VIEWS FROM A YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHER IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Have you ever realized the time we entered this world we were all delivered unclothed and without an identity? Shortly after birth we were named and placed into a racial category. Depending upon how you are racially labeled means an easy life for some, or a long hard life for others.

Studies show that approximately 2.3 million Americans are incarcerated with a large percentage being African Americans. Why are the numbers increasing after the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965? Disturbingly after the decision from Brown vs. Board of Education of 1954, forms of segregation still exists and incarceration numbers are at an all time high. I have self identified that we are still in bondage, just in a new era. Many prisoners have become disenfranchised and lost their voting rights. Once released back into society, many can not find decent employment creating a need to obtain money illegally. The end result is that a small cold cell with steel bars awaits them. Let’s stop mentally placing “welcome home” signs on prison cells instead of a house.

Minorities are targeted to receive lower paying salaries, economic stagnation, and face more social ills. Our incarcerated brothers and sisters are treated like slaves, because they are given hard labor and receive little to no pay for their efforts. Why is funding being awarded for the construction of more prisons instead of schools for higher learning?

We can clearly see the voice of the people are being taken away. However, I wonder why so many minorities with professional careers and leadership roles forget about the masses that are still in bondage. Do they feel as if they have made it? Many may not want to face the truth but the struggle still exists. When was the last time you patronized a business in a low income neighborhood? How many can truly say that they go back to empower the people that have been left behind? Within the masses and behind prison bars are many undiscovered leaders crying out for someone to give them a chance. Instead of judging them, take time to listen and empower. If you have identified yourself as being a leader, just realize that you can not do it alone. It takes many leaders too make change. It’s time to stop living like we are in fantasy land, before we end back up in shackles.

"At No time does the NAACP Prisoner Rights Committee Condone wrongness on either side of the wall"

God Bless,

Richard P. Burton, Sr., Chairman
NAACP Prisoner Rights Sub-Committee
P.O. Box 440248
Jacksonville, FL 32244
904-786-7883