hey dr. Simon can I talk to you real quick hey Julie how you doing of course
quick hey Julie how you doing of course
quick hey Julie how you doing of course I’m good scarlet letter written by
I’m good scarlet letter written by
I’m good scarlet letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne yeah it’s actually
Nathaniel Hawthorne yeah it’s actually
Nathaniel Hawthorne yeah it’s actually one of my favorite books okay so you
one of my favorite books okay so you
one of my favorite books okay so you know the story behind it it’s about a
know the story behind it it’s about a
know the story behind it it’s about a woman named hester prynne who has a
woman named hester prynne who has a
woman named hester prynne who has a child after engaging in an adulterous
child after engaging in an adulterous
child after engaging in an adulterous affair as punishment prin was made to
affair as punishment prin was made to
affair as punishment prin was made to publicly wear a scarlet letter aid to
publicly wear a scarlet letter aid to
publicly wear a scarlet letter aid to represent her adultery yes but what’s so
represent her adultery yes but what’s so
represent her adultery yes but what’s so interesting about this novel is that
interesting about this novel is that
interesting about this novel is that Hawthorne focuses more on the aftermath
Hawthorne focuses more on the aftermath
Hawthorne focuses more on the aftermath of the affair rather than the affair
of the affair rather than the affair
of the affair rather than the affair itself Hawthorne explores the themes of
itself Hawthorne explores the themes of
itself Hawthorne explores the themes of judgment guilt isolation and free will
judgment guilt isolation and free will
judgment guilt isolation and free will but what’s so intriguing is that
but what’s so intriguing is that
but what’s so intriguing is that whenever you’re reading it you initially
whenever you’re reading it you initially
whenever you’re reading it you initially don’t understand the importance of these
don’t understand the importance of these
don’t understand the importance of these themes and the themes are affecting
themes and the themes are affecting
themes and the themes are affecting multiple characters in the book at the
multiple characters in the book at the
multiple characters in the book at the same time just internally through
same time just internally through
same time just internally through internal judgment internal guilt
internal judgment internal guilt
internal judgment internal guilt internal isolation and they’re affecting
internal isolation and they’re affecting
internal isolation and they’re affecting multiple characters in the book at the
multiple characters in the book at the
multiple characters in the book at the same time so yeah it’s all based on this
same time so yeah it’s all based on this
same time so yeah it’s all based on this it’s kind of like you know what I’m kind
it’s kind of like you know what I’m kind
it’s kind of like you know what I’m kind of starting to get what you’re talking
of starting to get what you’re talking
of starting to get what you’re talking about I think if you’re talking about
about I think if you’re talking about
about I think if you’re talking about the fact that I mean this is like this
the fact that I mean this is like this
the fact that I mean this is like this is this is criminology though and so I’m
is this is criminology though and so I’m
is this is criminology though and so I’m not exactly getting your point to me
not exactly getting your point to me
not exactly getting your point to me like what’s your connection okay so
like what’s your connection okay so
like what’s your connection okay so think about it Hester Prynne the sinful
think about it Hester Prynne the sinful
think about it Hester Prynne the sinful woman who made a horrible mistake in
woman who made a horrible mistake in
woman who made a horrible mistake in society standards she served her time
society standards she served her time
society standards she served her time and she was able to forgive herself yet
and she was able to forgive herself yet
and she was able to forgive herself yet society continued to see her as a sinner
society continued to see her as a sinner
society continued to see her as a sinner and they continued to shame her I mean
and they continued to shame her I mean
and they continued to shame her I mean does this sound familiar yeah it kind of
does this sound familiar yeah it kind of
does this sound familiar yeah it kind of does sounds like the people who come in
does sounds like the people who come in
does sounds like the people who come in at jails and prisons and the people that
at jails and prisons and the people that
at jails and prisons and the people that we call returning says exactly that’s
we call returning says exactly that’s
we call returning says exactly that’s the point the scarlet letter was such a
the point the scarlet letter was such a
the point the scarlet letter was such a taboo subject during its time period
taboo subject during its time period
taboo subject during its time period just as prism reentry is a taboo subject
just as prism reentry is a taboo subject
just as prism reentry is a taboo subject now being a convicted felon is the
now being a convicted felon is the
now being a convicted felon is the current Scarlet Letter just instead of
current Scarlet Letter just instead of
current Scarlet Letter just instead of an a for an adultery it’s an F for felon
an a for an adultery it’s an F for felon
an a for an adultery it’s an F for felon the themes that Hawthorne explores in
the themes that Hawthorne explores in
the themes that Hawthorne explores in the Scarlet Letter are almost identical
the Scarlet Letter are almost identical
the Scarlet Letter are almost identical to those that we see in modern-day
to those that we see in modern-day
to those that we see in modern-day prisoner reentry judgment from society
prisoner reentry judgment from society
prisoner reentry judgment from society along with self-judgment guilt of the
along with self-judgment guilt of the
along with self-judgment guilt of the convicted isolation from society after
convicted isolation from society after
convicted isolation from society after being contained for X amount of years
being contained for X amount of years
being contained for X amount of years and the loss of free will whether that
and the loss of free will whether that
and the loss of free will whether that be with voting rights trying to get a
be with voting rights trying to get a
be with voting rights trying to get a job
job
job and for financial aid or applying for a
and for financial aid or applying for a
and for financial aid or applying for a loan all of these if not completely are
loan all of these if not completely are
loan all of these if not completely are partially hindered because of one
partially hindered because of one
partially hindered because of one conviction Wow you know what that’s a
conviction Wow you know what that’s a
conviction Wow you know what that’s a pretty accurate comparison you know I’m
pretty accurate comparison you know I’m
pretty accurate comparison you know I’m actually sitting here thinking you know
actually sitting here thinking you know
actually sitting here thinking you know you got me thinking a little bit because
you got me thinking a little bit because
you got me thinking a little bit because like mass incarceration seems to be
like mass incarceration seems to be
like mass incarceration seems to be threatening our democracy mm-hmm and
threatening our democracy mm-hmm and
threatening our democracy mm-hmm and some of my thoughts are kind of like you
some of my thoughts are kind of like you
some of my thoughts are kind of like you know if we what would happen if we
know if we what would happen if we
know if we what would happen if we focused on helping people come at a
focused on helping people come at a
focused on helping people come at a chosen prisons and instead of focusing
chosen prisons and instead of focusing
chosen prisons and instead of focusing on the act that got them arrested on car
on the act that got them arrested on car
on the act that got them arrested on car serrated in the first place okay right
serrated in the first place okay right
serrated in the first place okay right and then another one kind of going along
and then another one kind of going along
and then another one kind of going along with what Nathaniel Hawthorne said or
with what Nathaniel Hawthorne said or
with what Nathaniel Hawthorne said or wrote about was basically what happens
wrote about was basically what happens
wrote about was basically what happens if we focus on the aftermath of the
if we focus on the aftermath of the
if we focus on the aftermath of the conviction instead of and you know
conviction instead of and you know
conviction instead of and you know looking at like people’s futures and
looking at like people’s futures and
looking at like people’s futures and their lives after tails and prisoners as
their lives after tails and prisoners as
their lives after tails and prisoners as opposed to what happened for the get to
opposed to what happened for the get to
opposed to what happened for the get to the initial conviction in itself right
the initial conviction in itself right
the initial conviction in itself right is that kind of long the lines of what
is that kind of long the lines of what
is that kind of long the lines of what you’re thinking yes exactly I’m not sure
you’re thinking yes exactly I’m not sure
you’re thinking yes exactly I’m not sure how many people we could influence but
how many people we could influence but
how many people we could influence but I’m sure if we were able to give exact
I’m sure if we were able to give exact
I’m sure if we were able to give exact numbers and exact percentages we can
numbers and exact percentages we can
numbers and exact percentages we can really hit home with people and connect
really hit home with people and connect
really hit home with people and connect I see so basically you came to me for
I see so basically you came to me for
I see so basically you came to me for some numbers right thank you all right
some numbers right thank you all right
some numbers right thank you all right so I got some numbers for you okay all
so I got some numbers for you okay all
so I got some numbers for you okay all right so like one in 99 like the scarlet
right so like one in 99 like the scarlet
right so like one in 99 like the scarlet letter F that you’re talking about
letter F that you’re talking about
letter F that you’re talking about affects one in 99 in our country when
affects one in 99 in our country when
affects one in 99 in our country when you talk about the people like who
you talk about the people like who
you talk about the people like who basically have one a ninety nine people
basically have one a ninety nine people
basically have one a ninety nine people have felony records so one or 99 people
have felony records so one or 99 people
have felony records so one or 99 people have the scarlet letter F right and and
have the scarlet letter F right and and
have the scarlet letter F right and and then you also talked about the fact that
then you also talked about the fact that
then you also talked about the fact that 2.3 million people are locked up in our
2.3 million people are locked up in our
2.3 million people are locked up in our prisons and you’re not even talking
prisons and you’re not even talking
prisons and you’re not even talking about gels parole and probation right so
about gels parole and probation right so
about gels parole and probation right so we estimate about five million people
we estimate about five million people
we estimate about five million people are actually in the system itself which
are actually in the system itself which
are actually in the system itself which is really crazy if you think about it
is really crazy if you think about it
is really crazy if you think about it and then there’s no numbers like this
and then there’s no numbers like this
and then there’s no numbers like this one like the u.s. actually has five
one like the u.s. actually has five
one like the u.s. actually has five percent of the world’s population and at
percent of the world’s population and at
percent of the world’s population and at the same time it has twenty-five percent
the same time it has twenty-five percent
the same time it has twenty-five percent of the world’s incarcerated population
of the world’s incarcerated population
of the world’s incarcerated population you’re joking i’m at not at all it’s
you’re joking i’m at not at all it’s
you’re joking i’m at not at all it’s pretty crazy right that’s insane
pretty crazy right that’s insane
pretty crazy right that’s insane then we also know they had one added
then we also know they had one added
then we also know they had one added three people like well I got or three
three people like well I got or three
three people like well I got or three years that sixty-seven percent of the
years that sixty-seven percent of the
years that sixty-seven percent of the people who are coming out actually get
people who are coming out actually get
people who are coming out actually get locked back up again and often just for
locked back up again and often just for
locked back up again and often just for minor infractions I mean these kind of
minor infractions I mean these kind of
minor infractions I mean these kind of numbers you’re talking about I mean yeah
numbers you’re talking about I mean yeah
numbers you’re talking about I mean yeah but I know there’s so many more that we
but I know there’s so many more that we
but I know there’s so many more that we can give to people oh I mean there’s
can give to people oh I mean there’s
can give to people oh I mean there’s always so much more I think about it all
always so much more I think about it all
always so much more I think about it all you got to do is hit the books right the
you got to do is hit the books right the
you got to do is hit the books right the research or a trail and so you start
research or a trail and so you start
research or a trail and so you start doing that you just like the class we
doing that you just like the class we
doing that you just like the class we had Corrections where we looked at the
had Corrections where we looked at the
had Corrections where we looked at the new Jim Crow I’m Michelle Alexander
new Jim Crow I’m Michelle Alexander
new Jim Crow I’m Michelle Alexander that’s been talking about mass
that’s been talking about mass
that’s been talking about mass incarceration in a damage that’s been
incarceration in a damage that’s been
incarceration in a damage that’s been doing to our country I remember that
doing to our country I remember that
doing to our country I remember that book I’m glad you remember that book
book I’m glad you remember that book
book I’m glad you remember that book uh-huh better remember that book and
uh-huh better remember that book and
uh-huh better remember that book and then I also remember like Jeremy Travis
then I also remember like Jeremy Travis
then I also remember like Jeremy Travis and Dave a pager and Bruce western and
and Dave a pager and Bruce western and
and Dave a pager and Bruce western and John Peter cell yet and others are
John Peter cell yet and others are
John Peter cell yet and others are basically putting in motion at the mark
basically putting in motion at the mark
basically putting in motion at the mark of the criminal record basically has
of the criminal record basically has
of the criminal record basically has this whole come it has an impact on jobs
this whole come it has an impact on jobs
this whole come it has an impact on jobs and the fact that people can’t you know
and the fact that people can’t you know
and the fact that people can’t you know live anywhere and the fact that there’s
live anywhere and the fact that there’s
live anywhere and the fact that there’s all these uh you know social barriers
all these uh you know social barriers
all these uh you know social barriers and obstacles that people have to face
and obstacles that people have to face
and obstacles that people have to face an encounter and it’s just kind of like
an encounter and it’s just kind of like
an encounter and it’s just kind of like crazy but I mean do you like the Scarlet
crazy but I mean do you like the Scarlet
crazy but I mean do you like the Scarlet Letter idea I kind of do like the
Letter idea I kind of do like the
Letter idea I kind of do like the Scarlet Letter idea and you know what I
Scarlet Letter idea and you know what I
Scarlet Letter idea and you know what I like the Scarlet Letter idea it’s
like the Scarlet Letter idea it’s
like the Scarlet Letter idea it’s because it’s really simple I think
because it’s really simple I think
because it’s really simple I think people can relate to it and I think they
people can relate to it and I think they
people can relate to it and I think they can easily understand it and just like
can easily understand it and just like
can easily understand it and just like the other information that we had up
the other information that we had up
the other information that we had up there I think it’s a brilliant idea and
there I think it’s a brilliant idea and
there I think it’s a brilliant idea and I like the fact that it’s yours oh thank
I like the fact that it’s yours oh thank
I like the fact that it’s yours oh thank you dr. something and I really
you dr. something and I really
you dr. something and I really appreciate that but I do want to bother
appreciate that but I do want to bother
appreciate that but I do want to bother you with another problem that I you
you with another problem that I you
you with another problem that I you never bothered me okay so you know how
never bothered me okay so you know how
never bothered me okay so you know how society is constantly telling us that
society is constantly telling us that
society is constantly telling us that crime rates have been decreasing since
crime rates have been decreasing since
crime rates have been decreasing since the 90s I know right well as true as
the 90s I know right well as true as
the 90s I know right well as true as that is one fact that they haven’t been
that is one fact that they haven’t been
that is one fact that they haven’t been telling us is that incarceration rates
telling us is that incarceration rates
telling us is that incarceration rates for nonviolent drug offenders have been
for nonviolent drug offenders have been
for nonviolent drug offenders have been skyrocketing yeah so crime rates are
skyrocketing yeah so crime rates are
skyrocketing yeah so crime rates are decreasing yet the number of people
decreasing yet the number of people
decreasing yet the number of people being locked up is increasing crazy does
being locked up is increasing crazy does
being locked up is increasing crazy does that make any sense it’s not at all it’s
that make any sense it’s not at all it’s
that make any sense it’s not at all it’s nice I mean wouldn’t these people be
nice I mean wouldn’t these people be
nice I mean wouldn’t these people be much better off and drug treatment
much better off and drug treatment
much better off and drug treatment facilities
facilities
facilities other than being in prison for their
other than being in prison for their
other than being in prison for their mental health illness I mean I guess if
mental health illness I mean I guess if
mental health illness I mean I guess if human dignity doesn’t mean anything to
human dignity doesn’t mean anything to
human dignity doesn’t mean anything to you maybe the fact that it costs a lot
you maybe the fact that it costs a lot
you maybe the fact that it costs a lot less than the thirty thousand dollars
less than the thirty thousand dollars
less than the thirty thousand dollars per inmate that we’re spending annually
per inmate that we’re spending annually
per inmate that we’re spending annually I like where you going chilly because
I like where you going chilly because
I like where you going chilly because you got to go to the money you got to
you got to go to the money you got to
you got to go to the money you got to follow the money now 2.3 million people
follow the money now 2.3 million people
follow the money now 2.3 million people coming out of prison times 30,000 per
coming out of prison times 30,000 per
coming out of prison times 30,000 per inmate per year I mean like we got in
inmate per year I mean like we got in
inmate per year I mean like we got in like add that we can look at that how
like add that we can look at that how
like add that we can look at that how much do you think that would actually
much do you think that would actually
much do you think that would actually equal I’m not a math major I’m not good
equal I’m not a math major I’m not good
equal I’m not a math major I’m not good at math but I know it’s more than 2.3
at math but I know it’s more than 2.3
at math but I know it’s more than 2.3 million yes a lil bit more than 2.3
million yes a lil bit more than 2.3
million yes a lil bit more than 2.3 million okay um let’s say around six
million okay um let’s say around six
million okay um let’s say around six billion that’s a big number it is a big
billion that’s a big number it is a big
billion that’s a big number it is a big number but i think it’s still under i
number but i think it’s still under i
number but i think it’s still under i think i think we need to go to the board
think i think we need to go to the board
think i think we need to go to the board boom I think so yeah let’s go to the
boom I think so yeah let’s go to the
boom I think so yeah let’s go to the board so 2.3 million image right times
board so 2.3 million image right times
board so 2.3 million image right times 30,000 per inmate per year right I mean
30,000 per inmate per year right I mean
30,000 per inmate per year right I mean it’s got to come to about 20,000 20
it’s got to come to about 20,000 20
it’s got to come to about 20,000 20 billion that what whoa what we’re does
billion that what whoa what we’re does
billion that what whoa what we’re does ah hello and that’s like every year
ah hello and that’s like every year
ah hello and that’s like every year that’s crazy um that explains a lot
that’s crazy um that explains a lot
that’s crazy um that explains a lot about why the system might be so hard to
about why the system might be so hard to
about why the system might be so hard to change somebody’s profiting off of that
change somebody’s profiting off of that
change somebody’s profiting off of that I don’t think its inmates I may be wrong
I don’t think its inmates I may be wrong
I don’t think its inmates I may be wrong but wouldn’t that be as if a person was
but wouldn’t that be as if a person was
but wouldn’t that be as if a person was living off of a million dollars a year
living off of a million dollars a year
living off of a million dollars a year consecutively for sixty nine thousand
consecutively for sixty nine thousand
consecutively for sixty nine thousand years oh my god thank ya that’s crazy
years oh my god thank ya that’s crazy
years oh my god thank ya that’s crazy and weird any was talking about jails
and weird any was talking about jails
and weird any was talking about jails not so wrong yeah our society seems to
not so wrong yeah our society seems to
not so wrong yeah our society seems to be an unforgiving one that won’t give
be an unforgiving one that won’t give
be an unforgiving one that won’t give these people a break once they’re
these people a break once they’re
these people a break once they’re released if we can help those people who
released if we can help those people who
released if we can help those people who are released and help them transition
are released and help them transition
are released and help them transition back into society then they can become
back into society then they can become
back into society then they can become productive citizens you know citizens
productive citizens you know citizens
productive citizens you know citizens who pay taxes to pay the taxes to house
who pay taxes to pay the taxes to house
who pay taxes to pay the taxes to house the other inmates get it yeah i mean i
the other inmates get it yeah i mean i
the other inmates get it yeah i mean i don’t think i want to pay those taxes I
don’t think i want to pay those taxes I
don’t think i want to pay those taxes I don’t and I don’t know we pay taxes yet
don’t and I don’t know we pay taxes yet
don’t and I don’t know we pay taxes yet Wow Hey look at you yeah I gotta pay
Wow Hey look at you yeah I gotta pay
Wow Hey look at you yeah I gotta pay them with April so Wow so I’m thinking
them with April so Wow so I’m thinking
them with April so Wow so I’m thinking that this isn’t exactly how things are
that this isn’t exactly how things are
that this isn’t exactly how things are working right now and that what usually
working right now and that what usually
working right now and that what usually happens right now is that we have people
happens right now is that we have people
happens right now is that we have people who do the crime and do their time and
who do the crime and do their time and
who do the crime and do their time and then that call that the first sentencing
then that call that the first sentencing
then that call that the first sentencing because what happens is then they get
because what happens is then they get
because what happens is then they get out and we basically have them go
out and we basically have them go
out and we basically have them go through these life long lasting like
through these life long lasting like
through these life long lasting like consequences which I call the second
consequences which I call the second
consequences which I call the second sentence because we really don’t give
sentence because we really don’t give
sentence because we really don’t give them a
them a
them a rank in terms of finding housing and
rank in terms of finding housing and
rank in terms of finding housing and having a place to live or having a job
having a place to live or having a job
having a place to live or having a job their place you know like voting rights
their place you know like voting rights
their place you know like voting rights or any other social obstacles or
or any other social obstacles or
or any other social obstacles or barriers or stigma that they have to
barriers or stigma that they have to
barriers or stigma that they have to face like a scarlet letter F right and
face like a scarlet letter F right and
face like a scarlet letter F right and so you’re just like you know what do you
so you’re just like you know what do you
so you’re just like you know what do you do with the situation and it kind of
do with the situation and it kind of
do with the situation and it kind of leads me to thinking about a couple
leads me to thinking about a couple
leads me to thinking about a couple different values like there’s one story
different values like there’s one story
different values like there’s one story I can tell you and it’s when I was a
I can tell you and it’s when I was a
I can tell you and it’s when I was a student right and so when I was a
student right and so when I was a
student right and so when I was a student at UNC graduate school in Chapel
student at UNC graduate school in Chapel
student at UNC graduate school in Chapel Hill guitar he’ll go Tardos sure that
Hill guitar he’ll go Tardos sure that
Hill guitar he’ll go Tardos sure that you know I was sitting there listening
you know I was sitting there listening
you know I was sitting there listening to volunteering at a minimum security
to volunteering at a minimum security
to volunteering at a minimum security prison with the superintendent warden
prison with the superintendent warden
prison with the superintendent warden named Mike time and he was just like
named Mike time and he was just like
named Mike time and he was just like look you got to concentrate on the cream
look you got to concentrate on the cream
look you got to concentrate on the cream of the crop and I was like what does
of the crop and I was like what does
of the crop and I was like what does that mean right that’s strange I know
that mean right that’s strange I know
that mean right that’s strange I know and then he said well the people that
and then he said well the people that
and then he said well the people that are in prison already who are trying to
are in prison already who are trying to
are in prison already who are trying to focus on making the lives better like
focus on making the lives better like
focus on making the lives better like they’re in drug treatment you know
they’re in drug treatment you know
they’re in drug treatment you know they’re in education classes they’re
they’re in education classes they’re
they’re in education classes they’re doing all these other classes that were
doing all these other classes that were
doing all these other classes that were actually improving their lives while
actually improving their lives while
actually improving their lives while they’re inside and his whole thing was
they’re inside and his whole thing was
they’re inside and his whole thing was look if they’re motivated like that
look if they’re motivated like that
look if they’re motivated like that while they’re inside then if we set up
while they’re inside then if we set up
while they’re inside then if we set up structures and things for them when they
structures and things for them when they
structures and things for them when they came outside that actually we just as
came outside that actually we just as
came outside that actually we just as motivated and would probably become
motivated and would probably become
motivated and would probably become productive tax paying citizens okay and
productive tax paying citizens okay and
productive tax paying citizens okay and so like that’s one kind of value and
so like that’s one kind of value and
so like that’s one kind of value and when will approach right but the other
when will approach right but the other
when will approach right but the other one that really bugs me I mean you know
one that really bugs me I mean you know
one that really bugs me I mean you know is that there’s people that seem to be
is that there’s people that seem to be
is that there’s people that seem to be profiting like making money out of this
profiting like making money out of this
profiting like making money out of this misery and added a situation and you
misery and added a situation and you
misery and added a situation and you know my thing is you know when you value
know my thing is you know when you value
know my thing is you know when you value profits over people it just kind of irks
profits over people it just kind of irks
profits over people it just kind of irks me you know I’m saying and I’m thinking
me you know I’m saying and I’m thinking
me you know I’m saying and I’m thinking about these private prisons to go into
about these private prisons to go into
about these private prisons to go into these low-income neighborhoods like the
these low-income neighborhoods like the
these low-income neighborhoods like the kind of neighborhood I was from right
kind of neighborhood I was from right
kind of neighborhood I was from right Oakland no Quinn got that and and so you
Oakland no Quinn got that and and so you
Oakland no Quinn got that and and so you basically have these you know people
basically have these you know people
basically have these you know people coming in and they start scouring for
coming in and they start scouring for
coming in and they start scouring for like third grade reading scores wait
like third grade reading scores wait
like third grade reading scores wait really yeah really and if they’re like
really yeah really and if they’re like
really yeah really and if they’re like low enough you know like coaching we can
low enough you know like coaching we can
low enough you know like coaching we can buy we can build a prison right here Wow
buy we can build a prison right here Wow
buy we can build a prison right here Wow crazy right me I go until then flow into
crazy right me I go until then flow into
crazy right me I go until then flow into neighborhood like that and there’s poor
neighborhood like that and there’s poor
neighborhood like that and there’s poor reading grade scores and I’m thinking
reading grade scores and I’m thinking
reading grade scores and I’m thinking wow build something right but i’m
wow build something right but i’m
wow build something right but i’m thinking build a mentor program seems an
thinking build a mentor program seems an
thinking build a mentor program seems an yeah like this whole value profits over
yeah like this whole value profits over
yeah like this whole value profits over people thing it’s crazy it’s kind of
people thing it’s crazy it’s kind of
people thing it’s crazy it’s kind of like they were trying to take the high
like they were trying to take the high
like they were trying to take the high school to Prison Pipeline and start it
school to Prison Pipeline and start it
school to Prison Pipeline and start it with third graders I don’t really like
with third graders I don’t really like
with third graders I don’t really like it when you think about you think that’s
it when you think about you think that’s
it when you think about you think that’s the right thing to do I mean I guess
the right thing to do I mean I guess
the right thing to do I mean I guess business-wise that’s pretty sure
business-wise that’s pretty sure
business-wise that’s pretty sure but I mean morally know it’s out of the
but I mean morally know it’s out of the
but I mean morally know it’s out of the question that’s completely wrong but I
question that’s completely wrong but I
question that’s completely wrong but I mean people do it I’m gonna watch yes
mean people do it I’m gonna watch yes
mean people do it I’m gonna watch yes sorry yeah all right I’m just saying
sorry yeah all right I’m just saying
sorry yeah all right I’m just saying yeah but you know yeah i’m gonna go
yeah but you know yeah i’m gonna go
yeah but you know yeah i’m gonna go ahead and talk about probably language
ahead and talk about probably language
ahead and talk about probably language thank you how I shame that’s not how we
thank you how I shame that’s not how we
thank you how I shame that’s not how we need to talk about change we need to
need to talk about change we need to
need to talk about change we need to start with language yeah I think so we
start with language yeah I think so we
start with language yeah I think so we need to look at the fact that when do
need to look at the fact that when do
need to look at the fact that when do you have who wants to be known as an ex
you have who wants to be known as an ex
you have who wants to be known as an ex right you have a number of years in
right you have a number of years in
right you have a number of years in which you’re going to be an ex you know
which you’re going to be an ex you know
which you’re going to be an ex you know I don’t want to be known as an
I don’t want to be known as an
I don’t want to be known as an ex-husband do you want to be known as an
ex-husband do you want to be known as an
ex-husband do you want to be known as an ex-girlfriend no not really do you want
ex-girlfriend no not really do you want
ex-girlfriend no not really do you want to be known as an ex-employee you know
to be known as an ex-employee you know
to be known as an ex-employee you know I’m just saying we got to look at things
I’m just saying we got to look at things
I’m just saying we got to look at things and really put them in perspective if
and really put them in perspective if
and really put them in perspective if we’re using the words like ex-con and
we’re using the words like ex-con and
we’re using the words like ex-con and ex-offender we really need to rethink
ex-offender we really need to rethink
ex-offender we really need to rethink what we’re doing and we need to kind of
what we’re doing and we need to kind of
what we’re doing and we need to kind of go back and look at the human dignity of
go back and look at the human dignity of
go back and look at the human dignity of each of these people that are coming out
each of these people that are coming out
each of these people that are coming out they’ve served their time and we need to
they’ve served their time and we need to
they’ve served their time and we need to start calling them like people with
start calling them like people with
start calling them like people with criminal records or formerly
criminal records or formerly
criminal records or formerly incarcerated or returning citizens you
incarcerated or returning citizens you
incarcerated or returning citizens you know I completely agree with you dr. s
know I completely agree with you dr. s
know I completely agree with you dr. s language is the core of communication
language is the core of communication
language is the core of communication and communication is the key to
and communication is the key to
and communication is the key to connecting with and understanding others
connecting with and understanding others
connecting with and understanding others i believe by slapping all these labels
i believe by slapping all these labels
i believe by slapping all these labels and titles we are unknowingly
and titles we are unknowingly
and titles we are unknowingly acknowledging a distinction between
acknowledging a distinction between
acknowledging a distinction between ourselves and from whom we are talking
ourselves and from whom we are talking
ourselves and from whom we are talking about but who are we to judge one
about but who are we to judge one
about but who are we to judge one another we all make mistakes just most
another we all make mistakes just most
another we all make mistakes just most of us don’t get caught for them right so
of us don’t get caught for them right so
of us don’t get caught for them right so let me give you an example and you guys
let me give you an example and you guys
let me give you an example and you guys how many of you have ever taken a
how many of you have ever taken a
how many of you have ever taken a prescription pain pill that wasn’t
prescription pain pill that wasn’t
prescription pain pill that wasn’t prescribed to you maybe you’re an
prescribed to you maybe you’re an
prescribed to you maybe you’re an athlete in your back was hurting so you
athlete in your back was hurting so you
athlete in your back was hurting so you borrowed a lortab from your mom or your
borrowed a lortab from your mom or your
borrowed a lortab from your mom or your friend maybe it was finals week and you
friend maybe it was finals week and you
friend maybe it was finals week and you needed a few extra hours of studying so
needed a few extra hours of studying so
needed a few extra hours of studying so you bother you sold an adderall or
you bother you sold an adderall or
you bother you sold an adderall or vyvanse well did you know that under
vyvanse well did you know that under
vyvanse well did you know that under Alabama’s drug possession laws mere
Alabama’s drug possession laws mere
Alabama’s drug possession laws mere possession of just one of these
possession of just one of these
possession of just one of these medications unlawfully is considered a
medications unlawfully is considered a
medications unlawfully is considered a class C felony class C felony yeah a
class C felony class C felony yeah a
class C felony class C felony yeah a felony that would not apply it like most
felony that would not apply it like most
felony that would not apply it like most of my students that would apply to like
of my students that would apply to like
of my students that would apply to like ninety percent of the whole college
ninety percent of the whole college
ninety percent of the whole college population that’s crazy so this mass
population that’s crazy so this mass
population that’s crazy so this mass incarceration of nonviolent drug
incarceration of nonviolent drug
incarceration of nonviolent drug offenders is really having a major
offenders is really having a major
offenders is really having a major impact in our society it’s really
impact in our society it’s really
impact in our society it’s really destroying the lives of men and women
destroying the lives of men and women
destroying the lives of men and women impact in our families this is sounds
impact in our families this is sounds
impact in our families this is sounds like something we actually need to do
like something we actually need to do
like something we actually need to do something about like we actually need to
something about like we actually need to
something about like we actually need to address this problem so with convicted
address this problem so with convicted
address this problem so with convicted felons how can we get people to focus on
felons how can we get people to focus on
felons how can we get people to focus on the future potential rather than holding
the future potential rather than holding
the future potential rather than holding onto this stigma that all criminals are
onto this stigma that all criminals are
onto this stigma that all criminals are bad because I mean if you look at the
bad because I mean if you look at the
bad because I mean if you look at the numbers ninety-seven percent of all
numbers ninety-seven percent of all
numbers ninety-seven percent of all convicted felons never even went to
convicted felons never even went to
convicted felons never even went to trial they settled for plea bargains
trial they settled for plea bargains
trial they settled for plea bargains either because they didn’t have enough
either because they didn’t have enough
either because they didn’t have enough money to try their case in court or they
money to try their case in court or they
money to try their case in court or they just had a really bad lawyer so would
just had a really bad lawyer so would
just had a really bad lawyer so would you rather shun someone who has the
you rather shun someone who has the
you rather shun someone who has the potential to benefit society or
potential to benefit society or
potential to benefit society or encourage that said person well you know
encourage that said person well you know
encourage that said person well you know me I’d rather encouraged to said person
me I’d rather encouraged to said person
me I’d rather encouraged to said person right I mean you know I think that every
right I mean you know I think that every
right I mean you know I think that every that human that everyone has human
that human that everyone has human
that human that everyone has human dignity and everyone has Worth and we
dignity and everyone has Worth and we
dignity and everyone has Worth and we need to protect it no one can take that
need to protect it no one can take that
need to protect it no one can take that away and I think that everyone is
away and I think that everyone is
away and I think that everyone is valuable and that life is sacred so I
valuable and that life is sacred so I
valuable and that life is sacred so I think we should inform people that your
think we should inform people that your
think we should inform people that your past does not define who you are
past does not define who you are
past does not define who you are tomorrow our civil society is not always
tomorrow our civil society is not always
tomorrow our civil society is not always civil nor is it forgiving just as Hester
civil nor is it forgiving just as Hester
civil nor is it forgiving just as Hester Prynne’s Puritan Society in the scarlet
Prynne’s Puritan Society in the scarlet
Prynne’s Puritan Society in the scarlet letter which is why we need to start
letter which is why we need to start
letter which is why we need to start with society itself and break this
with society itself and break this
with society itself and break this stereotype of criminals they’re not all
stereotype of criminals they’re not all
stereotype of criminals they’re not all bad and they do deserve a second chance
bad and they do deserve a second chance
bad and they do deserve a second chance that’s why I’m wearing this scarlet
that’s why I’m wearing this scarlet
that’s why I’m wearing this scarlet letter F to show that there is no
letter F to show that there is no
letter F to show that there is no difference between me and a convicted
difference between me and a convicted
difference between me and a convicted felon we all have the ability to commit
felon we all have the ability to commit
felon we all have the ability to commit a crime most of us unknowingly do with
a crime most of us unknowingly do with
a crime most of us unknowingly do with the Lord’s have in the vyvanse so who
the Lord’s have in the vyvanse so who
the Lord’s have in the vyvanse so who are we to say that someone doesn’t
are we to say that someone doesn’t
are we to say that someone doesn’t deserve a second chance yeah and don’t
deserve a second chance yeah and don’t
deserve a second chance yeah and don’t get me wrong i mean i think that that
get me wrong i mean i think that that
get me wrong i mean i think that that everyone has a chance to change right
everyone has a chance to change right
everyone has a chance to change right but not everybody wants to change and so
but not everybody wants to change and so
but not everybody wants to change and so we have to be very careful about we have
we have to be very careful about we have
we have to be very careful about we have to be very careful how is being seen in
to be very careful how is being seen in
to be very careful how is being seen in our society and let me think about this
our society and let me think about this
our society and let me think about this for a minute well I’m wondering what we
for a minute well I’m wondering what we
for a minute well I’m wondering what we can start from this I mean what can we
can start from this I mean what can we
can start from this I mean what can we start you know what what I’m thinking
start you know what what I’m thinking
start you know what what I’m thinking about is the fact that we actually need
about is the fact that we actually need
about is the fact that we actually need the race in public awareness that’s true
the race in public awareness that’s true
the race in public awareness that’s true i think we probably need to start with
i think we probably need to start with
i think we probably need to start with the students mm-hmm because you know
the students mm-hmm because you know
the students mm-hmm because you know every time we have social change in
every time we have social change in
every time we have social change in social movements they’re always led by
social movements they’re always led by
social movements they’re always led by students so it’s time that we take a
students so it’s time that we take a
students so it’s time that we take a stand to inform people and show them the
stand to inform people and show them the
stand to inform people and show them the struggle that this group basis so will
struggle that this group basis so will
struggle that this group basis so will you join
you join
you join me and wearing a scarlet letter F to
me and wearing a scarlet letter F to
me and wearing a scarlet letter F to stand in solidarity OOP sorry for those
stand in solidarity OOP sorry for those
stand in solidarity OOP sorry for those who are constantly shamed long after
who are constantly shamed long after
who are constantly shamed long after they’ve done their time those who cannot
they’ve done their time those who cannot
they’ve done their time those who cannot get a job because of their conviction
get a job because of their conviction
get a job because of their conviction those who have lost all their family
those who have lost all their family
those who have lost all their family members because of that conviction are
members because of that conviction are
members because of that conviction are you willing to understand their
you willing to understand their
you willing to understand their self-judgment their guilt their internal
self-judgment their guilt their internal
self-judgment their guilt their internal isolation and they’re not so free free
isolation and they’re not so free free
isolation and they’re not so free free will you know Julie I’m not only I’m
will you know Julie I’m not only I’m
will you know Julie I’m not only I’m willing to understand I’m willing to
willing to understand I’m willing to
willing to understand I’m willing to step up and just like Hester Prynne in
step up and just like Hester Prynne in
step up and just like Hester Prynne in the scarlet letter I’m willing to wear
the scarlet letter I’m willing to wear
the scarlet letter I’m willing to wear my letter F of Pride and I think
my letter F of Pride and I think
my letter F of Pride and I think actually that you know if we talk to
actually that you know if we talk to
actually that you know if we talk to other students they’ll probably want to
other students they’ll probably want to
other students they’ll probably want to do it and that social media thing that
do it and that social media thing that
do it and that social media thing that y’all do I think that you know we could
y’all do I think that you know we could
y’all do I think that you know we could probably start a movement old man yeah
probably start a movement old man yeah
probably start a movement old man yeah continue I think we could probably start
continue I think we could probably start
continue I think we could probably start a movement like and actually there’s a
a movement like and actually there’s a
a movement like and actually there’s a perfect time for it because the second
perfect time for it because the second
perfect time for it because the second week in April last year was declared
week in April last year was declared
week in April last year was declared national reentry week oh I remember that
national reentry week oh I remember that
national reentry week oh I remember that we went last year we did we went to the
we went last year we did we went to the
we went last year we did we went to the Civic Center and we had a reentry
Civic Center and we had a reentry
Civic Center and we had a reentry simulation where we were trying to
simulation where we were trying to
simulation where we were trying to inform people judges and lawyers and
inform people judges and lawyers and
inform people judges and lawyers and everybody else in students like what it
everybody else in students like what it
everybody else in students like what it was like to be coming out of jails and
was like to be coming out of jails and
was like to be coming out of jails and prisons and what that was like mm right
prisons and what that was like mm right
prisons and what that was like mm right and we had a attorney general Loretta
and we had a attorney general Loretta
and we had a attorney general Loretta Lynch right thinking I am about that
Lynch right thinking I am about that
Lynch right thinking I am about that pretty big deal and so she came in and I
pretty big deal and so she came in and I
pretty big deal and so she came in and I think that it was important to basically
think that it was important to basically
think that it was important to basically understand that that that that is a
understand that that that that is a
understand that that that that is a perfect time so when the second week in
perfect time so when the second week in
perfect time so when the second week in April comes up in its natural reentry
April comes up in its natural reentry
April comes up in its natural reentry week again then we can actually have
week again then we can actually have
week again then we can actually have people build with the social media
people build with the social media
people build with the social media movement and we can actually have them
movement and we can actually have them
movement and we can actually have them wear the scarlet letter F and we can
wear the scarlet letter F and we can
wear the scarlet letter F and we can visibly wear the mark of a criminal
visibly wear the mark of a criminal
visibly wear the mark of a criminal record
”
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