Author: Skyleen E.

Part I

heirloom (noun)

heir·​loom | \ ˈer-ˌlüm  \

Definition of heirloom:

1. a piece of property (such as a deed or charter) that descends to the heir as an inseparable part of an inheritance of real property
2. something of special value handed down from one generation to another
3. a variety of plant that has originated under cultivation and that has survived for several generations usually due to the efforts of private individuals

First Known Use of heirloom: 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for heirloom:

Middle English ayre lome, heyr lome, from ayre, heyr HEIR entry 1 + lome

More definitions for heirloom:

1.  a valuable object that is owned by a family for many years and passed from one generation to another
2.  a piece of personal property handed down in a family from one generation to another

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heirloom

Part II

Real world definition: An heirloom is an item or object that is worthwhile, and has been passed down a family line; monetary value or not. It is a special possession that has belonged to a family for years, and is considered very valuable. An heirloom is handed down from generation to generation- usually passed down by an older member of a family to a younger member within that same family. 

Part III

Growing up, I never knew the true meaning of a community. My perception of a community was always positive and in my head it was just a “nice” place where people got along, and supported each other through everything. However, being from the South Side of Queens, I never really got to see that. One of the issues I witnessed most was gang violence, and because of my false perception of what a community was, I didn’t think that gangs were worthy enough of owning anything valuable- turns out, I was wrong. Now that I’m older, I realize that despite all the conflict, gangs are communities too, with their own, unique pieces of treasure. 

I went to middle school in South Ozone Park, and plenty of the kids who went there were from East New York, where many of them were Crip. I understood that being Crip meant you were in a gang, but I didn’t really understand what that meant, what you had to do to join, and why it was so important to them. I was only in the 7th grade when one of my classmates had got in trouble for wearing, what seemed to be, a regular, blue beaded necklace that looked like it was hand-made from one of those jewelry kits you get for Christmas. However, it was obvious that it was more meaningful than that, not only because of his earnest response, and how much rage it caused him, but also because he was suspended for it. The necklace meant a lot to him, I just never understood why. I didn’t understand what that necklace meant until I made a gang affiliated friend of my own. This friend of mine expressed to me that being Crip meant brotherhood to him, that is when I recognized that gangs are communities too. 

A community isn’t a place, it’s a connection. It is relationships between people who feel some sense of belonging, and can share the same interests whether it be through church, dance, or even social media. This friend of mine, also owned one of these necklaces, they were called crates. This was his community’s heirloom, and that is why my 7th grade classmate was so angry when his were taken from him. These crates are so special to them because they’re passed down from the “big homie” (leader) of the set and are earned by doing missions, like selling drugs, going to other peoples “hood” (territories) and beating people up. It’s considered valuable because when earned, you demand more respect. You’re considered more powerful because they show all the pain you went through. Owning this piece of jewelry, makes my friend proud of who he is, and where he came from; it’s a part of his identity, and that is what heirlooms are all about.  And to him, these people were his family, his gang was his community, and his crates were his heirloom. 

 

Part IV

This is a picture of my friends crates. He explained to me that crates never have five beads of the same color in a row. This heirloom is important to him and everyone else who is Crip because it gets passed down to you from a leader, and not everyone owns it.