Books.Knowledge.Change: Books Through Bars

 

I bet you didn’t know that the U.S. incarcerates more of its population than anywhere else in the world. The highest incarcerated group is African American males, followed by immigrants. Think on that. While you are thinking about that, think about how most inmates will return, and that 75% of them can't read above a fourth grade reading level. I understand some people believe while in prison you should not be exposed to certain things, but at the end of the day, you should never be able to deny a person certain things. Like what, you ask? Books. Books give the individuals reading them options. Initially I was led to believe prison involves a path of rehabilitation. After reading Hill Harper's newest book, Letters to an Incarcerated Brother, (2013), I was enraged by the statistics and real life account of one particular inmate. Some prisons allow inmates one book a month. How can anyone grow if the resources for learning are not allowed?

I am a very proud African American woman that knows her roots and loves her people. Jails take in so many inmates, some which shouldn't be there at all; and then isolates them from rehabilitation. How do you avoid coming back when the entire time you were there you only gave cheap labor? I'm not saying people shouldn't be punished for doing wrong, but the institution of prison, is America's newest form of slavery. People need to be aware and educate themselves and others on this community issue. Taking it a step further, become a helping hand. Two weeks ago I mentioned I was giving back a different way every Thursday. Last week's mission was inspired by Hill Harper's letters to an incarcerated brother, more on that later this week. The book opened my eyes and motivated me to really start being the change I want to see in this world. I got energy from the book. Everyone should be afforded that opportunity, in prison or not. In a cell 23 hours a day, if inmates were given options of reading more than a book of month, personal growth may start to take place.

Long story short, if you want to give back this season, consider donating a book, a check, or your time to an organization providing books for inmates and prison libraries. Education stops violence, not necessarily being locked in a cage. If someone treats you like an animal, you will begin to act like one. On the flip, if someone treats you like a scholar, despite a mistake you made, you are more likely to begin to act accordingly. There are a few organizations that collect books and donate them to inmates and prison libraries. I know this can be an uncomfortable topic, but it's a real one. For $25.00, I just paid for a box of books to be sent to a prison library. Maybe seeing the movie 12 Years a Slave last weekend has me starkly aware of needing to promote the fact that our people have been denied in many ways, opportunities to read more and become educated. Honestly, if the prison system was better, a) first time and repeat incarcerations would have decreased over the last decade instead of increased; and b) a model would have been tried that changes the statistics, but why change what makes money?

Many families deal with an incarcerated loved one, disproportionately so in my community. My heart goes out to everyone that does. Do your research, learn about the statistics and the facts and then educate a friend on what you have learned. Another excellent resource on this situation is Michelle Alexander’s, The New Jim Crow, (2012). 


Do you have a book that has helped you grow? Why not donate it? If it helped you, it will help others. I want each and every one of my Kings and Queens to succeed. Some people make a mistake and for that lose all hope at a life. Maybe my heart is too big, but if there is a way to really rehabilitate individuals to keep them from going back, I'm all for it. I donated to Books Behind Bars in West Philly. There are a handful of similar non -profits. Check them out or Google will find them for you. Then give a little of you, to help a lot of others.

 

In slavery they didn’t want us to read or write. Why? Because when we could, they knew nothing could stop us. Support your community and be a blessing to someone behind bars.

Stay humble my loves.