I got so much trouble on my mind
This nagging feeling is a confusing one. It sits between bereavement and astonishment. It engulfs. It depresses. This feeling rears itself as I scroll my Facebook newsfeed and hear the narratives of our clients at HIPS. Statistics are staggering but the autobiographical narratives reveal the dire straits of our people. Let’s look at our current […]
Pieces of a Man
Music is vital to my sanity, self-care, and overall health. I have zero qualms stating that — it’s common knowledge among my family and friends. Though, I am a die-hard fan of anything related to Wu-Tang Clan, Isaac Hayes, Mobb Deep, and M.O.P, there is one specific musician who stands out. His name is Gil […]
The Chain Remains: Part I
Prison is human storage, but worse because prisons attempt to strip away the dignity of those incarcerated. Look at the school-to-prison pipeline paradigm, mandatory minimum sentencing, crack/cocaine sentencing discrepancies, or the myriad of intended and unintended consequences from the “War of Drugs” and the “Get Tough on Crime” movements. But what is more alarming after […]
Family
I spent a Saturday with my dad in Washington, D.C. as he ran errands and hung out with his friends. I was the 8-year-old munchkin tagging along with Pops. There I was with him and some guys from the neighborhood standing around a green Ford pick-up truck tailgate. We were in the non-touristy, pre-gentrified section […]