Below are a few journal entries from JDCY's organizing and education training program [FIRE] that I facilitated over the last few weeks of the summer with a group of youth that were impacted by the juvenile justice system. We believe that those most impacted by the issues have the most important role in creating solutions, because their experience generates a perspective and level of expertise specific to their needs. While participating in this program, participants learned to identify strategies to achieve power and effect change on a personal and political level; identified effective alternatives to incarceration that simultaneously reduce juvenile delinquency via conducting surveys; as well used art as a tool of expression for social change.
Tuesday, August 5th
Yesterday evening was the first day of FIRE and for my first day facilitating, I think it went pretty well. We have an interesting project ahead of us. The content of the program is very well put together. The most interesting piece of yesterday was when the youth participated in the "Inside Me" drawings because they really give you an opportunity to see what some of the youth are about. As we went through the three goals of the program I asked the young men what are some research questions they would like to try to explore - and the primarily wanted to focus on ways to increase youth employment opportunities - I think this will be a re-occuring theme throughout our organizing process.
Wednesday, August 6th
Yesterday FIRE was fire! It started off slow with the "what is organizing" worksheet, but we got through it and kept it moving. In retrospect I see that the more visuals I can provide the young brothers the easier it will be to define and explain the meaning of certain concepts or terms like oppression or disproportionate minority contact. After the hand out we played JDCY Jeopardy - which was a fun and interactive way for the young folks to learn about the history of the organization and our contributions to juvenile justice reform. I told the leading team I would have a prize for them today [August 6th]. However in this work we all are winners for the fact of even trying! Besides they all deserve a good read, including myself, which is why I'm purchasing Dwayne Betts Memoir - A Question of Freedom. We could even use it later on in the program! I think that I'm doing a pretty good job facilitating this program for the first time. My mind is constantly jumping ahead trying to figure out how we can funnel youth from New Beginnings into the organizing training. I will continue to brainstorm ideas until I come up with something. Our potential is potent, and endurance is essential!
Today we're going to Dwayne Betts Book signing/release to support his work and gain some perspective. I know it will be inspiring.
Thursday, August 7th
Dwayne's book signing/release was very inspiring, I know, not only for me but for everyone else in the room as well. He read a few passages from his memoir and this one sentence stood out to me instantly:
"This book is about silence, and how in an eight year period I met over a dozen people named Juvenile, all nick-names to tell the world that they were in prison as young boys; as children."
The main part is that he said this book is about silence. Silence of many things; the violence and oppression, the silence and invisibility of being locked behind bars and pretty much alienated from the outside world, the silence of being in a lonely cell, the silence amidst being around so many people yet still feeling/being alone. The irony is that this book gives voice to those stories on mute. I was glad T. was able to make it and I hope he takes some time out to read this book. The young brothers from B-town unfortunately weren’t able to make it in time b/c of a flat tire, but they were right down the street from it. So, when T. and I were leaving we ran into S. He was coming to tell us that they had the flat. Earlier I had walked to my car to put the books away that i got signed for the “fellas” and saw the van that they were riding in but I wasn't sure if it was them b/c I didn’t have my glasses; it was them. All of them seemed pretty excited to see us and were very appreciative when I gave them their signed copy of Dwayne's book. I hope they've started reading them! I've read up to chapter 7 thus far and its a very good read. Dwayne raises a lot of points that we've already discussed in during our FIRE trainings and it would be a good complimentary addition. It could open up deeper reflection amongst the young men and facilitate a more thorough understanding of the issues. He discusses judicial waiver, disproportionate Minority Contact [DMC], media influence on public perception of youth, the fact that most youth are incarcerated for non-violent offenses, the absence of a positive male presence in the home/family, super-predator myths of youth, coercion of power, negative impacts of incarceration on persons, and that’s just all within the first 7 chapters.
I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks; hopefully we will be able to cover a good source of information in depth.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL PROGRESS?
As the Youth Organizer, for JDCY I help facilitate our Prison to College Pipeline Program at the New Beginnings Youth Developement Facility formerly known as Oak Hill Youth Detention Center. The Prison to College Pipeline is designed to support the education and empowerment of youth incarcerated in Washington, D.C. and is our primary point of contact with youth in the juvenile justice system. Via the P2C we offer one-on-one tutoring services to New Beginnings residents (formerly Oak Hill) to improve literacy skills and reinforce the option of post-secondary education as an opportunity to excel. We also offer arts activism based group workshops that focus on developing leadership and encouraging critical thought. Our overarching goal is to help the young people who participate in our program develop into positive leaders in our community upon their release.
So August 4th, was Barack Obama's birthday; One must think "I wonder what it feels like to have my first birthday in the "big" White House as the first African American President of the U-N-I-T-E-D States!?!?" Crazy, right?
I heard a nice lady mention this to the bank teller while I was standing in line to get my roll of quarters for these expensive downtown parking meters. She said "you know he'll also be spending his 50th birthday in the "big" White house too!" Imagine that... Spending time with your loved ones, celebrating decades of hard work and dedication that has seemingly paid off, and looking forward to many more accomplishments that come as you continue to age in the comfort of a place you can call home. The feeling, I'm sure, is one that is indescribable; a sort of high never felt before by anyone b/c he (Obama) is actually the first to ever experience it!
On the flip side however, he is not the first African American man to spend his birthday in the white man's Big House [i.e. penitentiary, prison, jail house, detention facility, etc.] Up at New Beginnings the other day we had an opportunity to sit in on the youth's seven challenges group meeting. The focus of the group meeting was "triggers" or things that you know are likely to get you "guh", upset, or lead to some type of negative outcome. As they made there way around the circle, the young men made some thought provoking statements about the reality of their situation. One young man in particular, lets call him "G" said that one of his triggers is being locked up on his birthday and that this was the sixth birthday that he will have spent incarcerated, and he's only turning 17 years old!
How would you feel if you've spent every birthday you've had, since 11 or 12 years old, locked up? You'd feel crazy, right? You probably wouldn’t even remember how it would feel to celebrate your birthday amongst loved ones and forget kickin' it in the white house, it would be enough just to chill in the comfort of your own home [no matter how broken].
The reality is that we've come so far yet have made very little progress. Thus to have gained the world for the price of your soul is to have gained nothing at all. And essentially that is how I feel towards our black people as a whole. Half are walking around blind and the other half are walking around invisible.
Ask a young black male in any youth detention facility how does it feel to witness the first African American President of the USA [and if he gives you his honest opinion] 9x's out of 10 he will probably say something along the lines of "its aight...", "I think its cool...", or "I never thought it would happen..." 9x's out of 10 you wont hear a youth say is "I want to be president...", "if he can do it, I can do anything..." In my opinion you won’t hear such responses because the only obvious connection that Barack Obama and a youth in detention may share is undoubtedly their skin color and maybe basketball. Other than that, they have lived two totally different experiences. And that is not to say that our youth aren't capable, however, our institutions [i.e. family, education, financial, social supports, etc.] are failing terribly.
Give a young black male in any youth detention facility the opportunities/experiences that Barack Obama had growing up and it is very well likely they'd be capable of being president, if not elected - but most important of all is that they'd be able to envision the possibility!
So August 4th, was Barack Obama's birthday; One must think "I wonder what it feels like to have my first birthday in the "big" White House as the first African American President of the U-N-I-T-E-D States!?!?" Crazy, right?
I heard a nice lady mention this to the bank teller while I was standing in line to get my roll of quarters for these expensive downtown parking meters. She said "you know he'll also be spending his 50th birthday in the "big" White house too!" Imagine that... Spending time with your loved ones, celebrating decades of hard work and dedication that has seemingly paid off, and looking forward to many more accomplishments that come as you continue to age in the comfort of a place you can call home. The feeling, I'm sure, is one that is indescribable; a sort of high never felt before by anyone b/c he (Obama) is actually the first to ever experience it!
On the flip side however, he is not the first African American man to spend his birthday in the white man's Big House [i.e. penitentiary, prison, jail house, detention facility, etc.] Up at New Beginnings the other day we had an opportunity to sit in on the youth's seven challenges group meeting. The focus of the group meeting was "triggers" or things that you know are likely to get you "guh", upset, or lead to some type of negative outcome. As they made there way around the circle, the young men made some thought provoking statements about the reality of their situation. One young man in particular, lets call him "G" said that one of his triggers is being locked up on his birthday and that this was the sixth birthday that he will have spent incarcerated, and he's only turning 17 years old!
How would you feel if you've spent every birthday you've had, since 11 or 12 years old, locked up? You'd feel crazy, right? You probably wouldn’t even remember how it would feel to celebrate your birthday amongst loved ones and forget kickin' it in the white house, it would be enough just to chill in the comfort of your own home [no matter how broken].
The reality is that we've come so far yet have made very little progress. Thus to have gained the world for the price of your soul is to have gained nothing at all. And essentially that is how I feel towards our black people as a whole. Half are walking around blind and the other half are walking around invisible.
Ask a young black male in any youth detention facility how does it feel to witness the first African American President of the USA [and if he gives you his honest opinion] 9x's out of 10 he will probably say something along the lines of "its aight...", "I think its cool...", or "I never thought it would happen..." 9x's out of 10 you wont hear a youth say is "I want to be president...", "if he can do it, I can do anything..." In my opinion you won’t hear such responses because the only obvious connection that Barack Obama and a youth in detention may share is undoubtedly their skin color and maybe basketball. Other than that, they have lived two totally different experiences. And that is not to say that our youth aren't capable, however, our institutions [i.e. family, education, financial, social supports, etc.] are failing terribly.
Give a young black male in any youth detention facility the opportunities/experiences that Barack Obama had growing up and it is very well likely they'd be capable of being president, if not elected - but most important of all is that they'd be able to envision the possibility!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
JDCY BLUE PARTY
Break out your best blue attire & join Justice for DC Youthfor an exciting evening featuring live music, performance art, & a reception! Admission: $50 Your support will help expand JDCY’s leadership development, mentoring, and education program for youth in the District’s juvenile justice system.
Dear Friend,
On behalf of Justice for DC Youth (JDCY) -- a non-profit organization that advocates for a more effective juvenile justice system in the District of Columbia – we are pleased to invite you to serve as one of our sponsor STARS for our third annual community fundraiser.
JDCY’s “Blue Party” will be held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Hamiltonian Gallery located at 1353 U Street, NW in Washington, DC. This extraordinary evening will feature a reception, live music, performance art and a silent auction. As one of our STARS, you may choose from the following options:
Sky Blue $100
v Two tickets
v Host Committee, Individual
v Listing in program
Turquoise $250
v Three tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
Azure $500
v Five tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
Royal Blue $750
v Seven tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
v Logo in Gala Program
Sapphire $1000+
v Ten tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
v Logo with preferred placement in Gala program
v Formal Recognition during Gala event
Your tax deductible contribution will support the expansion of our leadership development, mentoring and education program for youth in the District’s juvenile justice system at the Oak Hill Youth Center in Laurel, Maryland. The program has served over 100 youth in the 2 years since we launched it in collaboration with area university students.
Checks should be made out to Justice for DC Youth and sent to the following address:
Justice for DC Youth
c/o Shani O’Neal
1012 14th Street, NW
Suite 610
Washington DC 20005
For more information, please call 202.386.7104. Please note that ads must be received by June 10th in order to be included in the program.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of DC’s young people!
Sincerely,
Shani O’Neal
Director
Justice for DC Youth
On behalf of Justice for DC Youth (JDCY) -- a non-profit organization that advocates for a more effective juvenile justice system in the District of Columbia – we are pleased to invite you to serve as one of our sponsor STARS for our third annual community fundraiser.
JDCY’s “Blue Party” will be held on Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Hamiltonian Gallery located at 1353 U Street, NW in Washington, DC. This extraordinary evening will feature a reception, live music, performance art and a silent auction. As one of our STARS, you may choose from the following options:
Sky Blue $100
v Two tickets
v Host Committee, Individual
v Listing in program
Turquoise $250
v Three tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
Azure $500
v Five tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
Royal Blue $750
v Seven tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
v Logo in Gala Program
Sapphire $1000+
v Ten tickets
v Host Committee, Individual and/or Organization
v Listing in program
v Logo with preferred placement in Gala program
v Formal Recognition during Gala event
Your tax deductible contribution will support the expansion of our leadership development, mentoring and education program for youth in the District’s juvenile justice system at the Oak Hill Youth Center in Laurel, Maryland. The program has served over 100 youth in the 2 years since we launched it in collaboration with area university students.
Checks should be made out to Justice for DC Youth and sent to the following address:
Justice for DC Youth
c/o Shani O’Neal
1012 14th Street, NW
Suite 610
Washington DC 20005
For more information, please call 202.386.7104. Please note that ads must be received by June 10th in order to be included in the program.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of DC’s young people!
Sincerely,
Shani O’Neal
Director
Justice for DC Youth
Monday, May 18, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome to the new Justice for DC Youth (JDCY) blog! JDCY is a non profit organization that fights for the empowerment and education of incarcerated youth. We believe that the nation's capital should possess a more effective juvenile justice system, and we are working to bring that vision into fruition.
Please check our blog frequently for updates about JDCY activities and also for more information about juvenile justice issues. We look forward to building more with you all right here!
Please check our blog frequently for updates about JDCY activities and also for more information about juvenile justice issues. We look forward to building more with you all right here!
Welcome!
Welcome to the new Justice for DC Youth (JDCY) blog! JDCY is a non profit organization that fights for the empowerment and education of incarcerated youth. We believe that the nation's capital should possess a more effective juvenile justice system, and we are working to bring that vision into fruition.
Please check our blog frequently for updates about JDCY activities and also for more information about juvenile justice issues. We look forward to building more with you all right here!
Please check our blog frequently for updates about JDCY activities and also for more information about juvenile justice issues. We look forward to building more with you all right here!
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