Monday, September 28, 2015

A Prisoner's Journal


My name is not important.  I am a man.  I am a son.  A brother.  A husband.  A father.  AND.  I am a prisoner.  If you are honest with yourself, that last statement changed your perception of the first four.  If you can legitimately claim that the word prisoner didn’t conjure certain ideas, then I would like to attend the ceremony commemorating your sainthood.  We all know the story of the American Prisoner.  Son of an unwed, most likely teenaged, mother and absent/abusive/neglectful father.  Brother of siblings fathered by different men, all living together so Mom can collect more welfare.  Husband who runs around on his wife, stepping out with the Boys.  Father who will most likely not be around, be abusive, or end up in Prison.  The thing is, I am not going to tell you, at least for now, the truth.  I am not defined by being a Prisoner.  I am not defined by any one of those roles.  I want you to read this blog and see me as you or anyone else wants to be seen:  As a Human Being.  A man with hopes, desires, dreams.  A man with good days and bad days.  A man trying to get through every day the best he can.  A man deserving of dignity and respect.  Hopefully you can have an open mind, hearing what I have to say.  If not, then just write me off as another tragic example of “The American Prisoner,” because that will make it easier for you to sleep at night.
Note:  This is not a novel.  I am not a professional writer.  I am not a journalist going on assignment.  I am just a guy sharing his thoughts and feelings.  I hope you like it or hate it, laugh or cry, or all of the above.



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