King Steelo's Blog - Posts Tagged "promise"
Graduation Speech
Graduation Speech
Women lie- men lie, but numbers do not lie. The stats – The state of Louisiana is the world leader for incarceration. This state incarcerates more people per capita than any other country in the world. One out of 60 people in Louisiana are in prison. One out of 14 people are incarcerated, on parole or probation from Jefferson parish to Baton Rouge. One out of 7 people are incarcerated on parole or probation just in New Orleans alone and that’s the sad ass truth! Furthermore, Louisiana has an 80% recidivism rate. Recidivism means habitual or chronic relapse especially into crime for us – leaving prison and coming right back. Trust me I know – this is my 5th jost and I am not proud of being a convict. When I began this time – my hair was all black – 15 years later, I’m walking out of here with all gray hair.
So how do we stop or decrease recidivism? We can’t ask the state to change laws cause then we will be tappin' into their profits. So it’s on us to do it and make sure the younger generation doesn't follow in our footsteps. To my 1st offenders – the heaviest burden is on your shoulders. The easiest thing to do when you get out is to come right back. Why would you leave here and immediately return to the streets, hanging with that same crowd who forgot about you when you fell and do the same exact thing that go you here in the first place? Do you really wanna return to this human warehouse? It’s a controlled environment, but you’re not in control – security tells you when you can sleep, wake up, eat, go to yard, when you can watch TV or can’t, even in school – ain’t nothing to think about – this is not worth losing your freedom!
Now here we stand, men not boys leaving the can returning to society – but its engraved in our brains – we must do it with a plan.
Thank you Mrs. April for opening the door and giving us the opportunity to participate in a program where we can evaluate ourselves, better ourselves, get the knowledge and use of the right tools to not just returning to society, but remaining in the free world. “Re- Entry”
Thank you Mr. Johnson – Our journey started with you and right away we learned that we are our own deepest fear. We shared knowledge like food, great debates were the plate and you gotta be willing to change. Pay attention to those cues, which are physical signs that let you know anger is coming. What triggers that anger? It’s not a bad thing to swallow your pride – you can still be “Yeah.” Sometimes you have to think for the other person. There’s a big difference between boys and men. This ain’t juvie – we’re all men – let’s act like it.
Thank you Mrs. Petty – you taught us it was time to make realistic goals and achieve them. Jobs – some of us never had them. But the good thing about stats I mentioned earlier is that you can still get a job. It’s Louisiana – they might as well omit the question “Have you ever been convicted of a crime” on applications. Don’t be afraid to be honest. In Mrs. Petty’s class, we learned how to write a resume, write checks, balance a check book, how to conduct yourself on a job and getting along with co-workers makes a better work environment. It’s been working since the 60’s – like those throw back educational programs we had to watch.
Last but not least, take us home Ms. Jones. Communication rules the nation. There are 4 styles: Passive, Aggressive, Passive Aggressive and Assertive. Do you demand or manipulate others? Are you the listening or controlling type? Or are you the verbal or non-verbal type? Believe it or not – the way you communicate and your character will determine how you succeed in this world of technology. It’s on us fellas – we know the consequences. Why not start solving problems, avoiding confrontation, keep creativity, influence our loved ones, work with honest, respect others, gain trustworthiness and prosper with achievements?
There you have it brothers – the tools necessary to finally break away these chains of incarceration. We need to think outside the box and stay outta this box. If you only came to this program for goodtime and didn't digest the knowledge – you were faking and faking causes aching. You will be back – stuck in this vicious cycle of recidivism. Those of you leaving soon – remember temptation is waiting to ambush you as soon as you walk out of those gates. Maintain, be strong, don’t let peer pressure get you caught in a booby trap. So prepare yourself mentally – you can overcome. Don’t just talk about it – be about it. We all need to be pioneers of ending recidivism. Good luck my brothers – hopefully they won’t take forever to calculate your time and you can prove you’re ready to re-enter society!
Peace!
King Steelo
Women lie- men lie, but numbers do not lie. The stats – The state of Louisiana is the world leader for incarceration. This state incarcerates more people per capita than any other country in the world. One out of 60 people in Louisiana are in prison. One out of 14 people are incarcerated, on parole or probation from Jefferson parish to Baton Rouge. One out of 7 people are incarcerated on parole or probation just in New Orleans alone and that’s the sad ass truth! Furthermore, Louisiana has an 80% recidivism rate. Recidivism means habitual or chronic relapse especially into crime for us – leaving prison and coming right back. Trust me I know – this is my 5th jost and I am not proud of being a convict. When I began this time – my hair was all black – 15 years later, I’m walking out of here with all gray hair.
So how do we stop or decrease recidivism? We can’t ask the state to change laws cause then we will be tappin' into their profits. So it’s on us to do it and make sure the younger generation doesn't follow in our footsteps. To my 1st offenders – the heaviest burden is on your shoulders. The easiest thing to do when you get out is to come right back. Why would you leave here and immediately return to the streets, hanging with that same crowd who forgot about you when you fell and do the same exact thing that go you here in the first place? Do you really wanna return to this human warehouse? It’s a controlled environment, but you’re not in control – security tells you when you can sleep, wake up, eat, go to yard, when you can watch TV or can’t, even in school – ain’t nothing to think about – this is not worth losing your freedom!
Now here we stand, men not boys leaving the can returning to society – but its engraved in our brains – we must do it with a plan.
Thank you Mrs. April for opening the door and giving us the opportunity to participate in a program where we can evaluate ourselves, better ourselves, get the knowledge and use of the right tools to not just returning to society, but remaining in the free world. “Re- Entry”
Thank you Mr. Johnson – Our journey started with you and right away we learned that we are our own deepest fear. We shared knowledge like food, great debates were the plate and you gotta be willing to change. Pay attention to those cues, which are physical signs that let you know anger is coming. What triggers that anger? It’s not a bad thing to swallow your pride – you can still be “Yeah.” Sometimes you have to think for the other person. There’s a big difference between boys and men. This ain’t juvie – we’re all men – let’s act like it.
Thank you Mrs. Petty – you taught us it was time to make realistic goals and achieve them. Jobs – some of us never had them. But the good thing about stats I mentioned earlier is that you can still get a job. It’s Louisiana – they might as well omit the question “Have you ever been convicted of a crime” on applications. Don’t be afraid to be honest. In Mrs. Petty’s class, we learned how to write a resume, write checks, balance a check book, how to conduct yourself on a job and getting along with co-workers makes a better work environment. It’s been working since the 60’s – like those throw back educational programs we had to watch.
Last but not least, take us home Ms. Jones. Communication rules the nation. There are 4 styles: Passive, Aggressive, Passive Aggressive and Assertive. Do you demand or manipulate others? Are you the listening or controlling type? Or are you the verbal or non-verbal type? Believe it or not – the way you communicate and your character will determine how you succeed in this world of technology. It’s on us fellas – we know the consequences. Why not start solving problems, avoiding confrontation, keep creativity, influence our loved ones, work with honest, respect others, gain trustworthiness and prosper with achievements?
There you have it brothers – the tools necessary to finally break away these chains of incarceration. We need to think outside the box and stay outta this box. If you only came to this program for goodtime and didn't digest the knowledge – you were faking and faking causes aching. You will be back – stuck in this vicious cycle of recidivism. Those of you leaving soon – remember temptation is waiting to ambush you as soon as you walk out of those gates. Maintain, be strong, don’t let peer pressure get you caught in a booby trap. So prepare yourself mentally – you can overcome. Don’t just talk about it – be about it. We all need to be pioneers of ending recidivism. Good luck my brothers – hopefully they won’t take forever to calculate your time and you can prove you’re ready to re-enter society!
Peace!
King Steelo
