one of the reasons we allow once-in-a-while interviews this Piper is
once-in-a-while interviews this Piper is
once-in-a-while interviews this Piper is deep inside a project we’ll talk about
deep inside a project we’ll talk about
deep inside a project we’ll talk about in a minute and this definitely takes a
in a minute and this definitely takes a
in a minute and this definitely takes a lot of headspace to be on the red
lot of headspace to be on the red
lot of headspace to be on the red circles oh yeah she’s given a talk in
circles oh yeah she’s given a talk in
circles oh yeah she’s given a talk in the past and let’s start there so you
the past and let’s start there so you
the past and let’s start there so you and I met about three years ago at a
and I met about three years ago at a
and I met about three years ago at a TEDx event imagine that a marion
TEDx event imagine that a marion
TEDx event imagine that a marion correctional and it was hosted by
correctional and it was hosted by
correctional and it was hosted by healing broken circles which is the
healing broken circles which is the
healing broken circles which is the nonprofit that runs all of the programs
nonprofit that runs all of the programs
nonprofit that runs all of the programs at Marion and started the TEDx there and
at Marion and started the TEDx there and
at Marion and started the TEDx there and some things happened and all of a sudden
some things happened and all of a sudden
some things happened and all of a sudden the next thing we knew this East Coast
the next thing we knew this East Coast
the next thing we knew this East Coast girl is now living in Victorian village
girl is now living in Victorian village
girl is now living in Victorian village yeah so tell us how that happened I
yeah so tell us how that happened I
yeah so tell us how that happened I definitely live in Ohio because of TEDx
definitely live in Ohio because of TEDx
definitely live in Ohio because of TEDx there’s no question about that yeah I
there’s no question about that yeah I
there’s no question about that yeah I was invited to Ohio to come and
was invited to Ohio to come and
was invited to Ohio to come and participate in a TEDx event that was
participate in a TEDx event that was
participate in a TEDx event that was held in a prison and to our knowledge
held in a prison and to our knowledge
held in a prison and to our knowledge the first prison in the world that ever
the first prison in the world that ever
the first prison in the world that ever hosted a TEDx event and I came because I
hosted a TEDx event and I came because I
hosted a TEDx event and I came because I was like huh that’s weird
was like huh that’s weird
was like huh that’s weird I came also because I was invited by a
I came also because I was invited by a
I came also because I was invited by a fellow smithy I went to a women’s
fellow smithy I went to a women’s
fellow smithy I went to a women’s college called Smith College and while I
college called Smith College and while I
college called Smith College and while I was there and ever since I left that
was there and ever since I left that
was there and ever since I left that place
place
place I’ve been schooled like you know when a
I’ve been schooled like you know when a
I’ve been schooled like you know when a woman asks you to do something you know
woman asks you to do something you know
woman asks you to do something you know good and important you do everything in
good and important you do everything in
good and important you do everything in your power to say yes and if it’s a
your power to say yes and if it’s a
your power to say yes and if it’s a smithy then you definitely say yes so
smithy then you definitely say yes so
smithy then you definitely say yes so there was a smithy involved with with
there was a smithy involved with with
there was a smithy involved with with TEDx and I was also curious because I
TEDx and I was also curious because I
TEDx and I was also curious because I had never visited a men’s state prison
had never visited a men’s state prison
had never visited a men’s state prison facility before and when we think about
facility before and when we think about
facility before and when we think about the fact that America incarcerate smore
the fact that America incarcerate smore
the fact that America incarcerate smore of its own people than any other nation
of its own people than any other nation
of its own people than any other nation in the world any Society in human
in the world any Society in human
in the world any Society in human history and we think about where the
history and we think about where the
history and we think about where the majority of those prisoners are they are
majority of those prisoners are they are
majority of those prisoners are they are in state prison systems and men’s state
in state prison systems and men’s state
in state prison systems and men’s state prison systems or local jails so I
prison systems or local jails so I
prison systems or local jails so I thought it was important to sort of take
thought it was important to sort of take
thought it was important to sort of take that opportunity to go see that kind of
that opportunity to go see that kind of
that opportunity to go see that kind of a place
a place
a place and I was astounded it was actually the
and I was astounded it was actually the
and I was astounded it was actually the first TEDx I’d ever attended you’ve been
first TEDx I’d ever attended you’ve been
first TEDx I’d ever attended you’ve been to Marion correctional it’s a little
to Marion correctional it’s a little
to Marion correctional it’s a little different than this vibe but not
different than this vibe but not
different than this vibe but not entirely and the really amazing thing
entirely and the really amazing thing
entirely and the really amazing thing about that TEDx program at Marion is
about that TEDx program at Marion is
about that TEDx program at Marion is that it was a completely grassroots
that it was a completely grassroots
that it was a completely grassroots ground-up thing some of the guys who
ground-up thing some of the guys who
ground-up thing some of the guys who worked in the computer lab there with
worked in the computer lab there with
worked in the computer lab there with healing broken circles you know they had
healing broken circles you know they had
healing broken circles you know they had the the workers had downloaded you know
the the workers had downloaded you know
the the workers had downloaded you know Bryan Stevenson’s TED talks and other
Bryan Stevenson’s TED talks and other
Bryan Stevenson’s TED talks and other TED Talks for those guys to watch and
TED Talks for those guys to watch and
TED Talks for those guys to watch and they were like we could do that can we
they were like we could do that can we
they were like we could do that can we do that and the warden at that time is
do that and the warden at that time is
do that and the warden at that time is the kind of guy who was like if you can
the kind of guy who was like if you can
the kind of guy who was like if you can figure out how to do it do it and that’s
figure out how to do it do it and that’s
figure out how to do it do it and that’s really profoundly unusual in a
really profoundly unusual in a
really profoundly unusual in a correctional setting so I was really
correctional setting so I was really
correctional setting so I was really blown away by the the things that I saw
blown away by the the things that I saw
blown away by the the things that I saw and experienced while I was there the
and experienced while I was there the
and experienced while I was there the people I met and I kept on thinking
people I met and I kept on thinking
people I met and I kept on thinking about that place and about that
about that place and about that
about that place and about that experience after I left Ohio and you
experience after I left Ohio and you
experience after I left Ohio and you know I was like why is the warden like
know I was like why is the warden like
know I was like why is the warden like that what are the guys doing right now I
that what are the guys doing right now I
that what are the guys doing right now I kept thinking about it I came back to
kept thinking about it I came back to
kept thinking about it I came back to speak at the Ohio State University and I
speak at the Ohio State University and I
speak at the Ohio State University and I took that opportunity to go back for
took that opportunity to go back for
took that opportunity to go back for another visit and over time you know I
another visit and over time you know I
another visit and over time you know I just was really really curious so yeah
just was really really curious so yeah
just was really really curious so yeah TEDx brought me here ultimately because
TEDx brought me here ultimately because
TEDx brought me here ultimately because I made an offer to that warden and also
I made an offer to that warden and also
I made an offer to that warden and also to the warden Ronnie Burke’s over at the
to the warden Ronnie Burke’s over at the
to the warden Ronnie Burke’s over at the Ohio Reformatory for for women in
Ohio Reformatory for for women in
Ohio Reformatory for for women in Marysville I said what if I come teach a
Marysville I said what if I come teach a
Marysville I said what if I come teach a writing class here in Ohio and they were
writing class here in Ohio and they were
writing class here in Ohio and they were really receptive to that and the Garry
really receptive to that and the Garry
really receptive to that and the Garry Moore at the at the Ohio Department of
Moore at the at the Ohio Department of
Moore at the at the Ohio Department of Corrections was was in favor and
Corrections was was in favor and
Corrections was was in favor and supportive and that’s really tremendous
supportive and that’s really tremendous
supportive and that’s really tremendous that’s why I’m here
that’s why I’m here
that’s why I’m here yeah Ohio so and three years later
yeah Ohio so and three years later
yeah Ohio so and three years later awesome so let’s just talk about the
awesome so let’s just talk about the
awesome so let’s just talk about the classes actually in fact you left a
classes actually in fact you left a
classes actually in fact you left a class early today with us yep so tell us
class early today with us yep so tell us
class early today with us yep so tell us what you’re teaching
what you’re teaching
what you’re teaching so I teach I mean I guess I could teach
so I teach I mean I guess I could teach
so I teach I mean I guess I could teach you some other things but the only
you some other things but the only
you some other things but the only practical thing I couldn’t teach a
practical thing I couldn’t teach a
practical thing I couldn’t teach a fiction class I don’t actually know how
fiction class I don’t actually know how
fiction class I don’t actually know how to write fiction I teach a narrative
to write fiction I teach a narrative
to write fiction I teach a narrative nonfiction writing class so you know
nonfiction writing class so you know
nonfiction writing class so you know some people might describe it as a
some people might describe it as a
some people might describe it as a memoir class we sort of expand in a
memoir class we sort of expand in a
memoir class we sort of expand in a couple of extra directions above and
couple of extra directions above and
couple of extra directions above and beyond the the classic memoir function
beyond the the classic memoir function
beyond the the classic memoir function but my students are writing true stories
but my students are writing true stories
but my students are writing true stories drawn from their own lives from the
drawn from their own lives from the
drawn from their own lives from the things that they have experienced from
things that they have experienced from
things that they have experienced from the things that they’ve witnessed we
the things that they’ve witnessed we
the things that they’ve witnessed we conduct the same class in the men’s and
conduct the same class in the men’s and
conduct the same class in the men’s and women’s facility the first year that I
women’s facility the first year that I
women’s facility the first year that I was here we spent reading 22 books that
was here we spent reading 22 books that
was here we spent reading 22 books that are grounded in some way in questions
are grounded in some way in questions
are grounded in some way in questions around mass incarceration so books by
around mass incarceration so books by
around mass incarceration so books by people who had been incarcerated people
people who had been incarcerated people
people who had been incarcerated people who had worked in prisons and jails you
who had worked in prisons and jails you
who had worked in prisons and jails you know there’s an amazing book by a prison
know there’s an amazing book by a prison
know there’s an amazing book by a prison librarian there’s a wonderful book
librarian there’s a wonderful book
librarian there’s a wonderful book called New Jack about working as a
called New Jack about working as a
called New Jack about working as a correctional officer we read those books
correctional officer we read those books
correctional officer we read those books books ground you know some of the the
books ground you know some of the the
books ground you know some of the the issues that circle around mass
issues that circle around mass
issues that circle around mass incarceration like mental health issues
incarceration like mental health issues
incarceration like mental health issues or substance use disorder but those 22
or substance use disorder but those 22
or substance use disorder but those 22 books we worked through because I felt
books we worked through because I felt
books we worked through because I felt that one way or another my students
that one way or another my students
that one way or another my students would be able to tap into the
would be able to tap into the
would be able to tap into the experiences that those people were
experiences that those people were
experiences that those people were sharing and relate them back to their
sharing and relate them back to their
sharing and relate them back to their own experiences in ways that might be
own experiences in ways that might be
own experiences in ways that might be quite direct or at least observational
quite direct or at least observational
quite direct or at least observational and I hoped that the experience of
and I hoped that the experience of
and I hoped that the experience of reading those narratives would also be
reading those narratives would also be
reading those narratives would also be inspiring you know in terms of my
inspiring you know in terms of my
inspiring you know in terms of my students feeling like hey if that person
students feeling like hey if that person
students feeling like hey if that person did it I can do it too we read a book
did it I can do it too we read a book
did it I can do it too we read a book called cooked by Jeff Henderson who was
called cooked by Jeff Henderson who was
called cooked by Jeff Henderson who was a crack dealer once and is now a
a crack dealer once and is now a
a crack dealer once and is now a celebrity chef you know and he and in
celebrity chef you know and he and in
celebrity chef you know and he and in between spend some time in federal
between spend some time in federal
between spend some time in federal prison and you know he’s a great example
prison and you know he’s a great example
prison and you know he’s a great example of someone with a really interesting and
of someone with a really interesting and
of someone with a really interesting and I
I
I it’s a important story to tell who was
it’s a important story to tell who was
it’s a important story to tell who was not sort of educated in a in a typical
not sort of educated in a in a typical
not sort of educated in a in a typical way and who yet you know had this story
way and who yet you know had this story
way and who yet you know had this story to tell and was able to tell it and I
to tell and was able to tell it and I
to tell and was able to tell it and I wanted my students to be inspired to
wanted my students to be inspired to
wanted my students to be inspired to tell their own stories because I think
tell their own stories because I think
tell their own stories because I think they’re really important my story my
they’re really important my story my
they’re really important my story my students have establishing the stories
students have establishing the stories
students have establishing the stories as you can imagine like people you know
as you can imagine like people you know
as you can imagine like people you know what we always talk about with story
what we always talk about with story
what we always talk about with story structure is that stories need conflict
structure is that stories need conflict
structure is that stories need conflict in order to really grab and hold our
in order to really grab and hold our
in order to really grab and hold our attentions certainly my students have
attentions certainly my students have
attentions certainly my students have had a lot of conflict in their lives and
had a lot of conflict in their lives and
had a lot of conflict in their lives and sometimes at this very moment do so yeah
sometimes at this very moment do so yeah
sometimes at this very moment do so yeah let me just jump in there because I want
let me just jump in there because I want
let me just jump in there because I want to make sure we get to this one question
to make sure we get to this one question
to make sure we get to this one question about your students mm-hmm so Piper’s in
about your students mm-hmm so Piper’s in
about your students mm-hmm so Piper’s in a unique situation where she’s teaching
a unique situation where she’s teaching
a unique situation where she’s teaching men on Fridays we Mondays women on
men on Fridays we Mondays women on
men on Fridays we Mondays women on Fridays and men on Mondays very few
Fridays and men on Mondays very few
Fridays and men on Mondays very few teachers teach both genders in solitaire
teachers teach both genders in solitaire
teachers teach both genders in solitaire meaning like you’re only teaching one
meaning like you’re only teaching one
meaning like you’re only teaching one and then the other if you teach at a
and then the other if you teach at a
and then the other if you teach at a girls school you’re only teaching girls
girls school you’re only teaching girls
girls school you’re only teaching girls mm-hmm so what’s the biggest difference
mm-hmm so what’s the biggest difference
mm-hmm so what’s the biggest difference between teaching those two different
between teaching those two different
between teaching those two different genders as they are together there are
genders as they are together there are
genders as they are together there are some very market differences and then
some very market differences and then
some very market differences and then there are some less market different
there are some less market different
there are some less market different there are some similarities I again went
there are some similarities I again went
there are some similarities I again went to a women’s college so not only am I
to a women’s college so not only am I
to a women’s college so not only am I very at home in a funny way at
very at home in a funny way at
very at home in a funny way at Marysville in terms of having had the
Marysville in terms of having had the
Marysville in terms of having had the experience of being incarcerated
experience of being incarcerated
experience of being incarcerated Marysville but but also that’s sort of
Marysville but but also that’s sort of
Marysville but but also that’s sort of you know a classroom setting which is
you know a classroom setting which is
you know a classroom setting which is all women is also very familiar to me we
all women is also very familiar to me we
all women is also very familiar to me we teach the classical narrative structure
teach the classical narrative structure
teach the classical narrative structure in class which means you identify a
in class which means you identify a
in class which means you identify a protagonist you set them in motion in
protagonist you set them in motion in
protagonist you set them in motion in some way you establish some sort of
some way you establish some sort of
some way you establish some sort of desire on their part I always say you as
desire on their part I always say you as
desire on their part I always say you as you identify your protagonist you get
you identify your protagonist you get
you identify your protagonist you get them up a tree you throw rocks at them
them up a tree you throw rocks at them
them up a tree you throw rocks at them and then somehow they get down out of
and then somehow they get down out of
and then somehow they get down out of the tree and that’s the story and they
the tree and that’s the story and they
the tree and that’s the story and they save the cat well maybe you know or they
save the cat well maybe you know or they
save the cat well maybe you know or they fall out and break their neck
fall out and break their neck
fall out and break their neck storia can have a tragic ending it can
storia can have a tragic ending it can
storia can have a tragic ending it can have a happy ending but we teach that
have a happy ending but we teach that
have a happy ending but we teach that that classical you know hero’s journey
that classical you know hero’s journey
that classical you know hero’s journey protagonist its you know something that
protagonist its you know something that
protagonist its you know something that is in almost every childhood story book
is in almost every childhood story book
is in almost every childhood story book you ever read almost every movie you
you ever read almost every movie you
you ever read almost every movie you know might follow that process we could
know might follow that process we could
know might follow that process we could you could critique the choice to teach
you could critique the choice to teach
you could critique the choice to teach it that way but we knew that we’d be
it that way but we knew that we’d be
it that way but we knew that we’d be able to tap into what our students
able to tap into what our students
able to tap into what our students already knew from mass media and every
already knew from mass media and every
already knew from mass media and every other stories so the men really took
other stories so the men really took
other stories so the men really took like fish to water to that hero’s
like fish to water to that hero’s
like fish to water to that hero’s journey they had no they might have have
journey they had no they might have have
journey they had no they might have have been depicted as villains at other times
been depicted as villains at other times
been depicted as villains at other times in their life or even at this moment in
in their life or even at this moment in
in their life or even at this moment in life when they’re in prison but they had
life when they’re in prison but they had
life when they’re in prison but they had no trouble thinking about themselves as
no trouble thinking about themselves as
no trouble thinking about themselves as the hero of the story funny and the
the hero of the story funny and the
the hero of the story funny and the women and the women it took more coaxing
women and the women it took more coaxing
women and the women it took more coaxing prodding you know promising cajoling to
prodding you know promising cajoling to
prodding you know promising cajoling to move them to a place where they really
move them to a place where they really
move them to a place where they really thought about their own perspective
thought about their own perspective
thought about their own perspective driving the action of the story and that
driving the action of the story and that
driving the action of the story and that is of course reflected in you know the
is of course reflected in you know the
is of course reflected in you know the nature of the lives of the women who end
nature of the lives of the women who end
nature of the lives of the women who end up in the criminal justice system
up in the criminal justice system
up in the criminal justice system overwhelmingly victims of sexual abuse
overwhelmingly victims of sexual abuse
overwhelmingly victims of sexual abuse or other physical abuse eighty to ninety
or other physical abuse eighty to ninety
or other physical abuse eighty to ninety percent of women and girls who end up in
percent of women and girls who end up in
percent of women and girls who end up in the system that’s true true
the system that’s true true
the system that’s true true disproportionate suffering of mental
disproportionate suffering of mental
disproportionate suffering of mental health problems or substance use
health problems or substance use
health problems or substance use disorder so I think that’s one of the
disorder so I think that’s one of the
disorder so I think that’s one of the reasons that it’s so important for my
reasons that it’s so important for my
reasons that it’s so important for my students to have the opportunity to
students to have the opportunity to
students to have the opportunity to think about themselves as the
think about themselves as the
think about themselves as the protagonist and to think about
protagonist and to think about
protagonist and to think about themselves as having a whole set of
themselves as having a whole set of
themselves as having a whole set of desires and choices that drive the
desires and choices that drive the
desires and choices that drive the action of the story I think that’s
action of the story I think that’s
action of the story I think that’s important in reflection about what your
important in reflection about what your
important in reflection about what your life has been up to this point and also
life has been up to this point and also
life has been up to this point and also what your life is gonna be going forward
what your life is gonna be going forward
what your life is gonna be going forward and if they’re anything and that they
and if they’re anything and that they
and if they’re anything and that they all write about is there any one thing
all write about is there any one thing
all write about is there any one thing that there are some through lines that
that there are some through lines that
that there are some through lines that come through guns come up in a number of
come through guns come up in a number of
come through guns come up in a number of the stories from both the men’s and the
the stories from both the men’s and the
the stories from both the men’s and the women’s class in fascinating ways
women’s class in fascinating ways
women’s class in fascinating ways sometimes and caring ways but the number
sometimes and caring ways but the number
sometimes and caring ways but the number one
one
one topic across both classes is people’s
topic across both classes is people’s
topic across both classes is people’s Mother’s yeah and I am I am a mother now
Mother’s yeah and I am I am a mother now
Mother’s yeah and I am I am a mother now I am the mother of a relatively young
I am the mother of a relatively young
I am the mother of a relatively young child I’m a memoirist I am nervous far
child I’m a memoirist I am nervous far
child I’m a memoirist I am nervous far and away number one topic so one of the
and away number one topic so one of the
and away number one topic so one of the things you’re doing is the reason that
things you’re doing is the reason that
things you’re doing is the reason that we allowed you not to have to give a
we allowed you not to have to give a
we allowed you not to have to give a talk she’s actually in the middle of
talk she’s actually in the middle of
talk she’s actually in the middle of writing her second book true that yeah I
writing her second book true that yeah I
writing her second book true that yeah I I know she has I know she has a deadline
I know she has I know she has a deadline
I know she has I know she has a deadline and we have we’re running we’re not
and we have we’re running we’re not
and we have we’re running we’re not running out of time but I want to get to
running out of time but I want to get to
running out of time but I want to get to a few more things the last time you were
a few more things the last time you were
a few more things the last time you were in prison you didn’t know you were
in prison you didn’t know you were
in prison you didn’t know you were writing a book
writing a book
writing a book mm-hmm and now that you are in working
mm-hmm and now that you are in working
mm-hmm and now that you are in working in prison you’re writing a book you want
in prison you’re writing a book you want
in prison you’re writing a book you want to just tell us what the books are
to just tell us what the books are
to just tell us what the books are because there’s actually two yeah so my
because there’s actually two yeah so my
because there’s actually two yeah so my students have been working so hard and
students have been working so hard and
students have been working so hard and they do tremendous work I have I’ve had
they do tremendous work I have I’ve had
they do tremendous work I have I’ve had some exceptionally talented writers in
some exceptionally talented writers in
some exceptionally talented writers in my classes so we will in the future
my classes so we will in the future
my classes so we will in the future publish an anthology a collection of the
publish an anthology a collection of the
publish an anthology a collection of the best writing from the classes yeah which
best writing from the classes yeah which
best writing from the classes yeah which is great and and I am also writing about
is great and and I am also writing about
is great and and I am also writing about this process about you know just
this process about you know just
this process about you know just returning to prison about what it’s like
returning to prison about what it’s like
returning to prison about what it’s like to pull this kind of a group together
to pull this kind of a group together
to pull this kind of a group together and and how fascinating they are and why
and and how fascinating they are and why
and and how fascinating they are and why they’re so important to me well I think
they’re so important to me well I think
they’re so important to me well I think they’re so important to everybody else
they’re so important to everybody else
they’re so important to everybody else to listen so I know it’s on the mind of
to listen so I know it’s on the mind of
to listen so I know it’s on the mind of many audience members do you did you
many audience members do you did you
many audience members do you did you expect the book to be such a hit show I
expect the book to be such a hit show I
expect the book to be such a hit show I always say that every writer has to
always say that every writer has to
always say that every writer has to fantasise success whatever success looks
fantasise success whatever success looks
fantasise success whatever success looks like to them because otherwise you would
like to them because otherwise you would
like to them because otherwise you would never ever finish I personally find the
never ever finish I personally find the
never ever finish I personally find the process of writing excruciating some
process of writing excruciating some
process of writing excruciating some people I guess may find it pleasurable
people I guess may find it pleasurable
people I guess may find it pleasurable but it’s you know I know when I’m having
but it’s you know I know when I’m having
but it’s you know I know when I’m having trouble actually literate when I’m
trouble actually literate when I’m
trouble actually literate when I’m literally jumping out of my seat that
literally jumping out of my seat that
literally jumping out of my seat that I’m on the right track but yeah I think
I’m on the right track but yeah I think
I’m on the right track but yeah I think every writer has
every writer has
every writer has to fantasize some kind of success
to fantasize some kind of success
to fantasize some kind of success whatever it is whatever that means you
whatever it is whatever that means you
whatever it is whatever that means you want to win a National Book Award I
want to win a National Book Award I
want to win a National Book Award I guess that’s what you fantasize about
guess that’s what you fantasize about
guess that’s what you fantasize about but I’m very very grateful that that
but I’m very very grateful that that
but I’m very very grateful that that very creative provocative talented
very creative provocative talented
very creative provocative talented diverse people wanted to participate in
diverse people wanted to participate in
diverse people wanted to participate in that adaptation of the book it’s a
that adaptation of the book it’s a
that adaptation of the book it’s a fascinating process I’m very very
fascinating process I’m very very
fascinating process I’m very very fortunate are you still involved in it I
fortunate are you still involved in it I
fortunate are you still involved in it I am a consultant on the show actually I
am a consultant on the show actually I
am a consultant on the show actually I was I was just emailing today with where
was I was just emailing today with where
was I was just emailing today with where we’re deep into shooting season six and
we’re deep into shooting season six and
we’re deep into shooting season six and and I get they they they the threats you
and I get they they they the threats you
and I get they they they the threats you can’t even imagine what they would do to
can’t even imagine what they would do to
can’t even imagine what they would do to me I do I read scripts and I answer
me I do I read scripts and I answer
me I do I read scripts and I answer questions and if I can’t answer a
questions and if I can’t answer a
questions and if I can’t answer a question then I find somebody who can so
question then I find somebody who can so
question then I find somebody who can so I’m like I didn’t Rob any banks but I
I’m like I didn’t Rob any banks but I
I’m like I didn’t Rob any banks but I know someone who did
so so um it’s it would not be fair to
so so um it’s it would not be fair to have this conversation without digging
have this conversation without digging
have this conversation without digging into a few issues of real seriousness in
into a few issues of real seriousness in
into a few issues of real seriousness in our community right now there’s been a
our community right now there’s been a
our community right now there’s been a lot of conversation about victimizations
lot of conversation about victimizations
lot of conversation about victimizations not being reported in the last few weeks
not being reported in the last few weeks
not being reported in the last few weeks but the rates of violent victimizations
but the rates of violent victimizations
but the rates of violent victimizations are probably even more startling and
are probably even more startling and
are probably even more startling and what I found was from 2005 to 2010 59%
what I found was from 2005 to 2010 59%
what I found was from 2005 to 2010 59% of all violent victimizations were not
of all violent victimizations were not
of all violent victimizations were not reported so help us understand what’s
reported so help us understand what’s
reported so help us understand what’s happening
happening
happening yeah not report it at all right and
yeah not report it at all right and
yeah not report it at all right and actually when you drill down on some of
actually when you drill down on some of
actually when you drill down on some of those numbers from that period which is
those numbers from that period which is
those numbers from that period which is pretty recent 29 percent of people who
pretty recent 29 percent of people who
pretty recent 29 percent of people who were seriously harmed gunshot wounds
were seriously harmed gunshot wounds
were seriously harmed gunshot wounds stab wounds broken bones did not report
stab wounds broken bones did not report
stab wounds broken bones did not report that to the police
that to the police
that to the police right there’s so if you look at those
right there’s so if you look at those
right there’s so if you look at those numbers you know somebody who was robbed
numbers you know somebody who was robbed
numbers you know somebody who was robbed at gunpoint or you know harmed in some
at gunpoint or you know harmed in some
at gunpoint or you know harmed in some of their ways sexually assaulted the
of their ways sexually assaulted the
of their ways sexually assaulted the choice not to trust the system not to
choice not to trust the system not to
choice not to trust the system not to trust police prosecutors judges to do
trust police prosecutors judges to do
trust police prosecutors judges to do the right thing to be able to deliver on
the right thing to be able to deliver on
the right thing to be able to deliver on the promise of justice has to concern us
the promise of justice has to concern us
the promise of justice has to concern us all because that is a lot of harmed
all because that is a lot of harmed
all because that is a lot of harmed people walking around in the community
people walking around in the community
people walking around in the community dealing with trauma dealing with pain on
dealing with trauma dealing with pain on
dealing with trauma dealing with pain on their own right when we think about
their own right when we think about
their own right when we think about substance use disorder and mental health
substance use disorder and mental health
substance use disorder and mental health problems those things are directly
problems those things are directly
problems those things are directly connected to trauma and so the stakes of
connected to trauma and so the stakes of
connected to trauma and so the stakes of having a criminal justice system that so
having a criminal justice system that so
having a criminal justice system that so many people do not trust are very high
many people do not trust are very high
many people do not trust are very high for all of us even those of us who are
for all of us even those of us who are
for all of us even those of us who are fortunate enough perhaps not to have
fortunate enough perhaps not to have
fortunate enough perhaps not to have been harmed not to have been victimized
been harmed not to have been victimized
been harmed not to have been victimized we all live together I think people
we all live together I think people
we all live together I think people don’t know
don’t know
don’t know how serious this trust problem is even
how serious this trust problem is even
how serious this trust problem is even though we all see and watch with horror
though we all see and watch with horror
though we all see and watch with horror sometimes viral videos of cilantro
sometimes viral videos of cilantro
sometimes viral videos of cilantro Castile being killed by a Minneapolis
Castile being killed by a Minneapolis
Castile being killed by a Minneapolis police officer in front of his
police officer in front of his
police officer in front of his girlfriend and their four-year-old child
girlfriend and their four-year-old child
girlfriend and their four-year-old child you know this was a beloved school
you know this was a beloved school
you know this was a beloved school worker who was killed in a traffic stop
worker who was killed in a traffic stop
worker who was killed in a traffic stop and that’s a story that has far too many
and that’s a story that has far too many
and that’s a story that has far too many similar stories going on there you know
similar stories going on there you know
similar stories going on there you know we have we invest an enormous amount of
we have we invest an enormous amount of
we have we invest an enormous amount of power in police in prosecutors in judges
power in police in prosecutors in judges
power in police in prosecutors in judges in all of the law enforcement actors who
in all of the law enforcement actors who
in all of the law enforcement actors who work in the system they wield an
work in the system they wield an
work in the system they wield an enormous enormous amount of power over
enormous enormous amount of power over
enormous enormous amount of power over other people’s lives and when we can’t
other people’s lives and when we can’t
other people’s lives and when we can’t trust those either those individuals or
trust those either those individuals or
trust those either those individuals or those systems the consequences for all
those systems the consequences for all
those systems the consequences for all of us are very serious and I think we
of us are very serious and I think we
of us are very serious and I think we see that reflected in those numbers so
see that reflected in those numbers so
see that reflected in those numbers so many people who are victimized who don’t
many people who are victimized who don’t
many people who are victimized who don’t trust the system enough to seek justice
trust the system enough to seek justice
trust the system enough to seek justice healing or safety via those avenues it
healing or safety via those avenues it
healing or safety via those avenues it must concern us and the flipside is that
must concern us and the flipside is that
must concern us and the flipside is that what we find increasingly is that it’s
what we find increasingly is that it’s
what we find increasingly is that it’s harder and harder to hold those players
harder and harder to hold those players
harder and harder to hold those players accountable right it’s hard to hold
accountable right it’s hard to hold
accountable right it’s hard to hold police accountable it’s hard to hold
police accountable it’s hard to hold
police accountable it’s hard to hold prosecutors accountable I could I
prosecutors accountable I could I
prosecutors accountable I could I started to make a list backstage and I
started to make a list backstage and I
started to make a list backstage and I was like this list is too long I’m gonna
was like this list is too long I’m gonna
was like this list is too long I’m gonna I’m gonna people are just gonna glaze
I’m gonna people are just gonna glaze
I’m gonna people are just gonna glaze over but there are there is a very
over but there are there is a very
over but there are there is a very lengthy disturbing list of police
lengthy disturbing list of police
lengthy disturbing list of police misconduct prosecutorial misconduct that
misconduct prosecutorial misconduct that
misconduct prosecutorial misconduct that goes without accountability you know my
goes without accountability you know my
goes without accountability you know my students are being held accountable in
students are being held accountable in
students are being held accountable in very serious ways the United States has
very serious ways the United States has
very serious ways the United States has the most punitive criminal legal system
the most punitive criminal legal system
the most punitive criminal legal system of all Western democracies
of all Western democracies
of all Western democracies so you can check that box we’re very
so you can check that box we’re very
so you can check that box we’re very serious about punishment in this country
serious about punishment in this country
serious about punishment in this country and yet were not that serious about
and yet were not that serious about
and yet were not that serious about accountability and so we see a real
accountability and so we see a real
accountability and so we see a real asymmetry when it comes to trust so when
asymmetry when it comes to trust so when
asymmetry when it comes to trust so when you were in prison for a year and as
you were in prison for a year and as
you were in prison for a year and as reflected in your book trust was a
reflected in your book trust was a
reflected in your book trust was a pretty significant theme at least in the
pretty significant theme at least in the
pretty significant theme at least in the beginning yeah who can I trust can I
beginning yeah who can I trust can I
beginning yeah who can I trust can I trust myself to say the right things
trust myself to say the right things
trust myself to say the right things can I trust the food I’m eating right
can I trust the food I’m eating right
can I trust the food I’m eating right tell us how you ultimately came to
tell us how you ultimately came to
tell us how you ultimately came to trusting that environment while you were
trusting that environment while you were
trusting that environment while you were there yeah I mean Trust is really about
finding your own true north like having
finding your own true north like having some trust in yourself to make the right
some trust in yourself to make the right
some trust in yourself to make the right call
call
call also trusting yourself to learn from
also trusting yourself to learn from
also trusting yourself to learn from making the wrong call right in other
making the wrong call right in other
making the wrong call right in other words you you learn more from your
words you you learn more from your
words you you learn more from your failures that’s my six-word memoir you
failures that’s my six-word memoir you
failures that’s my six-word memoir you learn more from your yeah failures and
learn more from your yeah failures and
learn more from your yeah failures and you know interrogating your own failures
you know interrogating your own failures
you know interrogating your own failures is one of the ways that you learn how to
is one of the ways that you learn how to
is one of the ways that you learn how to trust yourself I think you know
trust yourself I think you know
trust yourself I think you know acknowledging you know you know taking
acknowledging you know you know taking
acknowledging you know you know taking responsibility for your failures but
responsibility for your failures but
responsibility for your failures but also sort of interrogating them how can
also sort of interrogating them how can
also sort of interrogating them how can I do better and I think when you have
I do better and I think when you have
I do better and I think when you have that kind of solid ground to stand on
that kind of solid ground to stand on
that kind of solid ground to stand on then you can make good decisions about
then you can make good decisions about
then you can make good decisions about others and you know we are all connected
others and you know we are all connected
others and you know we are all connected to one another that is the thing that
to one another that is the thing that
to one another that is the thing that was so apparent to me right from the
was so apparent to me right from the
was so apparent to me right from the jump even you know my first day
jump even you know my first day
jump even you know my first day incarcerated you know I didn’t know who
incarcerated you know I didn’t know who
incarcerated you know I didn’t know who I could trust or who I couldn’t trust
I could trust or who I couldn’t trust
I could trust or who I couldn’t trust but I knew that I had to find someone
but I knew that I had to find someone
but I knew that I had to find someone who I could trust you can’t navigate
who I could trust you can’t navigate
who I could trust you can’t navigate this life disconnected from others you
this life disconnected from others you
this life disconnected from others you have to be able to forge those bonds of
have to be able to forge those bonds of
have to be able to forge those bonds of trust make yourself vulnerable honor
trust make yourself vulnerable honor
trust make yourself vulnerable honor other people’s vulnerability and that’s
other people’s vulnerability and that’s
other people’s vulnerability and that’s what starts to forge those bonds when we
what starts to forge those bonds when we
what starts to forge those bonds when we when we’re we’re kind in the face of
when we’re we’re kind in the face of
when we’re we’re kind in the face of vulnerability and when we’re brave
vulnerability and when we’re brave
vulnerability and when we’re brave enough to display it ourselves
enough to display it ourselves
enough to display it ourselves yeah so when we go in to interrogate our
yeah so when we go in to interrogate our
yeah so when we go in to interrogate our failures we’ll think of you
failures we’ll think of you
failures we’ll think of you be gentle with yourselves though yeah
be gentle with yourselves though yeah
be gentle with yourselves though yeah Piper thank you so much for joining us
Piper thank you so much for joining us
Piper thank you so much for joining us at EDX and thank you all for being a
at EDX and thank you all for being a
at EDX and thank you all for being a great
great
great [Applause]
”
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