PRISONER EXPRESS

From lesson to lesson, to theme to theme...the last was Expectations but this is another. I'm more conscious. I can see more. It feels good. All this time I thought another person existed within me. I looked within, I listened, I learned. Pride.

"Do you understand now?" I am asked.
"Yes. To achieve anything in life the mind, body, and soul must be on the same accord. A lot of people speak on the higher-self (the mind), the lower-self (the body), but fail to teach about the inner-self (the soul). The soul is what puts life into perspective for the mind which in turn controls the body. Purpose comes from the soul, so be prideful and strive wholeheartedly." I answered. I waited for another question but none came. After a while I hear someone softly whispering, "We come from the womb as soldiers. We are born to Struggle. We Struggle to sin and sacrifice. We sin and sacrifice to better ourselves for life and survival of this Nation. The bloodline of our ancestors runs deep. Overcome your oppression young soldier. Use your sword." ...

Regardless of the consequences, pride forces a man to take control of his situation. I've found my niche in life because of...PRIDE. I refuse to continue living in such isolation that many prisoners are forced to endure in Ad Seg here in this Texas Prison System. The living conditions are inhumane, and I feel the only way to improve these conditions I have to start Speaking Up, Reaching Out through writing about it. There are over 160,000 prisoners and 120 prison facilities that make up the Texas Prison System. You see, prisoners used to seek companionship and friendship through prisoner-to-prisoner correspondence but unfortunately, TDCJ-ID has implemented one of the most restrictive policies prohibiting prisoners from writing each other. No longer are the days full of staying in touch for moral support. No longer are the days of guaranteed mail from men and women that could actually empathize with these harsh realities of being isolated and confined to prison. To over-come that obstacle we must reach to the outside world. Some are willing to write and possibly shed some light on this world, but they are targeted with so many forms of retaliation from the administration. So I know that I will not be immune to reprisal. I can only pray that my PRIDE will gain me the outside support that I need to just...to just...speak up and reach out. To write.

... "Yes, young soldier, struggle. You struggle mentally by seeking knowledge, wisdom and understanding." was the last I heard before I dozed off. Pride...