Not knowing how to react they ran home and hid. While entering the building, they were approached by Mr. and Mrs. Mclack. They asked the girls what happened and why they were frantically searching for shelter.
“Everything okay girls? It looks like you all are in a bit of a predicament” Mr. Mclack said with large amounts of curiosity.
“I don’t really know how to say this, and frankly I don’t want to, but, but….” Shandra tried to spit it out but the terror of what had just occurred would not let her brain function. The events played over and over again in her head as if it was eating her alive.
“Its okay baby you can talk to us. We can help you.” Mo’Nique said while giving Lafia a comforting hug.
“We were walking home and these guys approached us, they wouldn’t let us go. We tried to run but they held us down” Kendra started crying as these horrific words came out of her mouth.
“Oh my! My babies you all must be mighty frightened! We need to go and get you girls help. Good thing a new health center opened up just around the corner from here.
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The Mclacks drove the girls to the health center. The very welcoming staff at the Health Center promptly greeted them. The girls were directed to a group of seats where they have to fill out an information card. As they were filling out the cards, which would approve them for free health treatments, they were approached by the manager of the facility.
“I have just been briefed on your situations and I want to let you know that the staff here at Planned Parenthood will do everything in their power to help bring those guys to justice and make sure that you all are healthy. It is a good thing that you all came in immediately because there is a law in Mississippi that could outlaw many forms of birth control and all abortion methods. It is called Amendment 26 and thanks to a group of nation wide phone bankers, it looks as though we shouldn’t have a problem.” The manager said this while organizing a care plan that would effectively take car of the girls’ traumatic experience.
“Thank you so much sir, we will do anything to bring those gruesome gangsters to justice!” The girls praised the manager for his help and were assured of their health in the next few days.
The girls had a traumatic and dreadful experience but because of Planned Parenthood everything is going to be alright.
