20 Minute Blog a Day - warm up to my Prison Industrial Complex series
I plan to write a series of posts exploring ideas surrounding the prison industrial system including:
- the private prison sector
- the school to prison pipeline
- why are we criminalizing our youth
- how the music industry benefits from creating felons
As well as some more general topics like the concept of imprisonment, big business's role in punishment, and the effects and impact of institutionalization.
As I began to gather info, I quickly realized how monstrous this topic truly is - both in size and nature.
This has got me to thinking more and more about children, about society and what kind of future we are creating here - and what kind of present we were born into.
As far as evidence goes no one knows for sure why we're here, why we were "born" at this time/place to these specific parents. You could have been anyone - anywhere - statistically speaking.
SO when I look at a huge problem like the American Private Prison Industry I'm not ignoring the crimes that have been committed, I'm not trying to justify their choices or condone them - I'm merely asking myself how did it get this far?
"I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to." - Tupac
There is a lot said in this short sentence. If you don't have food or money for food - you're gonna steal to feed yourself and your children. If you can't find a job because of a lack of education, training, references or you already have felonies - well you're gonna find a way to make money because you need to survive.
So many people look down on criminals, have preconceived beliefs about the worth of these humans. How can you stigmatize and ostracize thousands, millions of human beings just because they were born into a world much different, difficult and colder than yours?
If you were born into poverty, had a family unit riddled with drug addiction and into a community with very little resources, stability or funds to help it's failing systems you would assume this was normal. You would "know" there's no way out, you would be making the only type of money you could.
All these inmates, thugs, gangsters, prostitutes, call girls, whatever - were once children... harmless children. Society shaped them into criminals. Yes, they made their own choices but think for a moment how do we make a choice?
Based on our prior knowledge, our perspective on outcomes, we compare options.
Well what if you're knowledge was diluted by a failing school system, you're possible outcomes are eat today or don't and you're comparative options are steal food, eat from a dumpster, beg for change or sell drugs?
What are you going to do? Eat or starve?
And yes, not every battle is that severe but it's a mentality of scarcity, it's the ingrained belief that there's never enough. It's live to see tomorrow and that's it. There's no long term planning, no retirement fund. There is just today: where am I sleeping? How will I eat? Keep a roof over my kids' heads.
So in conclusion as my 20 minutes are far passed over - I hope to bring to light a lot of misconceptions about prisoners and the prison system. This is such a huge topic and I don't understand for the life of me why more people are not talking about the private prison industrial complex and how we are killing the future of America.
I'm starting with the music industry and mainstream media from the 1980's to the present moment and how they've used rap, hiphop and pop to brainwash our children into thinking drugs, violence and survival of the fittest are the "best" way to become successful.
Please feel free to comment any of your opinions or if you have any interesting articles, videos, blogs about this topic that I can include over the series. I have a rough outline made but I'm still looking for more sources and references.
The whole topic of incarceration, especially in America, is so complicated and so sad, but definitely something we need to talk about and address head on. It’s insane how much of our population is or has been incarcerated, and many for relatively harmless crimes. Many people who go into the prison system never really get out of it, even if they’re released for periods of time. We create criminals through incarceration.
yes we really do. the system is masterfully concocted to promote reincarceration as well. There are barely any resources or support for these people when/if they are released. In fact society black lists them and refuses to help them find reasonable employment or housing and then wonders why they are right back in the streets doing the same old thing.. I mean come on we are blaming individuals for system wide failures.. insanity.
Thanks for checking out my blog! I promise I write nice, uplifting things sometimes too! LOL
You are fascinating in your topics... so interesting that you learned so much at such an early age! You are wise beyond your years ;)
thanks @davemccoy! this is a huge project for me.. it's had a big impact on my own life and is such an injustice.. I really feel like it could be classified as a crime against humanity and more people should wake up to the reality of this huge problem!
I have to space it out because it's a draining and enraging topic LOL that's why I'm gonna do it as a series but there's so much bubbling now I had to let a little steam out with this
well its very good and while I like your passion and drive and the seriousness of the subject... I can see that you have a great grasp on the issues that plague our society.... I don't know where you formed these opinions, but the teachers and role-models you must've had must have been really really good. (or you are one of those freakishly unique savants that knows things when they are 4 years old) :)
ps... I would be remiss if I didn't try to make you laugh and tell you not to let too much steem out because we need you to power that up and grow! ;)
LOL .. laughter instigated ;-) I'm trying to grow as much as possible !
As far as really really good role-models and teachers I must admit, I've had quite a few of those :) however the definition of "good" is quite questionable.. seemingly harmful at the time turns into good food for thought later in life ;-) sometimes those of us left behind to fend for ourselves strap up our boots and make a path on our own.
I'm lucky enough to have grown up on the fringe where I saw just enough of "stable" life that it made me motivated to attain it one day but not enough to where it made me complacent and blind to the very real suffering going on in our world.
I would love to sit down and talk with you for hours... You are so grounded and smart that I'm truly impressed! You are Amazing Amarie speaks
awww @davemccoy you made my morning with this kind comment!! <3 some day perhaps we'll get the chance ;-) Just so you know I'm terribly impressed by all you do on here for everyone - you are one inspiring and admirable man! Thank you for all you do on here!!
See I knew you were super smart!!! :P ...
Thank you for the compliment too, and I think we are 2 included of the group of 100ish that are going to lite this place up as time goes on! :)
yes we are!! taking over Steemit one newbie at a time LOL
I also like to see your views on
what is punishment
what is good punishment and what is bad punishment
what can be gained and lost from good or bad punishment
how to get away from bad punishment
hollywood's fake stereotype bullshit, the rich are the real criminals. Drugs dealers also have bosses all the way up to the food chain.
how much money is used for putting small criminals to jail
how much for big ones
what is the price of letting big ones run free
need more? just ask, lol
i only read the first 10 lines of your post, im now going to read the rest....
LOL thank you! I'm copying all that into my brain storm document! adding it to the things to cover section! so many thanks @bifilarcoil
shine on! I'm looking forward to your writings
I'm looking forward to reading this series @ameriespeaks. You point out some very disturbing topics that plague our society. This will be a very interesting read ....for sure!
@beekerst I'm very anxious to get this series started and promote some new ways of thinking, not only the humans turned into "criminals" but also and more importantly the figment casting the shadow - the Prison Industrial Complex.
Thank you for your interest! It makes me so happy to see people from all walks of life willing to listen and hopefully help end this mass injustice.
This was simply incredible sister! I have often thought about similar things, but not from the perspective that you talked about.
Our society judges people from their own vantage point and forget that not everyone has the same opportunities as they did/do. But if we stop for a moment to put ourselves in the shoes of others and picture how would we respond to that situation, there would be a lot more compassion.
I love how you talked about us being born into a specific family during a specific time. This shows how we are born into those things to teach us lessons and make us who we are. But it is people like you, that shine the light on the darkness that is happening around us to be able to transcend beyond this.
I wrote an article about how we hide behind our many masks and the solution is to #RemoveYourMasks and rise above the realities you have created from the various identities you have attached to. Once we do this on a collective level, and continue talking about the things that have been suppressed and hidden, we will collectively transform and come together in unity once and for all!
Thank you for the wonderful article, much love sister! <3
@meditationmann thank you so much for your support my brother! <3 <3 I will definitely be checking out the #RemoveYourMasks article that seems right up my alley :) the masks we where have uses but we must know how to take them off and lay them down when the time comes.. we must also realize that the "face" behind the mask is that of humanity and we all have the exact same face underneath ;-) I don't think I'm telling you anything you don't know LOL
But I hope to explore these injustices and shine light on a community that has helped to shape my growth over the years. I have a unique perspective for a 30 year old white women hahah I was placed into a broken family unit where drugs, (especially the crack boom in the 80's) crushed the adults in my life. I plan to use my path like a highway to lead people into a new way of thinking.. hopefully bring open, caring eyes into this world so we can make the changes that need to be made - no more prison reforms, no more drug rehabs - they are set up for failure - we need healing on an individual level and compassion for these people.
Thanks again for checking out my blog bro! Namaste :-D
You are right, the masks are very important. It's also important that others are able to see that although they may be necessary, they are definitely not meant to rule their lives. They are simply a tool to keep us safe and to help us navigate through this crazy world.
I would love to hear more of your perspective, you definitely have a lot to share with the world! It sounds like it was a very difficult struggle for you. But it made you into a very strong person. I believe you went through it to have that perspective so you could help others like that to rise above it and become their greatest version.
You are making huge impact sister, keep it up! Namaste :D
you're 100% right - we gotta use the masks not let the masks use us!
Thanks so much, again for all your support! It's very uplifting to get such great comments <3 <3 I hope to spark some great conversations and maybe even some solutions in this coming series! excited to see your perspective too!
That would be incredible! I will offer whatever perspective I can to come to an amicable solution :) Perspectives are what I believe is truly needed in order to transform the planet!
I am starting a series as well that focuses on the various ripples that we create and the impact it has on, not only our future, but the future of the entire planet.
@meditationmann your series sounds right up my alley! I will be looking out for it brother ! Keep Steemin'! love what you're doing!
Same to you as well sister! Keep on fighting the good fight! :D
I'm eager to read about this! I wish you luck with taking on this huge topic.
thank you @celestal !! It is a HUGE topic - I'm gonna take it on in small chunks. I'm glad to see your interest, it's so motivating to know other people see the importance in this, too! Thanks again for your support :)
Really appreciate your topic, and your consideration of the societal factors that contribute to the problem. It's too easy to not consider poverty, cultural messages, addiction, racism and lack of support when we look at crime and the prison industry. I think the dominant American culture is way too ready to attribute problems to individual failing/weakness without considering the bigger picture. I look forward to reading your posts.
you're 100% right @redbone - people would rather write off criminals as "bad people" than look deeper and ask how does a person get caught up in a crime. It's easier for them so associate prisoner with evil and then say well they don't deserve rights because their evil, they don't deserve compassion because their heartless.. this does nothing but promote more separation as well as reaffirm to these kids that they're worthless too.
Thanks so much for reading and your comment!
good subject matter, the united states is a tyranny and you can really don't notice it if you are not poor. so the word needs to be spread so that those responsible for the injustice can't ignore it.
if you are into topics like this you might like my blog, privacy workshop is an ongoing series where i get into some serious stuff, let me know what you think when you get a chance.
upvoted followed
thank you @mindhawk for checking out my blog. Your series on privacy sounds very interesting! I'm definitely heading over there to check it out.
And you're right on the money with that comment - the poor are the ones who see the tyranny. The indentured slave was never freed - and in fact the "real" slaves were merely transferred into indentured slaves and told to be happy with the upgrade. As the lower and upper classes split even further apart more of the "middle" class is feeling that tug of slavery (maybe this will be the spark we all need? - Maybe not as people seem complacent with the slave merely to consume cycle...)
indeed, the united states is a country obsessed with freedom but which knows next to nothing about it. i and many other serious thinkers have never seen or imagined that it would progress this far without reform, but here we are.
'going off the rails of a crazy train....'
when ozzy lyrics best describe the situation, it is pretty pretty bad. :(
lol ! yes, indeed it is one scary thought! and now I'll be singing crazy train all night ;-)
Boy do I have a story for ya!
@luanne I'm all ears!! are you on discord? feel free to message me over there if it's easier (amariespeaks#9425) or you can comment here - either way is fine with me! :)