The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution reads:

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.”

America has 5% of the world’s population but 25% of its prisoners.

Since the 1980s, seven times as many people are now behind bars.

For African American males without a high school diploma, around 80% will end up in jail or prison. Why aren’t the alternatives chosen more often: drug court, mental health treatment, house arrest, community service, restorative justice, close supervision by parole and probation, halfway houses, fines, restitution?

These facts alone should provoke thought. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) explores these disturbing truths in her eye-opener documentary, “13TH” (2016, 100 minutes).

Nominated for Best Documentary Feature for an Oscar, it is a film that compels the viewer to dig deep and realize why there is a connection between mass incarceration and poverty, and in particular why the impact is so forceful on people of color.

Many of you know that I rode my bicycle from Albuquerque to Baltimore to raise awareness of the value of re-entry programs and how they reduce crime, benefit families and result in of course fewer crime victims. They also save the taxpayers so much money since programs cost around $20,000 a year on average and incarceration is more in the $80,000 range (and much higher for federal prisons and facilities for juveniles).

I’m still working on this issue, and one way is to encourage you to see this film. It’s on Netflix and from time to time is screened in local theaters around the country, often in the film festival context. Perhaps after the Oscars, it will find a larger audience.

“13TH” explores the link between slavery, the Thirteenth Amendment and today’s massive system of incarceration. DuVernay has succinctly pieced together historical events, archival news footage and imagery along with expert opinions establishing an unexpected link: the link between an amendment intended to guarantee freedom and the utter lack of free movement of those incarcerated.

I winced as I watched the deconstruction of D.W. Griffith’s 1915 film, “The Birth of a Nation.” Filled with disturbing and terrifying images of black men, the film predicted the rise of racism, injustice, the torture and death of people like Emmett Til and Medgar Evers and the lack of balance in the criminal justice system when race and poverty are factored in.

Post-civil war freedom came with a price: more incarceration for petty matters requiring involuntary servitude identical to slave conditions, restrictions on voting, the rise of the KKK just as the black middle class was gaining strength and the demonizing of African American males. The murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till, the early civil rights movement leading to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the later so-called wars on crime and drugs, including Clinton’s promotion of Three Strikes laws and mandatory sentencing, are all connected in this film to the end result: mass incarceration.

Think about this: why were penalties for possessing and dealing crack so much more severe than the same for cocaine until the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010?

When states and the federal government turn over to for-profit companies the detention and monitoring of inmates and former offenders, are there any “for profit” incentives for those businesses to ensure successful re-entries and reduce recidivism? This documentary explains what ALEC is and shows its influence on lawmakers that results in increased incarceration and corporate earnings rising at the same time.

Contemporary opinions are sought from many, including U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, New Gingrich, professor Henry Louis Gates, Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist, professor and political activist Angela Davis, civil rights advocate Michelle Alexander and writer (“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness”) and others.

It is beyond chilling just hearing the words of George Zimmerman when he calls the police about teenager Trayvon Martin, heading home after buying candy: “He’s got his hand in his waistband….and he’s a black male.”

Ponder all of the meaning and the consequences of this mindset.  Wonder why we still are not having open, honest discussions about race.

Here’s a link to the trailer. https://youtu.be/V66F3WU2CKk

Sources: Next America: Criminal Justice Project, IMDb, “13TH”

New Mexican filmmakers remind us of Gandhi's message - and courage

New Mexican filmmakers Kell Kearns, Director and Co-Producer, and Cynthia Lukas, Co- Producer, have created a moving tribute to Mahatma Gandhi that documents his final years before his assassination on January 30, 1948. It screened at The Guild in Albuquerque in November 2016, and in 2017, this film will be broadcast by American Public Television on PBS . 

The film weaves together archival film, photos and commentary from several experts along with one of Gandhi’s grandson to tell the story of his final years. It is an excellent introduction to Gandhi’s sacrifice for those who know little about his life. By focusing on his final years, the film producers ask and answer the question: were Gandhi’s final years his finest? 

When Gandhi was released from prison by the British in 1944, it was done because British authorities did not want him to die a martyr while locked up. They believed Gandhi, weak and in his late 70s, was near death. They had no concerns that he would continue his nonviolent movement to remove British rule from India. 

Gandhi healed himself and then shifted his focus to the violence that was killing thousands upon thousands of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. For his remaining years, he practiced self-sacrifice by occasional fasting, he continually met with opposing forces, and and tried to bring people together in peaceful co-existence. 

One of his most brave and dangerous pilgrimages is called “The Miracle of Noakhali.” After the slaughter of countless Muslims and Hindus, Gandhi and others walked barefoot 165 miles from one village to another with a message of peace. He interacted with people from both sides, believing conflicts would resolve when he asked Hindus and Muslims to live together peacefully. 

In the end, Gandhi is assassinated by a fellow Hindu. Gandhi’s death so shocked his fellow Indians that genocide by both sides stopped. It is believed that the feeling of loss by all and his self-sacrifice is the reason why Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs co-existed from that point forward in India. Gandhi’s goal, “an end to the pain of the suffering ones,” was achieved to an extent. His message of nonviolent resistance has resonated throughout the decades following his death. 

“Gandhi’s Gift” is Director-Producer Kell Kearns’ 15th independent film. Previously, he directed two acclaimed PBS Biographies: one of Martin Luther King, Jr. - “In Remembrance of Martin,” (1987), the second about the great Sufi poet - "Rumi Returning" (2007).

"Gandhi’s final years are especially inspiring because he showed our world a way out of the descending spiral of violence and hatred,” Kearns said. 

He and Co-Producer Cynthia Lukas are fortunate to have interviewed witnesses who actually grew up in the Mahatma’s presence. “One fascinating aspect of making this film has been meeting those who are living and teaching Gandhian principles of nonviolence, equality, interfaith harmony and sustainability,” Lukas said.  The link below gives more information on the film.

www.gandhisgift.org. 

TIME SLIPS AWAY

Over a year ago I began planning a cycling event where I would ride my bike from Albuquerque to Baltimore to raise funds for and awareness of programs to help those released from prisons live successful lives.

In 2016, I spent the first few months training, then tending to a loved one's illness and then finally heading out on April 2nd.  I arrived in Baltimore on June 1st and if anyone wishes to read details about the journey, here's a link to that blog, one that I write separately in order to specifically focus on social justice issues.

http://lindsaywaitewordpresscom.wordpress.com

I actually put just about 1400 miles on the bike on the trip, raised a bit over $4000 that was divided among 4 nonprofits that have good reentry programs, and proved to myself I could do it (despite at times bad roads, bad weather, the occasional chasing dog, an injury, and more bridges than I ever expected-we need major work on infrastructure in this country).  

Getting back into my daily routine was tough since I left so many of my personal projects on hold while I traveled.  

Photography takes a lot of time in and of itself, so I had to "catch up," if you will, with my work at the Albuquerque Photographers' Gallery,  adding some new imagery to freshen up my display.

My work with two prison ministries was also awaiting me upon return.  In one, we spent the fall reading and discussing Bryan Stephenson's "Just Mercy," his perspective on death row inmates, the difficulty of getting the innocent released (one out of nine), and the horrors of the lives of those facing this sentence.  We also got to hear a speaker tell his story at UNM - he had been wrongfully convicted of a murder and was on death row, much of it in solitary, for decades.

The other ministry with which I am involved spent two days recently in Las Cruces at a men's facility where we unite family members and especially the children with the inmates in a day of joy, thanks, music, craft-making and sharing.

There were high hopes that mass incarceration and the collateral damage to our society would finally be addressed since it was a topic of discussion among several politicians.  Bernie seemed to address it most honestly but a number of others pledged to deal with this issue.   Until we effectively handle the racial and class disparities regarding incarceration - and offer positive programming and social supports both in and out of prisons - we are failing as a society.  I'm not sure how this will end now that election results are in. I do not have high hopes.

I have been working on a number of writing projects, keeping in touch with family who have had to face health difficulties, and working with someone for whom I am a mentor of sorts to help him get his life on a good track, which it is.   

I'll try to keep this blog more active now that the gargantuan amount of work needed for last year's event has concluded.

I'll end with quotes by renowned writers:  

Dostoevsky: “The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.” 

Nelson Mandela:  "“It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” 

As I get closer to my 3400 mile cycling (with perhaps a short train ride) fundraising trip from Albuquerque to Baltimore via Florida, I'm starting to get nervous.  Riding through dozens of uninhabited miles - at times on roads with simply shoulders - is scary. What am I thinking?

The goal of starting my own nonprofit to focus on re-entry of people from prison to society was an initial goal.  I had practiced law for 27 years (the last 5 as an assistant public defender). I continued  in the legal field for 7 more years (research, mediations).  Moving to Albuquerque, I was fortunate to find a job with a start-up nonprofit that focused on reading and graduation.  I met many wonderful people in Albuquerque working on the same issues.  I learned how hard it is to start your own nonprofit.  I also learned about people, nonprofits and community organizations throughout this country that already have fantastic programs to assist with re-entry.

Hope.  Promise.  Reduction of recidivism, homelessness and the crime rate.  More productive citizens.  Fewer crime victims.

Thus, New Beginnings Work is born.

Thanks to my sister Kathleen for helping with the design and planning.

Wings for Life, Crossroads for Women (both in Albuquerque), Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake and Volunteers of America Chesapeake (both in Baltimore) all offer excellent programs and services for those working to put prison life behind them.    These are the organizations for which I am raising money.

A car accident (where I collided with a person who ran a red light) put my training on hold and I still have lingering neck, shoulder and back issues but I'm moving toward healing.

I'm hopeful I can begin on March 5th!  More to come.  Peace out.

My screenplay "Homestead" builds momentum with Best Period Screenplay award at recent New Hope Film Festival.

"Homestead" is the story of two families. James witnesses his coal miner father dying after a severe beating by anti-union thugs. Bitter, the boy runs away and starts a new life. As a steelworker, he has his own battles with Pinkertons and scabs, who are under orders: destroy the union. A fiery battle leaves countless injured and dead but James learns there is more than revenge. Recently, this screenplay was selected as Best Period Screenplay at the New Hope Film Festival! And, thanks, ReelHeART for the live read and award last year!

When I confront prejudice, I ask people to imagine themselves as a person of color for one day.  Visualize that life.  Of course, I've not experienced being black firsthand, but I'm observant enough to notice side glances, frowns, curiosity and yes - even fear - when I'm with a young man who has become sort of a nephew to me.  He enters a restaurant first. I'm taking some photos outdoors and enter maybe a minute later.  As I approach the restaurant check-in, there are looks in his direction by other customers and staff.  Implication? Why are you here?  I go over to him and the obsequiousness begins.  Later we're walking in a place filled with tourists.  Always the shutterbug, I'm pausing to snap, then scurry to catch up. Slight movements away from him, some suspicious glances, and subtle rudeness surround him.  Not me.  That is white privilege and I am viscerally aware of it.   Imagine that your life is like that. Profoundly unfair and damaging?  Yes.

All Quiet On The Western Front

This is a classic in literature that I had never read. It was now time. Remarque served in World War I. His novel is a graphic recounting of the damage of war, first approached by young men who believe (at that time) in their mission. Friendships develop, and life seems good. Battles are described in precise detail, and gradually the horror is overwhelming. First published in Germany in 1928, certain passages show that Remarque foresees World War II. I'm not going to say any more other than to recommend this first-person narration to anyone who is looking for a true-to-life recounting of war. But I will include a lengthy quote of this gifted author that captures the essence of this tale. "I am young, I am twenty years old; yet I know nothing of life but despair, death, fear, and fatuous superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow. I see how peoples are set against one another, and in silence, unknowingly, foolishly, obediently, innocently slay one another. I see that the keenest brains of the world invent weapons and words to make it yet more refined and enduring. And all men of my age, here and over there, throughout the whole world see these things; all my generation is experiencing these things with me. What would our fathers do if we suddenly stood up and came before them and proffered our account? What do they expect of us if a time ever comes when the war is over? Through the years our business has been killing; - it was our first calling in life. Our knowledge of life is limited to death. What will happen afterwards? And what shall come out of us?" pages 263-264 of this edition.