Ky-Antre Compton, 11, says Big Brother Stuart Chittenden, 38, has taught him "how to be a young man."
Time now for StoryCorps, this project is traveling the country, recording interviews between everyday people, today a conversation between Ky-Antre Compton and Stuart Chittenden, Ky-Antre is 11 years old, Stuart is 38. They met through a local Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring program and sat down in Omaha, Nebraska to reflect on how that program has forged their friendship.
So how long have we known each other now?
Probably a year.
Does it, does it feel that long?
Yes.
Yeah.
More than 19 years. (laugh) when I first met you, I thought this was gonna be so boring that it’s gonna ruin my whole summer, (laugh) my life. But then, you taught me respects, you taught me how to be mature, you taught me how to be a young man, you know how to act all the time, why are you so polite. Why are you so respectful. I understand that you just try to be a good mentor to me, and I love that. And there is times when you messed up, like you taught me that it is ok to make mistakes, it’s ok to get mad, but it’s just not ok to get out of control, so, Stuart, what are the things you believe in? Like if you believe in god? Are you scared that he won’t pick you to go to heaven or anything?
Well, I don’t believe in god, so, I don’t have a faith like you have a faith, but I do worry about living my life now to be the best that I can be, does it bother you that I don’t have a faith in god?
Sometimes it makes me shock but I know it’s your belief, I can tell you one thing: you’re the best role model I have ever had.
I think we are teaching each other stuff.
Which makes us more closer.
Mm.
I want, want you to know this, this isn’t a one-way relationship, I am learning how to be fun and engaging and open, so I want to thank you for that, Ky-Antre.
You’re welcome.
Do you think we’re gonna be friends for a long time?
You, you really wanna know what I think?
I do.
I think we’re gonna be big brothers for a long time.
Ky-Antre Compton with his mentor Stuart Chittenden in Omaha, Nebraska, their StoryCorps interview will be archived along with all the others at the American Folk Life Center at the Library of Congress, subscribe to the project’s podcasts at npr.org
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