PRISONER EXPRESS

It seems a natural trait of humanity to allow genetic anomalies, such as skin color, to affect our opinion of a fellow human. Nowhere is this form of racial profiling more prevalent than prison. Probably no prison is as deeply divided by race as the Texas version.

Having had a more widespread and adventuresome life than many of my peers I have good reason to disbelieve the stereotypes. Time spent in the Alabama prison system, where the ratio of black to white was 8:1 at times, showed me the power of unity between prisoners, something unheard of in Texas. Before you Texans, or others, get it in your head that the whites in my Alabama home were weak let me assure you that just that handful of rednecks from Sand Mountain would be enough to overthrow the governments of most Third World Nations if they so chose. It was a matter of having enough common sense to realize we all did better time when the administration knew we would all stand together as convicts. We had few thieves because that brought discord. They were hunted down by all.

Ignorant comments were rare in Alabama because we respected each other as humans. The Texas hazing of new prisoners, through forcing them to fight repeated opponents to prove they would fight, called "checking," didn't exist. What was there to check? They were men comfortable in who they were, and as such didn't need to make others subservient to them. No fall partners were required if these men had trouble to face. All were expected to do their own time and fight their own battles. It was us, the prisoners, against them, the guards, and worked much better than the numerous excuses of race and lack of gang affiliation cowards use to legitimize their denial of assistance to their peers faced with oppression by the system or a gang. A man unwilling to fight his own battles got no respect. You didn't ask for help, but you always found it there if you needed it and race was no excuse when the opponent was a member of the administration.

While living in a prison in South Texas, on close custody, Gentry moved in. He was black, or chocolate brown if he was feeling argumentative, intelligent and an all good convict by any standard. By Texas' standards he was unique. Whites soon told me that he was prejudiced and that was proof they didn't know him at all. How could he be prejudiced when his grandfather is white and his mother's half-brother, who was white, helped to raise him in that enclave of whiteness Dripping Springs, Texas. He was the only black male at his high school and his best friend was white. They didn't want to know him, just give him a label. They tried to make him into a gang member, which he may be but I doubt seriously, because he fought beside those he considered friends. It was an unbreakable tenant of his existence to never let a friend fight without his aid. There was even a time when I faced a confrontation with Hispanics and he bumped into me and smiled his companionable smile to let me know he was there if I needed him. Race was irrelevant and his presence was a comfort.

This may seem farfetched in Texas, but he had a cousin, Ozzy, who was half black and half Hispanic by birth; 100% Peckerwood by choice. There was a day when Gentry walked in a day room to find Ozzy with a knife in each hand, standing with his white friends, facing a group of black gang members over one of the whites property being stolen. Gentry walked up to Ozzy and put out his hand. Ozzy was glad to share and passed him a knife. The black standing in opposition asked Gentry , "You gonna stand with those white boys against your own kind?" He answered, "You are not my kind." Then pointed at Ozzy, "He is my blood and I can't go home if I let anything happen to him." Ozzy just grinned. Because of these two, no battle was fought and the black gang members returned Smedley's property.

Ozzy was my friend before I ever met Gentry. He was the only person of any race that ever though of joining in my fight with staff. The sergeant was very lucky I saw Ozzy had his foot drawn back to kick him in the head. Had to stop Ozzy because he only had a year left to discharge, but it did not stop him from informing the lieutenant that if they beat me up back in lock up he would return when he got out. It was an instance where thought counted more than action and I didn't get beat up either.

The most unsupportable phrase I've ever heard is one you may know. "Ain't no (add racially derogatory term of choice) can whip me." Boy, you have to be tough, or extremely delusional, to think you can fight a whole race. Heard this comment made by a goofball named Dudes and close custody. This is the only black I've ever met who couldn't dribble a basketball. He had no coordination, strength or size and wasn't a killer. Guess he though he could run fast and hide real good. Gentry looked at me and when I looked back we fell on the floor laughing at this nut case. Gentry thought he should send Dudes to Dripping Springs for a summer to fight those rednecks. He was fairly sure they'd kill Dudes but that wouldn't be a great loss. It is always tempting to test such theories; but is it really worth the effort?

Why do black and Hispanics, in general, perceive whites as weak? It is probably for the same reason that some whites come to prison intimidated by skin of a darker complexion. Since we all know skin color isn't body armor and that strength is not a skin color it must have a deeper source. The truth of the matter is that it is learned behavior. A Dudes doesn't really believe what he says and neither do most that make such comments. They just want to sound tough. As to the white's apprehension of color it is understandable because of their ignorance. Black just have a more aggressive way of expressing themselves and Hispanics seem quite alien to those who don't know them as people. It is basically a matter of cultural differences that make each of us see each other in this matter.

Individuals are not at fault for the prejudicial thoughts that become so ingrained through so many aspects of life. The true guilt for that stereotypical perceptions is the property of all members of society that perpetuate them by their actions. For any race to choose to separate from society is to deny the need for diversity and allow prejudices to grow. Apartheid, whether by choice or by force, is still apartheid. We will never become comfortable in each others company until we spend time together and set aside our hostilities. Only then will we change our preconceived notions of each other. Sure, all stereotypes have some basis in fact; but no race can be reduced to such a simple generalization when all have their variables that contradict the norm.

In my years I've come to realize that you can find in each human, regardless of race, what you take time to look for. If I place anyone in a category and label them due to some genetic quirk that makes them differ from myself then I am guilty of racially profiling my fellow man.

It is my opinionated view that if we, as a society, are serious about ending the abomination of racial profiling we must first abolish its root from our own minds. A man without prejudice is incapable of such conduct. Since none of us can control another's thoughts we must control those we can, our own. If we are willing to change our thinking then we won't perpetuate racial ignorance. It is tempting to live down to low, stereotypical expectations. It takes integrity to rise above them.

In the end it is always a matter of choice and I leave you with a question: Will you rise upon the winds of intellect and change the world or grovel in the muddy excrement of outdated prejudices? This I'll go ride the winds and leave the rest of you to do as you please.