- I have distributed this
widely and used it in my Sociology class when I did a paper on
"Loving an Inmate and the Stigma we face". It's wonderful and I
feel that all should read and heed the words... not only are we large in
number, but WE can make a difference in many things we face as
"outmates", and loved ones of the incarcerated. Stand up and say
NO MORE SHAME!!!! All my life I have been treated with respect, dignity,
and admiration with a future in the legal field, until I became the wife
of an inmate.... now it's a trial everytime I enter the facility. I am
treated with disrespect, looked at as "another
woman taken in by a con"... "low self
esteem... etc... I am NOT going to accept that just because I found the
man god intended for me in such an ugly place... it makes me less of a
woman or person... I"m a strong, determined and angry woman
now... I am not ashamed of my love for my husband, I"m angry at
the treatment I receive from people in positions of power that abuse that
power by abusing my self esteem and dignity. I have committed NO CRIME. I
will NOT GO AWAY... nor be ashamed. Please post and distribute widely...
For those of you in the positions of power that can change this... please
take into consideration the following and do what is right... keep the
family ties strong and allow a "little" rehabilitation to enter
the walls of retribution, revenge and punishment... remember YOUR family
and what you would want in the same situation. God is watching...
Peace and Justice
Melissa Sanders-Rivera
We are everywhere-- (This is an example of our numbers, and our VOTES)
For those who forget that the incarcerated humans in this country
are indeed just that - HUMAN - I would like you to think on this the
next time you talk about "inmates, criminals, convicts,
etc...".
These humans have families and those who
love them despite whatever they did. Look around you and
wonder, because this is who we are....
We take care of your children and grandchildren in
nursery schools, we give them shots in the doctor's office, we are
dental assistants, we are school teachers and Sunday school teachers,
we stand behind you in the grocery store, we prepare your medicine
in the drug store, we work in banks, we approve your loans, we
service your insurance claims, we work for newspapers, TV stations
and radio stations, we read your electric meters and water meters,
we are your landlords, your neighbors, we take care of your elderly
parents in nursing homes, we are nurses, lab technicians, X-ray
technicians, we own beauty shops, flower shops, printing shops, we
are welders, plumbers, tree trimmers, we work for the IRS, the
State Dept., in the courthouse, schools, churches, drug stores and
toy stores, we are legal secretaries, lawyers, school board members,
we are bus drivers, we prepare meals for your kids in school,
we are city council members, bank tellers, we process your checking
account, your saving account, we work at your Social Security
office, your insurance company, we take care of your IRA, stocks,
bonds, we sell your kids bikes, school supplies, clothes, shoes,
eyeglasses, we repair your cars, we are real estate agents, car
dealers, college professors, psychologists, administrative
assistants, safety engineers and ranchers. We work
at Ralphs, Albertsons, Trader Joe's, Wal-Mart, K-Mart,
Target, Macy's, Nordstrom and Saks 5th Avenue.
We sell Avon and Tupperware. We are not all "on welfare", no matter what the
government would like you to think.
There are well over two million people in prison in America and twice that many on parole and probation. Add
in mothers, fathers, children, sisters,
brothers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends and about sixteen
million people are personally affected by the prison system in the United
States.
We are tired of letting ourselves feel humiliated or embarrassed because our loved one is in prison.
WE did nothing wrong, and they are paying
for their crime!
We are tired of fearing the loss of our jobs or evictions from our housing should anyone find
out we have a loved one in prison.
We are tired of being made to feel inferior or unwelcome in churches, clubs, organizations
or society in general simply because we refuse to abandon our
loved ones.
We are ready to unite, to come out of hiding and openly support each other and our loved
ones. It's a new day, America
and we're here to prove it!
We are ready to speak out against the "they
deserve what they get" attitude we
hear you talk about in stores, theaters and restaurants.
We number in the millions, we are everywhere,
every state, county, city and town.
We may even live next door to you.
Sixteen million & counting. We are everywhere.
Think about it.
"You state that you are my judge. I am not aware that you are such;
but I charge you take heed and do not judge me wrongfully, as in such case
you will place your soul in great jeopardy. Click to view groups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wrongfully_Convicted/?yguid=67385868
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FriendsofStateville60434/?yguid=67385868
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IL-PRUP/?yguid=67385868
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/illinoisinmatesupport/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Justice_Seekers/?yguid=67385868
http://www.homestead.com/justiceseekers/justice_home.html
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