How smart are YOU??
Today, as I look around the compound, I can see and tell you of the biggest problem facing the federal prison system today.
EDUCATION! Yes, education. The average level is 2-3 grade. Are they just plain stupid?? NO, they have more smarts than most in the free world. Street smarts, survival smarts. They have been on the streets since they were little children. Most growing up in some of the not so nice places most of you never have visited or would want to.
The federal prison system is running on empty-meaning there is no money. The war in Iraq has sucked up funds that should be going towards seniors, education, veterans, and yes, prisoners. After all, we are humans. And, no, we don’t get checks or strawberry shortcakes; But some money for programs that would make those getting out some day a better person would’nt hurt. Some money to feed us some “ok” food. I don’t eat much here lately, most of my meals I put together with stuff from the commisary.
In my “Creative Writing” course I teach, I don’t have alot of material. But, I continue to teach the best I can. I convey to them all the knowledge I have. If you talk to them sincerely about things you truely know, things they can actually use, they will listen. Yes the will. I know because they show up in great numbers for my class.
I have decided to write a “How To” book for those that have little or no education. A book showing them that can be someone and do something else with that “street smart” besides crime.
Why? I’ll tell ya why, because most have survived on one thing, their “wits”. When you have nothing and come from poor roots you learn how to “play”. Little things that get you by, a hubcap, or maybe some meat at the market. Problem is, as they get older, the “play” gets rougher, bigger crimes; usually ending them up here.
I want to write this book so that the youth in the free world who are “stuck”, can have a chance. I want to make them realize that they can take their street smarts and be successful. I want them to NOT end up here.
Wake up America!! While the middle class or rich kid is making his lemonade stand or building his “Soap Box Derby Car” in the garage with their father, the poor child is figuring away to get an ounce of pot fronted so that he can roll up and sell as joints. In his mind, he is a drug dealer, and nothing else. This is where I want to come in. I want to show them they are NOT losers and can that they can take that street savey into the REAL bussiness world. Hopefully before they come and see me here.
I see them here already though; new ones that I possibly could have helped arrive every week. I watch as they get jobs in the kitchen and laundry. I watch as they suppliment their pay with the “little things” they can take and sell-if thy get caught, they get fired. I watch as they get caught up in the drugs. They start selling, they get caught, they get more time. I watch this everyday and it is really starting to bother me. It bothers me that I could have helped, if given the chance.
Yes, I will write this book. The title, I have not come up with yet. What I do know is that “someone”(society) needs to take a look hard at these kids on the streets. Someone needs to just show them that are somebody-they are not dirt or scum. Why wait till they meet me?? Why??