I know a fella, an old associate,
whose approach to life is different from the norm. He thinks
it is his world and everyone else is simply passing through on
a scenic route. It’s difficult for him to realize that he
is just another bozo on the bus. After all, like myself,
he is a convicted felon — he has to be counted daily at designated
intervals and must display an ID even though everybody definitely
knows his name.
This guy is quite judgmental and always has an
opinion, whether solicited or not: Red Sox, Iraq, or breastfeeding. Though
he is not arrogant, he has been reluctant to change specific behavioral
patterns. One such irritating act is to loudly announce his
entrance into a room. It is more common for his voice to
be the one heard among the crowd. But there is always laughter
when he is around, and he is known to share vivid stories with
anyone who will listen.
Now, he is someone I have known for many years
and I’m not hesitant to call him a friend. In prison, a friend
is required to be more than just being together at the weight
room or playing dominoes. A friend is sought for grieving
of a family death or the breakdown of a significant relationship. During
times of cackling, celebration, or conflict, this person is present
in a major way. He probably knows me better than several
family members due to our daily interactions and observations. Like
most prisoners, he rarely has any visitors from the neighborhood,
receives very few letters from family members or friends, and
rarely makes regular phone calls. The primary contact with
the world beyond the prison walls is via television, radio, and
daily newspapers. All human connections are restricted to
peers and prison employees, who tend to proceed with caution,
as proscribed by the training manual.
Men and women return to the community daily after
a lengthy, abusive experience in the prison system. Without
a viable support network, this person will one day ride the commuter
rail alone into South Station and pursue a bed at the local shelter. He
may be unable or unwilling to ask for assistance because this
lesson is not taught in prison “school". What does he
learn? His experience is full of deprivation and restraint,
while the message echoes vibrantly — don’t ask, don’t expect,
and don’t tell!
I know a fella…and now so do you. Still, his
story, as well as the experience, strength, and hope of others,
must be told through barbed wire. I intend to be accurate
and articulate, while appreciating another opportunity to beat
the African drum and stir it up. One love!
Arnie King writes from a Massachusetts prison
cell, which he has occupied since 1972. There is an effort currently
to commute his sentence so that he may finally be released. For
more information, visit www.throughbarbedwire.com
or click
here to write him. |