That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row

by Jarvis Jay Masters

I have simply discovered who I’ve always been: the young child who knew that his life mattered, that he could make a difference in the world, and that he was born to fly.

Although they may sometimes act out in violent and dangerous ways, underneath they are simply longing to be seen for who they truly are: young children with caring hearts who were never given a chance to shine, a chance to succeed, a chance to love and be loved.

My own truth, and the truth I garnered from every other child I’ve come across on this journey, is that children want to believe that they matter.

The truth whose hand they hold is that they matter, they can change the world, they can fly, regardless of how many times someone has clipped their wings by moving them from one institution to another.