Author notes

Character Profile: Desmond Blackshear

blntmaker

on March 28, 2007

Legal Name: Desmond Rashawn Blackshear
Occupation: Student (Sixth grade)
Legal Status: Citizen of the United States with a juvenile record, still a minor.
Place of birth: Los Angeles, California
Known relatives: Quinton (father), Rochelle Hammond (mother), Craig (younger brother), Leslie Blackshear (grandmother)
Group affiliation: Former member of the LA Sewasiders Graffiti crew, Covington Middle School Boys' Basketball, Covington Middle School Student Body Government, Poetry & Creative Writing Club
Base of operations: Sherman Oaks, California

History:
Desmond is the oldest child of Quinton "Q.Black" Blackshear, founding member of the C-Block Crips, and his long-time girlfriend, an office analyst with the city of Burbank. Quinton Blackshear is presently serving multiple life sentences at the Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, California. Rochelle Hammond is raising both Desmond and his little brother, Craig.

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Desmond was surrounded by a high element of criminal and gang activity. As a result, Desmond started the art of hustling at a very young age. He frequently found himself at odds with local police for petty crimes which included grand theft and other minor felonies. Often times though, Desmond was not successful at pulling off crimes and found himself captured or caught by the local authorities. Not really seeking to follow in the footsteps of his father (A legend in many criminal circles in South Central Los Angeles), Desmond especially found his niche in doing graffiti. He joined the LA Sewasidas graffiti crew at the age of ten – a group of artists known for their vociferous art expressions in Los Angeles river channels and watersheds. As part of his promotion within the group, Desmond was required to put the Sewasidas brand name in a channel or watershed in a neighborhood outside of the South Central area. Desmond chose a watershed within an affluent part of the San Fernando Valley to place his mark, just overlooking the 405 Freeway. He was successful on two occasions until a local resident spotted him in broad daylight and reported him to the police. After an ensuing chase, Desmond was arrested and is sentenced to an extended stay at a juvenile facility in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Desmond's constant brushes with the law had an effect on his status in school. By the time he completed his sixth grade year, it was mandated by the courts and school officials that Desmond repeat the sixth grade. Seeking a better life for herself and her children away from the influences of crime in their neighborhood, Desmond's mother aggressively sought to move her family far away from South Central Los Angeles. Ms. Hammond managed to secure an excellent job with the city of Burbank and relocated her family to Sherman Oaks, all while seeking to complete her college education at Valley Oaks Community College. Ms. Hammond is a year away from obtaining her A.A. Degree and plans to transfer to California State University at Northridge for a Bachelors' in communications.

Desmond is presently repeating his sixth grade year at Covington Middle School where he meets and befriends fellow retainee, Teddy Atwater. It is a friendship that remains solid until this day. Desmond also has affections for Teddy's younger sister, Rayne – however, these affections are not reciprocated.


Skills, abilities and interests:
Academically, Desmond is actually quite intelligent. In fact, half of Desmond's academic schedule is within the GATE program. However, he isn't officially a GATE student due to his retention status – He has advanced English and Social Studies. Desmond has a great deal of "book smarts" that he refuses to acknowledge because he feels he still needs to live up to the standards of his father and doesn't want to be looked at as a "square". At his age, he has yet to translate these "book smarts" to "street" sensibility.

Desmond is highly artistic and creative. Beyond his graffiti art, Desmond is a talented linguist and has a quick wit for pretty much most topical subjects. Desmond integrates his written talent in rap, poetry and comedic writing. Desmond's favorite piece of literature is in fact, The Holy Bible. He knows a great deal about biblical scripture, an influence he picked up from his very spiritual grandmother.

Desmond is an above average athlete and a skilled basketball player. Though shorter than the average child his age, he is particularly skilled at outside, perimeter shooting. In his sixth grade year as a member of the boys' basketball team, Desmond had a shooting percentage at 80% accuracy.

When Desmond isn't working on his graffiti (Something he recently began doing safely with a notepad and markers), he has an interest in drama – particularly, soap operas. Desmond also enjoys rap music and has an undying love for Tupac.