Victor Aiwone sees his manor on the move.
‘This place has come a long way since I’ve been away. I am actually pissed I missed it all.’
On my way back home from University today, I bumped into a secondary school friend who’d just finished a stretch inside for possession of a firearm. We were chatting about schooldays and the beef we had with the Leytonstone boys. Then we got round to Maryland and how it’s changed while he’s been somewhere else.
Maryland: on the edge of what’s now called ‘Stratford City’; previously known for gang violence. My home for 22 years; the place my school friend came home to when he finally got out of jail.
Gone are the days of everyone from the young boys to the fully grown men being out on the street doing nothing but cause trouble. Our area has moved onwards and upwards.
Nowadays a lot of people come and a lot of people go. But when I say go, I mean go out there and get degrees, get normal jobs, get a family of their own, behave themselves and move on to better things.
I know the coming of the Olympic Games contributed to this. It created more job opportunities. Also, having a global event on your doorstep, gave people something to look forward to.
Yes, some people did end up in jail. Yes, some people have died due to gang-related violence. But a lot of people took the opportunities offered, grabbing them with both hands.
I’m just glad I was there to see it happen.