tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75402941783977123972024-03-12T17:16:13.991-07:00Matters of ManhoodR.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-8895034935442474462019-11-07T05:42:00.000-08:002019-11-07T05:42:17.131-08:00Seeing Room For Growth<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">For the last two weeks during the CMU debate workshop here at Saginaw Correctional Facility I've been a judge. I've always made an effort to be a good listener. However, judging debates was a totally different ball game. Having to keep notes and a record of everything that was being expressed was challenging to me.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Do I feel that I was a perfect judge? No. I do feel that I was fair. We were given clear instructions by Professor Ed Hinck that when we debate we should speak slow and clear. During the first debate that I judged the first speaker doing the first affirmative constructive speech started by speaking so fast. I barely could keep up with her argument and record it. This young lady was making and effort to get everything that she prepared for her speech expressed in the allotted time.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The only thing that kept echoing in my mind was the Professors directions to speak slow and clear. Speaking fast did this young lady a disservice in from my perspective. A strong arugement of quality always outweighs an argument of quantity that's hard to follow. I was able to take some substance from her argument but most of it I missed because of how fast she was speaking.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The second debate that I judged was interesting. The question that I posed to myself was is it inappropriate to be encouraging as a judge in this workshop being mindful that this is an opportunity for us to learn and grow together. One debater was clearly nervous. I felt it was appropriate encourage this debater. Some felt that I should not have been doing it, I felt it was good sportsmanship. This debater needed the encouragement because he was shaking like leaves on a tree.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Judging these debates gave me an opportunity to strengthen my active listening skills. When in a conversation we often find ourselves thinking about what we want to say or we have some sort of block that distracts us an prevents us from listening. While judging the only option was to listen.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I begin to prepare for my first debate this week. To be continued....</span>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-41348357086555792172019-10-18T06:24:00.003-07:002019-10-18T06:24:48.094-07:00Rest and Refresh <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">On October 16th, 2019 Ms. Raquepaw and Professor Flemming Rhode brought in another group of CMU students for the debate workshop. There was an odd number of participants so I didn't get a partner. As of right now I'll be on the clock as a time keeper or I might be an alternate if someone is absent.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I thought being prepared would give me the advantage until I was inform that I could possibly debate against Professor Flemming Rhode. I had to wonder did being to prepared do me a disservice. I'll just have to be study harder.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">All the other inmates had an amazing time as they prepared. The consensus is that these workshops are a blessing. To be continued. . . .</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-13577942311840902852019-10-13T11:09:00.001-07:002019-10-13T11:09:10.689-07:00There's No "I" in Team<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">On October 10, 2019 Ms. Raqupaw, Professor Ed Hinck and the students from Central Michigan University (CMU) came into the facility and I was able to meet my debate partner Paige. Today we learned that we would be doing the negative constructive argument. I was hoping for the affirmative constructive argument but I studied for both. We studied how to judge a debate. The things that are scored are: Delivery, Organization, Analysis, Reasoning, and Refutation. This will require everyone involved to really dig deep on a cognitive level.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">It was refreshing to be able to have a strategic conversation with someone and not have to feel that they may try to undermine you when they claim they are working with you. This jaded thought process is something that the prison environment can produce because it can be the reality in some instances. Just as in the community, in prison everyone has their own agenda. Being able to strategize with my partner in the spirit of cooperation, without any doubt of my partner's intentions was amazing. It reminded me that although politics and self -interest play a role in many spheres in life, the idea of "collective impact" and working as a team is still possible.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">My interaction with my partner actually helped me put some institutionalized thoughts in perspective. It reminded me that I should continue to be a team player and support others and not be discouraged by individuals that may not understand the important of establishing interdependent relationships while working with others and when organizing. This can done while maintaining your individualism and independence.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This experience will be impactful because it's giving a positive experience in team work. Team work is required in the work force, in organizations, and in companies. I am hoping that this is a healthy experience for the men here inside as well as the students. To be continued...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-77702966843030366832019-09-30T11:45:00.000-07:002019-09-30T11:45:07.066-07:00Strengthen Your Foundation <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">September 27th, 2019 was an interesting day. Central Michigan University Professfor Ed Hinck was here at Saginaw Correctional Facility located in Freeland Michigan. The lessons for the day were: First Negative/Opposition Speech, Arguing a disadvantage, and Cross-Examination. There was a mock cross-examination by Professor Ed Hinck and Mr. Jones. Being able to see this exchange I was able to highlight some of the negative things that can cause a debater to be seen in an unfavorable light. The sections of this lesson that stood out to me were, "Do's and Don't for the Examiner, "Do's and Don't for the Examinee", and "Common Pitfalls". These sections gives insight on how to remain professional and ethical when engaging in a debate or when having to take an adverse position.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">For the last few years we've witnessed a terrible display of debate ethics in the media. Debate should never be filled with sarcasms, degrading words, belittling, or disrespect. What I learned is that we should strive to make point using tact while being assertive. To exercise this kind of diplomacy an individual must keep their emotions in check even when facing an opponent that's doing everything they can to pull you off your square.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I was able to use some of the things that I've learned during a mediation conference with Mediator Dozeman, Assistant Attorney General Allen Soros, and Khristian Vanhaften. The purpose of the mediation conference was to resolve and settle a civil suit. I was able to use skills learns in this workshop to keep track of the contentions of the opposing side and maintaining a stance that was assertive but cooperative. Which resulted in me settling the case.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The things that have been imparted to me thus far at the debate workshop has given me a new perspective when negotiating and taking an adverse position. Most importantly I learned to keep an open mind . I can honestly say I was a better negotiator and adversary. I was able to share this experience with the workshop today. This is an example of how this workshop can have a positive impact and be used in our everyday life. To be continued...</span>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-73135730602869743332019-09-26T08:29:00.003-07:002019-09-29T17:19:45.462-07:00"The Introduction Matters" <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> On September 25th, 2019 at Saginaw Correctional Facility located in Freeland Michigan Lt. Wendt and Ms. Raquepaw brought in Professor Flemming Rhode and a group of students from Central Michigan University (CMU). Today the energy of the class was amazing. After reflecting on the first workshop experience where we were introduced to the students, I realized the energy was a little tense. I had to acknowledge that coming into a prison to visit for any reason can be overwhelming. I've heard this sentiment from a lot of different people.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Today the students came into to the room with an energy that I've seen before on the television show Scared Straight. I felt the need to remind them that this was not a Scared Straight episode.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This actually lightened up the energy in the room and resulted in an open question and answer exchange between the men here and the students once we were given the floor by Captain Wirley.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">A few of the students had some interesting questions. One student asked about the work assignments that we have in prison. Men shared their work experiences: food service workers, dog trainers, janitors/porters, tutors, and clerks. Hearing that some men only make cents an hour surprised some of the students. However, the men being able to acknowledge that they were able to see the good in the "work experience" was significant. If a person will work a hundred and sixty hours or more a month for less than a hundred dollars this work ethic can be taken to the community and turned into a success story.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">One of the men here was sharing with the students all the jobs that he works in the institutions. They were under the impression that he was being paid for them only to realize that he volunteered for all the jobs except his job as a dog trainer. Hearing this man share his story with the students about being sentenced to two life sentences, but yet continuing to strive and prepare himself to return to society is powerful. Some might ask what's the need for preparing for the community if he was sentenced to life. Well, the answer to that is simple. Laws change everyday and men are being vindicated often. </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I can use myself as an example. I always knew I would get out of prison. But I never knew that I would be given the chance to get resentenced. Then the law changed... The work that I did to improve myself prepared me for this opportunity and my future. So to be one of the men in this workshop to sit in front of these students and show that there are some men imprisoned like myself and others who have prepared ourselves to return to the community and the students being able to see that we all don't fit the stereotype that's shown on television gives a different perspective for society to hear.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">It's my opinion that the youth and college students are paramount for any kind of change to happen when dealing with social issues including prison reform. I say this because they are the visionaries and individuals that have the energy and intellect needed to make changes.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">After hearing the students express how some of the stories touched them while knowing that the men in the room were genuinely being who I see them being everyday made me smile inside. Surprisingly one of the men here approached me after this workshop and expressed to me that he was impressed by how I interact with people. I shared with him it's important that we always interact with people with the mind of a person that's free.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Meeting these students was a great experience for the men here and the appreciation was shared with them. What I didn't realize was that I would have to do so much reading. Smile. To be continued...</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-65443926761637431112019-09-22T11:53:00.005-07:002019-09-23T06:26:07.326-07:00Preparing The Mind Field For Debate<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">September 20, 2019 during our Central Michigan University (CMU) debate workshop we were given a debate syllabus by Professor Ed Hinck. Being given the concept of a "flow Sheet" may be basic for some but to the men here at Saginaw Correctional Facility (SRF) we thought it was thought-provoking. Being given a format on how to structure a debate/argument was enlightening. Of course many of us compared the debate structure to the format of a criminal trial since that is something that we were familiar with. This thought process made it easier for us to wrap our minds around the "flow sheet" concept. Then we were taught about "sign posting", which explained what contentions are when debating. To identify the contentions one must be actively listening.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Being able to process information and respond requires a substantial amount of cognitive awareness. It demands an individuals complete focus. It was described by the professor as mental combat. This sparring of the minds is giving us the training in the area of processing information, organizing our thoughts, and responding to something verbally instead of physically while maintaining self-control. In my opinion, the training from this workshop can be used as a tool to balance out impulsiveness that has controlled so many men.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">As I reflect on conflicts on a domestic level and in the community they often begin as an argument and end in a physical confrontation. The result of two people having different views or opinions is sadly violence. This was fueled by insults during a debate or argument or by offense that was taken based on how an adverse position was expressed. One example that was used by a staff member was the issue of domestic violence. These debate skills can be effective when helping relationships because the format that we are being taught requires a person to be quiet and listen before expressing our position. In addition, it teaches us to express our position without being sarcastic, belittling, or offensive.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">It's my hopes that all the men here at SRF will take the lessons from this debate course and realize that disagreements will happen in life and sometimes we may even have to agree to disagree. But most importantly that disagreement doesn't have to be hostile and everyone is entitled to their own position or perspective.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Today we were also given study material to begin doing the research for our debate. The status quo is: "The current energy policy". This topic is current all around the world with the conversations about renewable energy. Some of the men here were concerned that the students ability to do research is vast with their internet access so they would have an advantage because we don't have internet access. My position is that we must study what we have and be prepared. In the bible David only had a stone while Goliath had a sword. David showed up and threw what he had and prevailed.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">On Wednesdays September 25th, 2019 we will be introduced to another group of students from Central Michigan University (CMU). I'm looking forward to this! To be continued.</span>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-65169391188335324522019-09-19T06:33:00.002-07:002019-09-19T06:33:33.276-07:00Social Interactions Contributing To Prison Reform<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Today on September 18, 2019 students from Central Michigan University came into the Saginaw Correctional Facility located in Freeland, Michigan. These students were brought in by Ms. Raquepaw and Professor Ed Hinck to be apart of the debate workshop. A lot goes into the planning of these workshops on both ends. Prison staff must do lien clearances and searches and the students must experience these necessary security measures. </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Today the CMU students were given a tour of the facility and collectively we were given a brief overview of the debate workshop and the intended schedule. Then the men were given the chance to introduce themselves to the students. This brief interaction was an opportunity for the men inside to take a deep breath and feel human for a few minutes. The truth is that a small social interaction such as this can contribute greatly to preparing someone inside to return to the community.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I say this because a lot of men in prison have visits and interactions with people from society, but then there are also many men who don't have these regular interactions with people from the community. For both groups of men, being in this prosocial environment can give the courage and confidence needed to later pursue opportunities like employment, education, and community outreach when released from prison; settings that otherwise they might find intimidating. </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I am now looking forward to the debate experience and seeing all of the other men and students hone their oration and critical thinking skills. Skills that are important to be happy and successful. These skills that we will be learning and practicing can be helpful when working through conflict in the home, community, and office. A great deal of issues are rooted in individuals having the inability to communicate and think effectively and being impulsive. </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This debate workshop will give us the chance to learn how to focus, mentally process our thoughts, listen, and then respond, which are all qualities needed to be productive citizens. If anyone has had an awkward social encounter with someone just returning home from prison please share the story with me in the comment section so I can encourage men to work on these issues. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">To be continued...Robert</span><br />
<br />R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-39512542140481681822019-09-19T06:25:00.000-07:002019-09-19T06:48:17.029-07:00Why Juvenile Lifers in Michigan are Still Waiting on Resentencing <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dear Reader,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Myself, along with 199 other juvenile lifers in Michigan have been waiting nearly 3 1/2 years to have our day back in court after the Supreme Court ruled that juvenile lifers have the right to be resentenced and to come home. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Please click the link below to find out the reasons behind the stagnancy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.freep.com/in-depth/news/local/michigan/2019/08/15/juvenile-lifers-michigan/1370127001/">https://www.freep.com/in-depth/news/local/michigan/2019/08/15/juvenile-lifers-michigan/1370127001/</a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thank you for your support,<br />
Robert<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QXRyl6vNLOvZsItW9xpUGJgYVFueKtHgh-Bl4OGiM9V9-byJfVc3hrgIw9brR_Jna8cptJ13xpk1pBEMINZ8TcefQqDAViZcSC3Ypax2qohSHmEumIJHAbce8gS-Azr3vAzXrNgGe49X/s1600/20190919_094544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1153" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QXRyl6vNLOvZsItW9xpUGJgYVFueKtHgh-Bl4OGiM9V9-byJfVc3hrgIw9brR_Jna8cptJ13xpk1pBEMINZ8TcefQqDAViZcSC3Ypax2qohSHmEumIJHAbce8gS-Azr3vAzXrNgGe49X/s320/20190919_094544.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-13278389253199535492019-04-18T20:56:00.003-07:002019-04-18T20:56:48.573-07:00Help From Above<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">By Kenneth Anderson</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">On April 16, 2019 Ms. Valerie Newman director of the conviction integerity unit (CIU) for Wayne County, visited the men here at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Cold water Michigan. Ms. Newmen was kind enough to accept an invitation from Kenneth L. Anderson chairmen of the wardens forum committee and Mr. Robert Hinds on behalf of the men at Lakeland correctional facility, to come do a work shop on the conviction integrity unit. Ms. Newmen worked for the state appellate defenders office (SADO) for 23 years before leaving to head up Wayne counties first conviction integrity unit. While at SADO she represented thousands of men and women, fighting and winning some of the most high profile cases in Michigan. Going head to head with Kym Worthy and the prosecutors office to win the release of her clients. Earning the moniker SADO's pit bull of the office. She's argued twice in front of the united States Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land. She's argued in both the state and federal courts. It was because of her dedication and brilliant legal mind, along with her own high integrity that she was picked by Kym Worthy to head Wayne counties CIU in the first place. Ms.Valerie Newmen informed the men exactly what her unit does and who they can help. She's headed the CIU for a year to date, in that time her unit has been able to win the release of eight men. Her unit is small consisting of herself one other full time attorney, two part time attorneys, and a detective who investigates her clients claims of innocence. Presently her unit has roughly 900 claims of innocence. At all times her unit has 25 to 30 active working cases open at a time. Once they close one they'll open a new one. She sets a high standard of honesty and integrity for the clients as well as those working under her. When her office is contacted about a claim of innocence they do their own thorough investigation and if there's a proven injustice she fights for their release. Although the decision to leave SADO was a hard one and a number of men and women lost one of the best attorney's in Michigan, the wrongfully convicted men and women gained their best hope of ever being released with Ms. Valerie Newmen heading the CIU.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Ms.Newmen answered any question asked of her by the men and gave great sound advice about how to contact her office. Unfortunately her office only handles cases out of Wayne county, however she did inform the men that the Michigan attorney generals office has recently started their own conviction integrity unit that will take everyone else's cases not in Wayne county. She informed us that she'd be willing to come back again in the future to speak to us. We the men of Lakeland correctional facility would like to thank her once again for taking time out of her day and travelling over two hours to hold this very insightful workshop. Not many in her position would have done something like this for free, yet alone for hundreds of convicted men. A special thanks goes out to warden Noah Nagy, and special acts director Dennis Birch, who helped put this event together and was a very important part of making sure everything went smoothly.</span>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-256547369163707762017-01-14T13:34:00.002-08:002019-07-18T09:42:59.783-07:00An Uncommon Connection: Inmate Gives Homeless Teens the Gift of Dignity <br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">When was the last time
that you passed a homeless person on the street and judged them for being
there? Did you presume that they were their by choice, their own foolish
or irresponsible decisions, or that they were simply victims of circumstance? Did
you acknowledge their existence as you walked or drove by or did you pretend
like they weren't even there?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Growing up on the rough
streets of the eastside of Detroit, I have seen human life at it's rawest form;
homelessness included. The truth is that people end up homeless for many
reasons and while those socioeconomic factors must be addressed in legislation
and in our communities, every individual has the opportunity to impact a
homeless person's life by just acknowledging that they are there. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">While I have never been homeless, I do know
what it is like to be prejudged and dehumanized. I know what it is to be
stripped of the smallest basic human dignities, to crave an ounce of human
kindness or affection, and to feel lost in the dark. I was wrongfully convicted
of a crime at the age of 17 and have been incarcerated for 15 years now. Most
of my days are spent seeking justice and exoneration so that I can reclaim my
life. Over the years, my desperate pursuit of freedom has made me more
sensitive and compassionate to the struggles of others around me. As a young
teen searching for acceptance on the streets of Detroit, I know firsthand what
it feels like to be young, disillusioned, and on your own. Left to drown in
your own abyss of hopelessness, the world will grow darker as you grow more
cynical, jaded, and withdrawn. Unless....unless there are places and people who
remember that you have value beyond your circumstances. Places like Ozone House
in Ann Arbor, MI. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Ozone House is a
community-based, nonprofit agency that helps young people lead safe, healthy,
and productive lives through intensive intervention and prevention services.
Through these support services, they help youth develop essential life
skills, improve their relationships, and enhance their self-image so that they
may realize their full potential for growth and happiness. There are
approximately 1300 in Washtenaw County each year. Homelessness for youth
means more than the absence of a safe place to sleep, enough food to eat
or shelter from the cold. <b>Homelessness means a lack of safe,
healthy relationships, unimaginable
exploitation, and vulnerability to looming dangers like physical
assault, sexual assault, or human trafficking.</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As
a former troubled inner-city youth, I was recently inspired to come up with a
way that I could help this cause. While I am in prison and my freedom is
restricted, my kindness can travel to places I currently can not with some
effort, organization, and team work. Hygiene items are an outreach tool that
help provide the homeless with a sense of dignity. It may be hard to imagine that a
deodorant or a tube of toothpaste could mean so much to someone, but it does.
It says, "I see you and I care." I had the pleasure of
spearheading a prison fundraiser during the recent holiday season to
collect hygiene items to donate to Ozone House. I am pleased to say that I
was able to achieve my set goal of collecting items to create care
packages for 30 homeless teens that include toothpaste, tooth
brushes deodorant, soap, and lip chap. I hope that this small
gesture of kindness will inspire the teens to continue to pursue positive
changes in their lives and to appreciate the people around them like the
amazing staff at Ozone House who have committed themselves to supporting them
on their journey. We may never physically meet, but we are connected
in a community bigger than prison walls or homeless shelters. We are connected
by humanity and as such we are all worthy of love and dignity.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHbKTIRb0oEi4LX4LzOXiTXTkxpSJjSsoGcs98RDTe7mNNcMzKj4hULt6_BO8IAFklH3_YMq3AJOUenEdMeyzAZSwoh18omjhErEKu0ILhyYjnwDTNrTdjQGLmLr5dFQpa58MVw5cvDsK/s1600/fundraiser+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHbKTIRb0oEi4LX4LzOXiTXTkxpSJjSsoGcs98RDTe7mNNcMzKj4hULt6_BO8IAFklH3_YMq3AJOUenEdMeyzAZSwoh18omjhErEKu0ILhyYjnwDTNrTdjQGLmLr5dFQpa58MVw5cvDsK/s320/fundraiser+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo1aMFtTwpDYr_EZqpAONsaVEPBwILDOhM3il-jwhk59vdbYoL1G0Wgo8OYBRYaL3n1MrfttZh8XvDf5BlqqC1InmRWqQzpgqTxGeZUnOtdtLfVMg8TcPRuYI5gO4Y6hR7MM_NEAUasNK/s1600/fundraiser+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo1aMFtTwpDYr_EZqpAONsaVEPBwILDOhM3il-jwhk59vdbYoL1G0Wgo8OYBRYaL3n1MrfttZh8XvDf5BlqqC1InmRWqQzpgqTxGeZUnOtdtLfVMg8TcPRuYI5gO4Y6hR7MM_NEAUasNK/s320/fundraiser+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-57988604668827588192016-11-14T18:12:00.000-08:002016-11-15T19:25:45.179-08:00How the Gift of Self-Expression Has Impacted My Life Dear Reader:<br />
<br />
November 13, 2016, was a great experience for me. I had the opportunity to participate in the creative writing workshop with the University of Michigan PCAP Students. This workshop was very meaningful. This was ran by two U of M students named Kaitlin and Hanna. I would also like to acknowledge the coordinator, Ashley. The energy and perspectives that were shared within this class generated a very positive form of therapy because the reality is that in prison, having an outlet to express the things that are on our minds can change our day.<br />
<br />
The most exciting part of this workshop for me is being seen as a human being for an hour and a half. In addition, I find it intellectually stimulating to be given things that have some substance to write about as prompts. The creative thoughts that manifest within the students through this workshop are very profound. This encouragement that's being given through this form of expression is something that those who don't understand its significance can't place proper value on.<br />
<br />
As an inmate often times we sit and can't deal with our thoughts. Having PCAP staff and students giving this opportunity for us to share our work, gives me and the other guys something positive to look forward to every week. Sometimes in life we don't see any value in the small things like this writing workshop. This program is something that I look forward to. I hope to some day have the opportunity to be able to give back by giving some of my time to PCAP so that I can help someone feel how I'm feeling right now....motivated! <br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Robert<br />
<br />
"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." -Scott Adams<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-78333216578407476432016-09-14T20:13:00.001-07:002016-09-14T20:27:17.862-07:00Donated Hygiene Items Bring Hope to Sex Traffic Victims in Metro Detroit I'm a proud Detroit native. I learned a lot of tough life lessons growing up on the streets of Detroit....one of them being how to read people. I pride myself on my sense of perception. It often amazes me how someone can be blindsided by the same trouble that I can see coming from a mile away. However, recently, my sense of perception has been challenged and I want to pass that challenge on. You see, sometimes what we believe we see is really what we want to see and not necessarily what is truly there. Foe example, in Detroit, when you see a certain type of girl on Michigan Avenue at 2 a.m., you make assumptions about why she's there and what she's doing. Short skirt, exposed breast, semi-grungy, stiletto heels.... it's clear she's working the block right? Maybe....but according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, in the city of Detroit, it's more likely that the block is working her. <br />
<br />
Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery where men, women and children are forced into prostitution, domestic servitude and other labor for little or no pay. It is the second-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world and Michigan is the No. 2 in the country for human trafficking. Victims of human trafficking are controlled by force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation. Statistics show that children are especially at risk being that 40% of human trafficking cases involve the sexual exploitation of a child. In the short span of a moment, an individual's life can be changed forever as they are exploited and trafficked from state to state like cattle. <br />
<br />
It's distressing to think that such darkness exists in the city that I came from. However, recently, I learned about an organization in Detroit that is a beacon of light for victims of human trafficking called All Worthy of Love, which is a justice focused non-profit that reaches out to men and women enslaved by street-prostitution. They work to prevent sex-trafficking through awareness, promote awareness through various speaking engagements at local churches, schools, and small groups to educate the community of modern day slavery, and rescuing victims of trafficking through weekly outreach. All Worthy of Love develops partnerships with local organizations that offer safe housing and restorative care to help victims. The individuals that work on their outreach teams are fearless. A team of 4 go out to the same neighborhood every week. They reach out to men and women working on the street and visit several crack houses to pray with prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers, and gang members.<br />
<br />
I was inspired to come up with a way that I could help this cause. I was informed that hygiene items are an outreach tool that's used to help victims so I spearheaded a prison fundraiser to collect hygiene items to donate to All Worthy of Love. I am pleased to say that I was able to achieve my set goal of collecting a couple hundred items to create care packages for 35-40 victims that includes shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, and lip chap. It's my sincere desire that these items would symbolize hope to the victims...a light at the end of a dark tunnel.....a way of letting them know that somebody sees them and somebody cares. I know what it feels like to be in prison and to feel forgotten. I also know what it feels like to receive the gift of hope. It changes everything. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M4UuP20z12Y6J4AXlF9OCoBrVAzbmgLGKESvhrzhXNlVjP-ykY0KlH0qCPm2X84tfDdRsRwvq7T0mccsGgMk8of2WB4tM2n2311gC8qMg4j5TdmtWH4dJ5eLnn_FRvcdzvWzqiBlXOIj/s1600/trafficking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M4UuP20z12Y6J4AXlF9OCoBrVAzbmgLGKESvhrzhXNlVjP-ykY0KlH0qCPm2X84tfDdRsRwvq7T0mccsGgMk8of2WB4tM2n2311gC8qMg4j5TdmtWH4dJ5eLnn_FRvcdzvWzqiBlXOIj/s1600/trafficking.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you know of someone who is being trafficked please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline Number (888-373-7888). <br />
<br />
Until Next Time....Live Your Life on Purpose,<br />
Robert<br />
<br />R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-17334109842419398912016-09-08T14:35:00.000-07:002016-09-08T14:44:45.932-07:00Gus Harrison Correctional Facilty Inmates give over $3000 to Homeless Kids and Domestic Violence Surviors<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">A wise person once said, “If you don’t like the direction
your life is going…change it.” It’s impossible to grow as an individual without
embracing change. Complacency is an intellectual prison where too many people
are happily serving life sentences. Over the last 15 years of my life, I have
had to embrace both changes that I initiated and changes that were impressed
upon me. Each change presented me with an opportunity. I could resist change
and stunt my growth or I could utilize the change to help transition me further
along in my journey for freedom. One of the things that I became mindful of
over the years, was always looking for an opportunity to give back whenever
possible. Recently, as a warden forum representative at the Gus Harrison
Correctional Facility, I was given an opportunity to participate in a community
initiative that provided $3,000.00 to a local community in need. Giving back to
the Lenawee County community has become an annual effort by inmates at the Gus
Harrison Correctional Facility.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">On August 29, 2016, the Warden’s Forum and Prisoner
Benefit Fund at Gus Harrison made two donations to two great causes. The money that
was given was raised by inmates like myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It actually comes from the fund that collects money through inmate food
purchases that are made outside of everyday meal times.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The first donation that we made was $3,000 to the
Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter in Adrian. This shelter operates 24
hours a day, 365 days a year to provide a place where survivors of domestic
violence can go by themselves or with their children and find physical safety
in a home-like setting.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The second donation that we made was to the Lenawee
Intermediate School District in the form of $3,000 worth of school supplies.
The supplies is specifically designated to help homeless students. Surprisingly
enough, there are at least 700 of in the county. One of the challenges that
keeps these kids from attending school is having the proper supplies.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Both of the organizations that we gave to assist
individuals who are at a pivotal point in their lives. We’ve all been at a
crossroad in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A place where
change was insistent and scary. Some of us had a friend, relative, or kind
stranger to make the transition a bit easier. And others of us earned our
degree of survival at the school of hard knocks. My utmost desire is that the earnest
effort that myself and the other inmates at the Gus Harrison Correctional
Facility have made to be a blessing to someone facing changes in their life will have a
positive impact on the intended individuals and a ripple effect on both this local community and the
audience reading this post. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">To read the entire story visit</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">http://www.lenconnect.com/news/20160830/gus-harrison-prisoners-donate-3000-to-two-groups</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JZu673mtv0shyphenhyphenTZJ16l2VRlGOW8oIr2BAtGlSPhEm1bd49cZVLKl8k1AH_xn-e6h-g4FB21XNBfjNRYmkeN9eqQPd3ufZYvAkhAjVw8IsPDCubXeEg1DEnauWfS8oOAPQ8TqGi42oLOJ/s1600/warden%2527s+forum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JZu673mtv0shyphenhyphenTZJ16l2VRlGOW8oIr2BAtGlSPhEm1bd49cZVLKl8k1AH_xn-e6h-g4FB21XNBfjNRYmkeN9eqQPd3ufZYvAkhAjVw8IsPDCubXeEg1DEnauWfS8oOAPQ8TqGi42oLOJ/s320/warden%2527s+forum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(Copyright: Photo taken by Lonnie Huhman of lenconnect.com)<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Until next time….later….</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: #232323; font-family: "roboto condensed"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Robert</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-17656549818371697332016-08-28T13:35:00.000-07:002016-08-28T13:35:06.698-07:00Is it Possible for Former Felons to Return to their Community and Really Make a Difference?<span id="lblLetter">On 8/27/16, here at Adrain Correctional facility the NLA sponsored an event which invited two guest speakers: Willis X harris and Shirley Bryant of the Michigan Lifer's Reporter. This event was amazing. The turnout of prisoners was surprising to me. I would have never epected some of the people that were present to have an interest in isues dealing with corrections, changing laws, legislations, legislators, and them (legislators) being uninformed when it comes to corrections. Should we view them being uninformed as a lack of interest, is a question that we must ask ourselves.<br /><br /> This event was very informative. One thing that was highlighted was the need for people in prison and in society to be a voice when it comes to something that you are passionate about. Being a voice by, writing letters by mail or on social media, and even peaceful assembly. Most of us will get offended if someone tells us; "sit down and shut up". However this is what we do through our actions and lack of action, most of us just: "sit down and shut up." This is the case even with someone that needs a job, they don't try to find one, they don't ask a friend, do you know someone that's hiring? They just sit down, sit around, and shut up. How many people do you know that have accoplished anything doing that?<br /><br /> I'm hoping that many of them men that were present in the event left feeling inspired to make some sort of change in their personal life, the system, or a change that could have a positive impact on somone else's life. I'm hoping that the men who's hearts were already filled with the desire to make a positve change left feeling recharged. Sometme we need that. There's a question that I really need answered. How can someone returning to your community have a positve impact. How can they contribute?</span> This is a question that needs to be answered, so I'm one to hearing what anyone have to say. Give your honest opinion. Maybe I can be the voice that shares these needs with the guys that will be coming to your community.<br /><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-89380821874878308612016-08-25T07:42:00.001-07:002016-08-25T07:42:25.985-07:00Prisoners Host Hygiene-Product Fundraiser for Anti-Human Trafficking Organization in Michigan<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Too often people feel that because they can only do a little that they
should do nothing. Ironically enough, the truth is that if everyone in the world just committed
to doing a little, the world would actually be a LOT better place. Why? Because a little
becomes a lot when it is a united effort. <br />
<br />
<div>
I recently sat down and thought about how I could pay it forward and make a
positive impact in someone else's life. Despite the fact that I am currently incarcerated and that I have limited resources, I figured that with enough creativity and support, I could come up with a way of engaging in a productive and impactful effort of some kind. After discussing the idea with some
other inmates, a group of us decided to do a fundraiser to collect hygiene products and donate
them to a charitable organization call All Worthy of Love, which is a justice focused non-profit that reaches out to men and women enslaved by street-prostitution.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I know that our fundraiser may seem like a menial effort to some, but
it is really a selfless, earnest, and admirable act from men who are in various
precarious positions who just want to spark something good in the world. This our way of helping an organization that works diligently to fight against human trafficking. A deodorant or a bar of soap can mean the world to someone on the street who doesn't have one and we understand that. I commend all of the men at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian, MI who have embraced the opportunity to make a difference in a stranger's life. The
mere fact that each man participating is willing to put aside his own personal
agenda and consider someone else's needs....to offer a helping hand instead of
just reaching out a hand for help....means that the ability to be a positive
force still exist within each of them. It means that the innate goodwill in their heart hasn't been stamped out by life's
disappointments. Instead, it has preserved...it has survived.</div>
<br />
<div>
If you're reading this blog post then you are probably already familiar with my
story. I am an 32-year-old inmate convicted to life without parole at the age of 17 for a crime that I didn't
commit. For the last 15 years, I have been painstakingly working to help prove
my innocence. Many people would say that I have the right to be angry....the
right to be jaded....the right to be cynical and uncaring because of my circumstances and the way the justice system has failed me. But I beg to differ. Bitterness is a choice that I have decided to reject.
I actually have more empathy for other people's pain, more compassion for
other's hardships, and more hope because of the love that my supporters continue
to show me. As a result, I feel it is my obligation to make an earnest effort
to do something good in the world because
my efforts have the potential to create a ripple effect of goodwill that can
positively impact someone else's life forever.</div>
<br />
<div>
I am not writing this to boast about how good I am. I'm not perfect by any means. I am just a man striving each day to be a better person. So I am writing this piece to inspire everyone
reading it to take a look at your world around you. Maybe you don't have a lot
to give, but everybody has a little something to share. In the words of <span class="st">Mahatma Gandhi, "</span>be
the change that you want to see in the world." You have the power to make the
world a better place and there's no better time to start then the present. So
get up today and do something good!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</span><br />R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-54590393072151242772016-08-02T17:14:00.001-07:002016-08-02T17:14:32.815-07:00Do Black Lives Really Matter to Black People?
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without question, the current plight of the
African-Americans being subjected to unjustifiable violence by those in
authority is both frightening and infuriating. My voice joins in harmony with
those who cry out for much-needed and much-deserved justice within the
African-American community. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
truth is that it saddens me to see us shinning the judicial light on the
killings of unarmed blacks around the country without simultaneously exercising
the discipline to hold ourselves accountable for the violence that we inflict
on one another. I greatly admire the unity of all the movements that are
standing united to fight against injustice, but that doesn’t excuse the fact
that we must clean our own houses first.<br />
<br />
As a people, we would more powerful if we were able to stop killing each other.
Black-on-black crime is still destroying cities throughout America. The Black
Lives Matter movement has become a powerful vehicle to give a voice and
platform to the black community. In turn, we once again have the opportunity to
show the same fortitude that our forefathers did in fighting racial injustice
and the ability to stand united as a wall. However, the senseless killing of
one another destroys this vehicle and weakens the wall that so much time has
went into building. <br />
<br />
How many people in their right mind would build a nice house just to destroy
it? Not too many. The Black Lives Movement is a beautiful house. I deeply admire
and respect the cause--but as we kill each other over pennies or a small word,
it's like throwing a bomb into you own house. We protest together one minute,
but seconds later we take each other’s life.<br />
<br />
On July 4, 2016 62 blacks were killed in Chicago, IL and we didn’t march, we
didn’t protest, we didn’t flood the streets begging for social change. We are
protest the killings of our brothers and sisters by police (which we should),
but we should also be protesting the killings of our brothers and sisters by
our brothers and sisters.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We protest the killing of brothers by
police, but when will we address the needless killings within our own
neighborhoods and by our own children that are eating away the very foundation
of the structure that has been established to combat the brutality and
injustice treatment of blacks? Every black life that is senselessly lost is a
voice that has been silenced. A voice that will never have the chance to chant the
powerful words of the movement that has gained so much attention. A movement,
that with any hope and strategic execution, will help make the world a better
place.<br />
<br />
I've seen a lot of bloodshed in my lifetime and as I watch the news reports day
after day, I wonder when will we begin to value our fellow man. The same man that
lives on our block, that same man that once stood united with us, the brother
that prayed with you, the brother that ate with you, the brother got turnt with
you, and the same brother that if he's killed unjustly then we will unite is
his name...<br />
<br />
Why does it take death to see the worth in our brother? Too many of us are
desensitized to blacks killing blacks and yet are outraged when they die at the
hands of white police officers. A question that I would like to pose is how do
we address and resolve this problem that is undermining our spirit of unity
within the black community? The bottom line is that we can’t afford to ignore
black suicide—blacks killing blacks; but rant about blacks being murdered. It
defeats the cause. There’s no need for black genocide, when as a people we do
the work for them by killing ourselves every day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please share your comments on the subject
if interested in continuing an intelligent dialogue.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-39645355074239064272016-01-05T15:47:00.000-08:002016-01-05T15:47:23.802-08:00Why Prisoners in Michigan are Live in Unhealthy SituationsHappy new years. The rate of prisoner's in Michigan incarcerated that are suffering from depolorable conditions of confinement and inhumane treatment, that need outside help in received proper medical care is off the chart. Any help would be greatly appreciated, help in general, could not be put into clearer perspective. <br /> As a result, I will attempt to paint the most vivid picture possible, that express my most sincere concern for the health and safety of people behind bars. I would first like to point out that I am in no way attempting to lessen the punishment for the terrible crimes that may have been committed. Because some have taken the responsiblity and have made serious steps towards cleaning up their life, and giving as much positive advise to those returning back to society as possible, with the hopes of influencing as many people as they can. To allow someone to benefit from the mistake they have made.<br /> I'm observing something right now that's sading to me. This older man I see often is struggling everyday, so I' asked him what was going on with him. What he told me was distrubing to me. It is my hopes that I can spark some sense of human compassion in this post to implore and inform the public of what's going on behine prison walls. This man I'm writing about is 58 years old Larry Harrison, who's very sick.<br /> Who has been living with an extremely rear medical condition called Hirschsprung's disease. The disease is a birth defect where a child is born without a rectum (it's nothing to laugh about). In this case he was born without a rectum, nor lower intestines. The medical condition is so rare, that most doctors have never seen an adult that has survived this disease.<br /> To this day doctors honestly do not know how to "properly" treat the disease. The number one recommend treatment is a high fiber diet which he is being denied for cost saving reasons and motivations. The Michigan department of corrections Doctors have diagnosed him as having the disease, however are only interested in providing only minimal treatment, that still does not amount to adequated treatment. He's still suffering from from continued pain, and it creates conditions of confinment which resticts him to his cell most of the day to where he barely gets any exercise and he's is so much abdominal pain and discomfort--- some days he can't even walk normal. <br /> I've never seen him participate in any out out of cell ativities, jobs, edcuation programs offered to other prisoners and because of this he told me that he's very depressed. The man also told me that the only thing the Michigan Department of Correction ( MDOC hereinafter) will do for him is put him in a single cell and keep him alive. Besides other minor accommodations, he basically is suffering. Because the MDOC will not give him a colostomy bag because they say its cosmetic surgery. I find this strange being that I know a few other inmates that actually have a colostomy bag. This guy I'm speaking of is forced to spend most of his time in his cell where he has direct access to a toilet and sink due to unexpected needs for deficate (which he can't control) and cleaning purposes.<br /> As of now it seem to me that the single cell is the only consideration that he is being shown in regards to the disease. I ask about the man because I don't see him much and I'm concerned about him. He says his family really isn't there for him so I am, that could someday be me in need of care and support. <br /> Witnessing this old man reminds me of this June 2015 Michigan Report I read a few months ago about Gov. Rick Snyder's plan for Crimnal Prison Reform. By Kyle Felfscher / Kylefeldscher @ mlive. com in that report she spoke about there being 43,704 prisoners in Michigan's prisons, and How $ 2 billion a year goes to the Michigan Department of Corrections. The question that comes to mind for me is; why are prisoners in Michingan suffering and having to fight the health care administration on an ongoing bases if health care is paid for, it should be provided. But it isn't... Why? It seems to me in my that because of the mind set of those that work for prisons have an incarcerated mind set and unwillingness to treat incarcerated individuals with human compassion. R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-18449909280698095882015-12-13T15:13:00.000-08:002015-12-13T15:14:57.289-08:00Do Black Lives Really Matter or Do You Have to Die to Matter?I've followed the marches and protest over the death of many young men. Throughout America I've seen demonstrations over injustices that I would have loved to be apart of. In all of these situations where people took a stance--it was only after a life was lost.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful for the people who uses their voice and made calls on my behalf. When I was being held, thanks for standing up for me. As I witnessed the abuse, corruption, and deprivation that's going on at Oaks Correctional Facility located in Manistee, Michigan I was moved to write this piece and be a voice for many of the guys here that are being held in the hole being starved, abused, and mistreated. People will stand together united after a death occurs-but I think suffering is worse than death. These guys here are suffering.<br />
<br />
I'm seeing guys here at Oaks Correctional Facility in Manistee, MI being starved and denied their food for days at a time. I'm witnessing guys who are mentally and emotionally ill be baited into situations by prison staff--knowing that the outcome will be physical confrontation in which the prisoner will lose, and in most cases lose teeth and end up with broken bones. That's what's going on at this prison. These guys don't have anyone to speak on their behalf. I was being held in segregation unjustly and I was mentally strong enough to handle it.<br />
<br />
Everyday since I've been at this prison, I've see an instance of mental harassment or intimidation by staff here at the prison. It reminds me of when someone is being a bully. The conduct here by the correctional staff is clearly an offensive representation of the criminal justice system. I've been around and know correctional staff that are nothing like what I'm seeing here.<br />
<br />
Here's an example. Today was the day that we took showers. When being escorted to the showers we are handcuffed behind our backs and there's a leash attached to these handcuffs. While escorting one prisoner to the shower, the officer was actually pulling on the leash while it was attached to the prisoner and whistling to him saying, "Come on, Bitch. Let's go." As if this guy was his dog. I'm not sure if this officer's intentions were to provoke or humiliate this guy but I know it was a violation of MDOC policy P.D. 03.03.130 (Humane Treatment of Prisoners).<br />
<br />
The other day an inmate was tazzed and maced. When other inmates contacted this guys family using the prison phone in complete compliance with our prison phone policy and informed them of what's going on here, they were placed in segregation for no reason; just to harass them and discourage them from exposing the injustice that goes on here. They were even threatened that their phone privileges would be taken from them. This is being done at the direction of the prison inspector Spencley, Deputy Warden Lavern Sharp, and Warden Timothy Ball.<br />
<br />
The only thing a prisoner can do is file a grievance, which is investigated by a FRIEND of a person that is being grieved and signed by a supervisor. Michael Surbook, Larry Weaver, or our resident unit manager Thomas who in some of these incidents mentioned above are already aware of, so they only attempt to cover it up or give a response that clears their subordinate/friend of any wrong doing. <br />
<br />
Then when its taken to the second stage of the grievance process the person Deputy Warden Lavern Sharp or Timothy Ball, they only support whatever decision that was made by staff they should be supervising. The next and final step is to take the issue to Richard Russell in Lansing. In most cases, there's never an investigation. He supports the response that was given at the first and second stage. They all cover for each other so that the FRIENDS don't get in trouble.<br />
<br />
There's other organizations such as the Department of Civil Service and the Office of Legislative Corrections Ombudsman that can be contacted, but what should one expect to happen when they only forward the issue back to the MDOC to investigate---the same people who covered it up in the beginning.<br />
<br />
What prisons hate is for their actions and inactions to be exposed to the public. This is a call to anyone that's not controlled by fear and has a spirit of activism to blast all of their friends on social media with this story. Because anytime someone knows that they are being watched or exposed-their behavior is adjusted. I'm currently dealing with my own issue of injustice, but there was no way I could tell these "no" when asked if I would use my platform and expose this prison. Being that I'm seeing it with my own eyes, my conscience wouldn't all me to tell them no.<br />
<br />
I'm not asking people to march, protest, use gas, money, or leave their house. Just share this story with all of your friends and ask them to do the same. I'm sure that the power of unity will bring these issues to the desk and doorstep of everyone involved. I'm now out of segregation but the injustice continues and it will until voices like yours help put a stop to the madness. R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-9226690592546745792015-11-16T16:32:00.004-08:002015-11-16T18:35:02.068-08:00Correction Officers Starve Inmate <div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_564a754252d487149074506">
PRISON STARTS TO STARVE INMATE! The Michigan Deprtment of Corrections and the Oaks Correctional Facility is out for BLOOD and STEALING MEALS. Police corruption at its BEST strikes again. This time it lurks in the shadows of a Michigan prison. Robert T. Hinds #410196, an innocent man who has been sentenced to life with out parole and is fighting for his exoneration, has been held in segregation for the last 3 months becuase he refuses to falsify information and lie on other in<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">mates. Correctional officers are using the case number of another inmate who actually has misconduct charges that have nothing to do with Robert, to falsify the paperwork to hold him. He has been writing Lansing trying to notify them of the harrassment and injustice he is suffering at the hands of the authorities at Oaks Correctional Facility. Now his FOOD is being taken to goad him into a reaction that would give them cause to justify their mistreatment of him. The question his family is asking tonight is "Do all black lives matter?" Because if so, then the injustice, brutality, harassment, and the inhumane treatment of our loved-ones who are currently behind bars for a variety of reasons has to STOP! What if this was your son or brother? What would you do?</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
If you are disgusted by a man being starved in prison because he refuses to lie on inncocent people please call <span class="skype_c2c_print_container skype_c2c notranslate">517-335-1426</span><span class="skype_c2c_container skype_c2c notranslate" data-isfreecall="false" data-ismobile="false" data-isrtl="false" data-numbertocall="+15173351426" data-numbertype="paid" dir="ltr" id="skype_c2c_container" tabindex="-1"><span class="skype_c2c_highlighting_inactive_common" dir="ltr" skypeaction="skype_dropdown"><span class="skype_c2c_textarea_span" id="non_free_num_ui"><img class="skype_c2c_logo_img" height="0" src="skypec2c://r/204" width="0" /><span class="skype_c2c_text_span">517-335-1426</span><span class="skype_c2c_free_text_span"></span></span></span></span> IMMEDIATELY and ask to speak to Director Heidi E. Washington and ask "Where is Robert?" "Why are his meals being taken?" "Why is he being held in segregation?" <br />
<br />
<a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/detroitstandup?source=feed_text&story_id=874382675991752"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">detroitstandup</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/whereisrobert?source=feed_text&story_id=874382675991752"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">whereisRobert</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/allblacklivesmatter?source=feed_text&story_id=874382675991752"><span aria-label="hashtag" class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">allblacklivesmatter</span></a><br />
Thank you in advance for caring and calling. Please REPOST AND SHARE. We need 100 people to call this week before his hearing on November 23. <br />
<br />
Robert Hinds' Family<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FDfWYhUZavOirUd3qF33pM2CJPb4NWvQIvtHT-C7JCxNs-_q8aw_MpOpiNfaxla1ZV-JkeAz57Jra7qIaRU7ZS-yyRBZyhuW9juseuMzlukiA0kocnd23NYXPcrlasg0XNkE-HRs9HmQ/s1600/free+robert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FDfWYhUZavOirUd3qF33pM2CJPb4NWvQIvtHT-C7JCxNs-_q8aw_MpOpiNfaxla1ZV-JkeAz57Jra7qIaRU7ZS-yyRBZyhuW9juseuMzlukiA0kocnd23NYXPcrlasg0XNkE-HRs9HmQ/s320/free+robert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-65647591597763295722014-08-26T12:03:00.000-07:002014-08-26T12:03:07.190-07:00A Life for A LifeNot many people know when or where they will die. In fact, most people try not to think or talk about death at all. It's considered morbid and it's depressing, right? Possibly. But it's also reality. As sure as one lives, eventually one will die. So I have begun to ponder what will be remembered about me when I die? You see, I have been told that I will die in prison. Convicted of 1st degree murder at the age of 17 for a crime I didn't commit, sentenced to life in prison without parole, my future looks bleak to say the least. I have been fighting for my freedom for over 12 years now. I have been screaming "I'm innocent" at the top of my lungs for years now and being unheard. I have been waiting for some glimmer of deliverance. For the actual truth about my conviction to finally set me free. Well, I am still waiting. And I realize that as God wakes me up each day and I continue to fight and I wait, there is still another enemy I have yet to conquer----time.<br />
<br />
Time keeps ticking. Time refuses to stand still. Time is passing and while I have lost my freedom, I have not lost my life. That means I still have time to make a difference. Time to have my story heard. Time to use my life to help someone else's life. So instead of this blog being dedicated to just sharing my life story or experiences, I have been inspired to use it as a mentoring opportunity to help you boys understand what real manhood is. Without proper guidance, little boys can grow up with distorted perceptions of what makes a man. As someone who grew from a boy to a man in a cement garden, I want to set the record straight. So let's talk manhood...........more posts coming soon.<br />
<br />
A life for a life,<br />
Sir RobertR.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-88227941666704188702014-03-07T20:40:00.000-08:002014-03-07T20:40:35.859-08:00What A Guy Really Means When He Says “Just Friends”……<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
This post will be short and to the point. Is it just me or does it seem like kids are dating younger these days and becoming intimate with each other without understanding the emotional ramifications of a romantic relationship? A lot of young people use their bodies like a revolving door. No discretion. No discrimination. Everybody has access. It’s scary. I’m not going to say too much because I don’t want to betray my sex and I definitely won’t do any male bashing because there are still some good dudes out there (like me) who know how to treat and appreciate a woman. However, I have a mother, a wonderful woman in my life, I have great female supporters who I consider friends and sisters, and one day I hope to have a daughter. That being said I want to help young girls get a clue about the “Friendship Game.” When you hear the phrase “just friends” brace yourself for a rude awakening. The “Just Friends” card is a tactic that some men use to let a female know that he’s not interested in anything serious. He doesn’t want a commitment or emotional attachments. He prefers for you to have very little expectation of him. He’s not trying to be your boyfriend or man and he’s not interested in hearing about your wedding fairytale. He doesn’t want to invest in a monogamous journey with you. In other words, he doesn’t want the job but he does want the benefits. 9 times out of 10 he’s just looking for some mutually beneficial passionate fun, otherwise known as sex ladies. Some wise person once said that a man will only do to you what you allow him to do to you. They were right. When you set boundaries and standards, a man knows that he has to meet those standards if he wants to have you in his life. When you settle for whatever he’s offering versus making your own demands ladies, you can’t be upset when he leaves you disappointed and disillusioned. If you accept this casual arrangement then you shouldn’t expect the formalities of courtship. He’s not courting you. He doesn’t need to. After all you gave him all you had to offer in the friend zone. He already got what he wanted. Why does he need to pursue you further? My advice to young and older women alike…..if you want better, be better and demand better. This is what I plan to tell my daughter one day. My advice to young men…..be a real dude and respect a woman with standards. And if you really want to be a man, rise to the occasion. Just a little friendly advice from a man who knows how to appreciate a good thing when he has it. I would love to hear your comments so hit me up below. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
YOLO,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Robert </div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-30168430145687502202014-02-15T23:20:00.003-08:002014-02-15T23:20:43.394-08:00Jail or College? Wish I Could Choose Again…<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica;">As I sit and think about a question that I was asked: "What was my first day in prison like?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am forced to recall one of the hardest days in my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t help but be amazed at the contrast between the boy that I was then and the man that I am today.<br /><br />The first day that I walked into prison was April 18, 2002. I was stripped naked in front of about 10 other men, and given some shampoo, to wash all of my hairs with. If you ask me, think this is the same shampoo that is used on dogs with flees, I'm not sure but I wasn't feeling it. I was given a prison number 410196. My name didn’t matter anymore. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No nicknames or street names here. This number is what I would be referred to from that point on.<br /><br />I was then escorted to a chow hall, to eat my first meal. Cold Pizza with thick dry crust and the chess that was like rubber. Nothing like the pizza that I enjoyed eating when I was free. As I forced myself to eat this meal, the prison number that I was given, kept running through my head. It reminded me of when slaves were being stripped of their identity. This number was now my name. The reality was starting to set in. I wasn’t going home. I couldn’t leave and go to the mall or go chill with my friends. I was sentenced to life without parole. This was my new home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I sat thinking and eating that piece of dough that was given to me as a meal, all the people that were important to me started to run through my head. Would they miss me? Would they write or visit? Would they forget me? <br /><br />I was told that I would be heading to a unit, where I had been assigned a cell. I had to stop at health service first. I walked pass several groups of prisoners. The first group of guys were about my age at the time (17), and early 20's. The other group of guys were much older, and they sat in a small room (health care), with a much more aggressive look than the first group. One of the guys in this group had big eyes, the whites of his eyes were yellow; with red veins running through them, and he smelled like a burning black & mild. I'd only been on earth 17 years, but if I didn't know anything else-- I knew that this guy had a past and it was not that great. It was this guy that informed me why I was in health service. I was there for my physical and HIV test.<br /><br />As the words "HIV TEST" rolled off his tongue, a fear set in that I'd never experienced before. I had never been tested before. The flashing faces of woman that I had unprotected sex with started to pop up in my head. I was wrestling with all kind of emotions already. Uneasiness, dissatisfaction, anger, and now fear of this HIV test result. I didn't think my day could get any worst. I wouldn't get the result of this test back for weeks. Sometimes it’s not the knowing that kills you….it’s the waiting.<br /><br />When I made it to the cell that I had been assigned to, I put everything on the bed that I was given and I had a conversation with myself and with God. I said to myself that I would be humble, but I wasn’t going for any nonsense. I guess this was the alpha male coming out of me. I'd heard so many crazy stories about prison. I could only imagine that at least 50% of them were true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was young, I felt like a cub being placed in the jungle with lions, and all I knew is that I wasn't going to be Simba from the Lion King. This was one of the worst days of my life. And the nightmare is still going.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica;">To Be Continued,<br />Sir Robert,</span><o:p></o:p></div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-34542035585312610902014-02-15T23:03:00.002-08:002014-02-15T23:03:59.188-08:00Our Children and the Criminal Justice System” “Fairness and Equality” By: Brandon Harrington #248519<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In June 2012 the United States Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to sentence a convicted juvenile murderer to a mandatory life without parole sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See Miller v. <st1:state w:st="on">Alabama</st1:state> 567 <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> _, 132 SCT2455; 183 (Ed2d 407 (2012).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Miller case 14 year old Evan Miller killed a man named Cole Cannon by beating him with a baseball bat after smoking marijuana and playing drinking games at Mr. Cannon’s trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Cannon eventually passed out and Evan Miller attempted to steal the contents of Mr. Cannon’s wallet. While attempting to return the wallet Mr. Cannon awoke and grabbed fourteen year old Evan by the throat. A friend who was also present throughout the entirety of the evening hit Mr. Cannon with a bat. Evan Miller eventually grabbed the bat and repeatedly striked Mr. Cannon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Cannon eventually died of smoke inhalation after Evan Miller and his friend set the trailer ablaze. Miller, 132 SCT at 2463</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The United States Supreme Court considered these facts in conjunction with the law and determined that a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole was a direct violation of the 8<sup>th</sup> Amendment’s Cruel and Unusual Punishment prohibition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miller 132 SCT at 2469.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Court ruled that juveniles were different than adults and the mandatory life without parole sentence was the same for adults and children in name only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miller, 132, SCT at 2466, The Court determined that there existed a large amount of scientific evidence that supported the fact that children should be viewed as children and not treated as adults in the justice system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miller, 132 SCT at 2464-2465.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Court also determined factors to be reviewed by Court’s in sentencing juvenile murderers such as individual character, criminal record, circumstances of offense, familial and peer pressure, age, background, mental emotional development, family life, incompetencies associated with youth that would affect a person’s ability to understand the justice system, aggravating mitigating circumstances, as well as culpability, and rehabilitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miller, 132 SCT at 2468.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The court ultimately concluded that juveniles were entitled by law to a “meaningful opportunity to obtain release based upon demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation.” Miller, 132 SCT at 2469</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There are nearly 2, 500 children across the country currently incarcerated under these type of laws. More than the rest of the world combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two countries that allow for these types of sentences, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>, M.Leigh-tont Ci de la Vega, Sentencing over Children to Die in Prison: Global Law and Practice 4 (2007).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of our children are what Justice Stephen Breyer considered to be people sentenced unconstitutionally despite the fact that they have “twice diminished” responsibility. Miller, 132 SCT 2475.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is because as Justice Breyer explains, “…..[they] neither killed nor intended to kill the victims.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
That leads us to the companion case of Miller also decided by the US Supreme Court resulting in the same direction; Kuntrell Jackson v. Arkansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fourteen year old Kuntrell Jackson went with two other boys to rob a video store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the way Kuntrell was made aware that one of the boys possessed a firearm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the other two boys went in to rob the store Kuntrell Jackson remained outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laurie Troup was the store clerk at the time. Derrick Shields demanded money from Ms. Troup. Ms. Troup refused and threatened to call the police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point Kuntrell entered the store and said either “I thought you all were playing” or “we ain’t playing”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Derrick Shields then shot and killed Ms. Troup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miller, 132 SCT at 2461.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As a society we must determine whether we will automatically throw away all of these children’s futures or if we are willing to look at each case individually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually the law demands individualized sentencing hearings for each convicted person the judge has discretion regarding sentencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my child made one of these poor choices I would be devastated and even more so would the victim’s families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be no way I could apologize enough, “fix” the tragic loss of a loved one, or heal the wounds created by my child’s horrific decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could only hope that one day time would help them cope and that my son/daughter might also be given the opportunity to be rehabilitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Throwing away children because they aren’t biologically ours and have committed a horrible act, shows that in some cases we judge our children as adults, regardless of the fact that they don’t have the same intellectual, emotional, or coping capabilities that we (adults) have developed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t let our children drive, marry, smoke, purchase alcohol, obtain loans, mortgages, or enter into any other contract without our permission or until they reach a certain age, but if the commit a crime we judge them as adults even as young as 11 or even 10 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe that this is the strong spirit of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> or the compassion of a proud parent nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we truly are a nation of equality, fairness, and second chances then this is a chance for us to demonstrate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can email our local elected leaders and let them know how we feel about this or we can continue on with our lives because this situation doesn’t directly affect is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not an attempt to guilt the reader into anything only an attempt to address a current problematic and clearly unfair situation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-20669437286671806422014-02-07T18:56:00.000-08:002014-02-07T18:56:04.497-08:00Family First: The Fountain of Inspiration for the Youth.....By: Darrell Braxton #195722<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
For our youth to be loftily inspired it is critical that they have a sense of self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, to inspire is defined as: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration. (2): to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence upon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The etymology of this awesome word inspire has its roots in Middle English, from Old French, and Latin “inspirare” meaning into + spirare, meaning to breathe. So inspire essentially means to breathe into, not unlike the breath of life our creator imbued man with. What greater center of operation from which one can proceed in life than from their true self, the divine principle within them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Conversely, the opposite of inspiration is indifference, coldness, inattention, and apathy, which in our communities has bred disdain, contempt, and recklessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where the highest ambitions of a segment of our young people are not college and harnessing the power of idealism to be our future leaders of tomorrow, but rather it is celebrating the hallmark of reaching twenty-one, because the expectations of making it to that age for our children in this age and time is very slim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nexus between that grim reality and a abject absence of a sense of self is beyond apparent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know what inspiration is and are assuredly convince that our young people must have more than a does of it to turn the bleak statistics that we are all aware of around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the question is, how do we get it to them?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Firstly, we must understand that the spectrum of identity has various parts, and those parts must cohesively blend into each other for the health of the self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is one self, with many differentiating aspects: you have the essence of who we are; the spirit, our core our center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we have our immediate family, friends, community, and nation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
All of these comprise our collective identity, they combined, are where we derive our sense of self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must take care to ensure that they are full of breath (inspiration), robust and strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breathlessness cannot inspire.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Whatever disconnection or disease existing in our youth, it is only a reflection of that disconnection and disease that exist in our society at large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our young people are not raised in a vacuum, they are not an island unto themselves. Sadly many of the symptoms of mal-adjustment that we witness in the headlines of our media are a forecast into a greater problem plaguing our homes, communities, and nation; it is the proverbial dead canary in the mine that acts as a dire warning that there is danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become poor examples as adults, asthmatic in our efforts as models that inspire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The onus is on us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not to be cliché or trite, but it truly takes a village to raise a child, be it raise them to go crooked, or go straight, that depends on the state of the village. It is there, the village where the most emphasis must be placed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of making the at-risk youth the primary focus of attention, our efforts must be more holistic driven; give more attention and support to the family structure from which the youth is nurture, where the youth gains his/her initial sense of identity (often times it is there where the greatest degree of inspiration and education must occur) where we adults have lost our footing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Systems of support for the parents and the adults inhabiting the immediate space of our young people must be erected, coalescing around them to aid in what may be fractured there, which acts as magnetic corralling force that pulls the youth into an orbit of stability, thus giving him/her greater prospects of self-discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put the health of the family first, and the youth will be inspired. </div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540294178397712397.post-88090416258056682892014-02-02T19:15:00.001-08:002014-02-02T19:15:08.031-08:00Inspirational Essay for Youth: 1st Place Winner's Essay from Inmate Livingstone Bradley #643502<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Hello,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My name is Livingstone Bradley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am 27 years old and I am a native of Detroit, MI and I would like to first and foremost like to concede that no matter who you are or whatever your current station in life, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that a not-so-little thing called struggle can come in a myriad of forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How we as adults, seniors, young men and women, and more importantly, the youth respond to struggle is what’s important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see the sheer reality of what is currently going on in the community (It could be yours or someone you know and love) it would take nothing but a brisk walk to the nearest corner-store or a short drive to the gas station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between point A and point B you could witness a plethora of residual damages from a moment of violence turned deadly, causing innocent casualties in the process, or property vandalism caused by groups of individuals who may or may not feel as they were short-changed in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are currently a troubled youth reading this please understand…you are not alone!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has been the revolving door of broken homes for decades as well as the product of a new wave of rebelliousness that just refuses to ingest the “right kinds of brain food.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can this be stopped?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with a collective conscious effort, the benefits of targeting the trouble youth in certain communities could certainly outweigh the losses of innocent youth in troubled neighborhoods.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There may not simply be enough outlets for learning opportunities that would better appeal to the way most teenagers would deem “fit” for this particular day and age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is digital and futuristic and let’s be real, outside of school and most of the time in school during important projects, electronics are being used as a way out because it deviates from the norm. Boredom leads to skipped classes, extracurricular drug usage, criminal activity, and most of the time its because there is simply nothing that hold the interest of the youth and so the fast path to penitentiary begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The results are usually grim and valuable lives are wasted in the process. A lot of my experiences that led to my being incarcerated were the result of misplaced potential, unreasonable expectations, and non-utilization of my precious mental faculties aside from coming up on the deep Westside of Detroit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly turned a keen eye to quick money and no real steady goal on how to acquire it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I became so angry at my own circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to make poor choices and lash out at society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was “sticking it to the man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I ended up sticking myself behind bars for 10 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was lucky to be alive in the years that led up to prison. But when I reflect back on my life, I realized I was just a young kid who was handed a deck of 42 cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the world owed me something later but I ended up taking what I thought was mine hurting no one but myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I urge anyone reading this to understand the benefits of wise decision making and making sure you become part of something greater instead of something worse. You either build or you destroy and for what? A couple of dollars? A shot at revenge? No, it goes deeper than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look within yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll find the status you need. Help your mother, father, anyone you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In doing so, you help yourself, and your community because you become a greater part of something a lot bigger than you or me. Each one needs to teach one. But always remember the greatest teachers make also the greatest students. I understand that now and sooner or later….so will you. Good Luck. </div>
R.T. Hindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769214714956269059noreply@blogger.com0