Humans of Eastside is a book written to show the struggles and successes of the students at Eastside Memorial High School. We are not just the ghetto school in east Austin, we all have a story. These interviews are shared by the students to give context to the statistics that label us as thugs, underachievers, low class, and dropouts. There is some truth to these statements. We do face poverty, we are often raised in neighborhoods with high crime rates, many of our parents did not graduate from high school, and some of our parents are deceased or the sources of our pain. But we have potential, determination, passion, and hope. So here we are beyond the numbers.                  
                                                                                                                       - Eastside Memorial Sociology Class of 2016 - 2017
Three of the student stories are introduced below. If you click on the image you will find the full interview.
James
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When he got locked up, he started saying that he wanted to do a DNA test... [H]e left my mom when she needed him the most when I was in the hospital. And he was always abusive, drunk, and in and out of jail... No matter what happens, I will have no feelings toward anyone trying to be a father figure... The only real father I’ve ever had is my mother and no DNA test will change that. I don’t care who it is... I’m very close with my mom, but I don’t want to put everything on her. My entire life she has shielded me from everything and protected me. Now I feel like doing things on my own is ok because she did everything for me.
Marilynn

I went on a date once to the movies with a boy and after it was over, his mom wanted to drive me home. I kept saying I didn’t need a ride but she kept on insisting. Even the guy kept offering and I tried to make it clear to him that I didn’t want a ride. I didn’t know where to get dropped off. Our car was our home and I didn’t want them to know and feel bad for me. 
Hank

My hero would be Mrs. Mathis. One of the most open hearted people I have ever known. I say this because she did something that my own family didn’t do. She took me in as her own son after I had been homeless for six years... It was my first time having my own room, having my own bed. Having privacy. And it’s a big bed. I remember thinking, “dam, I never thought I’d actually sleep in a bed.” It’s a big change from sleeping on a floor, in a truck, or under a bridge. That first night I just passed out.
 
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