3 Ways to not offend me when speaking to me about prison or those “gangbanger”…
3 Ways to not offend me when speaking to me about prison or those “gangbanger” youth
1. Hold our government accountable for lack of resources/programs/opportunities within communities.
2. Stop saying “good thing you’re not that way anymore.” I am, who I am, because of my past. I am no different from them.Stop looking at our young men and women in gangs/held within institutions as part of the problem, in reality they are experts of thier own lives and can offer advice/solutions to dealing with issues in our communities. I have learned and grown, but it is through various opportunities I have been fortunate enough to have due to my support system. Which I started building upon years ago. My people are out there trying to survive, without a support system, without opportunities and with an oppressive government messing with them. So it is not my brothers and sisters fault they do not have the same opportunities, but those who have denied them opportunity through systematic oppression, our conversation should reflect that.
3. Push for Restorative practices in our community and stop gripping the police. No really, we really don’t need police. Community accountability is real, real as long as we hold each other accountable and respect each other. I honestly think that those who want police around are those who fail to accept accountability on thier own behalf or wish to avoid it.
By Angel Pantoja, Free Write Board Member
________________________________________________
“Knowledge” by Jorge S. Honoring the #visualart of #FreeWrite students for #NationalPoetryMonth