Prison Ministries

Beyond the Bars: Darnell McRath shares his poetic column in Exposure Magazine

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2018

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Poetic Justification

Late Oct. 2000… A voice was calling in the wilderness in hopes to counter attack the insidious nihilistic war against classes of race — particularly blacks. Unfortunately, her words still vibrate. Inexcusable, I was given my warning by a beautiful sister facing a federal crack conspiracy.

Her words were clean cut, “Don’t get caught with crack”. Leading me to her car, withdrawing papers from her glove compartment. “Look, here’s the federal guidelines; these are what you face for a ‘little a’ nothing.” I was twenty-five then.

To the many who have stopped to hear the voices in the wilderness: I thank Tam first, the editor, family and like, and the reader – you; who extends this channel by reason for men like myself, and others. To convey our faces, truths, and symbols of change; or, adversities that can be expressed along these lines.

I come as a symbol, representing an instrument embodied to a 327 months federal imprisonment. Departure since July 6, 2001: in an aftermath that rippled its effect through an epidemic, “War on Drugs” executed by former President Clinton. My symbol isn’t to -emphasize- on the 51 grams of crack that resultantly placed me in a political economic chattel slavery, or dramatize non-sense, but, sound a trumpet: “A war on guns/A war on youth.”

My objective is also, symbolize the marginal few who are deprogramming – destructive habits, into an alchemist, that renders reprogramming – constructive habits. By this I mean, not just employing self-education and spiritual-modification, but using this platform to impress a symbol of difference through a cause (thought) and effect (condition) to the various minds who are anticipating good men, behind these walls.

My message is to produce light where the mind(s) may fear to travel. Considering, we’re all symbol’s speaking our language…. fixed by experience. For the most part, prison isn’t a stigma for the worst scenario. It’s the effect of our inward/outward foe, that every soldier must conquer to gain/learn his/her strength.

Poetic Justification,

Darnell McRath

Produced by Romero M. Williams

my dearest friend serving 10+yrs

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Beyond the Bars: Meet Willie Townsend “Innocent until proven Guilty”, “Due Process”

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Prison Ministries

Now I’m incarcerated. In hindsight, my actions caused my reality! by Romero Williams

Now I’m incarcerated. In hindsight, my actions caused my reality!

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2018

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Now I’m incarcerated. In hindsight, my actions caused my reality!

My life has been a roller-coaster, facing many obstacles as an adolescent on to adulthood. Throughout my journey I’ve experienced confusion as a child, causing emotional distress. This lead me to become sheltered, weary, unfocused, and difficult in dealing with. Being young and stubborn, I couldn’t appreciate the fact that I was blessed with a father figure. I was the type of person who kept feelings bottled up, which caused me to act out negatively. Looking back, my actions were only a cry out for help.

Unknowingly to my family, I was suffering from a mental melee. As a reaction towards my actions I was physically punished.Those punishments were the cause for me becoming a tougher and stronger person. Even though my parents had good intentions raising myself and siblings, I was still inquisitive about the happenings of dropping out of school, sex, guns, running the streets, and dealing drugs. My running buddies were young and rebellious just like me. I was always my own leader, so I did what I wanted to do. Back then I did as much dirt as the others bur fortunately I was lucky enoughto escape from being arrested.

By the age of nineteen, literally everyone that I’d ran the streets with were in prison or on the way to prison. Their charges were for drugs, robbery, murder or attempting to do all of the above. Being shot in the past should’ve been a turning point in my life, but it only made me fearless. Sad to say, I knew that one day my demise would happen. Living the street life, it goes hand and hand. My grandmother once told me that I was surviving off of other’s prayers. Although I heard her words…. I wasn’t listening. Now I’m incarcerated. In hindsight, my actions caused my reality!

May Ever Life Grow

Romero (M.E.L.G.) Williams

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Prison Ministries

Beyond the Bars: Smile Now & Cry Later

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2018

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Smile Now & Cry Later

Smiles. In life we choose a path tht shall bring joy to any situation: even one where there is darkness. We then formulate a way to make light shine by any means necessary, Due to our desperate need for instant gratification: to elevate to a more livable life: as well as a prosperous life. Needless to say we tend to grab hold of the easiest.; as well as the fastest way to get to the bag: which in most cases is an illegal means. While it’s good, “We are all Smiles” oblivious to what tomorrow shall bring. Even chosen to fill our circle with many (that is there for their own selfish needs). Not because they really care or love us for who we truly are. How could it be otherwise? So when the day comes that our self-made light transforms to darkness we look for those we choose to ride our wave of temporary success. To only find most of them failing to be there. Thus, flipping our smile – up side down – to more than a frown. Most importantly our thoughts begin to clean our soul by allowing a river of negative emotion to flow down our cheeks, without doubt. We are true survivors: warriors in this heated bout; believing we shall find a way to make that light shine again! Karma smile now. Cry Later.

Author,

Mr. Omar L. August

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Prison Ministries

Beyond the Bars: Meet Willie Townsend “Innocent until proven Guilty”, “Due Process”

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2018

admin

My name is Willie Townsend , Jr.

I’m a 40 year old African American male. I grew up with both my parents and I graduated High School in 1996. I attended college at Alabama State University in 2011. I still ended up in FBOP. However it’s very easy to break these Federal laws. I’ve learned that when I hear the terms “Law & Order”, “Innocent until proven Guilty”, “Due Process” are all “terminology is” of this U.S. government. I’ve also learned that if the United States finds things unconstitutional they then would continue to leave people incarcerated and use terms like retroactivity. I am guilty of only 30% of the accusations in my case. I never committed any violent acts, and yet I’m still charged with them because of so called co-conspirators. Then the government is responsible for all sorts of fabrication upon me; then I know there are other stories. I’m from Atlanta, GA and I’m a proud father who has missed his father’s, neice, brother’s funerals because of what has been placed upon me in two conspiracies that is actually one. Don’t expect no lawyer to fight for you nor no one to honor the law and facts. It’s all about an agenda and policies. Life is about choices and decisions. I ask that all the readers choose wisely and pay attention to the laws of the land. We have a President that has shown more indiciveness since the Plessy v. Ferguson days and Brown v. Board of Education and the civil right laws. So I ask that all Americans, color, creed or ethnicities be aware of the injustice that’s before us today.