tookie_williams

My Letter To Incarcerated Youth, No. 1

I’ve been on San Quentin’s death row for more than 21 years. I hope that this brief message will provoke thoughts of change among you.

Across this nation, countless young men and women, like you, are vegetating in juvenile halls and in youth authorities. More and more prisons are being constructed to accommodate your generation when you grow to adulthood. The question is, can you become motivated enough to defy the expectations that many people have of you?

For those of you who are fortunate enough to regain your freedom, prepare an agenda to survive outside the walls of incarceration. Learn about computer technology, politics and the sciences.

On the other hand, if some of you are facing a lot of time, I suggest that you strive to educate and discipline your mind. If you have access to a library, read every relevant book that you can get your hands on. Educate yourselves about history, world religions, math, English, spirituality and your culture.

It’s time to flip the script. You or I can complain 24×7 about the problems of poverty, drugs, violence, racism and other injustices, but unless we choose to initiate a personal change, we will remain puppets of unjust conditions. Unless we change, we will be incapable of changing the circumstances around us.

In conclusion, there are two ways to view your incarceration: either your present situation will convince you to straighten up your life or it will be the beginning of a wasteful future behind bars. Or worse – you’ll end up on death row.

RBG Street Scholar
Written by

RBG Street Scholar

WEB 2.0 EDUCATION. Dedicated to Implementing the Teachings of Our Elders and Ancestors. Mission TO Represent the interests and concerns of all Learners and Teacher at RBG Communiversity, TO Bring together all aspects of New Afrikan (Black) peoples life for the purpose of improving our social, political, economic, educational and moral condition in America, TO Encourage unity among our elders and youth, and the Afrikan Family, Community and Nation at large, TO Discourage and abate socio-structural, institutional and individual acts and symbols of white supremacy / racism. TO Heighten awareness and coalitions between all people, regardless of race, sex, religion, or national origin when said groups are willing to work in our best interest and TO promote a Hip-Hop-Black Liberation spirit of academic excellence, prestige and scholarship. Description This Educational Program and Research Project is Dedicated to Further Building the Hip Hop--Black Liberation Movement Connection by Integrating Conscious Digital Edutainment with A Scholarly Self Directed Learning Environment.